Coconut Oil? Seriously??

lind3400
lind3400 Posts: 557 Member
edited October 1 in Food and Nutrition
Ok, soooo I have the big question on coconut oil....is it really that good for you now?
Cuzz I've been learning in nutrition classes that its on the list of No-No's for bad oils. So I avoid anything made with it..
Granted that was 2 yrs ago....but I'm still confused....How can it change from bad to good?
And are oils such as Olive and soybean still a better choice?

Replies

  • ennaejay
    ennaejay Posts: 575
    it's saturated fat - so - same as beef

    somebody correct me if I'm wrong

    but it seems to me that a plant fat *should* be better for you, in theory, than animal fat, but that's my $.02
  • Ashleypeterson37
    Ashleypeterson37 Posts: 347 Member
    Bump! Saw this on the plaeo diet and was wondering the same thing!
  • Jennyisbusy
    Jennyisbusy Posts: 1,294 Member
    hydrogenated coconut oil is very bad -as all the hydrolyzed oils are. These are the ones you used to find in candy bars and yummy popcorn treats etc.

    coconut oil that has not been processed is a good oil choice but will still be high in calories and needs to be used sparingly.

    I hope this helps:flowerforyou:
  • lockef
    lockef Posts: 466
    Maybe saturated fat isn't as bad as we previously thought?! Hmmmmmm...

    Maybe one day we'll find out that dietary cholesterol doesn't lead to heart disease.






    edit: ninja edit
  • dayzeerock
    dayzeerock Posts: 918 Member
    Your nutritional instructor should be fired! Coconut oil is IMMENSELY beneficial to your health when added to your diet. It is full of vitamins E and K and iron. It is loaded with poly-phenols and your essential fatty acids (don't fear the word "fatty"...your body needs fatty acids to function properly). It is a great source of Oleic and Linoleic acids. And yes, it is a saturated fat, but unlike animal fats, it's a healthy one, because it is composed of medium chain triglycerides, which are the ones your body can easily convert and break down for energy, so they don't become stored as fat. It helps aid weight loss, digestion, and even good to use directly on your skin! Coconut oil helps build up your immunity, and even helps those with diabetes! There are so many other great things about coconut oil...definitely don't fear it!
  • lind3400
    lind3400 Posts: 557 Member
    Your nutritional instructor should be fired! Coconut oil is IMMENSELY beneficial to your health when added to your diet. It is full of vitamins E and K and iron. It is loaded with poly-phenols and your essential fatty acids (don't fear the word "fatty"...your body needs fatty acids to function properly). It is a great source of Oleic and Linoleic acids. And yes, it is a saturated fat, but unlike animal fats, it's a healthy one, because it is composed of medium chain triglycerides, which are the ones your body can easily convert and break down for energy, so they don't become stored as fat. It helps aid weight loss, digestion, and even good to use directly on your skin! Coconut oil helps build up your immunity, and even helps those with diabetes! There are so many other great things about coconut oil...definitely don't fear it!

    Lol that was exactly the response I was lookin for thanks!
  • kuyupl
    kuyupl Posts: 1
    I think Jennyisbusy is right. I have read quite a bit about it and it is now all I use to cook with. It has a high smoke temp and a pleasant flavor. I have added it to our family's diet after reading about it over and over and the benefits. Here is a quick link:
    http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
  • ShannonWinger
    ShannonWinger Posts: 309 Member
    Dr Oz talks about the health benefits quite a bit and recommends it and he's a heart surgeon.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Dietary saturated fats (including from meat and dairy) and cholesterol have little negative impact on health. Recent research shows that sugar consumption and overall weight have more impact on your health than fat consumption per se.

    Trans fats (the man-made kind in cakes, biscuits and other fast food) remain the work of the devil, however.

    And eating more fruit and vegetables lowers cholesterol more than cutting fat.
  • Sirchunx
    Sirchunx Posts: 24 Member
    The reason why Coconut oil was considered bad in the past was actually due to miscommunication. The involved study needed rabbits to have high cholesterol. To do this they partially hydrogenated (trans fats) the coconut oil to make it unhealthy and gave it to the rabbits. Well someone out there took this information and used it to show that Coconut oil is bad for you. So a ton of newspapers, magazines, news reports took this information and told the masses, without telling them the whole truth. You might remember it mentioned in relation to movie theater popcorn.... Anyways fast forward a few years and here we are. Virgin Coconut oil is recommended for consumption, just don't over do it as the verdict is still out on saturated fats.
  • Silverkittycat
    Silverkittycat Posts: 1,997 Member
    Your nutritional instructor should be fired! Coconut oil is IMMENSELY beneficial to your health when added to your diet. It is full of vitamins E and K and iron. It is loaded with poly-phenols and your essential fatty acids (don't fear the word "fatty"...your body needs fatty acids to function properly). It is a great source of Oleic and Linoleic acids. And yes, it is a saturated fat, but unlike animal fats, it's a healthy one, because it is composed of medium chain triglycerides, which are the ones your body can easily convert and break down for energy, so they don't become stored as fat. It helps aid weight loss, digestion, and even good to use directly on your skin! Coconut oil helps build up your immunity, and even helps those with diabetes! There are so many other great things about coconut oil...definitely don't fear it!

