Which Oil is Best for Reducing Belly Fat, Lowering LDL Cholesterol, and Having Anti-microbial Properties to Cut Inflammation?

Can certain unprocessed coconut products decrease abdominal obesity? Can medium-chain fatty acids from certain tropical plants such as coconut, actually raise your 'good' HDL cholesterol? Or do they just make you obese, as some studies in Malaysia seem to imply? If you don't like bean flour and can't use grain flour, you might try coconut flour. See, Coconut Flour: A Carb Lover's Best Friend | Graeme Thomas Online.

Why do some studies say that when coconut oil was fed as 7% of energy to patients recovering from heart attacks, the patients had greater improvement compared to untreated controls, and no difference compared to patents treated with corn or safflower oils. Populations that consume coconut oil have low rates of heart disease. Coconut oil may also be one of the most useful oils to prevent heart disease because of its antiviral and antimicrobial characteristics. See, Journal of the American Medical Assopciation (1967) JAMA 1967 202:1119-1123; or the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,1981 34:1552.

Are the cholesterol-lowering properties of coconut oil a direct result of its ability to stimulate thyroid function? Studies from a long time ago may be different than studies in recent years. But who do you believe, and how can you tell what oil is right for you if you want to cut inflammation and at the same time lower your LDL cholesterol, raise your HDL cholesterol, and reduce belly fat?

How healthy are medium-chain saturated fatty acids in your diet? There's a difference between the long-chain fatty acids from animal fats (such as bacon fat, butter, lard, or rendered chicken fat) and the medium-chain fatty acids from some plant-based fats such as coconut milk, coconut cream, and coconut oil (that is unrefined, extra virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil--not refined coconut oil highly processed with heat or chemicals for high heating). Here's an April, 2004 study against medium chain fatty acids from the Journal of American Nutrition.

Which is more important, to cut inflammation with anti-microbial properties of any given oil that has anti-microbial properties, or to reduce LDL cholesterol? See, "Effects of medium-chain fatty acids and oleic acid on blood lipids, lipoproteins, glucose, insulin, and lipid transfer protein activities." The study involved healthy, young men. So you see there are some studies for and some studies against using medium chain fatty acids.

How would you know what type of oil is best for you? This double-blind randomized study compared the effects of a diet rich in either Medium Chain Fatty Acids or "oleic acid" on fasting blood lipids, lipoproteins, glucose,insulin, and lipid transfer protein activities in healthy men. The study even used high-oleic sunflower oil (89.4% 18:1).

In that study, compared with the intake of high-oleic sunflower oil,the Medium Chain Triglycerides intake resulted in 11% higher plasma total cholesterol (P= 0.0005), 12% higher LDL cholesterol (P = 0.0001), 32% higher VLDL cholesterol (P = 0.080), a 12% higher ratio of LDL to HDLcholesterol (P = 0.002), 22% higher plasma total triacylglycerol(P = 0.0361), and higher plasma glucose (P = 0.033).

PlasmaHDL-cholesterol and insulin concentrations and activities ofcholesterol ester transfer protein and phospholipid transferprotein did not differ significantly between the diets.So, the conclusion noted that Medium Chain Triglycerides (that's medium chain fatty acids) unfavorably affected lipid (fat) profiles in healthy young men, compared with fat high in oleic acid, The Medium Chain Triglycerides fat by increasing the men's plasma LDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol. No changes in the activitiesof phospholipid transfer protein and cholesterol ester transfer protein were evident.

That study mentioned Medium Chain Triglycerides were used, but didn't at least in the abstract use the words "coconut oil." What oil did they use? Now, who can you believe when some studies say that Medium Chain Fatty Acids (medium chain trigylcerides) are good for you and other studies say they're worse than sunflower oil? Which oil really does lower your LDL and raise your HDL, which is what you want--lower 'bad' cholesterol and higher 'good' cholesterol?

See the article, "Dietary Fat Quality and Coronary Heart Disease Prevention: A Unified Theory Based on Evolutionary, Historical, Global, and Modern Perspectives." When you look at various studies, in many studies people over the age of 65 often are excluded as are people with heart conditions or high blood pressure. A lot of studies use younger, healthy people. So you are not seeing how certain foods affect people with the condition you might have. Some studies of obese people use subjects that may be obese but don't have other health conditions.

