Coconut Cholesterol: A Few Facts

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.

There are fat-based acids in many of the foods that we eat. Unsaturated and saturated fatty acids each come from vegetable oils. The acids vary in length of molecules and degree of saturation.

Liquid fats at room temperature are unsaturated. The difference between monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats is the number of hydrogen atoms missing. Canola, peanut and olive oil are contain monounsaturated fatty acids and are missing one pair of hydrogen atoms. Corn oil, safflower and soybean oil are examples of polyunsaturated fatty acids and they are missing at least two pairs of hydrogen atoms.

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.

Coconut oil is almost in a class by itself, as it is a highly saturated fat, but has no known adverse effects for users. The beneficial substance in coconut oil is lauric acid. Lauric acid is a mid-length fatty chain common in nursing mother’s milk. Lauric acid forms into monolaurin. This substance is effective in destruction of viruses that are coated with lipid. These include herpes, influenza and HIV. Monolaurin also is a antiprotozoal and antibacterial agent. It appears that coconut fat helps to balance its high LDL content by a content of HDL that is even higher.

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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