Virgin coconut oil questions for healthy nutrition and living care.

Frequently Asked Questions on Coconut Oil

How much coconut oil should one take daily to receive health benefits?

The health benefits of coconut oil are mainly from the medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). The best comparison in nature as to percentage of MCFAs being consumed in a diet is human breast milk. To equal the amount of MCFAs a nursing infant would receive in one day, an adult needs about 3.5 tablespoons of VCNO a day according to researchers. One could take more or less than that amount, since this is a food, not a medicine.

Does VCNO need to be kept in the refrigerator, and how long does it last?

No, VCNO does not need to be kept in the refrigerator. In the Phillipines and other tropical climates, where the ambiant air temperature is much higher than North America, people traditionally have not refrigerated coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil is the least susceptible to oxidation of any plant oil. Virgin coconut oil made and stored in a lab at the University of the Phillipines did not turn rancid for more than 3 years. Tropical Traditions CVNO has not been on the market that long yet, but a sample from one of the first batches made in 2001 is being tested every 6 months for oxidative breakdown, and so far shown none. Recommended to store oil out of direct sunlight, and kept free from moisture which may cause mold.

Will cooking with VCNO cause it to become hydrogenated and toxic like hydrogenated oils?

No. Hydrogenation is an industrial process where hydrogen molecules are introduced to the oil to make it solid at room temperatures. It chemically alters the oil and creates harmful trans fatty acids. Cooking with VCNO does NOT introduce hydrogen into the oil or hydrogenate it. However, it is best not to cook beyond the smoke point of VCNO, as this will begin to deteriorate the oil and turn it yellow. Once it has turned dark yellow, the oil should be discarded and no longer used.

How does one use VCNO?

There are many ways to use VCNO and incorporate it into one's diet. Since it is a stable cooking oil, one can simply replace unhealthy oils in their diet with VCNO. Since it is a solid most of the time at room temperature or when refrigerated, it can be a butter or margarine substitute for spreads or for baking. Any recipe calling for butter, margarine, or any other oil can be substituted by VCNO. Many people do eat it by the spoonful VCNO can also be massaged into the skin for external applications.

Are there any side effects to VCNO?

Yes, there could be, especially if your body is used to low-fat diet regimen. Since lauric acid is antibacterial and anti-viral, there could be "die-off" effects from the VCNO as these organisms are eliminated from the body. The most common side effect is diarrhea. While 3 TBL. is recommended as the daily dosage by some researchers, it is probably best not to start with that amount, or take it all at once. Spread it out over the course of the day, and reduce your intake if there are side effects. Like any food, some people could possibly have allergic reactions to VCNO as well, although it has traditionally nourished millions of people throughout Asia for thousands of years where food allergies to coconut are basically unknown.

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