Coconut Oil
Health Benefits

Coconut Oil Benefits, Side Effects and Reviews

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.
Hypothyroidism
Posted by Andrea (Las Vegas, Nevada) on 07/14/2007
★★★★★

I have been battling hypothyroidism for 8 yrs now, i gained 82 lbs over the yrs,diet after diet failed umtil i started on coconut oil and let me tell you that in 2 months of taking coconut oil combined with a low carb diet, i have lost 35 lbs feel great energetic again, on my way of losing all the weight i plan to lose an aditional 40 lbs by december since i"ve taking the coconut oil softgels i have not had any side effect coconut oil is the miracle oil but again combined with a low carb diet.


Hypothyroidism
Posted by Rischa (Seattle, WA) on 08/26/2007
★★★★★

I began taking coconut oil about June 1st this summer, primarily for my long term hypothyroidism. Now not yet 3 months later I am completely off my synthroid and cytomel. I was on more than 300 mcg for about 7 years. It has changed my life. I feel so much better than I did on the thyroid meds. I am not cold, I am sleeping better. It made a herpes outbreak completely dissappear in 4 hours when applied topically. my periods which have been abnormal all my life are normalizing,(I am 45) and I am finding that I am eating smaller meals and more satisfied and not hungry. I swear I can hear the click in my head that says I have had enough to eat! Ive lost 10 lbs. I attribute it all to 4tbsp VCO a day(2w bfst/1w lunch/1w dinner) and also trace minerals, and fish oil. none or very little bread and refined carbs. I did have a day of scary high blood pressure symptoms, after which I reduced my meds by 1/3rd, and the symptoms went away. A wwk or so later when I began feeling the same things again, I reduced my meds again and again until I quit all together. the last step is to get my blood levels tested by my doc, just to confirm I am doing as great as I feel, tho I am starting to think it is not necessary, except to gloat to my dr.

Hypothyroidism
Posted by Peter (Koh Samui, Thailand) on 10/05/2007
★☆☆☆☆

I was diagnosed with mild Hypothyroidism in May 2006, studied the benefits of VCO and started to use it shortly after. For the first 6 manths I experienced an increased energy and a better digestion. However this effect did not last. The oil did not have any effect on the funtion of my Thyroid and my general wellbeing. I am still using the VCO internally(every heated meal is prepared with it) and I also use it externally (on some parts of my body). I do this, because I am convinced by the benefits of this oil. However it does have not any dramatic effect, as testified by others. Since about one week I am having digestion problems and feel congested in my liver and spleen area. I am still on my Thyroid medication (50 mcg of Euthyrox). Does anyone have a similar experience that they seem not to benefit so much from the oil? I am of the blood type O and according to the bloodype diet I should avoid coconut and also the oil from it. Has anybody experiences with the effect of VCO on blood type O people?

H.Pylori
Posted by Jaki (Small Town, NM) on 08/07/2007
★★★★★

I have been using coconut oil for several weeks, initially for weight loss. A few years ago, I heard of using it as a remedy for so many things, but when I tried it, my face broke out, so I stopped using it. I quit smoking (YAY!) almost 4 months ago, and not only gained weight but was told by a doctor that my distended belly was the result of h.pylori bacteria. I can't believe I aquiessed, but took the prescription for double dose antibiotics I was given. I have rarely taken any antibiotics, and don't like them at all. They caused a Candida imbalance, and a return of intestinal parasites. Then I came across a jar of organic VCO in my fridge, and figured it was worth a try. Amazing results; my energy level rose immediately, my belly started disappearing after a week, and I seem to crave "good" food, while being relatively uninterested in unhealthy food. An unexpected benefit was how clear my sinuses became; even 2 months after stopping smoking, my head and ears were stopped up. I am now experiencing some minor break out on my face, but am beginning to suspect this is a cleansing reaction from candida die-off, parasite die off and tobacco cessation. I think it is important that the VCO be ORGANIC. Thanks for the site!


Hormones
Posted by Pam (Ocala, FL) on 01/30/2007
★★★★★

I started taking coconut oil when I saw Doctor that wrote, "The Cure," on Rachael Ray Show. It is supposed to help with hormones. I have to admit, I'm not using as much progesterone cream since I've been using the virgin Coconut Oil. I put about a tablespoon in my morning oatmeal.

HIV
Posted by Jay (Manila, Phillipines) on 12/22/2006
★★★★★

In the Philippines, studies have shown that coconut oil can cure HIV. Test subjects were given at least 12 tablespoon of coconut oil a day, and and after 6 months, HIV have been cured. I had no time to confirm this report but the story had been featured several times in radio and tv programs.


HIV
Posted by Lynn (Saskatoon, Canada) on 01/19/2008
★★★★★

While the word cure is a very final type of word, I would like to say that Coconut oil has been a welcome remedy in my life for the HIV virus. More and more information is becoming available about how the monolaurin and lauric acid in organic virgin coconut oil does its work to literally kill lipid-coated viruses such as HIV. I have been taking VCO off and on and have seen my viral load of 1100 (when 1st diagnosed) digress to 570 6 months later. I will be having another test shortly. My doctor said it was unusual for the virus to digress without medication, letting it not progress is one thing, to have it go backwards is another. Coconut oil remedies so many other ailments too, my skin feels amazing and its the only thing I use on my skin. You shouldn't put on your skin something you wouldn't ingest. Your skin is your biggest organ. I am a loyal user of this product and grateful to hear it endorsed by people like Gary Null.

