The saturated fat in coconut oil is different than most other oils and can actually be beneficial. Deb Mandal and Mandal10 report that the medium chain saturated fatty acids (MCFAs) such as laurin found in organic coconut oil are easily absorbed by the intestine and sent straight to the liver for use as energy.
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Healthy Fats
Organic coconut oil is a saturated fat. It contains more than 80% saturated fat, which some experts have linked to heart disease and other health problems. However, it is different from the saturated fats in meat and dairy products. The fats in coconut oil are made of smaller molecules called fatty acids. These fatty acids have been shown to raise beneficial HDL cholesterol levels while lowering harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Most of the fatty acids in coconut oil are medium chain fatty acids, which are metabolized quickly to provide energy. MCTs can also help preserve insulin sensitivity, which is important for people with diabetes.
In addition to healthy fatty acids, organic coconut oil has many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has been known to improve skin and hair health, boost metabolism, increase brain function and reduce the risk of heart disease. The vitamin E in coconut oil has been shown to protect against free radical damage.
Vitamins and Minerals
Organic coconut oil is made from the flesh of coconut palm trees (Cocos nucifera). It’s high in saturated fat and contains vitamin E. It’s a great natural source of vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, selenium and iron.
It’s loaded with medium chain triglycerides, which are absorbed quickly by the liver and converted into ketones, that are used to boost energy. It also has lauric acid that’s converted to monolaurin, a compound with powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties.
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This healthy fat can improve dryness in skin, lips and hair, strengthen brittle nails, and promote healthy teeth and gums. It is also known to boost brain function and increase memory in Alzheimer’s patients.
Antioxidants
There are plenty of antioxidants in coconut oil, including flavonoids, tocopherols and carotenes. These antioxidants help to protect the body from free radical damage.
The saturated fat in organic coconut oil is unique as it is comprised of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). This type of saturated fat is metabolized differently and is not believed to raise LDL cholesterol like other saturated fats do, but instead may actually increase HDL cholesterol levels.
The MCTs in organic coconut oil are converted to monolaurin, which is known for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties. This helps to fight candida, kill bacteria, and create a hostile environment for viruses. The MCTs also support the liver by reducing inflammation and helping to break down toxic substances. This is why it has been used to treat UTIs and kidney infections. In fact, a 2020 study found that when people replace their normal vegetable oil with coconut oil for four weeks, their liver health improves significantly.
The Role of Lauric Acid
Lauric acid is a saturated fatty acid (C12H24O2) that occurs naturally in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It is also present in the fat of lard, butter and mammalian milk products, but at much lower concentrations.
The human body can easily convert lauric acid to monolaurin, a form that has strong antimicrobial properties. It can help in fighting off bacteria and viruses such as the herpes simplex virus, genital warts caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea and other intestinal infections.
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Natural saturated fats like those found in organic coconut and palm kernel oil are preferable over man-made trans-fats, which have been shown to negatively affect cholesterol levels. However, some experts recommend limiting saturated fat intake to 10% of total calories a day. Fortunately, organic coconut oil provides a healthy option to satisfy this requirement. It also offers many other health benefits that conventional cooking oils do not.
