Feedback on Coconut Oil?

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24

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  • AZDizzy
    AZDizzy Posts: 434 Member
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    It's great for my hair!
  • Sweet_Potato
    Sweet_Potato Posts: 1,119 Member
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    I bought some to cook with, but I find myself using it mostly as a skin and hair product. It is the best moisturizer ever!
  • TheDevastator
    TheDevastator Posts: 1,626 Member
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    Raw cold pressed organic coconut oil is considered a superfood. It contains antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial saturated fatty acids, which helps to naturally fight off viruses, bacteria, and fungal overgrowth. I usually have a tablespoon or more a day to help fight off candida overgrowth and help burn fat.
  • angelams1019
    angelams1019 Posts: 1,102 Member
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    Here's all the information you need! :)

    http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/coconut-oil.shtml
  • PaulS70
    PaulS70 Posts: 70
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    I have heart disease. Cardiologist told me not to use it. He said triglycerides are triglycerides and the saturated fat would be dangerous to me. He also said the numerous health claims -- weight loss, cure for diabetes, etc.-- are all nonsense.

    Use coconut oil if you wish, but I'm staying away from it. I'd like to stick around for a while.

    Sounds like your cardiologist still thinks its 1988. Coconut oil will not hurt you and is very good for cooking.

    Forgive me for saying so, but I trust his advice over yours. He is pre-eminent in his field, so I'm sure he keeps up with the latest in medicine.

    Like I said, if you want to use coconut oil, go ahead. I'm just posting what my doctor told me.

    I will use coconut oil. There is very little evidence to suggest I shouldn't.

    The "experts" have been wrong before...
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
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    I have heart disease. Cardiologist told me not to use it. He said triglycerides are triglycerides and the saturated fat would be dangerous to me. He also said the numerous health claims -- weight loss, cure for diabetes, etc.-- are all nonsense.

    Use coconut oil if you wish, but I'm staying away from it. I'd like to stick around for a while.

    Sounds like your cardiologist still thinks its 1988. Coconut oil will not hurt you and is very good for cooking.

    Forgive me for saying so, but I trust his advice over yours. He is pre-eminent in his field, so I'm sure he keeps up with the latest in medicine.

    Like I said, if you want to use coconut oil, go ahead. I'm just posting what my doctor told me.

    I will use coconut oil. There is very little evidence to suggest I shouldn't.

    The "experts" have been wrong before...

    The experts are very wrong............

    http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/2007/04/06/saturated_fat_the_misunderstood_nutrient#axzz0zknkn0yT

    http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/nutrition/saturated_fat.htm

    http://www.health-report.co.uk/saturated_fats_health_benefits.htm
  • PaulS70
    PaulS70 Posts: 70
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    The experts are very wrong............

    http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/2007/04/06/saturated_fat_the_misunderstood_nutrient#axzz0zknkn0yT

    http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/nutrition/saturated_fat.htm

    http://www.health-report.co.uk/saturated_fats_health_benefits.htm

    Thanks! I was too tired last night to cite anything to defend my stance.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
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    Saturated fats cause atherosclerosis. That is a cardiovascular disease. It can aggravate other heart related diseases, even if saturated fats themselves don't cause those other diseases.

    Like just about every other food, it's a trade off.
  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
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    @ Naturemade and PaulS70,

    Experts are indeed sometimes wrong, but please don't advocate that a patient with cardiovascular disease ignore the counsel of a cardio specialist. I find that type of behavior to be very irresponsible.

    And for the record, no the cardiologist is NOT behind the times. For the average, healthy adult, saturated fats are usually not harmful (though I'd still advocate for moderation). However, for a patient with a history of cardiovascular disease... putting saturated fats into a damaged system is unwise, possibly suicidal. It's like telling a diabetic to eat twinkies.

