coconut oil article, kind of negative

[Guest guest]

Here's an excerpt from an article I read this morning:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/02/20/999183/coconuts-have-a-moment-in-\

the.html

<Here%27s%20an%20excerpt%20from%20an%20article%20I%20read%20this%20morni\

ng:%20%20http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/02/20/999183/coconuts-have-a-m\

oment-in-the.html>

Coconut oil and milk, though, are receiving mixed reviews. Coconut fat

is saturated, like the fat in lard and butter. The healthiest fats,

those found in olive and canola oils, contain more monounsaturated fats,

which do not raise LDL cholesterol and might even help lower it. Doctors

and dietitians have warned people away from cholesterol-boosting

saturated fats for years. Coconut fats are no exception.

" I've had clients who have added coconut oil to shakes and things like

that, and their cholesterol has gone up significantly, " said

Crandall, a Denver dietitian who is president of the Colorado Dietetic

Association. " Saturated fat clogs your arteries and is not good for

heart health. I was meeting with a cardiologist recently, and he said he

doesn't advise [coconut oil] for any clients. "

The fat issue is complicated by the types of fatty acids found in

coconut, versus other saturated fats. While most other saturated fats

contain " long-chain " fatty acids, most coconut fats are " medium-chain. "

This is advantageous for coconuts because the medium-chain fatty acids

are broken down more rapidly by enzymes, said Little. In general, she

said, fats high in medium-chain fatty acids are more healthful than

those laden with long-chain acids.

In addition, coconut fats are high in lauric acid, which many think acts

as an antimicrobial, helping prevent viruses, fungi and parasites.

Still pretty negative, raises cholesterol, clogs arteries.