Health Benefits of Coconut Oil - Case Study Example

Running Head: Coconut Oil, The Beneficial Fat A Paper on the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil In APA Style Introduction In contrast to other forms of saturated fats, coconut oil can be considered as the only beneficial fat that can be valued for its nutritive and health applications. Coconut oil which is derived from the coconut plant and often considered as the “tree of life” is prevalently known for its benefits in relation to the improvement of health of the people taking them. There are different areas wherein coconut oil can be considered advantageous. In contrast to other fats that are considered to be the main causes of different forms of diseases e.g. cardiovascular ailments, coconut oil can be considered as a healthy fat to consume. The healing and nutritional benefits of the said oil can even be considered to be taking the world by storm in the present era wherein health and fitness are continuously being important goals of living and existence. For that matter, different data and information regarding the use of coconut oil for different applications can be found in abundance. The study conducted is related to the said accumulation of data and information that can present the benefits and useful applications of coconut oil in different field and aspects of the human subsistence. In addition, one of the important objectives is to be able to state the different nutritional and health benefits of coconut oil. The Composition of Coconut Oil The determination of the composition of coconut oil is one of the primary aspects that are needed to be studied to be able to present the reasons behind the benefits of the said oil. Coconut oil is composed of saturated fat (90%). Although this is the case, the said fats are primarily medium chain triglycerides that are considered less harmful that other types of saturated fats that are generally considered harmful. Specifically it is composed if saturated fatty acids (92%), monounsaturated fatty acids (6%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (2%) (Fife, 2004; 2006; Holzapfel and Holzapfel, 2004). The kinds of fatty acid composition are presented in Table 1. Table 1. Fatty Acid Composition of Coconut Oil Acid % Carbon Chain Length Lauric 50 12 Myristic 18 14 Caprylic 8 8 Palmitic 8 16 Capric 7 10 Oleic 6 18 (monounsaturated) Stearic 2 18 (saturated) Linoleic 2 18 (diunsaturated) Source: (Holzapfel and Holzapfel, 2004). The fat content of coconut oil can be considered to bring about false impression that it is bad for the health due to the word fat itself. On the other hand, the main compositions of coconut oil which are medium chain triglycerides are different from the saturated fat that can harm a person upon high intake. On the contrary, the components of coconut oil with the unique saturated fat composition had been proven for its positive effects (Fife, 2004). Thus, based on the different data related to the main components of coconut oil, it had been considered to have advantageous effects upon consumption. The Benefits of Coconut Oil Based on different studies and researches coconut oil can be used for both the nutritional and health benefits. For that matter it had been described as “nutraceutical” due to the capability to cure ailments and help in the nourishment of the body (Holzapfel and Holzapfel, 2004). Nutritional Benefits There are different nutritional advantages of using coconut oil. Such applications can be considered beneficial on the basis of the positive effects in the body functions and nourishment if incorporated in the diet. One of the advantages of coconut oil is the fact that it can be used to substitute unhealthy fats in different processed food. This can lower the effects of such fats considered as unhealthy in the human body. One of the main objectives is the replacement of animal fats in food that contains high level of saturated fatty acids that are harmful in significant amounts (Fife, 2004; 2006; Holzapfel and Holzapfel, 2004). Included in the main effects of coconut oil components in the body is the enhancement of the processes in the immune system. In addition, it had been known through different studies that coconut oil can prevent incurring negative effects from mutacarcinogens such as benzpryine from smoking, azaserine and nitrosamines. The said function is possible due to the presence of antibodies in coconut oil that can fight different diseases especially cancer (Fife, 2006; Holzapfel and Holzapfel, 2004). The specific components of the oil such as lauric acid and myristic acid have the capability to fight microorganisms that can cause infections and diseases. Similarly the medium chain fatty acids can defend the body from other pathogens through the disruption of the system functions of the said pathogens amounts (Fife, 2004; 2006; Holzapfel and Holzapfel, 2004). In relation to metabolism, coconut oil is also known for the increase in metabolic functions. This can also be related to the possible capability to achieve weight loss on the basis of increased metabolic action (Holzapfel and Holzapfel, 2004). Health Benefits The health benefits that can be derived coconut oil occur in different aspects and forms. The said benefits are considered important since there is increasing types of diseases both in numbers and in strengths, thus, every helpful element can be considered fundamental. Coconut oil can be used for treatment of wounds due to the active ingredient that can both improve the functioning of the immune system as well as its capability to prevent pathogenic effects of microorganisms. It can also prevent inflammations and infections (Holzapfel and Holzapfel, 2004). The health benefits of coconut oil cannot be summarized in a single aspect of health and nutritional view since it can act extensively on different systems such as the liver and kidneys. It had been known to fight cancer and had the capability to act as a detoxifying agent. For that matter, the benefits of coconut oil can be considered fundamental to health. Issues Related to Coconut Oil There are different issued that can be connected to the consumption and use of coconut oil and the effects that can be incurred from such use. One of the said issues is related to the safety issues on the consumption of saturated fats. This can be attributed to the knowledge of the population that all fats are harmful. Although this is the case, studies had been undertaken to show the benefits of coconut oil in contrary to other types of fats such as that of animal saturated fats. In Asian countries wherein coconut products are prevalent and that the use of coconut oil use is part of the culture, it is an important aspect of research to find the optimum benefits that can be derived from the said product. In Sri Lanka, when the use of saturated fats from coconut oil had been questioned for real effects in health, the research had proven that the metabolism process of coconut oil as well as the study of its composition can be considered beneficial and that the use of coconut oil is not harmful as compared to other types of fat (Amarasiri and Dissanayake, 2006; Holzapfel and Holzapfel, 2004). In the study conducted related to the effects of coconut oil in the possibility of incurring coronary heart disease (CHD), the connection was not proven due to the presence a majority of medium-chain triglycerides which has positive health effects in moderated consumption. For that matter, although regulated consumption had been the main conclusion of the study, the fact that coconut oil cannot incur harmful ailments makes it the most eligible replacement for use in the market (Kumar, 1997; Lipoeto, Agus, Oenzil, Wahlqvist and Wattanapenpaiboon, 2004; Pehowich, Gomes and Barnes, 2000). Based on the studies presented, doubt regarding the potency of coconut oil as well as the benefits it can bring about is based on the fact that it is composed of saturated fats but results had shown that benefits are present and harmful effect are yet to be proven. Conclusion Based on the research that had been conducted related to the benefits of coconut oil, it can be concluded that it is different from other forms of saturated fats that can harm the human body. On the contrary, coconut oil has a number of advantages in relation to its nutritional and health values. Reference Amarasiri, W.A. and Dissanayake, A.S. (2006). Coconut Fats. Ceylon Med J. 2006 Jun, 51(2), 47-51. Fife, B. (2004). The Coconut Oil Miracle. Avery. Fife, B. (2006). Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut Piccadilly Books, Ltd. Holzapfel, C. and Holzapfel, L. (2004). Coconut Oil: For Health and Beauty. Book Publishing Company. Kumar, P.D. (1997). The role of coconut and coconut oil in coronary heart disease in Kerala, south India. Trop Doct. 1997 Oct, 27(4), 215-7. Lipoeto, N.I., Agus, Z., Oenzil, F., Wahlqvist, M and Wattanapenpaiboon, N. (2004). Dietary intake and the risk of coronary heart disease among the coconut-consuming Minangkabau in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004, 13(4), 377-84. Pehowich, D.J., Gomes, A.V. and Barnes, J.A. (2000). Fatty acid composition and possible health effects of coconut constituents. West Indian Med J. 2000 Jun, 49(2), 128-33. Read More