    __________

    About coconut oil in general, I agree with tigersword. Pros and cons. I think it's a reasonably healthy oil choice. I'd suggest that olive oil is probably better, but that could be my bias talking.
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
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    I take it and love it. Half of the fats in coco oil are medium chain triglycerides, as opposed to the standard long chain variety. Unlike longer chain fats, MCTs go the liver and are available for use far more rapidly by other tissue. In addition, MCTs are preferentially used to produce ketone bodies which can be used instead of glucose, amino acids or fatty acids by most tissues of the body. In some studies this has a protein sparing effect and this is especially true in the initial periods on a low-calorie low-carbohydrate diet.

    This^^
  • neenaj33
    neenaj33 Posts: 347 Member
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    I use it as a hair conditioner and on my feet...works wonders
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
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    It's saturated fat, so it's a mixed bag. It does have some health benefits, but being a saturated fat, it still helps contribute to atherosclerosis. So, it's ok in moderation, but I wouldn't take it just to take it.


    Sooo wrong (the bit about contributing to "atherosclerosis" - it is one of the one "good" saturated fats.......

    Coconut oil contains MCFA (Medium Chain Fatty Acids) which help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. It is primarily due to the MCFA in coconut oil that makes it so special and so beneficial. (as per Coconut Research Centre)

    There are some excellent information on the Coconut Research Centre's website about why coconut oil is different to the other saturated fats if you are interested...
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
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    I have heart disease. Cardiologist told me not to use it. He said triglycerides are triglycerides and the saturated fat would be dangerous to me. He also said the numerous health claims -- weight loss, cure for diabetes, etc.-- are all nonsense.

    Use coconut oil if you wish, but I'm staying away from it. I'd like to stick around for a while.

    When did your cardiologist get his diploma? 30-40 years ago? Has he kept up with modern science?
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
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    Dr. Mercola recommends it, here are several articles:

    http://search.mercola.com/search/Pages/results.aspx?k=coconut oil
    To be fair, if Mercola likes it, that's a pretty good indication that it should be avoided.

    I'm not fond of the guy, but not every single thing he says or does has to be dismissed.
  • shrinkingtam
    shrinkingtam Posts: 8 Member
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    Dr. Mercola recommends it, here are several articles:

    http://search.mercola.com/search/Pages/results.aspx?k=coconut oil
    To be fair, if Mercola likes it, that's a pretty good indication that it should be avoided.

    Dr OZ likes it too, I use it or Grapseed on the stovetop as they are better for high heat application, olive oil in the oven.
  • miss_sarcastic
    miss_sarcastic Posts: 131
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    I cook with it if I need oil (which isn't often) but I love coconut oil for the fact that it treats my eczema on my stomach and arms. If I get a flare up, it only takes 3-5 days of using coconut oil as a lotion and the itch and rash is GONE. For years I had gone through all kinds of creams and remedies and nothing worked. I love my coconut oil lol.
  • twinmama1987
    twinmama1987 Posts: 566 Member
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    I put it in my hair over night and wash it out... but i dont eat it :P
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
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    @ Naturemade and PaulS70,

    Experts are indeed sometimes wrong, but please don't advocate that a patient with cardiovascular disease ignore the counsel of a cardio specialist. I find that type of behavior to be very irresponsible.

    And for the record, no the cardiologist is NOT behind the times. For the average, healthy adult, saturated fats are usually not harmful (though I'd still advocate for moderation). However, for a patient with a history of cardiovascular disease... putting saturated fats into a damaged system is unwise, possibly suicidal. It's like telling a diabetic to eat twinkies.

    __________

    About coconut oil in general, I agree with tigersword. Pros and cons. I think it's a reasonably healthy oil choice. I'd suggest that olive oil is probably better, but that could be my bias talking.

    Um not its not. I have a family member that has healed his Cardiovascular disease with a high fat (high in saturated fats), moderate protein and low carb (carbs coming from fruits and vegetables).

    It has healed the scarring from a previous heart attack to the point of there is no longer any evidence he even had a heart attack. His Cardiologist is the one that put him on this all natural eating plan.

    Science has proved time and time again that cholesterol and saturated fat is NOT the issue where CVD and CHD are concerned. It is from inflammation coming from refined carbohydrates and most vegetable oils, not saturated fat. The high Omega 6 content in vegetable oils causes inflammation as so refined carbohydrates, which includes so called "whole grains".

