Is coconut oil healthy? According to the American Heart Association’s June 2017 report on saturated fats, the answer is no. But we happen to think they got it wrong.
The American Heart Association recommends that the average man limits daily saturated fat intake to 30 grams per day to reduce heart disease risk. The recommendation for the average woman is 20 grams per day. That equals out to about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil for men and 1.33 tablespoons for women.
The AHA reports that coconut oil increases LDL (bad) cholesterol and “has no known offsetting favorable effects.” For that reason, they advise against the use of coconut oil. While coconut oil can indeed raise LDL cholesterol levels, it can also raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels – a point they failed to mention.
Here’s Why They Got It Wrong
Studies have shown that adding extra-virgin coconut oil into your diet provides a healthy bump in HDL cholesterol levels. Coconut oil has even been shown to help heart disease patients lose excess body mass and shrink their waistlines, which are two major factors that can help protect your heart. So according to research, coconut oil actually has a positive role in preventing heart disease.
While the AHA says that LDL cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart disease, a study of more than 12,000 people found that low cholesterol increased a person’s risk of dying early – not high cholesterol.
But wait a minute, why aren’t we talking about inflammation? Inflammation is the root cause of heart disease. The focus of heart disease prevention should be about reducing inflammation and oxidation through diet, and coconut oil can help with that.
The AHA Recommends…
One of the most alarming parts of the AHA’s report is their recommendation to cut out coconut oil and instead eat more corn and soy oil. More than 90% of these crops are genetically modified, most containing glyphosate – the main ingredient in the herbicide Roundup. Studies have shown that replacing saturated fat with corn oil and other similar oils can actually increase a person’s risk of coronary heart disease and death from other causes.
Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has many amazing health benefits. In fact, there are over 1,500 studies proving that coconut oil is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. While it’s true that coconut oil contains saturated fat, it’s a healthy saturated fat made up of medium-chain fatty acids that provide anti-microbial and anti-fungal benefits to the body. If you’re still considering your stance on coconut oil, check out jut a few of the many natural health benefits it provides.
1. Prevents Heart Disease
The saturated fats in coconut oil increase HDL (good) cholesterol and help convert LDL (bad) cholesterol into good cholesterol. This process promotes heart health and lowers the risk of heart disease.
2. Reduces Inflammation
One study found that the high levels of antioxidants in virgin coconut oil reduced inflammation and healed arthritis more effectively than leading medications. Coconut oil is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory for every part of the body.
3. Boosts The Immune System
The lauric acid in coconut oil is known to reduce candida, fight bacteria and create a hostile environment for viruses. Coconut oil works as a natural antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral to boost the immune system and fight illness.
4. Improves Memory And Brain Function
A study published in the Journal of Neurobiology of Aging found that the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil helped to improve memory problems in older subjects. MCFA’s are easily absorbed in into the body. They can be accessed in the brain without the use of insulin, which allows them to fuel brain cells more efficiently.
5. Can Be Used For Cancer Prevention And Treatment
Ketones are produced during the digestion of coconut oi. Tumor cells are not able to access the energy in ketones, which is why many researchers believe that a ketogenic diet could play a key role in helping cancer patients recover. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil also play a role in cancer prevention. They are able to kill bacteria that is known to increase the risk of stomach cancer. Studies have shown that coconut oil can help prevent cancer from developing.
Sources:
Dr. Axe
NCBI
NCBI
Dr. Axe
AHA Presidential Advisory
NCBI
NCBI
The BMJ
NCBI
The Truth About Cancer
NCBI
The post The Truth About Coconut Oil The AHA Doesn’t Want You To Know About appeared first on David Avocado Wolfe.