I love coconut oil. I use it to wash off my makeup and it has worked wonders. As part of my very minimal skincare regimen, plus nutrition and some supplements, I have said goodbye to cystic acne!
Have fats in your diet is a really healthy and delicious to help keep you full. I can go throughout my work day, which sometimes ends at 8, and still not feel hungry!
In the past weeks, you've probably heard that the American Heart Association said coconut was bad for you (AHA advisory note). Say it isn't so!
The study that the American Heart Association was referring to was a review that the authors conducted to clear up confusion. So what is the actual deal?
First, the study did not present any new evidence.
Wait, Dr. Ding you knew this? Coconut is not a miracle food. Coconut oil is a fat like all others. But it is the OVERALL DIET that really matters. Your entire dietary pattern.
It is unhealthy when combined into a diet full of sugar and carbs.
Second, the review did not look at the direct correlation between coconut oil intake and cardiovascular disease.
This review assumes that coconut oil is a saturated fat and that saturated fats are suspected to elevate your risk of cardiovascular disease. There are no studies that actually prove that coconut oil causes cardiovascular disease.
Third, the American Heart Association did not recommend 0 saturated fat, but to limit the amount you eat.
The American Heart Association is recommending to limit your daily saturated fat intake to 30 grams per day for men, and 20 grams for women. That’s about the equivalent of 2 tablespoons of coconut oil for men and 1.33 tablespoons for women.
Fourth, coconut oil increases LDL ("bad cholesterol") levels.
Yes, coconut oil can increase LDL levels, but it can also increase HDL ("good cholesterol") levels. A healthy HDL can decrease inflammation and can help decrease excess fat, which decreases your risk for heart disease.
Fifth, the American Heart Association recommends corn and soy oils instead.
WHAT! Corn and soy are one of the most highly GMO crops, almost 90% of this crops are GMO. It has also been found that soy has high amounts of glycophosphates, the main ingredient in Roundup.
Remember the days when the American Heart Association recommended margarine instead of real butter? Or when organizations pushed low fat diets and we saw the rise of obesity and diabetes? ...
Conclusion - use coconut oil in moderation. Should you be eating balls of coconut oil? Probably not. Can you still use it to cook with? YES
Using it to cook with occasionally for high temperatures is great. A better option? Avocado oil - it's plant-based!
One of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart disease? Reduce refined carbohydrate and sugar intake.
To evaluate your heart disease risk, I offer lipoprotein and cholesterol testing through Boston Heart that would show whether you are more susceptible to an increase in cholesterol.
Call 704-543-5540 or click on the schedule tab up top to schedule a FREE 15 minute phone consultation to learn how I can help you with your diet and cardiovascular health.