The myth of coconut oil: Healthy reality or cardiovascular risk? – The NY Journal

He coconut oil It is a food to which multiple health benefits. However, the scientific evidence advises against it for him human consumption due to its high levels of saturated fatwhich generates an increase of cholesterol.

The internist and endocrinologist, Gustavo Parrademystifies the healthy consumption trend of the coconut oil and, on the contrary, it shows how the blood cholesterol.

Parra compares two lipid profiles: the first, before cooking with coconut oilshowed a LDL at 145 mg/dL, triacylglycerides bass and a HDL at 67 mg/dL (a very good lipid profile). The second lipid profileusing coconut oilthrew a total cholesterol at 359 mg/dL and a LDL greater than 230 mg/dL.

Given the evidence, the specialist asks: “What is the objective of using coconut oil?” Furthermore, he states that “it is very proven: it generates a exaggerated increase in the values ​​of LDL cholesterol”.

What medical indications does the use of coconut oil have?

For the expert it has no benefit, because the coconut oil is saturated fat 92%, rich in lauric acid. “Although it is classified as a medium chain fatty acidbehaves metabolically like a long chain fatty acid. In the clinical studiesno one has been found benefit when using it; if anything, to topical and capillary levelbut for the rest, nothing,” says Parra.

It also explains that you can consume medium chain fatty acids (which are not those of the coconut oil) very rarely, “when conditions exist such as, for example, a genetic hypertriglyceridemia very severe, where we eliminate other types of fats and use medium chain triglycerides (MCT) because absorb directly through the portal system.” However, there is no medical indication for coconut oil.

The doctor receives patients for consultation with the “cholesterol through the roof” as a consequence of the consumption of coconut oil, ghee butter either lard. Instead, advise replace by olive oil, avocado oil and, above all, avoid deep frying to protect the cardiovascular health.

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