Nutrition Tip - What's Up with Coconut Oil

What’s Up with Coconut Oil?

Do a quick search of coconut oil on the internet today and you will find over 33 million articles to choose from. It seems to be all the rage these days. You will see that coconut oil has been linked to pretty much every health ailment from weight loss to cancer. Is it really the miracle cure everyone is claiming it is?

Coconut oil is a tropical oil and like its cousins palm and palm kernel oils, it is high in saturated fat. It contains two types of fat called lauric and myristic fats. These have both been shown to raise LDL cholesterol levels in the body. LDL cholesterol is the bad kind of cholesterol, the one you want to be lower. Therefore, coconut oil could raise your LDL levels.

Saturated fats should make up no more than 10% of your total calorie intake each day. That means that coconut oil can be consumed but in moderation with other saturated fats like butter, red meat, high fat dairy, cheese, cream products, and processed meats. Be cautious of how many sources of saturated fat you consume on a daily basis and use coconut oil sparingly.