They can also act as carcinogens or … The coconut oil industry likes to point out that the traditional Polynesian diet – high in tropical oils like coconut – is linked with relatively low rates of heart disease. These various saturated fats do not have the same impact on LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood. But "this is a case where facts have been twisted into fiction," states Dr. Jay Kenney, Educator and Nutrition Research Specialist at Pritikin. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Over the past 10 years or so, coconut oil has become a mainstay as both a food and a personal care product. Given these contradictory claims, a question of much public and scientific interest is whether there is room for coconut oil in a healthy diet. The fat in coconut oil is 92% saturated fat. Now before I let you go, I want to make one thing clear–coconut oil is loaded with tons of rich fatty acids and has many beneficial properties for your health. Is it really that bad for you? Bad fats, good fats. After news broke that coconut oil could be bad for certain skin types, we were keen to find out whether the same was true for our hair. Maybe you’ve noticed, or maybe you haven’t, but the American Heart Association (AHA) just released a statement on coconut oil that just has to be addressed. Or, you’re new to coconut oil and want to make sure that it lasts for a while in case you don’t use it up immediately. It’s become quite the popular pantry staple, with people using it for everything from smoothies to face masks. With $18, I can easily get a jar of very good quality virgin coconut oil that holds 680 grams of coconut oil in it. And it is largely thanks to olive oil and it's good fats along with food that is unprocessed, which has made it the … We know that diets high in saturated fat are associated with increased bad (LDL) cholesterol in the blood, and high cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke . The former is a staple in the Mediterranean diet. What gets tricky is that there are different ki… It contains fats known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are metabolized differently than other types of fats (more on that later). (Hydrogenation is an industrial process in which unsaturated fats take on the physical properties of saturated fats.). Many in the coconut oil business promote it as the "good" saturated fat. And yes, coconut oil is one (of many) natural oils that is often used as a moisturizer. Coconut oil has been praised for its moisturizing properties in the beauty world. But, for now, I'd use coconut oil sparingly. The bulk of Michels' argument against coconut oil is that it contains a lot of saturated fat, which in excess has been linked to increased LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol. Side Effects of Bad Coconut Oil. Men's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. And the yield is mostly stearic acid, the one common long-chain saturated fatty acid that has minimal impact on LDL cholesterol levels. Coconut oil is about 86 per cent saturated fat, about one-third more saturated fat than butter (at 52 per cent). Yes, your skin needs an emollient moisturizer to help prevent water loss. Healthy Meal Plan For Weight Loss, Get 6 drug-free alternatives for lowering LDL (Bad) cholesterol. Other saturated fats that have little impact on LDL cholesterol levels include medium-chain varieties like caproic, caprylic, and capric acids. That said, the professor does have a few points about coconut oil worth considering: a tablespoon of coconut oil has 117 calories. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Ounce for ounce, coconut oil has more saturated fat than butter, beef tallow, or lard. Most of the research so far has consisted of short-term studies to examine its effect on cholesterol levels. Lowering Cholesterol Naturally, “Sometimes the coconut oil’s unsaturated fatty acids are partially hydrogenated, which will lead to the production of small amounts of trans fatty acids, although not nearly as many as there are in other vegetable oils because there are so few unsaturated fatty acids in coconut oil to begin with.”, “All in all,” observes Dr. Kenney, “you pay a premium price for the virgin coconut oil, but from a health perspective, it is hardly much better than the hydrogenated coconut oils used commercially.”. Recently, due to increased popularity, research into coconut oil has expanded. “So coconut oil raises LDL cholesterol as much – or more – than animal fats,” cautions Dr. Kenney. So, you just stumbled upon a jar of coconut oil from the cupboard, and you have no idea when you put it back there. Coffee May Help You Live Longer, Says Huge Study. When you label foods as just being ‘bad’ or ‘good’, it causes confusio. Recent research suggests the type of saturated fat in coconut oil may mean it’s metabolised differently, but experts think you’re better off sticking … ... Tanning with coconut oil, is bad for you. And now, grocery stores nationwide are sporting refrigerator cases of coconut waters. Bottom Line: For the most part, if you focus on eating more whole foods-veggies, fruits, whole grains, beans, healthy proteins and oils-your overall diet will be in pretty good shape. That’s what a vacation at Pritikin is all about. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Ending Cancer Treatment Is Just the Beginning, Viral Video Simulates Being Hospitalized for COVID, Best Morning-After Drinks to Help Your Hangover, QAnon's Dangerous Obsession With Adrenochrome, Jillian Michaels Reignites Feud With Andy Cohen, Isadora Baum is a freelance writer, certified health coach, and author of. Some are long-chain (they have 12 or more carbon atoms), and some are medium-chain (fewer than 12 carbon atoms). Coconut oil was demonized in the past because it is high in saturated fat. The reason coconut oil goes into the “sometimes food” pile is the fact it’s a saturated fat – the type of fat associated with high cholesterol. