Coconut Oil Anyone?

Once - I had a recipe for some Cajun Style shrimp (sooo good). It was easy as well - tossed the shrimp in a bowl with the coconut oil and seasoning and laid them flat on a baking pan and baked them. But because I had to buy a bottle of the coconut oil but only used a small amount I had a ton left over so I use when sauteeing veggies and stuff like that.

Bump.

Ooh that sounds so tasty! I'm definitely trying it this weekend.

The evidence that coconut oil is super-healthful is not convincing and these claims appear to be more testimonials than clinical evidence.

There is very limited evidence on disease outcomes, says Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, of Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health. "All that has been studied well is the impact of coconut oil on cholesterol levels and the findings are intriguing but we still don't know if it is harmful or beneficial," Mozaffarian says.

Neither the American Heart Association (AHA) nor the U.S. government's 2010 Dietary Guidelines suggest that coconut oil is any better or preferable over other saturated fats. Coconut oil, like all saturated fats, should be limited to 7%-10% of calories because it can increase risk for heart disease, according to the AHA and 2010 Dietary Guidelines.

Coconut oil has some heart-friendly fatty acids (myristic) but more heart-unfriendly fatty acids (lauric), says Roger Clemens, DrPH. Most experts agree that to reduce the risk of heart disease, replacing saturated fats with healthier unsaturated fats is preferred. There is further agreement that more research is needed in the area of fatty acids and its relationship to health.



The bottom line: "As long as you keep the amount of saturated fat to less than 10% of calories, the choice is up to you. Enjoy coconut oil if it is your preference but do so in moderation until further research indicates it is better than other saturated fats."

The other bottom line: There is absolutely no evidence that coconut oil is "healthy" in any way. Other than for your skin and hair. If you need oil why not make a choice that has "proven" health benefits such as olive oil, walnut oil, and avocado oil.

If you want you food to taste good use lard! Lard, contains just 40 percent saturated fat (compared with nearly 60 percent for butter). Its level of monounsaturated fat (the "good" fat) is "a very respectable 45 percent," "double butter's paltry 23 or so percent."

Lard's fat is also mostly monounsaturated, which is healthier than saturated fat. And even the saturated fat in lard has a neutral effect on blood cholesterol. Not to mention that lard has a higher smoking point than other fats, allowing foods like chicken to absorb less grease when fried in it. And, of course, fat in general has its upsides. The body converts it to fuel, and it helps absorb nutrients, particularly calcium and vitamins.

Thanks so much for posting the cookie recipe!

I use only 2 types of oil- pure olive oil or coconut oil. Coconut oil gets used the most frequency. Everything from eggs to baking to using it on my skin and any cuts we may get. I have to say the anti microbial property of coconut oil is nice side benefit too. I caught a stomach bug a couple weeks ago but I never got real sick, just annoying sick feeling. I'm sure it was the coconut oil that helped.

I use organic

We use coconut oil every day
- husband drinks his coffee with it
- in smoothies
- in oatmeal
- bake fish with it
- use it to roast carrots
- my daily face moisturizer (no need to spend hundreds of dollars on over priced face creams when you have coconut oil. It is amazing!!!)

Almost anytime I cook and would normally use canola, vegetable oil or shortening I use coconut oil instead. It's tons better for you.

I have the LouAna Coconut Oil in the tub... what's the best way to use it for the body/face? Does it need to be heated up then cooled again? I have only ever used it for cooking but I am curious about the other benefits.