//Coconut Oil Not as Healthy as You Think

Coconut Oil Not as Healthy as You Think

There is a hype that coconut oil is effective in lowering blood cholesterol. Furthermore, they promote using coconut oil as a dietary supplement. These claims are may not be as true as the claims go.

Fats are important in our diet. It provides us with the essential fatty acids. Fatty acids are important in nutrient absorption, reproduction and energy. But, there are two kinds of fats: unsaturated and saturated.

Unsaturated fats are the “good fats”. It remains liquid at room temperature. It reduces high cholesterol levels in the blood and may increase high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol). Good sources are nuts and seeds.

 Saturated fats are the “bad fats”. It is solid at room temperature. It raises cholesterol levels in the blood and low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol). It comes from animal meat, dairy products, palm oil and coconut oil.

Coconut oil is a source of 90% saturated or “bad fats”. It contains two fatty acids, myristic and lauric acid, that greatly raises low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol.  This refutes the claims circulated in the media.

Furthermore, the recommended saturated fatty acid intake is about 20 to 30 grams maximum for both men and women. Taking in two tablespoons (about 24 g of saturated fat) as a dietary supplement is not necessary. Contrary to what most believe, it can even be harmful. Saturated fats contribute to heart diseases.  

We do not need to take in coconut oil as a supplement. We can get the daily recommended dose of saturated fatty acid from our diet. Supplementation can just cause us to exceed the recommended dose.

A balanced diet is the healthiest choice.

https://www.heartuk.org.uk/news/latest/post/16-heart-uk-says-bbc-coconut-oil-claim-not-to-be-trusted