Coconut oil has a melting point of 78 degrees F. If the oil liquefies on a very warm day, stir well before using. What makes MCTs unique is that they are shorter than longer-chain fatty acids which are found in lots of foods like fish, meat, eggs, milk and some plants like microalgae. 1

Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society : “The Properties of Lauric Acid and Their Significance in Coconut Oil.” People have been including nourishing coconut oil in hair care routines for hundreds of years, but why?

Ganji V, Kies CV. Psyllium husk fibre supplementation to soybean and coconut oil diets of humans: effect on fat digestibility and faecal fatty acid excretion. Eur J Clin Nutr 1994;48:595-7. View abstract. The epidemiological studies observed people from Samoa, the Philippines, New Zealand, and New Guinea consuming whole coconut as part of their traditional diets. Overall their diets were similar: coconut flesh and milk, fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish. Studies found that those who ate higher amounts of coconut oil had increased beneficial HDL cholesterol levels but also increased total cholesterol and triglycerides. As a food ingredient, coconut oil has been marketed as having several health benefits, including helping with weight loss and preventing dementia. But many scientists say there's not enough scientific evidence for these claims. Coconut oil is high in saturated fat, which the American Heart Association says can raise your cholesterol levels and your risk of heart disease. To take coconut oil for weight loss, experts recommend consuming it about 20 minutes before a meal to suppress the appetite. Coconut Oil Capsules Side Effects, Safety, Dangers and Warnings Angeles-Agdeppa I, Nacis JS, Capanzana MV, Dayrit FM, Tanda KV. Virgin coconut oil is effective in lowering C-reactive protein levels among suspect and probable cases of COVID-19. J Funct Foods 2021;83:104557. View abstract.

Das NG, Nath DR, Baruah I, Talukdar PK, Das SC. Field evaluation of herbal mosquito repellents. J Commun Dis. 1999;31(4):241-5. View abstract. Fractionated coconut oil is a saturated fat that's tasteless, odorless, and liquid at room temperature. It's not suitable for use in cooking and is best used as a moisturizer, hair oil, or massage oil. People use coconut oil by mouth for diabetes, heart disease, chronic fatigue, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Alzheimer's disease, quality of life in people with breast cancer, thyroid conditions, energy, and boosting the immune system. Despite coconut oil's high calorie and saturated fat content, some people use it by mouth to lose weight and lower cholesterol. Mumcuoglu KY, Miller J, Zamir C, et al. The in vivo pediculicidal efficacy of a natural remedy. Isr Med Assoc J 2002;4:790-3. View abstract.Expeller-pressed—A machine presses the oil from coconut flesh, often with the use of steam or heat. Our bodies mostly use MCTs as fuel because it can be absorbed into the bloodstream and converted into energy easily. Is MCT oil the same as coconut oil? Coconut oil is a plant-based oil you can use for cooking and baking in place of other oils and butter. It's solid at room temperature and liquid when heated. One tablespoon has about 13.5 grams of fat and 120 calories, which is about the same as most other cooking oils. Also, some research into the dietary benefits of coconut oil has used a type that you can't buy in the store. It's much higher in MCTs, a type of fat your body can absorb rapidly. When substituting coconut oil for butter or vegetable shortening, use 25% less coconut oil than the amount of butter listed in the recipe due to its higher percentage of fat solids. Use refined coconut oil if you do not want a coconut flavor.

Heliyon : “The effect of oil pulling with coconut oil to improve dental hygiene and oral health: A systematic review.” Eight small short-term clinical trials lasting from 5-8 weeks with a range of 9-83 participants were examined with an intervention of a coconut oil diet. When compared with a butter or unsaturated fat (olive or safflower oil) diet, coconut oil raised total cholesterol, HDL, and harmful LDL levels more than unsaturated oils, but not more than butter. Coconut oil was also found to raise total and LDL cholesterol to a greater or similar degree as other saturated fats like beef fat and palm oil. Just to add to its skin-loving properties, coconut oil is also great for enriching dry skin with much-needed moisture. This tropical oil helps to moisturise dry skin by keeping it hydrated and helping the skin barrier. Cold-pressed—The oil is pressed without use of heat. The temperature remains below 120 degrees F; this is believed to help retain more nutrients. Head lice. Developing research shows that a spray containing coconut oil, anise oil, and ylang ylang oil appears to be effective for treating head lice in children. It seems to work about as well as a spray containing chemical insecticides.Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Final report on the safety assessment of Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil and related ingredients. Int J Toxicol 2011;30(3 Suppl):5S-16S. View abstract. Hormonal Balance: Since coconut oil is a good source of saturated fat, it can also help balance hormones. According to a study of pre-menopausal women in the Philippines, published by NCBI, coconut oil has positive effects on estrogen levels and can help with symptoms of menopause. The authors concluded that because of coconut oil’s effects on raising blood cholesterol including harmful LDL and in some cases triglycerides, and because its cholesterol-raising effects were comparable to other saturated fats, the oil should not be viewed as a heart-healthy food and should be limited in the diet. This process has been seen to help improve oral hygiene when practiced correctly and regularly and used alongside normal dental hygiene practices like brushing teeth and flossing. However, there’s currently no good evidence to say that eating coconut oil itself will increase the number of calories you burn.

The MCTs in coconut oil are easily converted to energy instead of being stored in your body as fat. In theory, this could help you feel full and aid in weight loss . But we need more research into whether it can help you lose weight. So far, results have been mixed. Also, ordinary coconut oil contains mostly C12, a fatty acid that your body metabolizes more slowly. Metin ZE, Bilgic P, Tengilimoglu Metin MM, Akkoca M. Comparing acute effects of extra virgin coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil consumption on appetite and food intake in normal-weight and obese male subjects. PLoS One. 2022;17(9):e0274663. View abstract. There are several types of coconut oil, each distinguished by the way they have been processed and their intended final use. Every type has different benefits depending on how you want to use it. Fetal and early infant death. Early research suggest that applying coconut oil to babies' skin daily for 28 days reduces the risk of infection but does not affect the risk of death in premature babies.

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Swarnamali H, Ranasinghe P, Hills AP, Jayawardena R. Coconut oil consumption and bodyweight reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Minerva Endocrinol (Torino) 2021. View abstract. Ketones produced through coconut oil digestion — Because tumor cells can’t use the energy in ketones, they can’t grow. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition : “Impact of medium and long chain triglycerides consumption on appetite and food intake in overweight men.” Coconut oil can break down lipid-soluble impurities such as make-up and sebum, leaving your face clean and fresh.