Virgin coconut oil protects against liver damage in albino rats challenged with the anti-folate combination, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The results of this study demonstrate that the active components of coconut oil had protective effects against the toxic effects induced by TMP-SMX administration, especially in the liver of rats.
Daily Consumption of Virgin Coconut Oil Increases High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Crossover Trial. We found an increase in HDL-C levels among young healthy volunteers taking dietary supplements with 15 mL of VCO twice daily, as compared with taking control (2% CMC solution), and found no significant harmful side effects. The effect of VCO should be potentially beneficial for cardiovascular risk reduction but further studies are needed among patients with low HDL-C that need to increase their HDL-C levels.
The lauric acid-activated signaling prompts apoptosis in cancer cells. The saturated medium-chain fatty-acid lauric acid (LA) has been associated to certain health-promoting benefits of coconut oil intake, including the improvement of the quality of life in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. As it concerns the potential to hamper tumor growth, LA was shown to elicit inhibitory effects only in colon cancer cells.
Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Health: The Potential Beneficial Effects of a Medium Chain Triglyceride Diet in Obese Individuals. Dietary MCT, taken alone or with other supplements (such as prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids, etc.) could be used as anti-obesity interventions, in regards to their capacity to prevent intestinal permeability/endotoxemia by remodeling gut microbiota, and to prevent unhealthy storage by improving the lipid catabolism/anabolism balance.
American Society For Nutrition: Coconut Oil. Both research and clinical studies have shown that MCFA may be useful in treating and preventing diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, virus-related dieases (mononucleosis, hepatitis C, herpes, etc.), gallbladder disease, Crohn’s disease, and cancer. The smaller size of MCFA (compared to LCFA) allows them to be digested more easily, making them ideal for those suffering from digestive diseases. Coconut oil may assist in the absorption and retaining of calcium, thereby benefiting bones.
Coconut oil has antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Lipid-coated bacteria and viruses contain a lipid coat which encloses their DNA among other cellular materials. When consumed by humans, coconut oil disrupts the lipid membrane, killing the pathogens without damaging the host or harming health-promoting intestinal bacteria. The antimicrobial properties stem from the monoglycerides and free fatty acids (mainly lauric acid and capric acid) that compose coconut oil.
The effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) as supplementation on quality of life (QOL) among breast cancer patients. This study revealed improved functional and global QOL of breast cancer patients who consumed VCO during the six cycle chemotherapy treatment and showed significant differences in functional and global QOL between the intervention and control groups. VCO may help in promoting the functional and global QOL of breast cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. These results also suggest that VCO consumption could reduce the women’s symptoms and improve several items of functional status such as body image, future perspective and sexual function. Based on the results, there are certainly good prospect of utilizing VCO as supplementation among breast cancer patients towards achieving a positive QOL.
Virgin Coconut Oil Supplementation Prevents Bone Loss in Osteoporosis Rat Model. Virgin coconut oil effectively improved bone structure and prevented bone loss in osteoporosis animal model. The beneficial effects of VCO on bone microarchitecture may be due to the high polyphenols which exert antioxidant property. Virgin coconut oil could offer an interesting approach to prevent accelerated bone loss in osteoporosis especially in postmenopausal women.
The effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) as supplementation on quality of life (QOL) among breast cancer patients. VCO consumption during chemotherapy helped improve the functional status and global QOL of breast cancer patients. In addition, it reduced the symptoms related to side effects of chemotherapy.
Comparison of antibacterial efficacy of coconut oil and chlorhexidine on Streptococcus mutans: An in vivo study. The study shows that coconut oil gargling is as effective as using chlorhexidine mouthwash. The combined effect of the emulsification, saponification, and the antimicrobial effects of medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil may be the reason for reduction of S. mutans.
