Coconut Oil: Miracle or Hype?

I have seen all the hype about coconut oil, too, and admittedly, ordered some. Should be here any day. I'm keeping an open mind, but somehow I think maybe I should read "snake oil" instead of "coconut oil." It's insanely expensive. Even if it tastes great, not sure if it'll be worth the money.

Like your blog, btw.

Great Post! Although I'm not too fond of Dr Fuhrman, I have to agree with him that coconut oil is just a hype. Sometimes a hype is not always bad; however this hype can kill if Mercola/Weston Price followers continue to distort the science of saturated fats.

'Then what about olive oil or flax oil - and other "healthy" supplements'
According to Dr. Fuhrman, these are not healthy. The meditteranean diet is not healthy because of the olive oil, but because of the high fruit/vegetable content of the diet.

You should get all your fatty acid needs from whole foods: raw nuts and seeds and avocado's. Oil is a processed food (like for example orange juice is more processed than a whole orange) that should be eaten in limitation. There is not much wrong with a sprinkle of olive oil over your food, but one tablespoon of oil has 120 calories, and not many nutrients at all.

That's the doctor's opinion, and I tend to agree with him, even though I do still use oil in my cooking.

I have to admit, I'm not familiar with either one of these guys. I hadn't really run into the coconut oil thing at all.
But, based on my overall health and the cholesterol and triglycerides levels I'm getting, I'm just going to stick with keeping my daily fat grams below 50, eating balanced meals, and exercising daily. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

70 pounds down, 40 to go!

Actually I found out about cocounut oil without the help of these self promoting doctors.

I think Sally Fallon who wrote Nourishing Traditions makes a good case for the use of mid chain triglycerides...

I guess I don't trust the medical establishment to know anything except what the drug companies tells them.

Hi, I don't like coconut so won't be tempted. However, it makes my head spin when what was considered really bad is now considered really good.

I say any diet that tells you veggies and fruit are bad and any diet that says all carbohydrates are bad are just over the top. (I know my hubby lost a lot on Atkins but is it healthy)

There used to be a diet where you just ate 3 yogurts a day. Yes, you lost weight on that one too, but healthy, I think not.

The thing people fail to recognize about Advice such as Mercola's and others is that you are not eating much of what fat gets put in or onto, such as bread, pastries and baked potatoes. About all you might be doing with fat is coating a skillet, dressing a salad or seasoning your veggies.

Fallon has been making the case for natural fats for decades. Artificial low fat this and that has been on the grocery shelves also for decades. The nation is considered overweight. How do we know who is right. I would go for close to nature.

There is a difference between natural unheated coconut oil and the heated processed kind you find in most grocery stores. So-called experts fail to make the distinction time and time again. Just as they fail to make the distinction regarding "grain fed" red meat and "grass fed" red meat. The difference is significant enough to give it a great deal of consideration.

COCONUT OIL IS DANGEROUS
Trans fat is a monounsaturated fat that occurs naturally in low levels in milk and beef, but 80 percent of the trans fat Americans consume is from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Trans fat is considered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be Generally Recognized As Safe.

Until around 1990, trans fat was considered as innocuous as other monounsaturated fats (such as those in olive oil.) Then studies demonstrated that trans fat, like saturated fat, increases the "bad" (LDL) cholesterol in our blood. That provided solid evidence that trans fat increases the risk of heart disease.

Further studies found that, unlike saturated fat, trans fat also decreases the "good" (HDL) cholesterol in blood. That may well further increase the risk of heart disease. For that reason, some leading researchers think that trans fat is even more harmful than saturated fat. In July 2002, the National Academies' Institute of Medicine concluded that the only safe level of trans fat in the diet is zero.

In addition, four large studies of human populations (like the Nurses Health Study) all have indicated that, a given amount of trans fat is a far more potent cause of heart disease than the same amount of saturated fat. Thus, trans fat may cause heart disease by other mechanisms as well as by affecting blood cholesterol.