    I agree. I love it, and mix a spoonful in to tea almost daily.
  • MJLavaty
    MJLavaty Posts: 72 Member
    My friend has been using it in her cooking for about a year and she has tightened the loose skin from a pregnancy 9 years ago! She has always been skinny but she didn't gain weight. She convinced me to use it instead of Mederma/Bio-oil (which didn't work anyways) on my stretch marks and it works! I also use it on my face when it is really dry. A little bit goes a long way on your skin. I don't like the taste of coconut so I have been reluctant to try it in replace of other oils.
  • TenLaws
    TenLaws Posts: 273
    I cook with coconut oil sometimes - it's not bad for you!!

    I mostly use it in my hair - my hair has grown at double speed since I starting using it.
  • ennaejay
    ennaejay Posts: 575
    thanks dayzeerock.... very informative....!!!
  • taem
    taem Posts: 495 Member
    Ok, soooo I have the big question on coconut oil....is it really that good for you now?
    Cuzz I've been learning in nutrition classes that its on the list of No-No's for bad oils. So I avoid anything made with it..
    Granted that was 2 yrs ago....but I'm still confused....How can it change from bad to good?
    And are oils such as Olive and soybean still a better choice?

    I guess I am the extreme, I do not use nor advocate use of any oils because it is a fat and has too many calories per teaspoon. Research shows at best, saturated fat is not harmful to those that are "healthy." So a blanket statement like saturated fat is good for you should be nuanced, or given a caveat.

    Thanks.

    Here is a free online video presentation on oils. It is where I draw my conclusions, along with a prior discussion with others in MFP.
    http://www.mefeedia.com/watch/29711023
  • Silverkittycat
    Silverkittycat Posts: 1,997 Member
    I guess I am the extreme, I do not use nor advocate use of any oils because it is a fat and has too many calories per teaspoon. Research shows at best, saturated fat is not harmful to those that are "healthy." So a blanket statement like saturated fat is good for you should be nuanced, or given a caveat.

    You're right, being cautious is a good thing. I'm one of those Weston Price people so I'm a fan of the saturated fats, I know not everyone is. :smile:
  • lockef
    lockef Posts: 466
    I guess I am the extreme, I do not use nor advocate use of any oils because it is a fat and has too many calories per teaspoon.

    You make it sound like dietary fat is a bad thing?!

    Edit: OMG, are you kidding me with that video?! Holy crap... there's so much bad science in that video it's almost funny! You ever heard the saying "correlation does not imply causation"?
  • taem
    taem Posts: 495 Member
    I guess I am the extreme, I do not use nor advocate use of any oils because it is a fat and has too many calories per teaspoon.

    You make it sound like dietary fat is a bad thing?!

    Edit: OMG, are you kidding me with that video?! Holy crap... there's so much bad science in that video it's almost funny! You ever heard the saying "correlation does not imply causation"?

    Again, this is my opinion. I never said to not eat it. If you have something to add with your reasons, I am open to read it.

    Thanks.
  • taem
    taem Posts: 495 Member
    I guess I am the extreme, I do not use nor advocate use of any oils because it is a fat and has too many calories per teaspoon. Research shows at best, saturated fat is not harmful to those that are "healthy." So a blanket statement like saturated fat is good for you should be nuanced, or given a caveat.

    You're right, being cautious is a good thing. I'm one of those Weston Price people so I'm a fan of the saturated fats, I know not everyone is. :smile:

    I wasn't looking for a fight. I do respect your opinion. I was adding mine for consideration. People can always do their own research and come up with their own conclusions.

    Thanks.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    it's saturated fat - so - same as beef

    somebody correct me if I'm wrong

    but it seems to me that a plant fat *should* be better for you, in theory, than animal fat, but that's my $.02

    There is nothing wrong with animals fats and yes Coconut Oil is very healthy for us.

    Saturated fat has been villified unjustly. 50-60 years ago when our ancestors where eating animal fats (tallow, lard, butter), home grown vegetables and self slaughtered meats and maybe some seasonal fruits and bread was considered a luxury item they were very healthy - this nation had very little obesity, heart disease, etc..........

    Bring in Ancel Keys (who was hired by the government) to villify saturated fat to grown the agrcultural and grain industry to what we have today and there is so much more disease, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, etc...........

    The government doesn't have our best interest at heart. They are in the pockets of Cargill, Monsanto, Smithfield Foods, Tyson, Purdue, and the Big Pharma companies, etc............They want you to eat Genetically modified grains, cloned and factory farmed meats that get contaiminated with all types of diseases and viruses.

    Why do you think they keep upping the servings of grains on the food pyramid and people keep getting sicker and fatter????

    Here is some reading material to back up my statements.

    http://www.spacedoc.com/saturated_fat_is_good_for_you_1

    http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/08/17/saturated-fat1.aspx
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    Ok, soooo I have the big question on coconut oil....is it really that good for you now?
    Cuzz I've been learning in nutrition classes that its on the list of No-No's for bad oils. So I avoid anything made with it..
    Granted that was 2 yrs ago....but I'm still confused....How can it change from bad to good?
    And are oils such as Olive and soybean still a better choice?