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. The idea is that coconut oil could potentially increase satiety to fill you up faster, so you’ll be less inclined to mindlessly snack later in the day. "Because coconut oil increases [bad] cholesterol, a cause of cardiovascular disease, and has no known offsetting favourable effects, we advise against the use of coconut oil," the AHA conclude. Harmful free radicals produced by spoiled oil can damage DNA cells and arteries. This was supported by a 2009 study in the journal Lipids, which in excess has been linked to increased LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol, The 5 Biggest Benefits of Using Tea Tree Oil. Harsh — but is it true? Other factors, such as genetics and a history of smoking, are much more likely to increase your risk of heart attack or other cardiac events. In this four-class specialization on UI/UX design, you’ll discover how to design digital experiences that users can navigate with ease. It’s more saturated and contains lots of fatty acids having lengths of 8–14 carbons. While we may not have a black and white answer as to whether coconut oil is good or bad for us (or even, neutral, as Wang suspects) anytime soon, we don’t need to avoid it entirely in the interim. Shots fired! In an online video that has gone viral, a Harvard professor takes on the popular food coconut oil, calling it “pure poison.”. Basically, coconut oil is just oil extracted from the meat of coconuts, says Laura LaValle, RDN. One long-chain saturated fat, stearic acid, has little impact on LDL cholesterol. Over about four months, you’ll learn the basics of visual communication and you’ll be able to practice gathering user feedback to build intuitive, attractive websites and interfaces. A recent American Heart Association advisory published in Circulation journal proclaimed that replacing saturated fat — which makes up 82 percent of the fats in coconut oil! Is Coconut Oil Healthier Than Other Cooking Oils? Don’t believe claims on the Internet and elsewhere that coconut oil is good for you. “It would probably be very difficult to get your LDL into these healthy ranges if you were eating a lot of coconut oil,” cautions Dr. Jay Kenney. The Internet is obsessed with whether or not coconut oil is bad for you after a viral video calling it "pure poison." Coconut oil is full of MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides), a type of fatty acid that is rapidly absorbed and converted into fuel for the body. Take life to the next level, and be all that you can be. Before you trash your coconut oil, know that saturated fat is a loaded term. Look better. "It's been found to boost fat-burning and provide your body and brain with quick energy,” says Maggie Michalczyk, a Chicago-based registered dietitian. Bottom line: coconut oil is probably fine for you in moderation, but it's far from the superfood we've been led to believe it is. Is coconut oil bad for you? “We recommend having coconut oil alongside other healthy fats. Stearic acid is the most common saturated fat in chocolate, which is why chocolate or cocoa butter raises LDL only about one-quarter as much as butter, even though both are about 60% saturated fat. the National Cholesterol Education Program, Pritikin ICR: Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab, Medicare coverage is now accepted at the Pritikin Longevity Center, Learn more about our new safety protocols. Marketers claim that any bad data on coconut oil are due to hydrogenation, and virgin coconut oil is not hydrogenated. Why is coconut oil bad for you? Their traditional diet, for example, is very high in dietary fiber and heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids from fish, and very low in sodium. Despite what you've read, coconut oil is bad for your skin. This is especially important for dry skin, atopic dermatitis, and many other skin conditions. Skin While it is true that coconut oil is found in many sunscreens, coconut oil on its own has an SPF of around 1. For the health of your heart, lowering your LDL cholesterol is the single most important thing to do. Before tossing out your coconut oil, let’s see what the research has to say. Coconut oil largely consists of saturated fat (80% to 90% of fat in coconut oil is saturated), making it solid at room temperature. Oil pulling, which involves swishing coconut oil in your mouth like mouthwash, may kill some of the harmful bacteria in the mouth. Here are the facts. And if you're preparing a Thai dish, cooking with coconut oil may be essential. While it's not poison, most medical experts say it's not a health food. Many, including myself, use it as a make up remover and a lotion. That said, these claims should be taken with a grain of salt: research on the link between coconut oil and weight loss is scant, and not every study has replicated these results. But only a small percentage, 8%, of coconut oil is unsaturated fat, which means only 8% of coconut oil gets hydrogenated. Shots were fired, however, when a Harvard professor made a bold statement against coconut oil, calling it “pure poison." This was supported by a 2009 study in the journal Lipids, which showed that women who ate coconut oil over a 12-week period lost belly fat, while people who ate soybean oil did not. 5 Fat-Burning Tips for Losing Your Love Handles, Dr. Fauci's Advice for Keeping Your Immunity Up, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Eugenia Killoran has been the food and fitness journalist for the Pritikin Program since 1992. How low should you go? So keep in mind that adding coconut oil to your coffee is not going to help the pounds melt off you like magic. Fear not, as we got … Everything you need to lose weight permanently. “Because coconut oil increases [bad] cholesterol, a cause of cardiovascular disease, and has no known offsetting favorable effects, we advise against the use of coconut oil,” the AHA conclude. Federal guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program state that a desirable LDL cholesterol is less than 100 mg/dL. Ounce for ounce, coconut oil has more saturated fat than butter, beef tallow, or lard. Olive oil and coconut oil are super healthy. Some health experts believe that coconut oil can help you lose weight. Coconut oil is bad news for your LDL cholesterol, heart, and overall health. The artery-clogging and therefore most damaging fatty acid is saturated fat. All oils are a mixture of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, though each oil is usually called by the name of the fatty acid that is most abundant. That said, before you start getting carried away and slathering it from head to toe, you might want to heed our expert's advice. They also make up most of the saturated fatty acids in meat, poultry, and dairy fats like milk, butter, and cheese. And best of all, feel better. Coconut oil has become a health and beauty craze, and now there is now tanning coconut oil. We have a thirst for trendy drinks. The after effects of rancid coconut oil will not make you immediately ill, not in the short term at least. Sign up on Courserato take all four courses in this specialization for $49 a month. Since hair doesn’t have the ability to digest or metabolize coconut oil like the digestive system does, coconut oil can offer the most benefits when consumed.