Discovery: Coconut Oil

Most people are under the impression that saturated fats (ALL saturated fats) are bad.

Why?

Because, supposedly, they (meaning ALL saturated fats) cause heart disease.

I don't believe this to be true. Our heart, cells and brain need saturated fats to operate healthily.

And besides, not all saturated fats are created equal. Should we begin eating meat every day to get those saturated fats? No way! Different saturated fats have different fatty chain lengths. Coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid. Our body uses it differently than it would a long-chain fatty acid.

Saturated fat is good for us because:

-It constitutes at least 50 percent of the cell membranes, giving them the necessary stiffness and integrity so they can function properly.

-They play a vital role in the health of our bones.

-They lower Lp(a), a substance in the blood that indicates proneness to heart disease.

-They protect the liver from alcohol and other toxins, such as Tylenol.

-They enhance the immune system.

-They are needed for proper utilization of essential fatty acids

-Saturated 18-carbon stearic acid and 16-carbon palmitic acid are the preferred foods for the heart, which is why the fat around the heart muscle is highly saturated.

-Short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids have important antimicrobial properties. They protect us against harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract. (Nourishing Traditions)

Saturated fats we should be eating:

For cooking:

Butter

Coconut Oil

Tallow and suet from beef and lamb

Chicken, goose and duck fat

Lard from pigs

For salads:

Extra virgin olive oil (also OK for cooking)

Expeller-expressed sesame and peanut oils

Expeller-expressed flax oil (in small amount)

For fat soluble vitamins:

Fish oils such as cod liver oils

Resources:

Know Your Fats, Mary Enig

Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon

The Coconut Oil Miracle, Bruce Fife

Healing with Voltage, Dr. Jerry Tennant

Weston A. Price Foundation Site