    I guess I am the extreme, I do not use nor advocate use of any oils because it is a fat and has too many calories per teaspoon. Research shows at best, saturated fat is not harmful to those that are "healthy." So a blanket statement like saturated fat is good for you should be nuanced, or given a caveat.

    Thanks.

    Here is a free online video presentation on oils. It is where I draw my conclusions, along with a prior discussion with others in MFP.
    http://www.mefeedia.com/watch/29711023

    Eating good, clean food doesn't call for calorie counting and that includes eating saturated fats in abundance.............

    You are not healthier by keeping your fat low due to fats and oils having more calories. Actually your brain is made up of primarily fat and people suffer from depression and other mood disorders when the fat intake is too low.

    And there are a lot of people that went back to eating loads of saturated fats and have reversed severe diseases and disorders that were making them unhealthy. People with autoimmune disorders, seizure disorders, Diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.........
  • mslaurahamilton
    mslaurahamilton Posts: 7
    Unprocessed so-called "virgin" coconut oil is quite good for you. Even though it is technically saturated, it melts below body temperature, so inside your body it's perfectly liquid. It is not comparable to saturated beef fat, for example. Past tests were done on hydrogenated coconut oil.

    One thing to be careful of is digestive upset. If you start using it, start SLOW or you can get some diarrhea and cramping. Also, it's not good in pasta and stuff like that, although it can be good when baking. I use it in place of shortening or canola oil in recipes. To replace canola oil in baking you need to warm it up in a microwave to liquify it first.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    Unprocessed so-called "virgin" coconut oil is quite good for you. Even though it is technically saturated, it melts below body temperature, so inside your body it's perfectly liquid. It is not comparable to saturated beef fat, for example. Past tests were done on hydrogenated coconut oil.

    One thing to be careful of is digestive upset. If you start using it, start SLOW or you can get some diarrhea and cramping. Also, it's not good in pasta and stuff like that, although it can be good when baking. I use it in place of shortening or canola oil in recipes. To replace canola oil in baking you need to warm it up in a microwave to liquify it first.

    Coconut oil can cause cramping and diarrhea for 2 reasons..........

    1. The body is not currently making the amino acid it needs to be able to digest it properly.
    2. There is Candida (yeast) die off occurring.

    Either way, it is best to start off with 1 tablespoon and work your way up to about 3-4 tablespoons per day.

    Check out my blog on coconut oil:

    http://primal-lioness.blogspot.com
  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member
    Coconut oil = yum! And, I believe, better for me than corn oil, soybean oil, etc. But again, I am (turning into) one of "those people" who believes we've pretty much been lied to about saturated fat's role in disease.

    (Um, I also have a container of filtered duck + bacon grease in my fridge that I use for greasing my skillet. :happy: )
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    Coconut oil = yum! And, I believe, better for me than corn oil, soybean oil, etc. But again, I am (turning into) one of "those people" who believes we've pretty much been lied to about saturated fat's role in disease.

    (Um, I also have a container of filtered duck + bacon grease in my fridge that I use for greasing my skillet. :happy: )

    <HIGH FIVE>
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    it's saturated fat - so - same as beef

    somebody correct me if I'm wrong

    but it seems to me that a plant fat *should* be better for you, in theory, than animal fat, but that's my $.02

    I also wanted to mention that plant fats, aka Polyunsaturated Fats, such as corn oil, soy oil, peanut oil, canola oil ARE NOT good for us.........

    We should go for saturated fats that are medium or long chained fatty acids OR MUFAS, aka monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, grape seed oil, etc.

    When you consume too many vegetable oils (PUFAS) you are setting yourself up for inflammation that leads to heart disease. Another reason that heart disease keeps growing and rising the more they push for using PUFAS.

    Most vegetable oils are rancid by the time they get finished with processing it and just gets worse as it sits in a bottle on the grocery store shelf and then gets heated when cooking with it. It upsets the Omega 3:6 ratio and when you are consuming way to much Omega 6 your are having oxidation and rancidity occur in the body which leads to inflammation.
  • igora_soma
    igora_soma Posts: 486
    My friend has been using it in her cooking for about a year and she has tightened the loose skin from a pregnancy 9 years ago! She has always been skinny but she didn't gain weight. She convinced me to use it instead of Mederma/Bio-oil (which didn't work anyways) on my stretch marks and it works! I also use it on my face when it is really dry. A little bit goes a long way on your skin. I don't like the taste of coconut so I have been reluctant to try it in replace of other oils.

    It is amazing for skin, any problem you could have from acne to a burn!!
  • taem
    taem Posts: 495 Member
    I would like to add one more resource, http://nutritionfacts.org/videos/is-coconut-oil-good-for-you/
    You can watch the video, the sources drawn up for the doctor to make the conclusion is listed further down the video.

    Thanks for considering it.
  • Jennyisbusy
    Jennyisbusy Posts: 1,294 Member
    Also it does not taste coconutty. It's pretty mild in flavor.
This discussion has been closed.

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