MYTH : COCONUT OIL IS THICK AND EASILY ABSORB

Traditionally thinking that coconut oil is thick and not easily absorb by the gut and even the skin was proven otherwise in several studies done that will be discussed here.

The studies done relating transcutaneous absorption, intestinal absorption and UV (ultraviolet) absorption of coconut oil to our body.

A study2 on 120 babies were randomly assigned to three oil groups equally divided into;

i) safflower oil

ii) coconut oil and

iii) no oil controls.

5 ml of the designated oil was massaged four times a day for five days under controlled conditions of temperature and feeding. Pre and post oil massage samples of blood were analysed for triglyceride and fatty acid profiles using gas chromatography.

From the study they had concluded that topically applied oil can be absorbed in neonates and is probably available for nutritional purposes. The fatty acid constituents of the oil can influence the changes in the fatty acid profiles of the massaged babies.

A good combination of oil which can work on the facial skin should have a good combination of fatty acid i.e. oleic acid and linoleic acid to reduce possibility of acne development for dry skin people.

image source : 1800recycling.com

The thinning of the ozone layer especially over the tropics worries us which make us try any type of creams or moisturisers in attempt to reduce the harmful effects of the ultraviolet (UV) rays on the skin.

A study carried out to ascertain qualitatively whether the edible oils applied has any protection from the UV insolation4.3

There were eight types of oil used in the study i.e. coconut, groundut, castor, olive, neem-seed, sunflower, sesame and cod liver oil.

The first four showed above 70% of transmission in the UVB region indicatinthat these oils could have reduced UV falling on the skin.

An interesting review from a physician in Florida regarding using an alternative treatment for Helicobacter Pylori infected gut after full consultation and investigations, preferred taking a teaspoonful of extra virgin coconut oil taken three times a day from conventional treatment.5

His patients gave a delighted news to him after a month on this "medication".

It is not a surprising factor since Lauric acid (as a constituent of coconut) able to invades the cell wall and kill it.

Referring to Dr. Mercola5, MCFAs (medium chained fatty acid) are smaller than LCFAs (long chained fatty acid), which means they permeate cell membranes easily.

The MFCAs are;

MCFAs are easily digested

MCFAs are sent directly to your liver, where they are immediately converted into energy rather than being stored as fat.

MCFAs in coconut oil can actually help stimulate your body metabolism.

Coconut oil earns even more "points" because it's rich in lauric acid, which converts in your body to monolaurin – a compound also found in breast milk that strengthens immunity. 

Caprylic acid, another coconut fatty acid present in smaller amounts, is another antimicrobial component. 


Using coconut oil as your primary cooking oil is important because it is stable enough to resist heat-induced damage.