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Archives (2003)
Scientist reveals amazing facts about coconut oil
by Mary Charlotte O. Fresco*, S&T Media Service |
July-September
2003
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| Virgin Coconut Oil |
The tree of life has undoubtedly invaded even
the medical community. From its long-time tag as an export
winner crop, coconut, particularly its oil, is now regarded
by medical experts worldwide as a powerful tool against dreaded
viral diseases such as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS), herpes, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
This is just one of the astounding facts revealed
by a well-respected Filipino doctor Conrado Dayrit M.D. (father
of Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit) about the health benefits
of the virgin coconut oil during the 53rd anniversary celebration
of the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science,
Inc. (PhilAAS) held recently at the University of Santo Tomas,
Espana, Manila. The event was supported by the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) and participated in by the
country's leading health experts and medical practitioners.
Dr. Dayrit, who had embarked on the study focusing
on the capability of virgin coconut oil to retard the development
of AIDS among patients diagnosed with human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV), claimed that the viral counts in 15 HIV-patients
considerably decreased after giving them dosage of virgin
coconut oil over 6 months.
The results of Dr. Dayrit's study on virgin
coconut oil had also been instrumental in deposing the negative
image against coconut oil, touting it as contributing to heart
disease due to its high saturated fat content.
“ The fat present in coconut is lauric
acid. It is NOT cholesterol," Dr. Dayrit stressed.
Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid (MCFA),
which is converted into monolaurin when processed by the body.
Manolaurin is used by human or animal to kill the lipid-coated
viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, and
other pathogenic bacteria like Listeria monocytegenes infesting
dairy cattle and poultry and Helicobacter pylori that causes
peptic ulcer.
Dr. Dayrit explained that coconut oil is a
more healthful choice over American brand cooking oils derived
from corn, soybeans, sunflower, and canola.
"These cooking oils disguised themselves
as vegetable oils and are found in shelves of most grocery
stores, contain polyunsaturated fats. These fats are converted
by the body to linoleic acid that depresses thyroid activity,
" Dayrit emphasized.
According to American endocrinologist Ray Peat,
Ph.D., unsaturated fats block thyroid hormone secretion causing
the body to slow down its metabolic rate. When metabolism
is depressed, the body's tendency is to build deposits of
high-fat fats resulting to weight gain. "That is the
reason why most Americans suffer from obesity and various
heart ailments, " Dr. Dayrit added.
Dr. Dayrit also disclosed another marvel of
coconut oil as a "natural fat burner" and body's
energy booster.
One remarkable thing about coconut oil is that
it can help one lose weight. Replacing the fat intake with
coconut oil is one of the most efficient ways to lose excess
body fats. This is because coconut oil is composed mostly
of medium chain fatty acids that are easily digested and absorbed
by the body. Coconut oil also helps the body pump up energy
since its digestion is different from that of carbohydrates
and proteins. MCFAs are not packaged into lipoproteins and
do not circulate in the bloodstreams like other fats, instead
they are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately
converted into energy, Dr. Dayrit explained.
The health wonders of coconut oil include reduction
of cardiovascular disease risks; prevention of bacterial,
viral, and fungal skin diseases (ringworm and warts); and
strengthening of the body's immune system against infections.
While the versatility of coconut oil is fast
becoming popular, several government R&D agencies are
eyeing on the potential of coconut oil as substitute for fuel
and atmospheric antipollutant.
*Ms. Fresco used to be a writer at the Knowledge
Management Division (KMD) of BAR 
[More
2003 Articles]
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