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 Volume No. 9 Issue No. 4
April 2008 
 

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Vol. 4 No. 10
Sep 1-30, 2003
Healthy oil?
It's not a contradiction

healthy oilFinally, there’s an oil that has a good sound to it. Misconceptions on coconut oil having cholesterol and therefore bad for the health, caused the coconut industry to suffer. Studies were conducted to dispel this fallacy, and at the same time, promote products from coconut that are proven better alternative to established brands. One of these coconut products is the virgin coconut oil, or VCNO.

VCNO is made from fresh coconut meat or what is called a non-copra. There are two processes to come up with the VCNO. First, is the method that uses minimal heat to quick- dry the fresh meat. After drying, oil is pressed out through mechanical means. The second method of extracting VCNO is through wet-milling. This method extracts the coconut milk first from freshly grated coconut. The milk is later subjected to boiling, fermentation, refrigeration or other mechanical centrifuge to separate the oil from the water. These methods of extracting the oil sets VCNO different from the commercial grade coconut oil that is made from copra. Copra, being dried, exposed to the elements had to be refined, bleached and deodorized. VCNO also retains the scent and taste of coconut, while the refined coconut oil, having undergone more intense processes, does not.

Why is VCNO ‘good oil’?
The process of extracting VCNO produces high quality oil that has 50-50% lauric acid. Lauric acid has been found beneficial to the body. Lauric acid, being one of the medium-length long-chain fatty acids, is part of the class of organic compounds known as lipids. Lipids are important in the construction of cellular membranes.

In general, coconut oil belongs to the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs are much more easily digested and absorbed by the liver, which makes its conversion to energy faster. Compared to long-chain triglycerides (LCT) such as those derived from corn oil, butterfat and other animal fats, coconut oil results in a higher resting metabolic rate (RMR) for the individual. This means faster burning of calories, thus keeping fats from being deposited in the body. According to Dr. Emil Carandang, executive director of the Philippine Coconut Research & Development Foundation Incorporated (PCRDFI), MCTs, are now in the market as a component in infant food and nutritional supplements for the sick and convalescent. (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Feb. 6, 2002).

In addition, coconut oil also helps prevent bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, and helps strengthen the immune system. It is also regarded as one of the best oils to use in cooking because it does not break down with heat.

It’s for real. If there is one indispensable item in your kitchen you wish is more healthful, you can count on the VCNO.

Sources:
1. Frequently Asked Questions about VCNO by Merle A. Villanueva, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Taguig, Metro Manila
2. www.coco-info.com
3. http://electricalbody.com/product/luscious-coconut-oil.htm
4. http://healthchecksystems.com/chol.htm

September 1-30 2003 Articles:

:: RP, IRRI hold workplan meeting
:: DA establishes DAGISNet; BAR technical adviser present potential
:: Dr. Solsoloy represents BAR in citrus forum
:: Functional foods seminar held
:: Crossing boundaries to save indigenous crops
:: Healthy oil?
:: Coconut flour form sapal; cheap and nutritious
:: BAR holds AFRDIS joint review meeting

::: More September 2003 articles :::

:: Sorsogon eyes commercialization of Asha peanut
:: BAR honors six NaRDSAF graduates for 2008
:: Eleazar gives keynote address at Isabela State U's 30th Commencement Exercises
:: Value-adding from mango is a booming enterprise in Davao
:: Sultan Kudarat reaps its harvest from CPAR project
:: BAR, The Royal Netherlands Embassy support publication on sea urchin
:: Visayas Zonal Cluster refocuses and redefines AFRD programs
:: ISU embarks on sweet sorghum and pigeon pea commercialization
:: Mycological Society holds 10th Anniversary and Symposium
:: BAR promotes indigenous plants for health and wellness industry
:: BAR promotes indigenous plants for health and wellness industry
:: DA Usec Paras underscores backyard hog raisers' role to food sufficiency
:: Confab on dryland agriculture identifies national RD&E agenda and lays groundwork for PhilDRI
:: Central Visayas is source of cassava for bioethanol
:: BAR prepares an e-Learning course on seaweed farming for profitable livelihood
:: 18th PHILARM confab heightens research managers' role to address food-fuel security
:: Promising potentials of rice bran explored
:: Understanding dryland agriculture: How RDE can make most out of Philippine's drylands
:: PGMA creates FIELDS for aggie sector food production drive
 
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