The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
37 User Reviews
Posted by Jovi (Manila, Philippines) on 07/10/2009
Hi, i started taking 1tbsp virgin coconut oil on june 1, 2009. finished my menstrual period on june 22. june 25, i started to have discharge of seemingly a small amount of dry blood for a week.july 1, i had a huge discharge of blood clot that seemed dry. from july 2 up to now, ive had a small amount of fresh blood discharge. i still take vco. could this be a clensing effect? anyone experienced this?
Replied by Sangeetha
(Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
07/12/2009
Coconut Oil
Posted by Jennifer (Phoenix, Arizona, USA) on 06/14/2009
I have had malabsorption issues for sometime. My ND wanted me to introduce 100% virgin coconut oil into my diet because of the medium chain fatty acids. I needed to gain weight and muscle. I was using 2T per day in fruit smoothies, cooking, or on toast. Loved the flavor but the side effects were not good. My ND pooh-poohed my questions about possible side effects so I was extremely relieved to find this forum with postings from a number of people who have experienced what I did. My side effects were: severe stomach and gut pain with bloating and tenderness, bad reflux (which I had never had before), heart palpitations, severe sleeplessness, general anxiety-like symptoms, concentration problems, even gum sensitivity . . . just a general sense of continually deteriorating function the longer I was on it. After researching this forum I went off the oil and the symptoms I listed disappeared within two weeks. Although I have no doubt it is a great product for many people, I will never take it again. It just isn't okay for one food item to make me that ill and affect so many areas of my life. The bottom line for me is to learn to listen to my own body and to respect and act on those messages.
Replied by Summer
(Auckland, New Zealand)
01/03/2012
Coconut Oil
Posted by JJManila (Manila, Philippines) on 05/25/2009
im 40yo male. last night may 24,09 i took my first v.c.o. with 1 tbs. before bedtime. i felt real bad right after, cold sweats and i was shaking and dizzy. i hope im not allergic to vco. im going to take 1tbs again before i go to bed.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Abby (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 04/29/2009
cholesterol and low white blood cell count:
I have a history of lupus. In 2005, my WBC count was 3.2 and has slowly gone down since. It is now 2.2 and the doctor wants me to see an oncologist. I saw one in 2007 who said the only way to find out exactly what the problem is is to have a bone marrow test. I do not want to do this. I saw a post from Ted that said coconut oil cured his blood disorder. I don't know exactly what he was referring to but is it possible that CO could raise my WBC count over time? For the last month I have been using only coconut oil for cooking and trying a little ACV and just started oil pulling with sesame oil about 5 times now). I have no other health issues and I am feeling good (higher energy, better skin, good sleep, better mood, etc.) but this WBC number scares me. I would love to hear from Ted and everyone on this.
Also my cholesterol has slowly gotten worse, now 263 (HDL-177; HDL-68; Trig-88). The doctor wants to put me on cholesterol meds. Again, I do not want to do this. I eat a diet of no sugar or white flour and moderate fats but recently tried a diet that recommended eating lots of fat, little protein and carbs to help lose weight. I did this during this last month and did lose a few pounds. Is it possible that this diet could have raised my cholesterol in such a short time? Can CO raise cholesterol? Any advice appreciated.
Replied by Abby
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
05/01/2009
Coconut Oil
Posted by Misha (Binghamton, New York) on 03/19/2009
I began taking a tablespoon of coconut oil in my morning tea each day. On about the 4th day, I suffered from chest pains which I had never experienced before. I discontinued use to rule out other possibilities, and when I reintroduced it, I suffered from the chest pains once again. I began taking the coconut oil to help a sluggish thyroid, but have stopped taking it since my negative experiences with it. I am 27 and in excellent health.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Janice (Lakeland, Fl) on 02/26/2009
Coconut oil, virgin, capsules: A big NAY for virgin coconut capsules....I am 63 with normal cholesterol and blood pressure. I took it to raise my HDL. I have GERD and it made it worse. I also had chest pain and palpitations and my BP went up to concerned levels. I have NO heart problems and see a doctor twice a year. I would suggest only a trial period for everyone to see what effects one might have. I was only taking one capsule and the bottle said to take four. Thank goodness I didn't. I am no longer on the virgin coconut capsules.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Lori (Delta, Colorado) on 10/20/2008
I started all my remdies a year ago this month. I don't think that the coconut oil is working for me any longer. I find everytime I cook with it I break out in hot flashes all morning. If I don't eat the coconut oil then I'm fine.The coconut oil is N_____ virgin oil. Has this happened to anyone else? I went to my doc last week and i had not been doing my remedies like I used to and my blood pressure is up I've never had high blood pressure, but I had started using estrogen cream and shortly after started having bloody noses. I stopped the estrogen and started back on my ac vinegar regiment and no more bloody noses and bp dropped some, but now I think I still can't use the coconut oil. Any body else have this happen to them? My thyroid test is high normal meaning almost to hyperthyroid.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Christine (Tokyo, Japan) on 10/08/2008
I have been using organic virgin coconut oil on my face and body for 2 weeks now. It has improved the texture of my skin however I seem to always looked flushed on my face and neck, almost looks like I am sunburnt. I have very fair skin and have been using only a medium coverage amount on my face and neck so that it absorbs almost completly. Has anyone else experienced this and does it calm down? Is it removing the dead skin layers as it seems to look like the effects of a light chemical peel?
