Southern B
Hey everyone!
I was listening to the CDs from Dr. Andrew Weil this weekend and I was confused about something he mentioned about Coconut Oil. He said people should avoid eating anything prepared with CO because it is high in saturated fats and will pose health risks.
This confuses me greatly beacuse I have been told by many sources that CO is an EXCELLENT source of Omega 3 and essential fatty acids. I have been told to eat a tablespoon up to 5 times daily and use it externally as well as cook extensively with it. I have only been using the extra virgin, non refined CO because I like the coconutty taste and smell. Plus the EVCO has more health benefits. I use a lot of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) on a regular basis because of the healthy aspects of it as well.
What is confusing me is that saturated fats should be avoided, yes, but I understand that EVCO is a medium-chain saturated fat and that it is digested differently in the body than the other type of saturated fats like in animal products. We eat normal amounts of meat and greater amounts of whole grains and vegetables. I thought that because CO was vegetable and not animal, then it would be a better source of EFAs.
Dr. Weil also states that Canola Oil is better for you for cooking with. I have heard the complete opposite! Of course Olive Oil is preferred over most others, but I am wondering if Dr. Weil is confusing Canola Oil and Coconut Oil?
Can anyone shed some light on this subject? I don't want to give up my EVCO if I can help it. I have 160 different ways to use CO and they all seem beneficial so far.
Thanks!!
Answer
I don't know who Dr. Weil is, but if you have represented his claims accurately, he has no idea what he is talking about. Canola oil, which is produced from genetically modified rapeseed, is one of the worst of the "edible" oils that you can put in your body, especially when used in any kind of cooking other than baking. It converts readily to toxic substances when subjected to the heat used for sauteeing and frying.
There is a growing body of evidence that refutes the theory that natural saturated fats are any less healthy than unsaturated fats, when consumed in moderation. There is also now a damning body of evidence that reveals artificial, hydrogenated fats like margarine and shortening to be extremely unhealthy.
There is nothing wrong with eating coconut oil, either raw or cooked. In fact, it is one of the more beneficial fats you can consume, including when used for frying. Other healthy fats include olive oils, grapeseed oil and, for high-temperature frying, peanut oil and pure, non-hydrogenated lard (hard to find in regular grocery stores).
If you want to avoid the health problems that have been associated with saturated fats in the junk science community and popular lore for the last 50 years, you need to do two things:
1) Eat a diet based on whole foods, avoiding sugars and other simple carbohydrates, and keep your calorie intake low enough to avoid gaining excessive body fat.
2) Get a minimum of 45 minutes of cardio endurance exercise 4 days a week. Muscle strength training is also beneficial, but cardio training is more important for general health and fitness.
If you do these things, you don't need to worry about how much saturated fat or cholesterol you consume. Eat as much shrimp sauteed in butter with avocado sauce as you like. Get rid of your canola and soy oils and stick with healthy fats, whether saturated or unsaturated, vegetable or animal.
I don't know who Dr. Weil is, but if you have represented his claims accurately, he has no idea what he is talking about. Canola oil, which is produced from genetically modified rapeseed, is one of the worst of the "edible" oils that you can put in your body, especially when used in any kind of cooking other than baking. It converts readily to toxic substances when subjected to the heat used for sauteeing and frying.
There is a growing body of evidence that refutes the theory that natural saturated fats are any less healthy than unsaturated fats, when consumed in moderation. There is also now a damning body of evidence that reveals artificial, hydrogenated fats like margarine and shortening to be extremely unhealthy.
There is nothing wrong with eating coconut oil, either raw or cooked. In fact, it is one of the more beneficial fats you can consume, including when used for frying. Other healthy fats include olive oils, grapeseed oil and, for high-temperature frying, peanut oil and pure, non-hydrogenated lard (hard to find in regular grocery stores).
If you want to avoid the health problems that have been associated with saturated fats in the junk science community and popular lore for the last 50 years, you need to do two things:
1) Eat a diet based on whole foods, avoiding sugars and other simple carbohydrates, and keep your calorie intake low enough to avoid gaining excessive body fat.
2) Get a minimum of 45 minutes of cardio endurance exercise 4 days a week. Muscle strength training is also beneficial, but cardio training is more important for general health and fitness.
If you do these things, you don't need to worry about how much saturated fat or cholesterol you consume. Eat as much shrimp sauteed in butter with avocado sauce as you like. Get rid of your canola and soy oils and stick with healthy fats, whether saturated or unsaturated, vegetable or animal.
how good is coconut oil for cooking?
Steve N
Answer
Coconut oil is full of saturated fat. Normally this statement would scare anyone off from ever considering coconut oil to be a health food.
The truth is, saturated fat has gotten a really bad reputation lately as being nothing but unhealthy for our bodies. While, this may be true of most saturated fats, coconut oil is different.
The fat in coconut oil has a unique property that actual causes it to have both antimicrobial and anticancer effects in the body. Coconut oil is also used to treat thyroid conditions and aid in weight loss.
It is a mistake to assume that every type of saturated fat leads to heart disease.
The difference between the saturated fat in coconut oil and the saturated fat in other types of food is that coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid while the rest are long chain fatty acids.
This is a big deal because medium chain fatty acids, also known as lauric acid, actually help to reduce heart disease and atherosclerosis.
Lauric acid is specifically known for its antimicrobial attributes. Lauric acid can be turned into monolaurin by our bodies, which is both anti-viral and anti-bacterial. Monolaurin also helps to destroy lipid coated viruses, which include HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus and influenza.
Keep in mind that not all coconut oil is healthy, hydrogenated coconut oil is just as dangerous to your health as other trans-fats. What you need to look for is unprocessed coconut oil in order to reap the health benefits.
In addition to the great benefits that come with using coconut oil for your food, is the nourishment you could provide to your skin by using it as a daily lotion or face moisturizer.
With coconut oil, you will be able to give your skin a completely healthy and chemical-free treatment on a daily basis that won't clog up your pores.
One brand I highly recommend is Nuvita organic coconut oil. It is USDA certified organic, and produced as extra-virgin.
Coconut oil is full of saturated fat. Normally this statement would scare anyone off from ever considering coconut oil to be a health food.
The truth is, saturated fat has gotten a really bad reputation lately as being nothing but unhealthy for our bodies. While, this may be true of most saturated fats, coconut oil is different.
The fat in coconut oil has a unique property that actual causes it to have both antimicrobial and anticancer effects in the body. Coconut oil is also used to treat thyroid conditions and aid in weight loss.
It is a mistake to assume that every type of saturated fat leads to heart disease.
The difference between the saturated fat in coconut oil and the saturated fat in other types of food is that coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid while the rest are long chain fatty acids.
This is a big deal because medium chain fatty acids, also known as lauric acid, actually help to reduce heart disease and atherosclerosis.
Lauric acid is specifically known for its antimicrobial attributes. Lauric acid can be turned into monolaurin by our bodies, which is both anti-viral and anti-bacterial. Monolaurin also helps to destroy lipid coated viruses, which include HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus and influenza.
Keep in mind that not all coconut oil is healthy, hydrogenated coconut oil is just as dangerous to your health as other trans-fats. What you need to look for is unprocessed coconut oil in order to reap the health benefits.
In addition to the great benefits that come with using coconut oil for your food, is the nourishment you could provide to your skin by using it as a daily lotion or face moisturizer.
With coconut oil, you will be able to give your skin a completely healthy and chemical-free treatment on a daily basis that won't clog up your pores.
One brand I highly recommend is Nuvita organic coconut oil. It is USDA certified organic, and produced as extra-virgin.
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