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87 Comments
X
June 19, 2018
A year ago, I had a clogged artery which led to a (thankfully) minor heart attack and the need for a stent. I have been a lifelong vegetarian, and the only change I made to my diet was that I began using coconut oil in cooking a year or so before. In that year, my cholesterol level, which has never been particularly high before, had soared.
My sister, who'd been using coconut oil for longer than I and in larger quantities, also had a (more severe) heart attack, and now has 2 stents. Our cardiologists both told us to quit the coconut oil immediately. Mine called it "poison". I went back to using olive and grape seed oil, and since then, my cholesterol level has dropped back down to near-normal, and that's WITHOUT the use of any cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins, etc). My sister has had similar results.
That experience was enough to prove to me that contrary to all the claims that coconut oil is a "heart-healthy" food, it can actually be a potential killer for people who have the propensity for high cholesterol.
My sister, who'd been using coconut oil for longer than I and in larger quantities, also had a (more severe) heart attack, and now has 2 stents. Our cardiologists both told us to quit the coconut oil immediately. Mine called it "poison". I went back to using olive and grape seed oil, and since then, my cholesterol level has dropped back down to near-normal, and that's WITHOUT the use of any cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins, etc). My sister has had similar results.
That experience was enough to prove to me that contrary to all the claims that coconut oil is a "heart-healthy" food, it can actually be a potential killer for people who have the propensity for high cholesterol.
Laura L.
February 28, 2018
Interesting article, thanks! As for me, I prefer olive oil, I think that coconut oil is more useful in cosmetology. For example, it helps to cure acne http://skintagsremoving.com/how-to-use-coconut-oil-for-acne-how-to-apply-before-and-after-results/
Nancy C.
February 21, 2018
I have evolved a skin oil that I like very much: 2 parts virgin coconut oil, one part argan oil (Trader Joes), half part sea buckthorn oil (get it from SIBU in Utah, and about the same high grade olive oil. I make up about a third of a cup at a time. I rub it on scars, use it on my hair and work it into my cuticles. I frequently do "oil pulling," i.e. swish coconut oil around in my mouth, and it "pulls" out mucus. I always do this before speaking it public. See the vast website Wellness Mama for many more uses. wellnessmama.com
John
December 21, 2017
This video was extremely helpful and helped reduce body fat extremely fast. In fact there is this book guide that i was referred to which helped me reduce fat so fast!
take a look: https://tinyurl.com/yaqvpedg
take a look: https://tinyurl.com/yaqvpedg
Amy S.
August 24, 2017
I find this article informative and for me coconut oil is a tree of life that is good for everything. I have my own website about the benefits, recipes and other stuff about coconut oils. You can check on my link: http://coconutoils.com/
Brionna P.
August 18, 2017
Man, whoever copy edited this really wasn't paying attention. So many typos...
Rastus F.
June 23, 2017
Have had red splotches on my face, been to two dermatologists and used countless prescription creams, did no good. Started using coconut oil on my face as a moisturizer. Within 2 days the red spots were gone and haven't come back. Yes, it's great stuff.
Laura
June 11, 2017
Sri Lankans consume all forms of coconut in their cooking and use coconut oil exclusively; they have very low incidence of heart disease, however their diet is also rich in vegetables, spices (especially turmeric and chilli's), so point is: overall diet more important than any one single item.
Rose
June 6, 2017
I've been using coconut oil for years on my face as a moisturizer. I'm sure genetics has something to do with my skin but as I approach 70 I don't have a wrinkle on my face.
petalpusher
June 4, 2017
Never substitute coconut oil for melted butter for brushing on phyllo for baklava. Even if it is 'butter' flavored, it does not work well. It's great to have a choice of oils, but where butter is best, use it!
SpeshulK
June 4, 2017
I love coconut oil, olive oil, grass fed butter (K2 baby!), flax oil. I use ozonated coconut oil on my skin. Unprocessed it and moderation is the key! Be healthy ppl! Reading a book called "Aging Backwards" by Esmond Miranda White and its so interesting. May we all age healthier and eat better.
tamater S.
June 4, 2017
Great post, Sarah. It sort of reminds me of the Agave bandwagon. I switched to it because I kept reading on the net, that it had a much lower Glycemic Index than other sugars. Well, it's one of those things that you read over and over again, until you subconsciously believe it. So you reach for it (at the 'health food' store, where it first appeared) and all of a sudden agave was EVERYwhere, for about 10 years, until the truth started leaking out.
