Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I see Coconut Oil used in many many Paleo Recipes, but I was researching it and found that the US Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization, International College of Nutrition, United States Department of Health and Human Services, American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association, British National Health Service, and Dietitians of Canada recommend limiting the consumption of significant amounts of coconut oil due to its high levels of saturated fat.

Coconut Oil is even used in Movie theater Popcorn and greatly increases the amount of saturated fat in that popcorn.

If this is the case, why is Coconut Oil being used to substitute Olive Oil? Does anyone know why Coconut Oil is recommended in this lifestyle and can give substantial reason this is a healthier alternative?

flag	asked Apr 24 2012 at 18:43 Odysseia 33●1●3

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Please note that the coconut oil used in movie popcorn is hydrogenated, i.e. it is trans fat, which makes it seriously unhealthy. The non-hydrogenated coconut oil that paleo people use does not have this problem. – trjones Apr 24 2012 at 19:02

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Watch the movie "Fat Head," which was a response to Super Size Me. It is available on Netflix instant. It provides a lot of information about this issue in particular, including the organizations behind the movie theater popcorn attack and the science of why virgin coconut oil is actually good for you (not just not-bad). – Sam Apr 24 2012 at 19:37

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Many of these same organizations were against breastmilk and supported infant formula. These same organizations supported margarine (trans-fats) instead of butter. Sorry but their corruption and ignorance goes much more then they would care to admit. Nobody lost jobs or apologized for the millions of lives lost to those 2 reasons alone! Babies died from dirty water mixed with infant formula in developing countries. – Lady_Arwen Apr 25 2012 at 2:44

foreveryoung · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-24 18:46:29Z UTC

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Most people like it because they overestimate its fat burning potential from the MCTs, because it is heat stable and not prone to oxidation, because it is low in omega 6, and because frankly it tastes really good.

I do not think it is meant to be consumed in huge quantities, as I am not familiar with a traditional culture that does so. The Kitavans eat it, but fat only makes up 10% of their calories, roughly 4% of which comes from fish oil.

answered Apr 24 2012 at 18:46

foreveryoung
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The Pukapukas and the Tokelauans eat huge amounts of coconuts, with the latter getting 63% of their energy from them. (ajcn.org/content/34/8/1552.full.pdf) – Tyler F Apr 24 2012 at 20:52

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s and the Innuit eat huge amounts of seal and whale meat – jo60 May 1 2012 at 18:00

I think foreveryoung has a point though. I eat loads of coconut oil, but huge amounts are just a waste of calories. You can get the good effects of the oil by just eating 2-3 spoons of it daily. – Korion May 1 2012 at 19:08

missionman · Answer 2 · 2012-06-02 02:16:42Z UTC

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You're going to find that not a lot of people around here put much stock in what those organizations you've listed have to say about diet.

edited Jun 2 at 2:16

answered Apr 24 2012 at 19:06

missionman
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My thought exactly.They push canola oil,how does that give them credibility – desi Apr 24 2012 at 20:05

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Sorry, but: "you're" and "a lot", not "your" and "alot". Please don't hate me. – Tyler F Apr 25 2012 at 12:18

Kelly B · Answer 3 · 2012-04-24 19:07:50Z UTC

Saturated fat is good for you. If you are burning your bodyfat, you're burning palmitic acid, which is a saturated fat. Recent studies have removed any correlation between consumption of saturated fat and heart disease, which, I think, was the basis of the recommendations you cite above. The MCTs in coconut oil provide a shortcut into ketosis, which can be beneficial in mitigating some neurological issues (possibly Alzheimers; is being used with Epilepsy, etc).

Substitute saturated fat for Olive Oil in cooking when you will be using high heat; there are claims that heating Olive Oil creates trans-fats.

Mike · Answer 4 · 2012-05-01 17:41:36Z UTC

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Coconut oil is recommended because

get this

saturated fat isn't bad for you

mind = blown, right?

answered May 1 2012 at 17:41

Mike
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Primo Health Coach · Answer 5 · 2012-04-24 20:33:09Z UTC

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I wrote an article about the health benefits of coconuts on my blog. The Health Benefits of Coconuts. Come check it out as it may answer some of your questions.

answered Apr 24 2012 at 20:33

Primo Health Coach
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Eric · Answer 6 · 2012-04-24 21:07:27Z UTC

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Yes, Cocomut oil is better than Olive Oil for you.

answered Apr 24 2012 at 21:07

Eric
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Meh, that's like saying apples are better than oranges. They're two different things each with advantages over the other. – Matt Apr 25 2012 at 0:12

I am just jealous I can't have EVCO.... – Eric Apr 25 2012 at 0:51

True, Matt. But there is a lot of validity : olive oil is higher in PUFAs, coconut oil has the MCTs and the metabolism-boosting effects, ... EVCO would be the third oil on my list, after butter. – Korion May 1 2012 at 19:10

Strictly speaking, butter isn't an oil. You mean third fat source, right? – Matthius Jun 1 at 16:56

begob · Answer 7 · 2012-04-26 09:13:27Z UTC

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Ned Kock is very good on coconut oil: http://healthcorrelator.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=coconut

answered Apr 26 2012 at 9:13

begob
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Rachel at The Health Revival · Answer 8 · 2012-06-01 13:38:51Z UTC

It doesn't oxidize at high heat, contains Lauric Acid (a medium-chain fatty acid, where most of the health benefits are derived from), and tastes awesome. As in everything in life, use common sense, and moderate.

Worth learning more about... http://www.thehealthrevival.com/2012/02/coconut-controversy.html

Coconut Oil? Is this better than Olive Oil?

8 Answers