Coconut Purchase & Information

Alternative Names

Coconut meal, Aceite de Coco, Acide Gras de Noix de Coco, Coco Palm, Coconut, Coconut Fatty Acid, Coconut Palm, Cocotier, Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, Fermented Coconut Oil, Huile de Coco, Huile de Noix de Coco, Huile de Noix de Coco Pressée à Froid, Huile Vierge de Noix de Coco, Narikela, Noix de Coco, Palmier, Virgin Coconut Oil CAUTION: Please refer to separate listings for Coconut Water and Medium Chain Triglycerides

Scientific Name

Cocos Nuciferas

Why Do People Use Coconut?

Oral preparations of Cocos nucifera (Coconut), like coconut powder, are used for obesity and weight loss, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, diabetes, Crohn's disease, Alzheimer's disease, boosting energy, thyroid conditions, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and for boosting the immune system. Topically - Coconut powder is also applied for dry skin, xerosis, psoriasis and for preventing hair damage in hair cosmetics.

Is It Safe To Use?

Likely Safe - Oral, topical and appropriate consumption of coconut thought to be safe in most of the cases. Coconut has attained Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the United States. Likely Safe during Pregnancy and Lactation - Oral and appropriate consumption with combination of commonly used food items seems to be safe for pregnant and breast feeding females.

How Effective Is Coconut?

There is insufficient information to rate the effectiveness of coconut powder for following conditions: • Coronary heart disease (CHD) • Hyperlipidemia • Lice • Neonatal Weight Gain • Obesity • Psoriasis • Xerosis

How Coconut Works?

Coconut meal is acquired from the dried nut (fruit in nature) of the coconut palm. About 52%- 85% of coconut oil is comprised of medium-chain fatty acids also called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). Lauric acid is the most important fatty acid, followed by caprylic, myristic and palmitic acids. Coconut oil is the most saturated oil as compare to soybean, palm and animal fats, for example, lard and butter. It contains 76 grams of saturated fatty acid every 100 grams of fat. Medium-chain fatty acid, also known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), experience quick metabolism. The medium-chain fatty acid in coconut are not stored in fat tissues like long-chain fatty acid. In this way, there is interest for utilizing coconut as an alternative fat source for decreasing body fat mass and obesity. Some proof recommends that coconut may increase both the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in human beings. Research recommends that excessive dosage of dietary coconut is referred to enhanced levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, however is not related with enhanced levels of triglyceride or LDL levels. Clinical research also suggests that oral intake of as much as 30 mL coconut oil every week does not greatly affect the LDL-cholesterol but rather does build high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. There is some interest in using coconut powder for protection against hepatotoxicity. Clinical experiments also suggest that in animal models dietary administration of coconut may protect the risk of induced hepatotoxicity. According to initial experiments, coconut doesn’t protect from ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation or ultraviolet A (UVA). Coconut oil has been tried as an oil base for mosquito repellents, but other oils appears to be more effective than coconut oil.

What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Coconut?

Generally there is no severe side effect reported due to oral consumption of coconut powder. The most widely recognized side effects are diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset, likely because of the fatty acids in coconut oil. Cocos nucifera is high in fat that can result in weight gain if taken in excess. But clinical research shows that eating as much as 30 mL per day coconut oil doesn’t affect weight. Due to its high fat content, it may also increase cholesterol level in some individuals. Coconut powder can cause allergic side effects. Allergic reactions caused by coconut seem to happen less frequently as compared to other food items, for example, milk, wheat, peanut and soy.

How Coconut Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?

Blond Psyllium - Psyllium decrease the absorption of fat in coconut.

How Coconut Interacts With Drugs?

Not known.

How Coconut Interacts With Foods?

Not known.

How Coconut Interacts With Lab Tests?

Cholesterol - There are conflicting reports about the reactions effects of coconut powder on body cholesterol. Clinical studies recommend that diets high in coconut can results in increased total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and related test results. On other hand, intake of coconut oil does not appears to enhance the level of cholesterol to the similar limit as diets rich in butter. Population based research proposes that higher amount of dietary coconut oil is related with enhanced levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; however this effect is not associated with increased levels of triglyceride and LDL levels.

How Coconut Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?

Hypercholesterolemia - There are conflicting reports about the reactions effects of coconut powder on body cholesterol. Clinical studies recommend that diets high in coconut can results in increased total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and related test results. On other hand, intake of coconut oil does not appears to enhance the level of cholesterol to the similar limit as diets rich in butter. Population based research proposes that higher amount of dietary coconut oil is related with enhanced levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; however this effect is not associated with increased levels of triglyceride and LDL levels.

What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Coconut?

ORAL To treat obesity, normally 30 mL of coconut oil should be consumed on daily basis or 10 mL three times daily with meals has been used. TOPICAL In order to treat xerosis, coconut oil is topically used two times every day.

Comments

There are some products containing coconut oil, which are referred to as virgin coconut oil.

General Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.