Is coconut oil really the “cure all” that it’s been hyped up to be? A recent article in the Washington Post presents some new facts that shows that although “Coconut may taste good,” extra virgin olive oil may be better for you.
Here are some excerpts from Ellie Krieger’s article…
Although it’s been more than five years since coconut oil began its meteoric rise in the U.S. marketplace, the confusion about it has not waned a bit. “Should I switch to coconut oil?” is consistently one of the most common questions that come across my desktop. I spoke with the lead researcher, Laurence Eyres, chairman of the Oils & Fats Specialist Group at the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, for further insight.
The study found that coconut oil, which is 92 percent saturated fat, raises LDL (bad) cholesterol less than butter does, but significantly more than unsaturated plant oils do.
So when it comes to heart health, Eyres puts it plainly: “It would be dangerous, and rather silly, to replace your extra-virgin olive oil with coconut oil.” [our emphasis]
But one of the biggest things coconut oil has behind it right now, unfortunately for the consumer, is a lot of marketing hype that makes it out to be a miracle food. “There is nothing wrong with coconut oil in moderation, but it is not a cure for everything or a wonder fat,” Eyres says.
When it comes to coconut oil’s impact on cholesterol, you often hear the argument that even though coconut oil raises LDL, it also raises HDL (good) cholesterol, resulting in a neutral — even beneficial — overall effect. But Eyres says butter raises HDL, too, and with coconut oil, “it’s particularly the rise in small LDL particles that are worrisome because they promote the formation of plaque in arteries.
Touching on a broader issue facing the nutrition community, there is considerable discussion as to whether saturated fat, even with its cholesterol-raising effect, is truly problematic and how much it actually contributes to heart disease. It’s a debate you can’t miss, considering all of the “butter is back” cover stories in recent years. But there is wide agreement that even if saturated fat turns out to be neutral when it comes to heart disease, unsaturated fats, especially antioxidant-rich oils such as olive oil, are actually protective, so there is good reason to make them your go-to fats.
So, go ahead and use some coconut oil in a vegetable saute or add shredded coconut to a smoothie — if you do that instead of grabbing takeout for dinner or snacking on chips, you’ll be ahead of the game. Just don’t buy into the coconut as cure-all hype, and do stick to unsaturated oil [like extra virgin olive oil] for everyday cooking.
3 Comments
Carol Flett · November 11, 2016 at 2:29 am
I hate to disagree with you and I do love your olive oil, but when the doctors sent my husband home to die with dementia and liver cancer they didn’t expect him to live 3 months. I heard about coconut oil and gave him some. 3 hours later he started talking to me in sentences. in less than a month his cognitive skills had gone up from 11 out of 30 to 24 out of 30. Within 3 months his dementia was completely gone and his cancer had gone into remission. It stayed in remission for 3 years. His diabetes gradually disappeared and his cholesterol numbers were down to where the doctor wanted. I started losing weight a bit at a time, losing 50 lb in 2 years, and my arthritis went away. This did not mean that the coconut oil was a cure all for everything. But there are definite benefits which should not be ignored. And olive oil has other benefits that coconut oil does not, but I know first hand that no matter who tries to put it down, there are benefits if you get the actual pure coconut oil. (which is not as easy to find as it would seem)
Nili N Arnie Abrahams · November 13, 2016 at 9:37 am
Dear Carol,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Thank God you were able to have your husband with you much longer with the use of coconut oil. The basic premise of my nutritional coaching program follows a precept called BioIndividuality. It basically means that every one and even every day can be different for everyone in terms of what to eat and how to eat. We studied over 300 eating plans because of this idea. The key is to have the purest and best quality oil. We have received many testimonials from people who have seen marked improvements to their health from Galilee Green Olive Oil, as well. I believe it is all in God’s Hands. Shalom and Blessings to you for your continued good health. Nili
Carol Flett · November 14, 2016 at 12:50 am
Yes, it is 100% God that give the credit to. In my case He directed me to the coconut oil for my husband’s needs. It was just another piece of His wonderful creation that He has given for our use.