I guess there's a reason why so much money is spent on MARKETING.
I guess there's a reason why so much money is spent on MARKETING.
X
June 19, 2018
I SO agree with you on this! I also jumped on that agave bandwagon some years ago, thinking it was a healthier alternative than sugar or artificial sweeteners until I learned that it's not. I'm now using xylitol (which tastes great), and so far, I haven't seen any negative information on it but I'm keeping my eyes open anyway. You never know if/when something may come to light.
Zensister
June 4, 2017
Coconut oil has its place in my kitchen alongside olive oil, avocado oil, butter, and nut oils. My overall cholesterol is a little bit high, but well balanced, so my doctor isn't too concerned. I also use it on my skin, but it seems to work better for my particular skin type mixed with tallow and other oils. I think since everyone is different, our fat needs vary, but what seems to work best for me is a balanced combination of fats- for me, heavier on the olive oil with coconut, nut, and animal fats thrown in for flavor and fatty acid variety.
FamilyCook
June 4, 2017
Hi this is an interesting story. However, i just noticed a factual error.
I know Marie-Pierre St-Onge, she is not at Cornell but at Columbia School of Medicine - you may wish to correct your story.
I know Marie-Pierre St-Onge, she is not at Cornell but at Columbia School of Medicine - you may wish to correct your story.
Sarah J.
June 4, 2017
Thanks for pointing out that error, FamilyCook. I'll correct the article and add a note acknowledging the change.
Melissa
June 4, 2017
The American myth that fat is the devil is why we have the health crisis that we do in the US. Fat is good. Whole grains and refined carbohydrates are the real enemy. I wish more people knew this.
tamater S.
June 4, 2017
I'm with you on this, 100% - I'm STILL trying to lose the fear of fat. "Fat makes you fat!" is something I heard my whole childhood. The other thing I heard was, that if you're going to have fat, have the smallest bit possible, and make it margarine...And it was hydrogenated!
Liza M.
June 4, 2017
My humble opinion is this article is based on outdated research that vilifies saturated fat included the one found in coconut oil, butter and lard. Part of this vilification was generated by sugar industry and really LDL/HDL data is not anymore interpreted as straight-forwardly as it used to be. Once you understand and research that and stop being so afaraid of good fat that is so very important for our brain, skin, and everything in our body that gets pummeled on a daily basis by environmental factors as well as processed chemically changed products including ridiculous "low-fat" we keep consuming, we can have an entirely different conversation about coconut oil (and butter and lard while we are at it)
sullymorgan
June 4, 2017
Totally agree. The overall diet matters a lot with respect to the health benefits of coconut oil (or any other fat source). UCSF's Robert Lustig's works are great at explaining carbohydrate, fat, insulin response, etc. I'm not surprised at the commenters below who said their LDL went up when simply adding coconut oil to an existing diet rather than adding it to a keto or other low carb plan.
X
June 5, 2017
I'm vegetarian. I eat no white flour or sugar and only small amounts of fat free dairy. I cook all my own food and am very diligent about reading labels and avoiding trans fat, saturated fat, excessive sugar (even natural sugar) and sodium. I eat a high fiber diet with lots of vegetables and legumes and only whole grains. My cholesterol level was good until I made the singular change of adding coconut oil to my diet. When my cholesterol went up 30 points, my doctor told me to stop eating it because it's too high in saturated fat.
X
June 4, 2017
I switched from butter and olive oil to coconut oil for "health" reasons and my cholesterol jumped 30 points. My cardiologist asked me what the hell I was eating since my last visit and when I told him coconut oil, he said to "Knock it off!".
X
June 5, 2017
Aside from natural sugars in fresh fruit (mostly berries), 1 teaspoon of coconut sugar in my coffee once per day.
The coconut oil is the only change I made to my diet.
The coconut oil is the only change I made to my diet.
Joan
June 4, 2017
The discover of using coconut oil on my skin was a god send and helped me win a three year battle with eccema/ psoriasis that started in my late 40s. it absorbs quickly and easily and doesn't ruin my clothes and sheets the way other options did.
My cat craves it too...
My cat craves it too...
Hilary M.
June 4, 2017
That's interesting, Joan. I must have used just a bit too much on my face at night. Perhaps I will try it again :-)
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