Coconut Cholesterol: A Brief Overview

Cholesterol, in spite of its necessity in the body, is not well understood. Coconut cholesterol is one type of this fatty-like substance that exists in the cells. Two types of cholesterol are widely known. The good form of cholesterol is HDL or high-density lipoprotein. LDL or low-density lipoprotein is the kind that sticks to the artery walls and is a risk factor for heart attacks. Although much cholesterol is ingested, the body can form all the substance that it needs.

The vegetables and vegetable oils that we use each contain both saturated and unsaturated fats. These vegetables oils vary in the degree of saturation. They also contain different molecule chain lengths.

Some of the hydrogen atoms are missing from the unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. Monounsaturated fats have one pair of hydrogen atoms missing. Canola, olive and peanut oil are monounsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are missing two or more pairs of hydrogen atoms. Corn, safflower and soybean are examples of this kind of oil.

Whole milk, meat, palm kernel and coconut oils all contain saturated fats. Except for palm and coconut oil, they usually come from animal sources. Saturated fats usually are solid when at room temperature.

Trans fat foods are common in today's diet. These fats increase the risk of heart disease. They reduce the good fat level and have a negative effect on bad fats.

Although coconut oil is a highly saturated fat, yet appears to have no harmful effect for those who use it. This may be due to a substance called lauric acid. It is a medium fatty chain that is also found in mother's milk. Lauric acid is formed into monolaurin that is the antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride that the body uses to destroy such viruses as HIV, influenza, and herpes that are lipid-coated viruses. The fatty acid in coconut fat is made up of approximately fifty percent lauric acid. Studies have shown that a diet high in coconut fat counterbalances the high LDL with an even higher HDL.

Coconut oil is very rich in medium and short chain fatty acids. Due to this, the tropical oil, although high in LDL, may help to prevent chronic heart disease. This makes coconut cholesterol a controversial subject amongst health professionals and dietary professionals.

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