4 ms·

Does anyone know the claims regarding saturated fat and coconut oil? I have some friends who in the last 2 months have become zealots and they encourage "high

Does anyone know the claims regarding saturated fat and coconut oil? I have some friends who in the last 2 months have become zealots and they encourage "high quality" fats (coconut oil) and denounce canola oil.

robbiep 14y ago
It is well known in cardiovascular surgery circles that islander diets (which have high levels of coconut oil) have vey high levels of atherosclerosis. I have heard this comment many times in 4 years of medical school, and seen many islander patients (Australia has a deal with the French Government to perform tertiary care of New Caledonians) however have yet to come across a source for it
- darkarmani 14y ago
  I think the Paleo argument is that it is the interaction of certain saturated fats and insulin response from high glycemic index foods that oxidize LDL cholesterol (?). I don't know any of the science here, so i could be paraphrasing wrong, but I'd love understand if this is as fringe as it sounds.
  - robbiep 14y ago
    Ah I see your point. I have some time tomorrow (bt 12-18 hrs from now) so will see what I can find specifically regarding this if you'd care to check back here, In the meantime here's some science of atherosclerosis - high glycemic index foods - scrap that - glucose and fructose in general is are reactive molecules - they are often drawn as a 6-carbon circle in organic chem but are actually moving in and out of a ionically bonded circle and a linear structure which is very reactive. It is relatively well understood that the 6 carbon carbohydrates are reactive enough to be capable of causing endothelial damage which can set off the inflammatory cascade that leads to atherosclerosis and high LDL levels will further exacerbate the problem. Come to think of it, maybe this answers your question?
    - darkarmani 14y ago
      Thanks for the answer. I'm not sure. Doesn't something like what you are saying only happen if you are diabetic?

robbiep 14y ago

It is well known in cardiovascular surgery circles that islander diets (which have high levels of coconut oil) have vey high levels of atherosclerosis. I have heard this comment many times in 4 years of medical school, and seen many islander patients (Australia has a deal with the French Government to perform tertiary care of New Caledonians) however have yet to come across a source for it

darkarmani 14y ago
I think the Paleo argument is that it is the interaction of certain saturated fats and insulin response from high glycemic index foods that oxidize LDL cholesterol (?). I don't know any of the science here, so i could be paraphrasing wrong, but I'd love understand if this is as fringe as it sounds.
- robbiep 14y ago
  Ah I see your point. I have some time tomorrow (bt 12-18 hrs from now) so will see what I can find specifically regarding this if you'd care to check back here, In the meantime here's some science of atherosclerosis - high glycemic index foods - scrap that - glucose and fructose in general is are reactive molecules - they are often drawn as a 6-carbon circle in organic chem but are actually moving in and out of a ionically bonded circle and a linear structure which is very reactive. It is relatively well understood that the 6 carbon carbohydrates are reactive enough to be capable of causing endothelial damage which can set off the inflammatory cascade that leads to atherosclerosis and high LDL levels will further exacerbate the problem. Come to think of it, maybe this answers your question?
  - darkarmani 14y ago
    Thanks for the answer. I'm not sure. Doesn't something like what you are saying only happen if you are diabetic?