Coconut Oil

[Guest]

I keep hearing about all the health benefits of coconut oil. If you're curious, here are some suggested uses: 52 Uses for Coconut Oil - The Simple, The Strange, and The Downright Odd! - Delicious Obsessions . Some of those are kind of silly and some are obvious (any fat in your hair will condition it). What I'm most interested in is nutrition. Is it really healthier to cook with? Does it help with weight loss? Will it raise my very low HDL?

Have any of you used coconut oil extensively in your kitchen? What do you think?

[pam]

My aren't you full of questions tonight.

[Guest]

Am I?

[applepansy]

My husband and I have been ingesting 1 tsp of virgin coconut oil every day for several months. We both are nothing good differences.

When my hands are dry I scoop a bit out of the jar and rub in. It works better than lotion.

I haven't cooked with it yet. I haven't read enough how heat might change its properties.

[Backroads]

I primarily use it as a make-up remover and a skin moisturizer--and I absolutely love it for those.

I've used it occassionally in cooking--mainly when I don't have another oil. Usually my jar just stays in the bathroom.

So I have no personal experience with it for nutritional benefits.

[Guest]

It supposedly handles heat better than olive oil.

I got a bunch of bloodwork back last week, and since I've lost about 20 pounds everything looks great, except my "good" cholesterol, which is less than half of what it should be. I'd also like to lose about 15 more pounds and I'm starting to look a bit into paleo eating most of the time for the long term, and coconut oil is mentioned a lot. I still have a hard time reconciling health benefits from a saturated fat.

[pam]

Eowyn, I have a friend that has done paleo eating for several months now. I can ask him about it if you would like.

[applepansy]

It supposedly handles heat better than olive oil.

I got a bunch of bloodwork back last week, and since I've lost about 20 pounds everything looks great, except my "good" cholesterol, which is less than half of what it should be. I'd also like to lose about 15 more pounds and I'm starting to look a bit into paleo eating most of the time for the long term, and coconut oil is mentioned a lot. I still have a hard time reconciling health benefits from a saturated fat.

Olive Oil and Coconut Oil are different than other saturated fats. The body knows what to do with them. I have an article somewhere I'm trying to find but its not where I thought I bookmarked it so I'll have to do some searching.

My husband BP has gone down since he started the coconut oil. He puts it in his morning hot cocoa. I put it in my hot oatmeal.

[skalenfehl]

I consume unrefined coconut oil for its saturated fats. I try to make 30% of my total daily fats the norm, with 1/3 of that saturated. I'll simply just sip it straight from the tablespoon.

As for it helping to lose weight, it's not so simple. Your body needs protein, carbs and fats in the right ratios to maintain healthy organs, functions, etc and to fuel your body. But all that fuel does no good without proper exercise.

[Guest]

Thanks, Pam. I'm just starting to read about it. If you think of it feel free to ask him if he uses a lot of coconut oil. :)

I know there are other factors to losing weight, but since I need to raise my HDL I want to learn more about this. I know exercise will be helpful, but as I understand it, that takes a lot of consistent exercise for only about a 5% elevation.

[skalenfehl]

Best bet is to lose lots of weight, which boils down to exercise. You can increase levels by about 5% within two months with frequent aerobic exercise. And the more weight you lose, the better your HDL levels become. So it's a compounding interest type investment. Healthier fats do make a difference. Get them from vegetable sources, which are best, but fish is also a good source. Stay away from carbs, which only increase weight, which in turn hurts HDL levels. Or you can buy meds. Honestly, a good cardio program is your best long term solution. Otherwise your short term achievement won't be permanent and eventually you'll end up on meds.

[Guest]

I already bought some really cute and comfy running shoes. I have a great elliptical machine that I enjoy using, and I'll be adding in other things, too, including playing Just Dance with my kids. :) I'm going to get some fish oil supplements. I've already cut carbs entirely except low glycemic fruits and vegetables, and while I plan to add some of those things back in, I know my eating has to change for good. My diet was mostly carbs, and with insulin resistance and other things that was just bad news. I'm happy with how my health has already changed for the better. I'm hoping to find the widest variety of foods that I can so that I can have a maintainable lifestyle. And I hear you can make some awesome chocolate concoctions with coconut oil and stevia. :)

[skalenfehl]

It does sound like you've done your homework for a new, healthy, consistent lifestyle. :)

[Guest]

I'm trying. Thanks for your input.

[lds2]

Coconut Oil unlike olive oil is a preferred oil for frying and heating. They sell it to theatres because it smokes less than other oils. Even though it is solid when it is cold it is a liquid fat in warmer temperatures and is a desired fat in things like soaps because of it's naturally anti-microbial as well as softening properties.

It is used for those with bowel issues and many other issues as well. Supposedly the body is less likely to store coconut oil as fat but don't know if that is scientifically proven.

