Virgin Coconut Oil - TheBody.com's Bulletin Boards

Hi all,

Stumbled across some new and promising developments on the subject of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) which my father put me on to.
Being the skeptic that I am, I'm not about to jump onto any bandwagons, but I thought it might be an idea to spread the word. Maybe collective investigation might bear some more in-depth research and information.

In a nutshell, some scientists believe that coconut oil has beneficial properties due to the high concentration of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), in particular a fatty acid known as Lauric Acid - a substance found naturally in human mother's milk and, you guessed it, coconuts. It's understood that lauric acid has antibacterial, antiviral and antiprotozoal functions. Some researchers believe that lauric acid is capable of destroying the protein coat of the HIV virus, thus leaving the virus weakened against the body's natural immune response. Such a finding, if true, could provide a glimmer of light in HIV/AIDS treatment research.

Aside from finding more credible support for this theory, VCO advocates still have the hurdle of countering the arguement that Coconut products are high in saturated fat, and by default are bad for cholesterol levels, heart/liver disease, etc. When you scratch the surface on this debate, you find that like everything in this world, there's hardly clear, black and white answer. The pro-VCO camp believe that coconut oil has suffered a blown-up diss-ing campaign from the likes of powerful agri-corporations wanting to peddle home-grown oil products instead of cheaper coconut-derived imports.

Anyway, it's up to you do the reading and make a decision for yourself... maybe get any friends or associates in the know to investigate the claims as well.

FYI, it's recommended that for maximum benefit, individuals should take 4 tablespoons of VCO (ie. non-hydrogenated, no additives, preservative) daily.

I myself would like to get a breakdown of the level of lauric acid in one dose and compare it to the percentage of saturated fat content. Once we have this information, we could get a better idea of the comparable risk posed by intake of saturated fat against the benefits of lauric acid.

Here's what some of the sources I've found so far:

- 'Health and Nutritional Benefits from Coconut Oil: An Important Functional Food for the 21st Century' by Mary G. Enig, Ph.D.
http://www.westonaprice.org/know_your_fats/coconut_oil.html
An early paper outlining the benefits of Coconut Oil. 1996

- 'Experts say coconut oil lubricates health' by the Dept. Science & Health, Philippines
http://www.dost.gov.ph/media/article.php?sid=427
A more recent supporting article which outlines what could be the first clinical study which links intake of VCO with improved health in HIV/AIDS patients. (The study's small sample size leaves something to be desired in terms of veracity of the claims. Nonetheless it's a promising first step). Sept 2002

- 'Virgin coconut oil wins the war of oils'
http://www.inq7.net/nat/2004/jun/16/nat_9-1.htm
Local news story about the HIV research findings in the Philippines.

- Center for Research on Lauric Oils
http://www.lauric.org
Some good background on Lauric Acid.

- Coconut Oil
http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/coconut-oil.htm
Some easy-to-read information on VCO, its benefits and how to incorporate it into your daily nutritional routine.

- About.com: Alt-medicine: coconut oil
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/dietarytherapy/a/Coconut.htm
Extensive discussion about the whole debate and it's effects on HIV and other illnesses.

FYI, I've tried it myself, albeit only for 2 weeks so far... tastes like desicated coconut - which may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it ain't too bad. Taking the whole dose in one hit did leave me feeling a bit queezy - as you'd expect from taking so much oil in one glup - but I think if you break the dose up into smaller doses throughout the day, it might sit more easily on the stomach. Then again you could always use the oil in your regular cooking.

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