    Here is another story about someone that has healed their body with the moderate to high use of saturated fats. The proof is there.

    http://katedeering.com/archives/954

    You can also not compare saturated fat which is natural to twinkies which is about as unnatural as it gets.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
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    Saturated fats cause atherosclerosis. That is a cardiovascular disease. It can aggravate other heart related diseases, even if saturated fats themselves don't cause those other diseases.

    Like just about every other food, it's a trade off.

    That is flat out wrong. Did you even read the articles that were posted. They were written by Doctors and those that are very well versed in lipids.
  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
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    @ Naturemade and PaulS70,

    Experts are indeed sometimes wrong, but please don't advocate that a patient with cardiovascular disease ignore the counsel of a cardio specialist. I find that type of behavior to be very irresponsible.

    And for the record, no the cardiologist is NOT behind the times. For the average, healthy adult, saturated fats are usually not harmful (though I'd still advocate for moderation). However, for a patient with a history of cardiovascular disease... putting saturated fats into a damaged system is unwise, possibly suicidal. It's like telling a diabetic to eat twinkies.

    __________

    About coconut oil in general, I agree with tigersword. Pros and cons. I think it's a reasonably healthy oil choice. I'd suggest that olive oil is probably better, but that could be my bias talking.

    Um not its not. I have a family member that has healed his Cardiovascular disease with a high fat (high in saturated fats), moderate protein and low carb (carbs coming from fruits and vegetables).

    It has healed the scarring from a previous heart attack to the point of there is no longer any evidence he even had a heart attack. His Cardiologist is the one that put him on this all natural eating plan.

    Science has proved time and time again that cholesterol and saturated fat is NOT the issue where CVD and CHD are concerned. It is from inflammation coming from refined carbohydrates and most vegetable oils, not saturated fat. The high Omega 6 content in vegetable oils causes inflammation as so refined carbohydrates, which includes so called "whole grains".

    Here is another story about someone that has healed their body with the moderate to high use of saturated fats. The proof is there.

    http://katedeering.com/archives/954

    You can also not compare saturated fat which is natural to twinkies which is about as unnatural as it gets.

    Yes, it is. Are you an MD? No? Do you have 8 to 12+ years in higher education studying the human body? No? Then you should not be advocating that someone dismiss an MD's advice because it 'worked' for a handful of people.

    I'm happy for your family member. I really am. But when you're dealing with a life-or-death situation, you deviate from the prevailing dogma only after very careful consideration... In your family member's case... well I don't know the situation, but I'll bet money his/her MD decided that weight loss was more critical than saturated fat intake in terms of saving his/her life. That may not be the case with everyone. Also, because the 'saturated fats are fine' idea is relatively new, it has not been time-tested and it is therefore up to the MD and the patient- not you- to decide whether a high fat, high saturated fat diet is 'right'. There are PLENTY of studies to contradict every study you've posted.

    Saturated fats are fine for some people... but if you have arthosclerosis, saturated fats will stick to the sticky mess that is lining your arteries and will increase the size of that sticky mess and can indeed cause more problems. Not always. But enough that you shouldn't be crusading for saturated fats for everyone.

    As for the cause of artheosclerosis... yes, it's caused by inflammation. NO the inflammation is NOT coming from CARBS! It might not be coming from saturated fats and cholesterol either. I'll give you that. The new data does suggest that the source of the inflammation is not what we think it is. But it is not carbs. Carbs are not evil, refined or otherwise. (My favorite hypothesis these days on the causes of artheosclerosis is it's caused by a number of genetic factors + obesity. And obesity is simply caused by excess nutrient. Fat cells will secrete inflammatory molecules, causing systemic inflammation and chronic metabolic damage. But that's neither here nor there.)

    I love how you trust the word of some "experts" while dismissing others. You cannot cherry pick science and medicine. You cannot pick your favorite 'experts', worship the ground they walk on, proselytize their faith, while ignoring hundreds of other 'experts' who contradict your favorite 'experts'. Well you can... but doing so demonstrates bias and intellectual dishonesty.

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