Effects of Dietary Coconut Oil on the Biochemical and Anthropometric Profiles of Women Presenting Abdominal Obesity

Abstract

The effects of dietary supplementation with coconut oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting waist circumferences (WC) >88 cm (abdominal obesity) were investigated. The randomised, double-blind, clinical trial involved 40 women aged 20-40 years. Groups received daily dietary supplements comprising 30 mL of either soy bean oil (group S; n = 20) or coconut oil (group C; n = 20) over a 12-week period, during which all subjects were instructed to follow a balanced hypocaloric diet and to walk for 50 min per day. Data were collected 1 week before (T1) and 1 week after (T2) dietary intervention. Energy intake and amount of carbohydrate ingested by both groups diminished over the trial, whereas the consumption of protein and fibre increased and lipid ingestion remained unchanged. At T1 there were no differences in biochemical or anthropometric characteristics between the groups, whereas at T2 group C presented a higher level of HDL (48.7 +/- 2.4 vs. 45.00 +/- 5.6; P = 0.01) and a lower LDL:HDL ratio (2.41 +/- 0.8 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.8; P = 0.04). Reductions in BMI were observed in both groups at T2 (P < 0.05), but only group C exhibited a reduction in WC (P = 0.005). Group S presented an increase (P < 0.05) in total cholesterol, LDL and LDL:HDL ratio, whilst HDL diminished (P = 0.03). Such alterations were not observed in group C. It appears that dietetic supplementation with coconut oil does not cause dyslipidemia and seems to promote a reduction in abdominal obesity.

Effect of Combination Therapy of Fatty Acids, Calcium, Vitamin D and Boron with Regular Physical Activity on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Rat

“…No signifi cant differences were noted in the AI and RF measurements for coconut oil versus the control and SPM groups, suggesting no risk for an unusual blend of short and medium chain fatty acids content in coconut oil 21 . It was reported that supplementation with coconut oil did not cause dyslipidemia 23 , and was not a predictor for CHD in a food culture study 19 . The antioxidant properties of virgin coconut oil due to phenolic compounds has been reported 22 , but it is recommended not be used on a regular basis in adults.…”

“…It is generally believed to be better than partially hydrogenated trans fats, and possibly animal fats, and contains an unusual blend of short and medium chain fatty acids 21 , antioxidant properties due to phenolic compounds 22 . It appears that its dietetic supplementation does not cause dyslipidemia and seems to promote a reduction in abdominal obesity 23 .…”

I Diretriz Brasileira de Hipercolesterolemia Familiar (HF)

“…abdominal no grupo que utilizou óleo de coco 144 . Apesar dos potenciais benefícios do óleo de coco no HDL, os estudos experimentais comprovam o efeito hipercolesterolêmico do coco e seus subprodutos, como o recente estudo com cobaias que comparou óleo de coco com azeite de oliva e óleo de girassol.…”

<b>Coconut oil increases HDL-c and decreases triglycerides in wistar rats

“…Coconut oil is rich in myristic and palmitic acids and increases LDL and HDL cholesterol (Micha & Mozaffarian, 2010), the latter having been observed in current study. The negative effects of these fatty acids appear to be the cause of the increased prevalence of CVDs, according to studies conducted in Asia, where coconut oil comprises up to 80% of the fat consumed in some regions (Kumar, 1997;Assunção, Ferreira, Santos, Cabral, & Florêncio, 2009).…”