Coconut Oil is expressed from the meat of mature coconut.

COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil consists of different types of fatty acids, predominantly of the medium chain type, that is, eight to twelve carbon atoms in length. The most important of these fatty acids, making up about half of total fatty acids, is lauric acid or C12. Coconut oil is a natural saturated fat. Because it is highly saturated (92% saturated fat), it is very stable and takes very long time before it becomes rancid. It is due to its saturated character that it has been mistakenly labeled to be bad for the heart. However, unknown with many, coconut oil is acknowledged to contain a unique form of saturated fat that actually helps prevent heart disease, stroke, and hardening of the arteries as well as provide many other health benefits.

Foods that possess health benefits in addition to their nutritional effects are called functional foods. Coconut oil is considered a functional food in that apart from providing energy, nutrition and health, it can prevent infections, boost immunity, reverse disease states and cure many types of illnesses. Coconut oil is far superior from other functional foods in that it can effect so many cures.

MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES (MCT)

The healing power of coconut oil came as a result of research on human breast milk, nature’s perfect food. It was discovered that human breast milk contains a unique group of saturated fats known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are very different from the fats in meat and vegetables that are commonly found in our foods. It is due primarily to the presence of MCTs in human breast milk that protects new born infants from infections in their first few months while their immune systems are developing.

Other than breast milk, there are very few good dietary sources of MCTs. By far, the richest natural source is coconut oil. This is what makes coconut oil different from other oils and what gives it its unique healing characteristics. Food processors have recognized the importance of MCTs in mother’s milk and have been adding it in various forms to infant formula for years.

The use of MCT has been suggested in the treatment of weight reduction of humans. In lieu of the longer chain triglycerides (LCT), such as those derived from soybean oil, corn oil, butterfat and other animal fats, the ingestion of a meal containing MCT results in a higher resting metabolic rate (RMR) for the individual, indicating a greater consumption of energy in calories, thus preventing the deposition of fat.

Studies on MCT have led to the development of coconut oil-based diet margarine, diet salad oil for fat absorption disorders, as well as fat emulsions for parenteral nutrition. Researches have likewise demonstrated many other uses of MCT oil which now have seen applications in ketogenic diets (treating childhood epilepsy) and sports diets. Dietary supplements containing Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA) and their monoglycerides are now marketed in health food stores.

References:

Bach, A.C. and V.K. Babayan, Medium-Chain Triglycerides: An Update, American Journal of Chemical Nutrition, The, 36: November (1982).

Kaunitz, H., Biological and Therapeutic Effects of “MCT” (Medium Chain Triglyceride) from Coconut Oil, Coconuts Today, I, No. 2, (1983).

Blackburn, G.L. et al, A Re-evaluation of Coconut Oil’s Effect on Serum Cholesterol and Atherogenesis, Journal of the Philippine Medical Association, The, 65, No. 1: July-September (1989).

Mascioli, E.A. et al, Serum Fatty Acid After Intravenous Medium Chain Triglyceride Administration, Lipids, XXIV, No. 9, (1989).

Enig, M.G., Know Your Fats: The Complete Primer for Understanding the Nutrition of Fats, Oils, and Cholesterol, p. 222 (2000)

Fife, Bruce, The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil, p. 63 (2000)

SATURATED FAT METABOLISM

CLASSES OF FATS & OILS