Saturated Fat in Coconut Oil is bad for your heart

from Saiful Azam Hj Ahmad
date Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 11:10 AM

Study showed saturated fat in coconut oil impaired anti-inflammatory ability of HDL cholesterol

Researchers from the Heart Research Institute in Australia studied the body response from eating meals containing good fats versus bad fats. Participants were fed with meals prepared with either coconut oil (high in "bad" saturated fats) or safflower oil (high in "good" polyunsaturated fats). After only 3 hours, researchers found the participants fed with the coconut meal high in saturated fat had a significantly reduced blood flow due to arteries' reduced ability to expand. After 6 hours, researchers found that the good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol's anti-inflammatory properties had decreased after the saturated coconut meal, but improved after the polyunsaturated safflower meal. The results of this study were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in August 2006.
processed meat cancer.

Editor's Note - Saturated Fat is bad, regardless of source.

This study once again shows how good fats may improve body functions while bad fats hamper our health. Despite its extreme high level of saturated fat, coconut oil supporters have been promoting coconut oil as a health food. They claimed that coconut oil can cause weight loss, lower blood cholesterol, and is a germ fighter. It is true the structure of some of the saturated fats in coconut oil is different from other saturated fats, but it is scientifically farfetched to claim it as health food to be eaten every day. Like any other foods, moderation is the key.

Saturated fats are mainly found in animal products such as meat, dairy, eggs and seafood. Some plant foods are also high in saturated fats such as coconut, palm oil and palm kernel oil. Although this study is small, it showed that just one "bad" meal can do damage.

Bottom Line

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute warned that "a high content of saturated fat... found in ..... palm kernel oil, palm oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter" put people at risk for having heart attack or stroke.

* For the sake of your heart, minimize the intake of both saturated fats and trans fats. Choose wholesome fresh foods instead of packaged foods, which usually contain these bad fats.
* Avoid using cooking oils that are high in saturated fats and trans fats such as coconut oil, palm oil or vegetable shortening. Instead, use oils that are low in saturated fats and high in mono- and polyunsaturated fats such as canola oil, olive oil and safflower oil.
* As saturated fats are found in animals products, choose lower-fat version dairy. In addition, trim visible fats and skins from meat products.

Prevention of Hypertension #3

rom	kaduts tudak
date		Mon, Jun 25, 2007 at 11:13 PM
subject		Re: [xbp84] Prevention of Hypertension #3

Good.. there r some responses on health promotion. Please join the band wagon.. give ideas on how we can all improve ourselves..practically.

For a start, here r some other ideas:

1. Kurang makan... how??

- starts with buah (buah apa2 tak pa... it gives u early satiety (rasa kenyang cepat) and acts as buffer during absorption of food esp carbohydrates and fats

- then ambik cuma setengah pinggan nasi (or even quarter) note: nasi is carbohydrate (carbo), I feel Asian byk sgt makan carbo- OK kalau kuat bekerja kat bendang but most of us bentang kat atas sofa slps makan

-believe me if you cut down in your carbo, ur wgt and figure will improve, u may heard about Atkins diet (it basically ask u to take near zero carbo but high protein and fat but u still lose wgt.. but I wont suggest u to take high fat since it causes plaques in artery)

- for those yg ada sakit 'gastrik'.. berubatlah..sepatutnya tak dpt gastrik teruk kalaupun terlepas makan..it may means u ada organism called Helicobacter pylori.. easily treated with triple medications for 1 week (ask your doctor).

- those ibu2 yg rajin memasak and calorie-conscious.. please go to this website..http://www.nutriweb.org.my/index.php .. suitable for Malaysian diet and local advice..siap dgn resipi wt colours wt calori content(see in resipi vol 2)

- also jgn tidur at least 3-4 hrs lepas makan..unless nak jadi Mr/Mrs Roy..

2. Exercise... bagus buat- bolehlah consistent and fun to do too. But ramai kita tak ada fren nak buat kan...& wt the big S..Sibuk.. Jadi at least make sure u selalu jalan kaki with a fast pace. and try taking the staircase instead of lifts/excalators. Eg. u boleh park kereta jauh sikit and walk to ur office..

3. For those yg ada Hypertension..

- u ada tak buat tests to exclude secondary causes of Hypertension (ie collection of 24 hr air kencing and some basic ultrasound scan) and also end-organ check (ECG and urine check)

- there r many medications for controlling blood pressure and the doctor may have to individualized it to u

- the medication started for u is called Beta-blockers (all medications ending wt -ol eg. atenolol)..it is a good meds since u take only once a day, but my only concern is it does not protect u getting diabetes in future (now that ur BMI is 31 and ?family history of diabetes) and it has some other side effects like lowering ur pulse ( ur pulse should be 60-100/min) and like our fren is concerned.. lower ur libido (in men can gets less erection). If none of this is happening, u may carry on wt it but I would usually prescribed other meds 1st now for my hypertensive patients (other medicines have protective effects against diabetes).

4. Misai Kucing has lots of medicinal properties including for controlling blood pressure thru diuretic effects mainly (also good for kidney stones), and in fact many research into it now..in USM, and Japan. The only drawbacks are susah nak persistent in taking it and not sure of dosages. Kalu ambik lebihpun ada side effects sbb ada jugak some toxic substance in it kalau ambik byk sgt. Pernah ada patient dpt liver and kidney problems. Kalau makan pun take small amount and pls check wt ur doctors too.