Nutritional and Medicinal Uses of Virgin Coconut Oil
Nutritional and Medicinal Uses of Virgin Coconut Oil
Gemiliano D. Aligui, MD, MPH, PhD
What is Commercial Coconut Oil?
It is the oil mechanically extracted from the kernel (endosperm) of the coconut
Copra is the kernel material after separating the shell (endocarp
It is an RBD oil (refined, bleached and deodorized)
High heat and chemicals may be used to produce this oil
Composition of Coconut Oil
Saturated Fatty Acid Medium Chain Fatty
Acids (MCFA) Lauric acid (50%)
Composition of Coconut OilCommon name Composition Mean %
Caproic acid C 6:0 0.44
Caprylic acid C 8:0 7.05
Capric acid C 10:0 6.59
Lauric acid C 12:0 50.63
Myristic acid C 14:0 18.10
Palmitic acid C 16:0 8.26
Stearic acid C 18:0 3.07
Oleic acid C 18:1 4.65
Linoleic acid C 18:2 0.8
others C 18:3 C 24:1 0.31
Fatty Acids Saturated FA
Do not contain double bond
Fatty Acids Monounsaturated FA
1 double bond
Fatty Acids Polyunsaturated FA
2 or more double bonds
Physico-chemical value of Saturated & Unsaturated FA Saturated FA
Straight configuration More stable Long shelf life
Unsaturated FA Curved configuration
Unstable Need to be hydrogenated to for longer shelf life
Hydrogenation of Fats Transforms into longer shelf life for MUFA
Straightens the curve configuration Creates TRANS-FATTY ACIDS
High risk fat Lowers the level of HDL Raises the level of LDL Leads to obesity, diabetes and immunologic problems
VEGETABLE LARD = HYDROGENATED FAT
VIRGIN COCONUT OIL IS NOT HYDROGENATED FAT
Trans Fatty Acids During Pregnancy and After Pregnancy Effect on the pregnant woman
Increases the risk of pre-eclampsia Effect on the fetus
Displace essential fatty acids needed for brain and nervous tissue development
Effect on the newborn Interferes with growth and development
Effect on the mother’s milk Significantly changes the composition of human milk
by displacing the essential fatty acids
Importance of Carbon Chain Length in Fatty Acids
Medium Chain Triglycerides Contain 6 – 12 carbon atoms Rapidly absorbed
Does not require pancreatic or bile salt digestion prior to absorption
Does not get stored as fat Directly taken up by the hepatocytes and directly
converted to MC Acyl CoA and enters into the mitrochondria without the aid of carnitine
Generates heat
Lauric Acid also known as n-dodecanoic acid and n-
alkanoic acid is a the main fatty acid in coconut oil with structural formula CH3(CH2)10COOH
has a very low toxicity and so is used in many soaps and shampoos and other cosmetic products
What is VCNO? Mechanically pressed
and heated to remove moisture
Cold pressed / cold and centrifuged
Enzymatic extraction No added chemical on
the final product
Nutritional and Medicinal Value Weak Evidence
for weight loss and to increase athletic performance
helpful in some cancers and may have some positive effects on immunity.
Nutritional and Medicinal Value Strong Evidence
for nutritional support in enteral and total parenteral nutrition in
some infants and surgical patients those who are critically ill with
immunosuppression, pulmonary disease, liver disease, neurologic injury and various malabsorption syndromes
useful in some with epilepsy and other disorders characterized by seizures.
Dermatologic/ Cosmetic Use Characteristics
Emmolients Moisturizer
Base for most cosmetic products Shampoo Soap
Skin Infections/ Diseases Psoriasis Fungal Disease
What are the present problems with the use of VCNO as food supplement? No standard dose to recommend The definitive effect on cholesterol is still
not clear The side effects, such as diarrhea, are still
undocumented
What are the present problems with the use of VCNO as medicine? Lack of controlled clinical trials on specific
diseases Infectious diseases –viral or bacterial Diabetes Cancer
Lack of controlled clinical trials on specialized pediatric nutrition Low birth weight infants/ Pre-term SGA
