Truth about coconut oil
 

Dr. D. P. Atukorale

coconut oil: There is confusion in the minds of Sri Lankans following publication of an article on coconut oil by one Professor Adrian Kennedy (AK) the Managing Director of Wellness, associated with a Colombo private nursing home, in a Sunday newspaper. AK is said to have told a Sunday journal that

(a) Coconut oil is the main offending factor in Sri Lankan diet;

(b) Consumption of coconut oil results in elevation of serum triglycerides in man and therefore he advises the Sri Lankans to consume polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g. corn oil, soya oil and sunflower oil) and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. olive oil).

(c) AK goes on to say that "daily use of coconut oil and coconut milk must be eliminated from Sri Lankan diet".

Triglycerides

AK appears to be confused about the term 'triglycerides'. It is common knowledge among medical personnel (including medical students and medical technologists) that all vegetable oils such as soya oil and olive oil are usually referred to as triglycerides.

Difference between fats and oils

Oils remain liquid at room temperature whereas fats are considered solids at room temperature. The term fat and oil are often used interchangeably. Lard is an example of a fat while corn oil is an example of an oil. Both however are fats.

When you cut into steak the white fatty tissue you see is composed of triglycerides and cholesterol. The fat that hangs on our arms, fat that looks like jelly on our thighs and the fat that can make our abdomen look like spare tyres is composed of triglycerides. It is the triglycerides that make our body fat. About 95 per cent of the lipids in our diet from both plant and animal sources are triglycerides.

All saturated fats e.g. coconut oil, beef fat, mutton fat are triglycerides. So are the polyunsaturated fats such as soya oil, corn oil and gingili oil are triglycerides. Todate there is no scientific evidence to show that consumption of dietary coconut oil or coconut milk causes elevation of serum triglycerides in man.

What coconut oil does not do

(a) Does not contain cholesterol.

(b) Does not increase blood cholesterol (total cholesterol or LDL (bad) cholesterol.

(c) Does not increase platelet stickiness which leads to clot formation.

(d) Does not contribute to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) in man.

(e) Does not contribute to weight problems (i.e. obesity) in humans.

What coconut oil does

(a) Reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and related illnesses.

(b) Helps prevent bacterial, viral and fungal (including yeast) infections.

(c) Aids the body in fighting viruses that cause flue, herpes and AIDS.

(d) Supports immune system function.

(e) Helps prevent osteoporosis.

(f) Helps control diabetes.

(g) Promotes weight loss. Supplies fewer calories than other fats and oils.

(h) Supplies important nutrients necessary for good health.

(i) Improves digestion and nutrient absorption.

(j) Highly resistant to spoilage (long shelf life).

(k) Is heat resistant (The healthiest oil for cooking).

(l) Helps keen skin soft and smooth.

(m) Helps prevent ageing and wrinkling of skin.

(n) Helps protect against skin cancer and other blemishes.

(o) Repeated frying using coconut oil does not result in production of dangerous ketenes aldehydes and transfats which cause elevation of LDL (bad) cholesterol unlike polyunsaturated oils. Transfatty acids cause reduction of HDL (good) cholesterol.

Coconut oil has been used in India for over 5,000 years and for over 1,000 years in Sri Lanka without any side effects such as cancer. Unlike polyunsaturated oils, coconut oil does not cause cancer in animals.

Coconut oil does not cause lowering of HDL (good) cholesterol in man.

There is no scientific evidence to show that consumption of dietary coconut causes elevation of blood cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol in humans. There is no scientific evidence to show that coconut oil causes reduction of HDL (good) cholesterol in man.

There is no scientific evidence to prove that dietary coconut oil or coconut milk is responsible for epidemic of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Sri Lanka or other countries.

On the other hand, there is scientific evidence to show that consumption of polyunsaturated oils cause reduction of HDL (good) cholesterol in man. Excessive consumption of polyunsaturated oils causes elevation of serum triglycerides in humans.

Coconut oil has been called the healthiest oil on earth and is one of the natures most amazing health products.

I would be very grateful to Prof. Adrian Kennedy (Professor of Wellness) attached to Colombo Apollo Hospital or to any other reader if he could furnish scientific evidence to show that dietary coconut oil or coconut milk cause (a) elevation of blood cholesterol (b) elevation of LDL (bad) cholesterol (c) increases the ratio of LDL/HDL cholesterol, or (d) cause coronary heart disease in humans.

Reference:

1.Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil by Bruce Fife N. D.

2.Facts and Fallacies about coconut oil by Thampan.

3.Greenberger N. J. and Skillman T. G. 1969, N.Eng. J. Med, 280, 1045-58.

4.Enig M. G. 1993, Coronary Heart Disease. The Dietary Sense and Nonsense, Janus Publishing, London.

5.Wickramasinghe R. L., 1994, Coconut Oil Not The Villain.

6.Fife B, 1999, Saturated Fats May Save Your Life, Healthwise Publications, Colorado Springs, Co.