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.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Melissa (Miami, USA) on 02/27/2008
Hello, just wanted to give some feedback in regards to my experience with coconut oil usage. I took about 1 tbsp. of coconut oil and in less than 1 hour I had intense pain in my stomach along with heartburn ( I never get this). After that I developed diarrea and vomited. Those reactions lasted well through the night and for two days after taking the coconut oil the intense stomach pains persisted. If you are going to try cocunut oil it might be a great idea to use it as a cooking agent as suggested by another reader rather than ingesting it.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Becky (Bellefonte, PA) on 12/26/2007
I've started taking Coconut oil, and for the 1st time in my life I get terrible heartburn. What can I do to rectify this? I really want to try coconut oil for a number of benefits to my health, but what to do???
Coconut Oil
Posted by Dean (Ncr, Philippines) on 09/26/2009
When you take VCO also eat a piece of soda cracker & a glass of water. I have been orally taking this for the past 4 years at 5-7ml per day and have not encountered side-effects. I'm not sure if shipping has some effect on the product once it gets to your area.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Beverly Anne (Miami, FL) on 12/19/2007
Up to two weeks of v.c.o. usage I've got great looking/feeling skin but my face has broken out and experienced dryness. I've also got diarrhea and nausea with usage but am almost certain it is because of candida die-off symptoms as I understand vco has caprylic acid qualities used in fighting candida infection. Otherwise, I've lost weight, thyroid pulsating has subsided quite a bite and no vaginal discharge. Will up the dosage from 1 TBS. to 1.5 gradually during next week.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Linda (Concord, CA) on 12/14/2007
I began using VCO on doctor's orders to help combat hypothyroid. My skin, hair, energy levels were all positive results. I also used VCO as a deodorant. However, after a few days I began gaining weight, got dizzy spells and some diarrhea. My blood pressure soared! After continued trials for a couple of weeks, my doctor advised me to stop using it. This was disappointment as I got good results in other areas; however, every attempt made to try it again caused my BP to go higher. I do full body cleanses once or twice a year. Possibly it might help if I did just liver cleanse? I'm 60 years old, exercise daily, eat healthy foods, do drink 1.5 cups coffee in morning and am Blood Type A. Disappointed as not being able to use coconut oil due to HBP. Would appreciate any comments on my HBP problem to be answered on this site. Any insight would be beneficial. Thanks, a CA gal
Coconut Oil
Posted by Dean (Ncr, Philippines) on 09/26/2009
1-1.5 liters of natural tea (single bag/4-5 pcs fresh leaves) might help. I've been taking VCO for 4 years now with no side effect. I take 5-7.5ml each day and has given me healthy hair, skin & digestive system. My BP has been steady at 130/80 and I'm 42yo. However, I am not limiting myself with VCO. I still stick to my high fiber diet mostly from legumes which is plentiful in my location and my daily 1.5 liter dose of natural green tea in the evening (blumea balsamifera leaves-fresh or bagged), also, I still take my multi-vitamins every day. I suggest you explore other natural products that may counter the side effects of VCO in your body and enjoy its good effects.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Shane (McManus) (Sunbury, Victoria/Australia) on 11/07/2007
I've had mixed results taking coconut oil. It cleared my eczema and improved my skin but have been light headed and dizzy after 2 weeks of taking it. Also my hayfever has come back where i was fine before. A herxheimer reaction should have settled after 2 weeks. I'm wondering if others who have had reactions are Blood group O, as according to the blood group diet coconut oil does not agree with type O blood.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Jess (London, England) on 09/27/2007
the many times I tried massaging my head with coconut oil, if I leave it on for too long on my head, I end up with a fever. After many years of not using it, I used it a few days ago. Left it on for many hrs and the next day, I had the worst flu and still am feeling very lethargic, weak.
Coconut Oil
Posted by John (Virginia Beach, Virginia) on 09/23/2007
it has now been over two weeks since i started taking VCO, i had stomach pains and diarrhea at first but the pains have subsided. I havent experienced any weight loss but i havent gained any weight either. It does give me a little bit of energy.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Dee (Mineral Wells, TX) on 09/21/2007
I have recently taken CO Butter because of the great taste and then taken the VCO later for about for about 4 days, my autistic son was prescribed Caprylic Acid for yeast and bacteria overgrowth, so thought I'd give it a try, although I have had a wonderful decrease in cravings for sweets and an increase in energy it is totally overkill, Not only did I have more energy but TOOO much, I've stopped taking it due to this, I took approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons daily and can't sleep, 2am rolls around and here I am, awake, and the most bothersome thing is now my feet and lower legs are cramping soo much I cants sleep!!! I'm tired but am revved up like the energizer bunny, how long will this last and what can be done about the feet?? Help Me!!!
EC: We wrote to Dee for more information...
Coconut Oil
Posted by Dee (USA) on 09/24/2007
Hope this helps, Caprylic Acid is Coconut Oil, anyway I did not take Caprilic Acid, I took VCO. Still have insommnia and cramping legs and feet at night, will this wear off anytime soon, its been about 7 days. Im starting to feel tired at night but still cant manage to sleep until 1 or 2 am. Thanks.
Coconut Oil
Posted by John (Virginia Beach, Virginia) on 09/12/2007
vco [virgin coconut oil] has been giving me bad stomach pains and diarrhea. I've only been taking it for several days now but i'm hoping these side effects subside in the near future...
Coconut Oil
Posted by Sheena (Belize, Belize) on 03/21/2007
I first tried coconut oil to combat the symptoms of hypothyroidism 2 weeks ago.By the first day, I had fantastic energy and felt like I've never felt before! One week ago however, I started having heart palpitations, high blood pressure and tachycardia (rapid heart rate), even at rest, that landed me in the ER. I had never had these problems before and I am wondering if the oil boosted my metabolism so much that it is causing these symptoms. Is there anyone else that has experienced this? I feel great otherwise, but my unbelieving doctor has told me to stop taking the oil and put me on antihypertensive meds. I was taking a tablespoon with every meal. Was this too much? Can somebody please help me?
Coconut Oil
Posted by Lori Hale (Nascar City, Tennessee) on 05/18/2008
I think you were taking too much coconut oil, I take it and I only take 2 tablespoons a day only. I find that it is very good in oatmeal with raw sugar. Hope this helps. Lori.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Dean (Ncr, Philippines) on 09/26/2009
You'll be tied to hyper-meds for life if you start taking those. Take your VCO every other day & add green tea to your daily diet (1-1.5liters as part of the required 6-8 glasses of water each day. You may add crushed celery in your tea. It adds flavor and helps in lowering BP . VCO does improve metabolism & energy. Stay active and use that extra energy. And try rich-fiber diet. I hope this helps.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Carolyn (Hobbs, Nm Usa) on 09/27/2009
Dean, what is VCO? What kind of tea is balsamifera leaves? Thanks, Carolyn
EC: VCO = Virgin Coconut Oil