In 1994, the Center for Science in the Public Interest petitioned the FDA to require trans fat to be listed on Nutrition Facts labels. In 1999 the FDA proposed a labeling regulation and in 2003 finalized it, with labels being required to list trans fat by January 1, 2006. The FDA estimated that just listing trans fat on labels would save several thousand lives a year, largely because margarine manufacturers would reduce or eliminate trans fat. If trans fat were removed from all processed foods, upwards of ten thousand—and possibly many more—lives would be saved each year. The savings in lives and dollars likely would dwarf the modest costs of switching oils.

The labeling regulation has stimulated many food processors to consider replacing partially hydrogenated vegetable oil with ingredients that do not contain trans fat. Frito-Lay has stopped using partially hydrogenated vegetable oil in most of its products; Ruby Tuesday now fries in canola oil instead of partially hydrogenated oil; Kraft has announced its intentions to reduce levels of trans fat; and smaller companies have announced similar intentions. Even Crisco now comes in a trans-fat-free version.

Because of their harmful effects, partially hydrogenated oils that contain trans fat should not be allowed to be used as a food ingredient. On May 6, 2004, the Center for Science in the Public Interest petitioned the FDA to do exactly that. Denmark limits trans fat to 2 percent of the fat content of foods, which is tantamount to a ban on partially hydrogenated oils. While the FDA ponders CSPI's petition, the food and restaurant industries should voluntarily switch as rapidly as possible. That means switching to liquid oils like canola, soy, and corn, and using as little butter, palm, and coconut oil as possible.

Well, I've been reading about omega-6 acids recently and it looks like 10% of coconut oil is actually 0mega-6 acid. The problem with omega-6 is its negative effect on cancer cells, as the recent research shows. http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=66576-epa-dha-prostate-cancer

It seems omega-6 gives cancer cells additional energy for a more rapid growth. What do you guys think about it?

Most oils contain a percentage of omega 6. Flaxseed oil is 16% omega 6. The ratio is what matters. Omega 6 is fine as long as you're getting enough omega 3 to balance it out. Modern diets provide too much omega 6 and not enough omega 3. This is where the problem lies.

I've lost 30 lbs since starting on 3 tabls. of coconut oil per day. My body temperature never went over 96 degrees and my hands and feet were always cold. I was also lethargic and minimally depressed. Since the first day I began taking the oil, my body temperature rose to 98.6 and has remained there. My hands and feet now feel normal all the time. My hair and nails are thicker and look healthier. My appetite and cravings for carbs are gone. I am full of energy and feel happy again. This is not hype. I hope more people post their testimonials. I'm sick to death of everyone believing that canola oil and soy are good for us. Dig deeper and realize that doctors get maybe 1 or 2 courses in nutrition during their 4 years of medical school. I believe those that have a passion for nutrition and really study it, not docs just because their docs.

One more thing, Most Coconut oil is NOT a partially hydrogenated oil. Partially hydrogenated oil must be produced that way (by humans in a factory); it is not found in nature. Pure, organic cocunut oil is not hydrogenated and has nothing whatsoever to do with any of Williams comments above. Thank you. Sorry for the rant, but I am living proof of it's healing abilities and hate to see misinformation on these sites.

Question for those who have used coconut oil. I have some from the hfs and it leaves a burning sensation in my throat...I didn't get the kind that was filtered, as I thought this would be a more natural and so healthier form. Have you had this exp? How do you use it? thanks, terry

Terry,
If coconut oil leaves a burning sensation in your throat it has gone rancid. Coconut oil has a very long shelf life when it is prepared properly because it is so saturated, however you will find some places that have old stock.
Also, to William, your post is so flawed I'm was getting ready to throw my monitor out the window. You mention how bad Trans-fats are for you(I agree), but then none of the fats that you mention are Trans-fats. Real butter, and quality coconut oil or palm oils are not partially hydrogenated. I find it hard to believe that someone that can come off seeming so knowledgeable, would in the end know nothing about what they are discussing. You must be a doctor!