Re: coconut oil lowers bad cholesterol, promotes weight loss..

[scorpiogrl]

Hi,
Just wanted to share some info on coconut oil that I read from and article from shape magazine.

"Years ago, the phospholipids found in coconut oil were mistaken for sat.(bad)fat. However there is a world of differnece between these phospholipids and the saturated fats that many doctors and health experts are aware of today. In fact phospholipids can lower bad cholesterol and promote weight loss."-Katrina Naugle, General Nutrition Center employee


"There is no question that the amount of sat. fat in coconut oil is very high. However, much of it is a different form of sat. fat than is found in dairy and meat prodcuts or in palm oil. Although both forms faise blood cholesterol levels, with coconut oil the increase is largely in HDL, or "good cholesterol." Wheter this translates to reduced risk of heart disease is not yet clear, but from all we know thise seems likely. However, I know of no evidence that consuming coconut oil leads to weight loss."
Walter Willet, M.D.
Chairman of the nutrition dept.
at the Harvard School of Public hlth.

Although this is only a small amount of info I hope it helps to clairify some of the misunderstading of coconut oil being "bad" for us. May have to start giving it a try myself given some of the benefits I have heard from this board, especially from Wayne, glowing skin, decrease in appetite, etc.

Suzanne

 

[sparrow]

RE: Re: coconut oil lowers bad cholesterol, promotes we...

Just wanted to add my own clarification that my position was never that coconut oil was bad for anyone, just that it was too early to tell anything about it really, in regard to longterm results. My main objection was the comment made to someone concerned about additional calories (which she added in the form of coconut oil) that there was "no way" she'd gain weight from ingesting coconut oil. The Doc himself above says he knows of no evidence that coconut oil aids in weight loss (BTW, almost anything can be used as an appetite surpressant, from Dexatrim to a glass of water.)

Anyway, I'm dropping out of any additional discussions of coconut oil. My belief that it's just another questionable health product in a long line of questionable health products has not changed one iota, nor am I interested in telling others what they should do. Different folks and all that....If people enjoy coconut oil, more power to them.

Sparrow

__________________
www.scifichics.com

 

[bestoutwest]

RE: Re: coconut oil lowers bad cholesterol, promotes we...

I have been keeping up with all of the coconut oil discussions on this board lately. I actually have a book (The Coconut Diet-can't remember the author) that I got with some bonus points in a book club I belong to. I have been browsing through it lately - the basic "diet" part of it is VERY similar to the South Beach approach. In fact I think some of the recipes may be the same! What this book advocates is taking 1-3 teaspoons of coconut oil per day, plus using it for cooking, etc., instead of other vegetable oils. There is also a section in the book about colon cleanse, liver & gallbladder cleanse and kidney cleanse. All of these things sounded reasonable to me, and not really all that extreme. Not sure I'm going to try it, just thought I would share the info I had!

 

[Boybert]

RE: Re: coconut oil lowers bad cholesterol, promotes we...

I have been following all of these discussions as well but thought I'd add my opinion. I'm not doubting health benefits and such, but I strongly dislike taking things to specifically supress my appetite. I'd rather just eat my clean diet & if I'm still hungry, than listen to my body and nourish it. Isn't that why you are supposed to eat, anyway? I haven't had any issues w/ over eating since I try to eat every few hours. So, I guess in a nutshell, this is not my style, but whatever works for other people.


"you miss 100% of the shots you never take"

Debbie

 

[michele1967]

I think the message here is that coconut oil is not as "bad" as people thought, not that it possesses any sort of magical property.
All vegetable oils have some positive effect on blood cholesterol. Some seem to lower total cholesterol, some lower LDL more, some increase HDL more.

Moderate amounts of dietary fat are necessary, no matter what the source. And cholesterol is a vital substance--you can't live without it (luckily, our bodies manufacture it to help counteract, in part, the wacky, no-fat eating habits of some).

Any dietary fat helps to increase satiety and slow gastric emptying. Therefore, it's digested more slowly and helps stave off hunger. Only minute amounts are converted into glucose, so blood sugar remains more stable (this is also true for protein, though the effects on gastric emptying are a bit less and the effects on blood sugar are slightly greater). Coconut oil, in and of itself, is no more beneficial than any other oil. Its "benefits"--specifically those regarding skin and satiety-- may be most notable in those who have been restricting fat all along (but the same would be true for any oil).

The speed with which a food empties from the stomach and the degree to which it affects blood sugar are the major determinants in how it will affect hunger (along with the amount eaten, of course).
This is why simple carbohydrates do not promote lasting satiety but do promote rapid rises in blood sugar, while the opposites are true for more complex--aka higher fiber--carbs.

The bottom line is that the "news" about coconut oil is not earth-shattering and makes perfect scientific sense (and has for years).
But it's not a reason to incorporate more of this particular food into the diet. It simply provides another option. No one food is magical.

The real secret is that there is no secret: moderation is key, for most people. Decent nutrition, excercise, ample sleep and proper hydration are really all that are needed for optimal health. But it looks easier on paper,and is easier said than done. Very few people actually practice moderation with any of these, which is probably one reason why Americans are always loooking for "the" answer.

I know others have answered as I have. And if coconut oil is what some truly believe has made all the difference in their lives, then good for them.

As an RD who has counseled thousands of children and families, though, I feel it's best to send a message of moderation, even though it's a tough sell. Moderation is a "no-brainer" concept for some people, and they can practice it instinctively. For others, though, it seems vague and more difficult to "follow" in today's climate of points and net carbs.....that's a shame.

Luckily, we have food groups and can choose any number of healthy options within them. Someone knew what they were doing when they invented that concept.


Sorry to rant (if that's what it seems like), but I've been reading so many of these posts that I had to respond.

 

[Rogue]

>
>The real secret is that there is no secret: moderation is key,
>for most people. Decent nutrition, excercise, ample sleep and
>proper hydration are really all that are needed for optimal
>health. But it looks easier on paper,and is easier said than
>done. Very few people actually practice moderation with any of
>these, which is probably one reason why Americans are always
>loooking for "the" answer.
>
>
>Moderation is a "no-brainer" concept
>for some people, and they can practice it instinctively. For
>others, though, it seems vague and more difficult to "follow"
>in today's climate of points and net carbs.....that's a
>shame.

Finally the sound of reason! AMEN to all you say. Moderation in all things edible is my motto!!!