The Demographic Yearbook of the United Nations (1978) reported that Sri Lanka had the lowest death rate from ischemic heart disease. Sri Lanka is the only of the countries giving reliable data where coconut oil (containing over 50% medium chain fatty acids) is the main dietary fat.

You want to look for studies that show whether coconut oil can lower your total cholesterol, boost your HDL "good" cholesterol, lower your LDL "bad" cholesterol, and shrink your waist size. You want to see a study that compares coconut oil to soybean oil, which may do the opposite - lower HDL, raise LDL and total cholesterol, and does not reduce belly fat.

A new study shows that coconut oil can lower your total cholesterol, boost your HDL "good" cholesterol, lower your LDL "bad" cholesterol, and shrink your waist size. Compare that to soybean oil, which did the opposite - lowered HDL, raised LDL and total cholesterol, and did nothing for your belly size. See the study, "Effects of Dietary Coconut Oil on the Biochemical and Anthropometric Profiles of Women Presenting Abdominal Obesity," Lipids Volume 44, Number 7 / July 2009. Authors: Monica L. Assunção et al.

Another 2007 study also points to similar findings. See, "Effects of dietary medium-chain triglyceride on weight loss and insulin sensitivity in a group of moderately overweight free-living type 2 diabetic Chinese subjects," Metabolism., 2007. Jul;56(7):985-91. Authors: JR et al. Also see, the article, Medium-Chain Triglycerides and the study, "Effects of dietary coconut oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting abdominal obesity."

Which is better for your heart, unprocessed extra virgin coconut oil or extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil? One study concludes that medium chain triglyceride oil consumption as part of a weight loss diet does not lead to an adverse metabolic profile when compared to olive oil.

In that study, "Medium chain triglyceride oil consumption as part of a weight loss diet does not lead to an adverse metabolic profile when compared to olive oil," the scientists' results suggest that Medium Chain Triglycerides oil can be incorporated into a weight loss program without fear of adversely affecting metabolic risk factors. The 2008 study appeared in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2008 Oct;27(5):547-52. (PMID: 18845704 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]PMCID: PMC2874191.)

Distinction should be made regarding chain length when it comes to discussing the effects of saturated fats on metabolic risk factors. However, note that there are studies that do point to a negative impact of Medium Chain Triglyceride oil consumption on cardiovascular disease risk. This study examined the effects of Medium Chain Triglyceride oil consumption, as part of a weight loss diet, and on metabolic risk profile compared to olive oil.

Two of the 3 subjects in the Medium Chain Triglycerides oil group with evidence of the metabolic syndrome at baseline did not have metabolic syndrome at endpoint. In the olive oil group, 6 subjects had the metabolic syndrome at baseline; 2 subjects no longer had metabolic syndrome at endpoint, 1 person developed metabolic syndrome, and 4 subjects did not have any change in their metabolic syndrome status.

Coconut is a traditional South Pacific Islander remedy for diarrhea. Coconut also helps humans as well as dogs combat diarrhea. You can even make a sugar-free coconut macaroon to give to your dog to help ease diarrhea. Why does coconut milk help some people with its anti-microbial properties but make other people fat? See the article, "Obesity among Malays in Singapore - is coconut milk to blame?."

Can you use coconut milk to balance your electrolytes? See the article, "Coconut Milk Cures: balances electrolytes, lowers BPM." You have to look at three different drinks: coconut cream, coconut milk, and coconut water. Then you have to consider the health effects or benefits of the fiber from the coconut meat.

Of course, you'll want medical advice. But if you're stranded on a Pacific Island with relentless diarrhea, and you have no access to medical advice, think about trying raw, shredded coconut. The theory behind this is that coconut oil is anti-microbial.

According to an August 2, 2010 article in Mother Jones magazine, Liz Applegate, director of sports nutrition at UC Davis reports that "coconut water isn't ideal for prolonged bouts of physical activity because unlike sports drinks, coconut water is heavy on potassium and light on sodium, which you lose more of through sweat." For further information, see the article in Mother Jones magazine, Is coconut water really better than sports drinks?

In the Sacramento area, UC Davis studies the health benefits of a variety of foods. Check out the latest database at UC Davis on Produce Safety. University of California Davis Center for Produce Study is seeking to include in its database studies published within the past five years (with older studies added when deemed relevant) as well as relevant studies in progress.

The CPS database consults a wide range of sources to identify publically funded research from around the world. U.S. sources include USDA, FDA, UC-ANR, and ARS. Investigators funded by CPS have also been valuable resources.

