Coconut oil has become a popular "super food" among health conscious individuals, claiming to heal just about every affliction known to man. Those who profit from this highly-refined product claim that consuming coconut oil lowers bad LDL cholesterol while at the same time raises good HDL cholesterol. Sound too good to be true?
Dustin Rudolph PharmD, The Plant-Based Pharmacist and author of The Empty Medicine Cabinet, examines the evidence in his article Coconut Oil Increases Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Possible Death Due to Heart Attacks and Stroke. Rudolph writes, "The best way to evaluate any claim for any health product is to find peer-reviewed controlled interventional studies testing the use of that product on morbidity and mortality (i.e. disability and death) rates for the disease in question. Unfortunately, for coconut oil, there are no such studies as of this date. Without this data we're left with testimonial stories of one miracle after another happening from those making coconut oil a popularized 'health' product." Rudolph continues saying, "However, there are peer-reviewed controlled interventional studies on the addition of coconut oil supplementation to one's diet and the resultant effect on a person's blood markers associated with cardiovascular disease risk. These data indicate a potential increase in risk for heart disease. While this data is helpful, it still falls short of proving a direct cause/effect relationship between coconut oil and heart attacks/strokes/death rates. It does, however, provide us with a red flag as to the potential of these events occuring if one were to regularly consume coconut oil."
Rudolph highlights four studies which reported that the test subjects in the study "experienced worsening total and LDL cholesterol levels" and a "clear link between oil consumption (specifically coconut and palm oils) and higher rates of dying from heart attacks." Cholesterol levels did drop significantly however "when individuals reduced the amount of total and saturated fat in their diet and removed a good amount of coconut fat from their diet."
A quick search on the internet reveals hundreds of websites touting coconut oil's heart-healthy benefits yet these articles fail to furnish credible scientific data to support their claims. One study which did observe lower cholesterol levels was conducted on rats, not humans. It's important to mention that the biological differences and organ function in rats can produce results that are notably different than that on humans. For example, "Rats differ from humans in crucial enzyme functions. Rats have much higher activity of the 5-desaturase enzyme system, a part of the body's machinery for processing fats in the diet. Because of this species difference, rats are 'not an appropriate human model' for studying the effects of fats." Similarly, when tested on humans, one study did show lower cholesterol levels in those consuming a diet rich in coconut oil - but only when compared to those consuming diets rich in butter. Another study reported lower cholesterol levels and Body Mass Index in overweight women that consumed coconut oil, yet these women were also instructed to eat fewer calories and walk 50 minutes every day. (Lower cholesterol levels were a result from the test subjects' weight loss.)
Considering these facts, Rudolph summaries, "Unfortunately, there is no legitimate scientific evidence, in the form of peer-reviewed controlled interventional studies, to back up the health claims of consuming coconut oil. By supplementing one's diet with coconut oil, it only increases blood markers (lipid levels) that have been associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease. You're more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke by doing so, not less. It's always better safe than sorry. Until definitive proof in the form of peer-reviewed controlled interventional studies comes forth supporting the health claims of coconut oil, it's best to steer clear of this potentially harmful substance."
Jeff Novick does a wonderful job in explaining the history behind marketing coconut oil as a "health food" in this disussion entitled: The Real Coconut Oil Miracle.
Additional Information:
(1) 3 Myths of Consuming "Healthy" Oils - by Dustin Rudolph PharmD
(2) Is Coconut Oil Bad for You?
(3) Does Coconut Oil Clog Arteries?
(4) Is Olive Oil Really "Heart Healthy?"