There's been a lot of hype regarding coconut oil. I think coconut oil probably has some health benefits, but so do many types of other oils, including fish oils and flax seed oil. Therefore, it may be okay to add coconut oil to your diet, but don't overdo it.

Benefit of coconut oil
Certain oils have health benefits including fish oils, borage oil, flaxseed oil, hemp oil, extra virgin olive oil, Krill-Oil etc. Even if coconut oil supplementations had great health benefits, it would be naive to substitute it in any large quantity in place of the above oils. It is preferable to have a small amount of different oils rather than relying primarily on one type of oil as some coconut oil promoters may have you believe. Coconut contains a fatty acid called monolaurin.

Coconut and cholesterol
The cholesterol-lowering effect of coconut flakes in humans with moderately raised serum cholesterol.
J Med Food. 2004 Summer;7(2):136-40. Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Bicutan, Taguig, MetroManila, 1631 Philippines.
This study investigated the effect of coconut flakes on serum cholesterol levels of humans with moderately raised serum cholesterol in 21 subjects. The serum total cholesterol of subjects differed and ranged from 259 to 283 mg/dL. The study was conducted in a double-blind randomized crossover design on a 14-week period, consisting of four 2-week experimental periods, with each experimental period separated by a 2-week washout period. The test foods were as follows: corn flakes as the control food, oat bran flakes as the reference food, and corn flakes with 15% and 25% dietary fiber from coconut flakes (made from coconut flour production). Results showed a significant percent reduction in serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (in mg/dL) for all test foods, except for corn flakes. Coconut flour is a good source of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, and both types of fiber may have significant role in the reduction of the above lipid biomarker. To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted to show a relationship between dietary fiber from a coconut by-product and a lipid biomarker. Results from this study serves as a good basis in the development of coconut flakes/flour as a functional food, justifying the increased production of coconut and coconut by-products.

Coconut and blood pressure
The control of hypertension by use of coconut water and mauby: two tropical food drinks.
West Indian Med J. 2005 Jan;54(1):3-8. Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies.
The regular consumption of two tropical food drinks, coconut (Cocos nucifera) water and mauby (Colubrina arborescens), was tested on the control of hypertension. Twenty-eight hypertensive subjects were assigned to four equal groups and their systolic and diastolic blood pressures recorded for two weeks before and then for another two weeks while receiving one of four interventions. One group (the control) received bottled drinking water, the second group received coconut water, the third received mauby and the fourth group, a mixture of coconut water and mauby. Significant decreases in the mean systolic blood pressure were observed for 71%, 40% and 43% respectively of the groups receiving the coconut water, mauby and the mixture. For these groups, the respective proportions showing significant decreases in the mean diastolic pressure were 29%, 40% and 57%. For the group receiving the mixture, the largest decreases in mean systolic and mean diastolic pressure were 24 mmHg and 15 mmHg respectively; these were approximately double the largest values seen with the single interventions.

Coconut Oil Research
A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis.
Dermatitis. 2004 Sep;15(3):109-16.
Xerosis is a common skin condition characterized by dry, rough, scaly, and itchy skin, associated with a defect in skin barrier function, and treated with moisturizers. People in the tropics have effectively used coconut oil as a traditional moisturizer for centuries. Recently, the oil also has been shown to have skin antiseptic effects. A moisturizer with antiseptic effects has value, but there are no clinical studies to document the efficacy and safety of coconut oil as a skin moisturizer. This study aimed to determine the effectivity and safety of virgin coconut oil compared with mineral oil as a therapeutic moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted on mild to moderate xerosis in 34 patients with negative patch-test reactions to the test products. These patients were randomized to apply either coconut oil or mineral oil on the legs twice a day for 2 weeks. RESULTS: Coconut oil and mineral oil have comparable effects. Both oils showed effectivity through significant improvement in skin hydration and increase in skin surface lipid levels. Safety was demonstrated through no significant difference in TEWL and skin pH. Subjective grading of xerosis by the investigators and visual analogue scales used by the patients showed a general trend toward better (though not statistically evident) improvement with coconut oil than with mineral oil. Safety for both was further demonstrated by negative patch-test results prior to the study and by the absence of adverse reactions during the study. CONCLUSION: Coconut oil is as effective and safe as mineral oil when used as a moisturizer.

The role of coconut and coconut oil in coronary heart disease in Kerala, south India.
Trop Doct. 1997 Oct;27(4):215-7. Kumar PD.
Department of Medicine, Medical College, Kerala, South India.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is common in India and, recently, an increase in the incidence of CHD was reported from the South Indian state of Kerala. The traditional Indian diet is low in fat content. The high incidence of CHD in Indians is, therefore, in contrast to western studies that have correlated high fat, saturated fat and cholesterol intake to CHD. Consumption of coconut and coconut oil that contain high amounts of saturated fat and are thought to be strongly atherogenic, are believed to be one of the main reasons for the high incidence of CHD in Kerala. To explore this presumed link, we studied 32 CHD patients and 16 age and sex matched healthy controls. Consumption of coconut and coconut oil was found to be similar in both groups. The groups did not differ in the fat, saturated fat and cholesterol consumption. The results imply no specific role for coconut or coconut oil in the causation of CHD in the present set of Indian patients from Kerala. The exact reason for the high and increasing incidence of CHD among Indians is still unknown. virgin coconut oil.