It is an oil that will lasts years in a cool, dry place and so it is a preferred oil for food storage along with olive oil.

You do not get the health benefit from all kinds of coconut oil, the less processed the better. I noticed that the coconut oil at Costco is hydrogenated and I'm not sure how much more healthy that would be than shortening made with other oils.

Here is a site that has link to the research on coconut oil...http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/Coconut%20Research-Coconut%20Research%20Center.pdf

[lds2]

Just a caution when buying coconut oil you can buy much healthier versions than others and you have to be careful when comparing price that you don't compare apples with oranges. The rawer and the less processed the better. Some coconut oil is not meant for human consumption but only to be used for soap making.

Mercola's thoughts on coconut oil

Coconut Oil | Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - Mercola.com

my own disclaimer (they sell it at this site, page down to the bottom, but the video does tell you why "natural" health type people like it.)

Some other places that sell coconut oils...also amazon has it but again you have to be careful not to get the kind that is highly processed or meant for soapmaking. The best is raw, virgin, cold pressed (not expeller), etc.

Bulk organic herbs, spices & essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs

Certified Organic Products, Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Raw Foods & More » Wilderness Family Naturals

Some people really like Tropical Traditions brand, especially when they have a good sale, but their sale prices can be higher than others regular price.

Also another buying tip, it weighs a ton so it is often cheaper at the companies that have fixed shipping rates like Amazon and Mercola...but then I buy it by the gallon and other people might buy a pint or quart where the shipping might be less.

Edited August 31, 2012 by lds2

[pam]

But the question is lds2. Do you have personal knowledge of this as she has asked or only what you pull off the internet?

[Misshalfway]

I don't know if this is helpful, but I used coconut oil in my cooking pretty regularly. I don't know much about the HDL's and such. So, I'm no help there. I starting using it as part of treating my digestive issues. I know that I feel better and experience less pain. I guess my body tolerates it better than other oils....even EVOO. I use that too, but I like keeping the coconut oil for certain recipes. And honestly, it tastes good. My husband asks me to use it.

And just for fun, we mix it with sugar for yummy lip scrub. It's a great little gift and your lips feel great!

[jerome1232]

But the question is lds2. Do you have personal knowledge of this as she has asked or only what you pull off the internet?

but then I buy it by the gallon and other people might buy a pint or quart where the shipping might be less.

What do you think?

[lds2]

But the question is lds2. Do you have personal knowledge of this as she has asked or only what you pull off the internet?

I have researched coconut oil for many years on the internet, but I have also used quite a bit of it for my son for health purposes (but not the ones that Eowyn was asking about) and I have bought multiple brands and from the various sources I listed. I really tried to post those things that I thought might help Eowyn find the answers she was seeking and I spent quite a bit of time in doing that, I meant to be a friend and help to her...I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone here (again) by posting.

My son has been on the SCD diet for Crohn's and as coconut oil is reported by some to help those in flare go into remission and not go back into flare we have used a lot of coconut oil through the years. We use it to deep fry things like sweet potato fries and other vegetables. I also use it when I stir fry for our family or when I saute garlic. I also have lesser quality coconut oil for soap making.

So I can say that I have bought and used a great deal of coconut oil during the years. Some types do taste more "coconutty" than others.

I can verify that it is good for high heat type cooking and for some desert type baking (I mostly use the kind that has more coconut flavor.)

As far as the health benefits for him, fortunately he has been in remission and so it is impossible to say whether it has benefited his health or not. But he HAS stayed in remission far longer than expected by the experts so it is something that I will keep using for him but I wouldn't say it is the only thing that has kept him healthy.

For food storage I mostly store shortening and lard as these are oils that also store a long time, but if I had unlimited funds it would be all coconut oil (for frying and baking) and olive oil (for dressings and other uncooked uses.)

I have a friend that makes honey"butter" using coconut oil and puts it on toast or muffins every morning, she says her kids love it so much she has to hide it as she does take it hopefully to benefit her health (as she does a lot of other things too it is hard to pinpoint whether any one thing is helping.)

Edited August 31, 2012 by lds2

[skalenfehl]

Bought some more today:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4608611459228&set=a.2230706773097.185954.1410712439&type=1&theater

[ClickyClack]

Have any of you used coconut oil extensively in your kitchen?

Some of our friends use it more in the... well... bedroom, as a natural lube.

[Guest George]

That's interesting I hadn't heard about the health benefits of coconut oil. I have read that coconut water is really good for hydration and can be just as good as sports drinks for its electrolyte content. It also doesn't have as much sugar as sports drinks.

Edited October 2, 2012 by Eowyn
link removal

[Donaldd]

Well i use coconut oil to cook, with and for hair care but if i eat too much of

it i gain weight. It does not seem to have the metabolism boosting effect on me,

that it does on so other people.Coconut oil is good for health.

Edited October 13, 2012 by Donaldd

[classylady]

I want to try it. Is it expensive?