Thank you
Coconut Oil
Posted by Lithloren (Omaha, Ne) on 06/28/2008
VCO - I had heard that coconut oil was very good for your hair. So, I came online to do a bit of research when I came across this great website. After reading about the benefits of VCO, I purchased VCO and began putting it on my hair as well as taking it internally. The next day I started experiencing body aches, sore throat and fatigue. I really thought I was coming down with something! After reading that other people with Blood Type O were not doing well with VCO I went to the bookstore and purchased a book about blood type diets. In the the book it listed coconut as a food to avoid for people with Blood Type O. That is acts as a toxin in my body. I sure believe it because I started using Olve Oil and Flaxseed Oil, which are listed as a benefit to Type O's, instead and have not experienced the same symptoms.
Coconut Oil
Posted by B Cole (Nixa, MO) on 06/19/2008
When I take a certain brand of VCO (one of the most popular brands) I get moody and cranky. It does not matter how much I take Tbl. or teaspoon. I would like to know if anyone else has experienced anything like this. Some of the other brands do not cause this, but I gain weight with other brands.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Olivia (Brooklyn, New York) on 04/16/2008
I have tried using coconut oil several times and one thing has been consistent: when I take it by the spoon, even a teaspoon full, I immediately feel my heart racing. This does not happen if I cook with it. Sometimes rubbing it on my neck or face induces a reaction in my pulse but not as severe as drinking. Cooking is ok for me. If anyone can think of a reason I'd be happy to hear of it.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Peter (USA) on 04/16/2008
Coconut oil side effects:
1.In the first few days of using coconut oil as a massage oil, it is often the case that the body develops a "sand type overlay " noticeable around the abdomen.
2.When this first happened the reaction was, "how did that sand get into the clothes?".
3. But when it happened to another person, we wised up and realised that it was a salt extrusion from the body and not sand even if it felt like sand.
4. So its a cleansing side effect that occurs in the first few days. After that period it is not longer noticeable.
5. If somebody is experiencing an itching side effect, I would say that that is a side effect of salt extrusion which will disappear as the amount of the salt extruded becomes less.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Dawn (Mapleton, MN) on 04/14/2008
I have been taking 1 to 2 tbsp of coconut oil daily in my tea, as well as using it as a moisturizer for 5 days. after the 3rd day i started to and continue itch in various spots all over my body. I don't want to stop using CO because of all the benefits but its becoming a pain. literally! :) Has this happened to anyone else? Is this normal, could it be the toxins that are fleeing my body? or am i possibly allergic? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Gislain (Phoenix, AZ) on 03/08/2008
I recently posted a comment about Coconut Oil and how eating a tablespoon each day helped my Depression. After two days of taking Coconut Oil internally, I developed a terrible case of Heartburn. I felt better emotionally but physically, my chest was painful and the heartburn lasted all day and night. I thought eating too fast was the culprit initially. I was suffering with this Heartburn for an entire week. I wondered if the heavy saturated fat content of the Coconut Oil was making my body react this way.
Today, I didn't eat any Coconut Oil and my symptoms reduced by over 50%. I love the Oil Pulling, Apple Cider Vinegar, and everything else listed on this site. Unfortunately, eating Coconut Oil didn't work out for me apparently. I do plan on using Coconut Oil externally on my skin.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Kelly (Brooklyn, NY) on 03/01/2008
i found out i was hypo in Sept 07. have never been overweight ..read about VCO so i tried it for a month but have gained weightI went from size 4 to 6 in a short time. i exercise alot and have not changed my eating habits with the exception of adding VCO to my diet. I would have 1lbs on my toast in the morning and then cook with another tbls at night. i started taking it for additional energy and softer skin...but the only thing i got was thicker thighs and stomach. i just had my endo appt this week and still had to increase my meds as the THS levels were still not close to normal. I guess I was the exception!