The Truth About Coconut Oil By Ray Sahelian, M.D.
The Internet is full of advice - but it has its fair share of questionable recommendations as well. Recently, readers of my newsletter have been asking me if what they're reading about coconut oil is true. Some websites are making claims for coconut oil that seem to go beyond what the limited research tells us. For instance, one website claims, Coconut Oil is The Smarter Fat That Helps Promote Weight Loss." Another says, "Coconut Oil Can Cure Your Hypothyroidism." Still another claims, "In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following: abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu..." and the list continues with the rest of the alphabet.
   Most smart nutritionists never thought coconut was unhealthy. After all, people in the Pacific islands and many parts of the world have been consuming coconuts, sometimes in large amounts, with no apparent adverse effects. Coconuts and coconut oil, just like soy and soy milk, are a healthy addition to one's diet. The problems arises when marketers and promoters make it seem that these are miracle foods, and consumers think the more they consume of the these foods, the healthier they will. Thus, their diet goes off balance and they fail to incorporate other healthy food choices. Those who never or rarely consume coconut or coconut oil products would likely derive some health benefit by incorporating coconut in their diet. However, those who consume coconut on a regular basis aren't likely to incur additional benefits - particularly if the excess coconut use leads to high caloric intake or a substitution for other beneficial oils found in flaxseed or fish oils.
   Instead of consuming large amounts of one type of oil, try out small amounts of a variety of oils. This way, you'll get the benefit of a number of different fatty acids rather than just one. In my opinion, fish oils and flaxseed oil are your healthiest options, but olive oil and small amounts of coconut and other oils can certainly be incorporated in your diet. However, I don't agree that large amounts of any oil are healthy as some websites promote. As much as possible, ingest your oils without heating. If you do use them for cooking, keep the cooking temperature as low as possible.

Coconut oil emails
Q. There's much good news about the Coconut Virgin Oil being produced in the Philippines. Please tell us about your assessment of the product.
   A. I have not had a chance to review the research on coconut oil and make any assessments at this time.

Q. Is it true that the coconut oil and hemp oil have many health benefits? Coconut oil used to get a bad rap, but now it seems to be very much in vogue. Hemp oil was associated with marijuana, but apparently is safe when taken as an oil.
   A. Moderate use of a variety of oils appear to be safe but it is best not to rely heavily on only one or two oils in the diet.

Q. I am a health writer and doing an article on coconut oil and other products like coconut flour and coconut cream; I would love to get a quote from you for this piece. 1. We used to believe that coconut was unhealthy; now it appears that coconut may be good for us after all. Why the change? What do we know now that we didn't before? 2. What effect does coconut oil have on HDL and LDL cholesterol levels? 3. What are some other health benefits of coconut oil and other coconut products?
   A. Most smart nutritionists never thought coconut was unhealthy. After all, people in the Pacific islands and many parts of the world have been consuming coconuts, sometimes in large amounts, with no apparent adverse effects. Coconuts and coconut oil, just like soy and soy milk, are a healthy addition to one's diet. The problems arises when marketers and promoters make it seem that these are miracle foods, and consumers think the more they consume of the these foods, the healthier they will. Thus, their diet goes off balance and they fail to incorporate other healthy food choices. Those who never or rarely consume coconut or coconut oil products would likely derive some health benefit by incorporating coconut in their diet. However, does who consume coconut on a regular basis are not likely to incur additional benefits particularly if the excess coconut use leads to high caloric intake or a substitution for other beneficial oils found in flax or fish oils. I am not aware of any long term studies with coconut and coconut oil in terms of safety and cholesterol effect in humans to determine the ideal coconut intake and the influence on blood lipids. the use of coconut water in reasonable amounts may have a beneficial affect on blood pressure.

Q. I heard a medical doctor give a lecture where he said that one should avoid products made from palm kernel oil and coconut oil, while a chiropractic doctor promotes the use of coconut oil as a healthy oil. I'm confused. Is coconut oil okay to use in large amounts as these doctors says?
   A. There are few foods that I would consider being very harmful when ingested in small quantities. In the case of coconut oil, I would not go out of my way to use it in large amounts, but occasionally consuming small amounts of coconut oil should be fine.

Q. Is coconut oil good for you as some web sites are telling me?
   A. Some websites we have noticed are making claims for coconut oil that seem to go beyond what the limited research tells us. It is preferable to ingest small amounts of a variety of oils as opposed to a large amount of one oil in order to obtain a number of different fatty acids We feel fish oils and flax seed oil are some of the healthiest options, but olive oil and small amounts of coconut and other oils can certainly be incorporated in one's diet, but we don't think large amounts are healthy as some websites promote.

Q. Many studies have been conducted over the past 50 years and the evidence seems to indicate that coconut very well could be a marvelous food for us to eat in large amounts. The coconut research center does not sell any coconut products but is admittedly in existence to spread truthful info on coconut.
   A. There are countless healthy foods, and coconut is only one of many.

Q. I have read some very good things about coconut oil stimulating the thyroid gland. Could you give me your opinion about using coconut oil daily for thyroid health?
   A. I am not aware of any thorough studies on the effects of coconut oil on thyroid health.

Q. I am hearing many things about the good pure virgin coconut oil can do. But I am also hearing that it raises LDL cholesterol? What is your opinion of the use of pure virgin coconut oil?
   A. Use coconut oil in small or moderate amounts along with other healthy oils such as extra virgin olive oil and flax seed oil, and it is best not to worry too much about specific cholesterol fractions as long as you are eating the healthiest diet that you can. Small amounts of coconut oil should not cause cholesterol problems.