In Sacramento, many of the fresh coconuts sold at Whole Foods Market in Sacramento come from Thailand. Have you noticed how fast coconut tames simple summer diarrhea? Coconut also tames simple diarrhea in dogs as well as in humans.

Unprocessed coconut is anti-microbial and may cut inflammation. According to the Grandma's Wisdom site, coconut milk helps curb diarrhea. And at Info-Barrel, stop diarrhea with pomegranates and coconut macaroons. Watch the brief video on the site that recommends coconut macaroons and pomegranate juice to control simple diarrhea. Make sure your problem isn't caused by food poisoning from potato salad that went bad, in which case, see your doctor right away.

Did you hear the KSTE station Sacramento radio show, The Wide World of Health, February 28, 2010, second hour, where Carey Nosler spoke with a guest naturopath on the health benefits of fresh coconut? Try eating some raw shredded coconut, if you're not allergic to coconut. Also coconut oil helps to heal mouth ulcers.

Listen online to the MP3 podcast. The Wide World of Health 02/28 Hr 2. The Wide World of Health 02/28 Hr 2, Sunday, February 28, 2010. The guest speaker showcased for the second hour of the show, Dr. Bruce Fife, N.D. about the wonderful world of Coconuts. Check out the Coconut Research Center.

According to the Coconut Research Center site, when you eat coconut, your HDL (good) cholesterol always increases. The rise in total cholesterol that some people experience is due mostly to an increase in good cholesterol. Your cholesterol ratio (total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol) improves, thus reducing your risk of heart disease.

Modern medical science is now confirming the use of coconut in treating many of the above conditions. Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits. For centuries coconut has been used in traditional folk medicine in areas where coconuts grow.

Learn how to cook with coconuts. To learn more visit Dr. Fife's web site to view all of his numerous titles. You can download the radio MP3 file podcast at this site,

It's a traditional South Pacific Islander remedy. It also works on humans as well as on dogs. You can even make a sugar-free coconut macaroon to give to your dog to help ease diarrhea.

Of course, you'll want medical advice. But if you're stranded on a Pacific Island with relentless diarrhea, and you have no access to medical advice, think about trying raw, shredded coconut. The theory behind this is that coconut oil is anti-microbial.

It has been said today's headlines become tomorrow's footnotes. And there are plenty of recipes that also discuss coconut milk remedies. Can you really stop chronic diarrhea with coconut milk or coconut oil in both humans and dogs? Do coconut remedies really work?

Coconut oil has been used to heal mouth ulcers such as canker sores. It's a traditional folkloric recipe used in tropical areas in the Pacific and Caribbean for healing sores caused by various viruses or bacteria because coconut oil has some antimicrobial properties.

If you browse the natural healing sites, some suggest eating some raw shredded coconut, if you're not allergic to coconut for soothing stomach problems due to irritation or bacterial infection. Coconut milk is high in saturated fat. But it's those medium chain saturated fatty acids, not the long chain saturated fatty acids in animal fat that fill up your arteries.

References

1. Monica L. Assunção et al. "Effects of Dietary Coconut Oil on the Biochemical and Anthropometric Profiles of Women Presenting Abdominal Obesity," Lipids Volume 44, Number 7 / July 2009
2. Van Wymelbeke V, Himaya A, Louis-Sylvestre J, Fantino M. Influence of medium-chain and long-chain triacylglycerols on the control of food intake in men. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998 Aug;68(2):226-34.
3. Kaunitz, H. 1986. "Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) in aging and arteriosclerosis," J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 6(3-4):115.
4. Hanne Müller et al. The Serum LDL/HDL Cholesterol Ratio Is Influenced More Favorably by Exchanging Saturated with Unsaturated Fat Than by Reducing Saturated Fat in the Diet of Women. J. Nutr. 133:78-83, Jan 2003
5. Tayag E, Dayrit CS, Santiago BC, Manalo MA, Alban PN, Agdamag DM, Adel AS, Lazo S and Espallardo N: Monolaurin and Coconut Oil as Monotherapy for HIV-AIDS. Pilot Trial. For Publication
6. JR et al. Effects of dietary medium-chain triglyceride on weight loss and insulin sensitivity in a group of moderately overweight free-living type 2 diabetic Chinese subjects., Metabolism., 2007 Jul;56(7):985-91.