The AHA missed the bigger picture
As many of you have already heard, the AHA released a study over the weekend that rocked the Paleo, Keto, and Health-food industries. They claimed that Coconut Oil consumption can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, they missed the bigger picture...
Here's what you should know...
- The study used cholesterol levels as a marker for cardiovascular health. This is an issue because cholesterol is controversial, studies show there is little to no correlation between the two. (So why is the AHA still using cholesterol as a measure for heart health? We'd love to know!)
- Participants in the study could consume refined carbohydrates (sugars). Insulin and blood-glucose levels are crucial to effectively consuming saturated fats. Studies show that the biggest influencer of heart disease is consumption of carbohydrates, not saturated fat. The consumption of saturated fats alongside refined carbohydrates is NOT healthy.
- The study references old studies done on saturated fats in the 1950's. It's general knowledge that these studies are flawed and irrelevant. (Even the FDA revised their numbers, recognizing the flaws)
- The AHA also recommends children "over age 2" eat Cocoa Puffs for heart health.... Seriously?
What is the truth about saturated fats and heart health?
Evidence now shows that the addition of coconut oil can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels
There are many impediments to heart health. However, adding saturated fat to a diet high in omega-6 oils has been shown to be protective to heart cells.5 Coconut Oil's rich concentration of lauric acid has been shown to promote a healthy cardiovascular system.3
Agriculture lobbyists capitalized on the trend against saturated fats more than five decades ago. As a result, coconut oil was removed from confections, restaurant fryers, and even from movie theatre popcorn. Saturated fat was replaced with omega-6 fats, predominately in the form of vegetable oil.
Multiple studies and clinical trials are continuing to vindicate coconut oil with regard to cardiovascular health, demonstrating that coconut oil does not lead to high serum cholesterol.6 Instead, evidence now shows that the addition of coconut oil can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels already in the normal range.3
Evidence suggests that adding coconut oil to a balanced diet can improve the function of the thyroid, and can help normalize serum cholesterol levels by promoting its conversion into pregnenolone. (Known to be systemically protective and able to function in an anti-oxidant.)3
Additionally, trans-fats in the diet have been shown to raise Lipoprotein[a], whereas a diet rich in saturated fats has actually been shown to lower Lipoprotein[a]. 4
Cultures with a history of coconut oil use
In tropical cultures where there is high consumption of coconut oil, serum cholesterol levels are consistently lower than levels seen in the U.S. where the diet is predominately high in omega-6 oils.
Cardiovascular disease doctor, William P. Castelli, of the famous Framingham, Massachusetts heart study, officially stated, “In Framingham, Mass., the more saturated fat one ate, the more cholesterol one ate, the more calories one ate, the lower the person’s serum cholesterol.” 8
By replacing the commonly used omega-6 vegetable oils with coconut oil, studies show improved serum lipid profiles over those following the American Heart Association diet.4 Studies show that when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart, coconut oil is superior to safflower oil.4 In addition, animals fed a coconut oil-rich diet had fewer cholesterol deposits in their livers as well as elsewhere in their bodies.6 According to leading lipid biochemist, Dr. Mary Enig, “Eating real coconut oil doesn’t cause cholesterol deposits: never did, never will.”4
How should coconut oil be consumed?
As with most things in life, balance is key. We don't recommend you eat an entire jar of coconut oil in one sitting, nor do we recommend pairing coconut oil with high carbohydrate foods like ice cream and pizza. But when consumed responsibly, coconut oil and saturated fats are great for the body. There is evidence that shows populations who consume high amounts of coconut oil have healthier hearts than their counterparts. So go ahead and crack open a jar, there's nothing to be afraid of. We're not alone in this, many people involved in nutrition are debunking the AHA study. It seems that the AHA is behind the science, unfortunately.
Again, would you take the advice of a company who recommends children over the age of 2 eat Cocoa Puffs for heart health?
With the world's only patented cold-process NutraLock™ Coconut Oil, Skinny & Co. provides the purest coconut oil on the earth. It is always kept below 100 degrees Fahrenheit during extraction to bring you an unprecedented level of nutrients and enzymes. It's as close as you can get to fresh picked from the tree.
References
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/early/2017/06/15/CIR.0000000000000510
3. Peat, “Coconut Oil.”
4. Mary Know Your Fats: The Complete Primer for Understanding the Nutrition of Fats, Oils and Cholesterol. Maryland: Bethesda, 2010.
5. Enig, “Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century.” Asian Paciic Coconut Community, 36th Session, 1999.
7. Enig, Mary and Sally “The Oiling of America – Part 1.” Nexus, Vol. 6, No.1, March, 2008.
8. Castelli, William “Concerning the Possibility of a Nut...” Arch Intern Med. 1992: 152 (7): 1371