Supplement: Virgin Coconut Oil

Benefits

• Coconut oil is high in a saturated fat called medium chain triglycerides.
• These fats work differently than other types of saturated fat in the body.
• However, research on the effects of these types of fats in the body is very preliminary.
• Some research suggests that dietary use of coconut oil is linked to increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol, but does not increase levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol.
• However, a study comparing a diet rich in coconut oil to diets rich in beef fat or safflower oil found that coconut oil can increase both HDL and LDL cholesterol.
• When applied to the skin, coconut oil has a moisturizing effect

Safety

• safe for most people if used in amounts commonly found in foods.
• safe when applied to the scalp in combination with other herbs.
  there is concern that it might increase weight if used in large amounts or that it might increase cholesterol levels.  However, these concerns have not been proven in scientific research.
• safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women when used in the amounts normally found in the diet. But the safety of using coconut oil in larger amounts is not known. It’s best to stick to food amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding

Interaction

• Lack of information on interaction with drugs
• Contains very small amount of Vitamin K (0.6mcg/100g of coconut oil). Thus less likely to interfere with Warfarin
• Contains 0.05mg of iron / 100g

References:

1. United States Department of Agriculture
   Agricultural Research Service
   https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/659?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&format=Full&count=&max=25&offset=&sort=&qlookup=coconut+oil
2. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1092-coconut%20oil.aspx?activeingredientid=1092
3. http://www.rxlist.com/coconut_oil/supplements.htm