Virgin coconut oil maintains redox status and improves glycemic conditions in high fructose fed rats. Two fold increase in antioxidant polyphenols are found VCO. This indicates that VCO is highly advantage over CO. It is possible that as a dietary fatty acid source VCO helps to improve the antioxidant capacities and reduces the development of diabetes. Thus VCO may be a useful nutraceutical as well as food additives in alleviating diabetes and associated nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis.
At present, high consumption of fructose containing beverages and intake of high fat is common in societies. Together with sedentary life style, fructose consumption account for most of the degenerative human ailments prevailing today. According to a recent estimation, approximately 1.8 lakhs of people die of sugar sweeten beverages (Singh et al. 2015). Under such conditions, present study suggests the use of VCO as an alternate dietary fatty acid source.
Antistress and antioxidant effects of virgin coconut oil in vivo. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the potential of VCO in preventing exercise- and chronic cold restraint stress-induced damage and restoring the antioxidant balance. This promising antistress activity may be attributed to the polyphenols and medium-chain fatty acids present in VCO.
Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis — A preliminary report. Oil pulling using coconut oil could be an effective adjuvant procedure in decreasing plaque formation and plaque induced gingivitis.
Comparison of Antimicrobial Activity of Chlorhexidine, Coconut Oil, Probiotics, and Ketoconazole on Candida albicans Isolated in Children with Early Childhood Caries: An In Vitro Study. This study scientifically proves the antifungal activity of chlorhexidine, coconut oil, and probiotics. The antifungal activity of coconut oil is found to be higher than that of probiotics against C. albicans.
Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Of all the acid components of coconut oil, monolaurin has been shown to have additional significance. Monolaurin is a monoglyceride derived from lauric acid. It comprises nearly 50% of coconut’s fat content. Monolaurin displays antimicrobial activity by disintegrating the lipid membrane of lipid-coated bacteria including Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis [76]. Coconut oil in concentrations of 5% to 40% (w/w) exhibited bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, and Bacillus subtilis [77]. Cellular studies have also shown that monolaurin exhibits antiviral and antifungal activity [78].
Oil pulling and importance of traditional medicine in oral health maintenance. Oil pulling therapy is a form of ayurvedic procedure that promotes good oral and systemic health through incorporating the use of oil based oral rinses in the daily oral hygiene routine. Numerous studies have been conducted recently supporting this ancient technique for its health benefits. For modern day practices, oil pulling can be suggested for adjunct use, with tooth brushing and flossing, to maintain the standard oral health care. In developing countries and rural communities, access to oral care is minimal, and the use of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwashes are still not accessible in all cases, therefore oil pulling can serve as an affordable option and improve oral health outcomes.
Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review. Cocos nucifera is a widely dispersed plant that has important pharmacological effects with low toxicity. Furthermore, medicinal use of C. nucifera has an environmental appeal, since this plant is widely used in the food industry and use of discarded plant parts will reduce waste and pollution. The pharmacological effects of the plant differ according to the part of the plant or fruit used. Antioxidant activity predominated in the constituents of the endocarp and coconut water. In addition, the fiber showed antibacterial, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Only the ethanolic extract of the root had depressant and anticonvulsant action on the central nervous system. Coconut water seems to have protective effects, e.g., on the kidney and heart, and antioxidant activity, as well as a hypoglycemic effect.
Encapsulation of Thermo-Sensitive Lauric Acid in Silica Shell: A Green Derivate for Chemo-Thermal Therapy in Breast Cancer Cell. Today, the development of new strategies for the treatment of some types of cancer, focuses on the use of green extracts as a potential alternative to synthetic molecules in order to establish if they can reduce—as much as possible—the toxic effects that characterize the use of traditional chemotherapeutic drugs. Thermotherapy is a technique that exploits the physical principle of heat. By combining the heat treatment, which operates at a temperature of about 43 °C, with the use of encapsulated LA (having pro-apoptotic/ inflammatory effects and a melting temperature of 43 °C) in a silica biocompatible shell, we have obtained satisfactory results in breast cancer cells, which represent a “proof of concept” for the design of new thermo-responsive nanomaterials as anticancer agents.