The Healthy Truth About Coconut Oil

3/4/17


The Philippines is one of the countries where there is an abundance of coconut trees. Coconut is known to be very useful. My mom tells me to drink the coconut water whenever I have UTI. The coconut husk is a common cleaning essential for wooden floors. Long before the electric floor polisher became popular, I remember using the "bunot" to make the floor in our house sparkle and shine. But one important use of the coconut is the oil derived from it.


I was not health conscious when I was younger. I'm not even into reading the nutrition facts on the label of the food I buy. In 2008, I decided to have my blood chemistry done and I was surprised (should I?) that my cholesterol and triglycerides results were way beyond normal. I was advised by my cardiologist to be more careful with my food intake. 

My mom is a big fan of coconut oil. She uses it on her hair, as a makeup remover, and to moisturize her arms and legs. She even provide coconut oil for her masahista to use on her during their massage sessions. She also uses Minola for cooking and my sister who got married also uses the same brand. As I've mentioned earlier, I am not too conscious with what I put on the grocery cart. I just pick whatever catches my attention. 


Minola Cooking Oil hosted a Coconut Oil Information Forum last February 28, 2017 held at Oracle Hotel in Katipunan, Quezon City. I was invited to attend and it was a very insightful afternoon. The speaker was Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit, a professor at the Ateneo de Manila University and the author of the book Coconut Oil: From Diet to Therapy.

What I've learned:


Coconut oil is a rich source of saturated fat. 

Isn't saturated fat bad for the health? Well, that's a common misconception with coconut oil. Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids which are metabolized differently. This type of saturated fat was found to have no link to heart disease.

Coconut oil can improve cholesterol levels.

The saturated fat in coconut oil is healthy. It does not cause dyslipidemia and promotes a reduction in abdominal obesity. 


Dyslipidemia is an abnormal amount of lipids (e.g.,triglycerides, cholesterol and/or fat phospholipids) in the blood. (source: wikipedia)


Coconut oil and Alzheimer's disease

An early cause of Alzheimer's disease is increased lipid peroxidation. Trans-fat are highly toxic. Trans-fat is a product of oxidation of liquid vegetable oils. The medium chain fatty acid of coconut oil are processed directly by the liver from the digestive tract. They are converted into energy known as ketones. Ketones have a therapeutic effect on Alzheimer's disease.

Coconut oil is good for the hair and skin

I turned forty last September and though age is just a number, I have noticed that my skin has started showing signs of aging. Coconut oil helps improve the appearance of hair and skin. It is an effective skin moisturizer and cure for damaged hair.


You and your family deserves nothing but the best. Isn't it about time we go for the healthier option? Minola Premium Coconut Oil has been celebrating life for over 50 years.  Minola has proven that #HealthierAngRelationships because of the delicious and healthy food lovingly prepared by our grandparents, parents, and partner in life.