VCO & Regular Coconut Oil - Differences

Coconut oil is oil extracted from the meat of a mature coconut (niyog); the young coconut (buko) does not have any oil. It is important for the consumer to know which coconut oil to use, in order to make an informed decision when buying the oil for use at home. Just keep in mind the following differences between these two oils in today’s market.

1.  Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)

-    Extracted from fresh mature coconut meat (niyog).

-    Considered as pure oil because it has no additives.

-    Does not undergo chemical processing or intense heat.

-    This natural processing retains VCO’s high lauric acid content (see note below).

What are Fatty Acids?

Found in fats and oils, the three types of fatty acids are: 

    (1) MCFAs or Medium-Chain Fatty Acids (which are composed of small molecules) 
    (2) LCFAs or Long-Chain Fatty Acids (which are composed of large molecules) 
    (3) Lauric Acid, an MCFA (which is also found in mothers' milk)

[Photograph from Wikipedia.]

Coconut Oil: Nature's Antimicrobial Agent

Excerpted from:

Rediscovering the Truth of the Coconut: Curative Properties of Coconut Oil
(Part 2 of 2)

March 13, 2014

By: STAR SCIENCE By Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit, Ph.D. (The Philippine Star)

http://www.ateneo.edu/news/ls-research-updates/rediscovering-truth-coconut-curative-properties-coconut-oil

[The following excerpt from Dr. Dayrit's research describes the first of three applications which illustrate the usefulness of coconut oil, including their scientific basis:  (1) antimicrobial, (2) anti-obesity, and (3) anti-cancer activities. The other two applications  are posted in this blog separately.]

Coconut Oil:  Nature's Antimicrobial Agent

In 1925, this small news item from the US Army and Navy General Hospital was published in Science journal: “Extensive experiments showed that common soaps were effective germicides in at least three types of infection, while soap made with coconut oil was markedly destructive to the organisms of typhoid fever.” 

Coconut Oil versus Obesity

Excerpted from:

Rediscovering the Truth of the Coconut: Curative Properties of Coconut Oil
(Part 2 of 2)

March 13, 2014

By: STAR SCIENCE By Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit, Ph.D. (The Philippine Star)

http://www.ateneo.edu/news/ls-research-updates/rediscovering-truth-coconut-curative-properties-coconut-oil

[The following excerpt from Dr. Dayrit's research describes the second of three applications which illustrate the usefulness of coconut oil, including their scientific basis:  (1) antimicrobial, (2) anti-obesity, and (3) anti-cancer activities. The other two applications  are posted in this blog separately.]

Coconut Oil versus Obesity

During the 1970s, nutrition researchers became interested in the metabolic response of humans to different types of fats. As a result of these studies, it was discovered that medium-chain fatty acids have the property of raising body temperature, a response called diet-induced thermogenesis.

Coconut Oil versus Cancer

Excerpted from:

Rediscovering the Truth of the Coconut: Curative Properties of Coconut Oil
(Part 2 of 2)

March 13, 2014

By: STAR SCIENCE By Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit, Ph.D. (The Philippine Star)

http://www.ateneo.edu/news/ls-research-updates/rediscovering-truth-coconut-curative-properties-coconut-oil

[The following excerpt from Dr. Dayrit's research describes the third of three applications which illustrate the usefulness of coconut oil, including their scientific basis:  (1) antimicrobial, (2) anti-obesity, and (3) anti-cancer activities. The other two applications  are posted in this blog separately.]

Coconut Oil versus Cancer

In the 1980s and 90s, Dr. Clara Lim-Sylianco from UP Diliman carried out a number of studies using laboratory animals on the anticancer properties of coconut oil. She showed that coconut oil had two anti-cancer properties: first, it protected the test animals against carcinogenic substances; and second, it is able to protect germ cells of laboratory rats from carcinogenic substances. In addition, only coconut oil was able to cause a return of fertility of the rat even with a single dose.