Every day we open the newspaper to find the latest superfood or supplement that claims to protect us from heart disease, cancers and strokes, which account for nearly half of the deaths in developed countries. Researchers have slowly been uncovering the health benefits of a unique group of saturated fats. Medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are composed of 8 to 12 carbon molecules. The length of the carbon chain is a key factor in the way that dietary fat is digested by and how it affects the body.
Coconut oil is an MCFA acid but unlike other saturated fats such as vegetable oil and butterfat it has a neutral affect on cholesterol levels. This is because medium chain fatty acids are used for energy production and so they are not converted into body fat or cholesterol. In fact, coconut oil may indirectly lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol by stimulating metabolism. The MCFAs shift the body’s metabolism into a higher gear so that you can burn more calories. This provides good evidence that coconut oil may actually promote weight loss. As well as having metabolic benefits coconut oil is a natural antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal food. Laboratory tests have shown that MCFAs are effective in attacking viruses that cause influenza, measles and hepatitis C, as well as urinary tract and intestinal infections.
Coconuts have been the staple diet of Pacific Islanders for thousands of years with almost every meal containing coconut in some form. Studies have shown that the overall health of Pacific Islanders is extremely good when compared to Western populations. Until the recent addition of modern foods to their diet they showed virtually no signs of kidney disease, hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol), digestive problems and constipation. In addition, those populations throughout the world who eat the most coconut have low rates of heart disease.
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