I wasn’t fond of writing my first post about coconut oil, so you can imagine, I’m downright grumpy writing a second time. Why doesn’t this fad die already? Certainly there are other fads in the queue that could take its place…
When you hear that a food, an ingredient or nutrient CURES or REVERSES a disease, don’t bother reading further.
“Reversing” Alzheimer’s is one of the latest coconut oil claims I’ve read. Besides the fact that there is no scientific support for that idea, when we do look at brain health it always comes down to a general healthy diet, increased plants, adequate hydration, increased exercise, increased friends and social activity. Oh, and enough sleep.
Type 2 diabetes and coconut oil has been studied in lab animals not humans. Let’s see, for better diabetes control, one would want a general healthy diet with whole foods; increased activity and limited total calories to manage weight.
Weight loss through coconut oil consumption? Small groups of people consuming coconut oil have been studied and they lost weight. Oh, did we mention they ate fewer calories and exercised more? SIGH.
Coconut oil, to repeat, is a saturated fat and generally discouraged in a healthy diet.
Saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat all contain the same number of calories. Saturated fats have been associated with heart disease.
The monounsaturates seem to be the healthiest of fat choices. Examples include:
- olive oil,
- avocado/oil
- canola oil
- peanut oil
- many nuts/seeds
Please, skip the fad and the coconut oil to be well,
Marcia
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