Is coconut oil healthy?

Last night I attended a continuing education class on coconut oil.  I know it is currently a hot topic and I was interested to see what Dr. Margaret Harris, a nutrition professor at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), had to say about it.

I learned a lot!  It is great for ezcema and dry skin.  It can be applied topically and ingested to improve skin condition.  

Coconut oil contains lauric acid which is known to fight infections.   The only other place lauric acid is found in a large amount is in breast milk.  Coconut oil is also anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.  I plan to try it next time I have a cold sore and perhaps it will help.

Coconut has lots of phytochemicals.  Dr. Harris said these are chemicals that fight for your health.  It has also been shown to lower inflammatory markers in the body.

Dr. Harris mentioned that the coconut oil supplements in capsules are very expensive and don't contain enough coconut oil to reap the benefits.  For example, one tablespoon of coconut oil would require about 14 horsepills of the supplement!  Plus the high amount of processing to make capsules likely decreases the amount of phytochemicals still available.  Save your money and buy virgin coconut oil.  Dr. Harris said there is no such thing as extra virgin coconut oil.  It turns out the term began after some companies labeled their product with those words and other companies followed suit to be competitive! 

Coconut oil has a long shelf life (at least 3-5 years) and some brands have been tested at 12 years and found to still be stable.  You will know if the coconut oil has gone bad if it starts tasting like soap.

The best source of coconut oil is fermented coconut oil.  It also contains probiotics, (live, healthy bacteria needed for a healthy digestive system).  It does have a slight rancid smell because it is fermented.  It can be purchased online.  Two good brands are Tropical Traditions and Ancient Wisdom.  

Cold-pressed coconut oil is the next best available option and some people prefer it for its sweet coconutty flavor and smell.  I bought a tub of coconut oil at Costco and it is cold-pressed.  It should be pure white or almost colorless.  

Beware of coconut oil that is processed other ways because it will have a slight yellowish tinge and no odor.  These more highly processed coconut oils may not contain all the benefits of coconut oil.  

I was most excited to hear that it tends to raise HDL (healthy fat in your blood) levels since I have struggled to increase my HDL. Turns out my dad has low HDL levels, too, so there is also a family component.  Increasing exercise can raise HDL but for me consistent exercise hasn't changed my HDL levels.  

I tried coconut oil on a piece of toast and it is a very acceptable substitute for butter. Coconut oil is a better option than the laboratory produced versions of margarine or fake butters you find in great quantities at the store.  It can also be used in baking.  I made biscuits using coconut oil in place of butter and they turned out beautifully.  You can even try it in pancakes.  You will feel full for a much longer time!

Coconut oil won't make up for a poor diet but it appears to aid in weight loss and in Dr. Harris' study it helped with decreasing cravings and feeling full and satisfied.

It is important to look for a coconut oil company that is fair trade and organic so that the individuals who work to produce the coconut oil can live decently and we can help to support sustainable growing practices.

More research is needed to fully understand the benefits of coconut oil.  

A word of caution from Dr. Harris:  "Although people who live in the Pacific Islands have enjoyed coconut oil and lots of good health for hundreds of years, they also eat a healthier diet than we do in the United States with fish and lots of fruits and veggies. Although coconut has been thought of as hypoallergenic, some people can react with an allergic reaction, or intolerance.  So be mindful!  Symptoms can be as simple as feeling like you’re coming down with a cold, scratchy throat or just not feeling so well.  You may also want to start slow if you are starting out on coconut oil.  Since your body soaks up coconut oil quickly, eating too much of it at one time when you are not used to it, may make you feel sick or run for the bathroom."

I plan on incorporating it into my family's daily meals to see how it might aid us in our health goals.

I appreciate Dr. Margaret Harris' help and input regarding this information on coconut oil.  Here's a website that she recommended for recipes using coconut oil: freecoconutrecipes.com

How have you used coconut oil?  Any great recipes to share?