Monday, July 03, 2006
Coconut oil and the dictionary...
Here is what Wikipedia - a fantastic online dictionary said.
"The nutritional benefits of coconut oil are debated. Some contend that the consumption of virgin coconut oil (non-hydrogenated) causes increased metabolism and an improved immune system compared to diets rich in other polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as sunflower or canola oils.[citation needed]. Others, including the American Heart Association, contend that coconut oil's high saturated fat content may be detrimental to cardiovascular health and promote heart disease.
For many years now, the primary serum cholesterol-elevating fatty acids have been demonstrated to be the saturated fatty acids with 12(Lauric), 14(Myristic) and 16(Palmitic) carbon atoms, with a concomitant increase in the risk of coronary heart disease. Monosaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid is as effective in reducing serum total and low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol levels as polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic. {Vessby,B.1994. INFORM 5(2):182-185.} Animal studies have observed coconut oil causing higher levels of liver cholesterol and have implicated myristic and lauric acids as having atherogenic effects as well."
Very interesting. I interpret this as meaning for the most part, coconut oil may be good for you unless you have heart disease. But all saturated fats are not created equal. I'll need to further research this heart disease issue as my father has heart disease. Hmmm...
Here is what Wikipedia - a fantastic online dictionary said.
"The nutritional benefits of coconut oil are debated. Some contend that the consumption of virgin coconut oil (non-hydrogenated) causes increased metabolism and an improved immune system compared to diets rich in other polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as sunflower or canola oils.[citation needed]. Others, including the American Heart Association, contend that coconut oil's high saturated fat content may be detrimental to cardiovascular health and promote heart disease.
For many years now, the primary serum cholesterol-elevating fatty acids have been demonstrated to be the saturated fatty acids with 12(Lauric), 14(Myristic) and 16(Palmitic) carbon atoms, with a concomitant increase in the risk of coronary heart disease. Monosaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid is as effective in reducing serum total and low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol levels as polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic. {Vessby,B.1994. INFORM 5(2):182-185.} Animal studies have observed coconut oil causing higher levels of liver cholesterol and have implicated myristic and lauric acids as having atherogenic effects as well."
Very interesting. I interpret this as meaning for the most part, coconut oil may be good for you unless you have heart disease. But all saturated fats are not created equal. I'll need to further research this heart disease issue as my father has heart disease. Hmmm...