Cholesterol
Posted by Elizabeth (Buffalo, NY) on 12/01/2006
★★★★★

my cholesterol was 224 before using extra virgin organic coconut oil. doc took me off lipitor because of side effects. i started coconut oil 1 tbls or more/ 4 or 5 days a week. IN THREE MONTHS MY CHOLESTEROL WAS 176 ....! i'd changed nothing else about my diet, but do not eat egg yolks--hadn't for a long time.

Herpes
Posted by Steve (Johnson City, TN) on 02/03/2007
★★★★★

I have tried lots of health products to suppress herpes. both on my leg and also a bad tooth both were suppressed with monolaurin. now in trying coconut oil along with olive leaf oil. seems to work.


Herpes
Posted by Phil (Palm Springs, CA, USA) on 05/30/2007
★★★★★

I am very active and love to play volleyball outdoors under the sun. I play once a week for 3-4 hours with full sun. The problem is the aftermath. It never fails. The day after I played outdoors, I would feel a tingling sensation around my mouth where the cold sore is about to come out. In the past, I would put all kinds of medications for cold sore and it would still come out painfully.

I found out that putting Virgin Coconut oil directly on my face/skin, after showering and/or after playing outdoors, the cold sore never came back. I am cold sore free for 6 months and going.


Herpes
Posted by Peter (Kaitaia, New Zealand) on 07/24/2007
★★★★★

I was diagnosed with genital herpes in 1999. It was a shock to my system, in more ways than one. The nasty bleeding scabs, the weeping sores, the pain - and the horrible sensation on the thighs, like cats clawing at wet skin. (That's just my description.) I heard about coconut oil a year ago and decided to try it. I was guided to take it this way: A tablespoonful in a glass of clear warm water, mix it up, melt it, and drink it. I took it three times a day at regular intervals. I came off my medication, Ayclovir, and waited for the usual attack. (This was after a few months of taking the oil.) But nothing happened. In order to stimulate an attack, to force it, I ate my old 'enemies' - peanuts and bananas, in great quantities, both guaranteed to cause a herpes outbreak. But nothing happened. I have been clear of the genital herpes now for at least six months, perhaps more, and the only thing I want now is to have a blood test to be absolutely sure the infection has gone. Of course doctors will say that the virus is incurable, but something has happened here, something profound and unusual. I have an inner certainty that the virus has been battered about by the oil, to such an extent it has no power left. Of course, I may be wrong. But there is no sign of it.

Herpes
Posted by SG (Bakersfield, CA) on 08/25/2007
★★★★★

I wrote earlier about my experience with eight years of un-diagnosed herpes. Since then, I've been experimenting with it, and I've got complete control over it--I can make myself completely symptom-free, or cause an outbreak within 30 minutes.

THE CURES: Coconut. Yep, another vote for that one. I recently discovered Thai food, and they put coconut milk in just about everything. Taking special care to eat Tom Kha Gai (Food of the gods!) or Thai curry dishes several times a week, I've discovered that I have no need for my previous supplement: Gigartina Red Marine Algae, 1000mg (4 capsules) per day. And it's a lot more fun! To be fair, though, the Red Marine Algae works just as well.

If I want to cause an outbreak within an hour, all I have to do is not eat any coconut products for a few days, and then have a Diet Red Bull. Chock full of both Aspartame and arginine, if your doctor needs you to have an outbreak for testing purposes, this will do the trick. Drinking two of these per day sent me to the emergency room with horrible sores, and was how I discovered I had herpes. Other energy drinks (containing arginine) kept me having sores for the next few months until I realized the connection.

Herpes
Posted by Mike (Spokane, WA) on 01/02/2008
★★★★★

I have suffered from fever blisters (herpes simplex) on my lips for many years. I read that VCO reduces viral loads in the body so I gave it a try. Have had spectacular results (better than lysine) and no more outbreaks for 9 months. Regarding some of the negative feedback, I was shocked to read of the problems people have had with VCO - I guess because my experience has been so positive. My suggestion is to add some butter along with the VCO. Not sure why this works but it also works to stop repeat when taking fish oil.


Hemmorhoids
Posted by Terri (Carlisle, PA)
★★★★★

I am a nurse's aide and I have used coconut oil on some of my patients hemorrhoids, some so large the patient could not sit down without pain. After using for about 6 months the hemorrhoids have completely gone. Applied externally 2x's a day or after each bowel movement and bath. For sanitary reasons, each person had their own separate bottle for their rectum area only. (no double dipping!!)


Hemmorhoids
Posted by Carol (Baton Rouge, Lousiana) on 04/27/2007
★★★★★

When I was bleeding going to the bathroom it was bright red. I spoke with my Dr. and he told me bright red means there are hemorrhoids inside the rectum and the feces arehard and scratching. If it were cancer the blood would be dark or brownish red. I read that coconut oil was great for hemorrhoids so I used it and guess what I have had no problems in over a year. Remember no double dipping.



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