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.
Side Effects
Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 05/14/2017
One of the reported side effects with coconut oil is Liver problems. For a long time, that baffled me. I came to realize that the saturated fat can cause NA fatty liver disease, NA hepatic steatosis and worse. There is a build up in liver. I was eating a lot of butter and coconut oil. Standard liver tests didn't give me any warning. This is likely the cause of most type 2 diabetes and many other things.
It can be treated with PolyenthylPhosphatidylCholine (most important), SiliPhos, L-carnitine and lowering saturated fats/raising Omega 3 can heal and cleanse the liver.
I was doing GallBladder Cleanse for a month before I discovered it.
The bottom line is that saturated fat like coconut oil is healthy for you but you need to be aware that your liver can get overloaded with it. People who have side effects from it should suspect a fatty liver or worse and be proactive in cleaning up their liver. Probably should do an annual cleanse as part of your annual body tune up to remove any built up gunk.
Side Effects
Posted by Moonie (Quebec City) on 01/18/2017
Preparing gradual changes in my eating habits to a ketogenic diet. After 3 days using coconut oil more then I usually did before I noticed in the evening heart palpitations... is there a reason for this. Should I replace for another oil?
Side Effects
Posted by Sara (The Beach, Canada) on 06/25/2013
Coconut oil is among the few plant-based foods that contains saturated fat, yet unlike the saturated fat found in meat and dairy that increases your LDL cholesterol and builds up plaque, the saturated fat found in coconut oil differs in chemical composition and protects against cardiovascular disease. Consult your doctor about the benefits of including coconut oil in your diet.
Side Effects
Posted by Anon (Usa) on 06/24/2018
That does not happen to me and I eat it tablespoonsfull daily. Maybe you got fake coconut oil? Are you smelling coconutty or just sweet? Hm. Maybe try a different brand. From what I read diabetes is the likely cause of a sweet smell. Brewer's yeast contains chromium and selenium among other goodies, I would take a few tablespoons of that each day and avoid adding excess calories to your diet for a while. Raw eggs and kefir would probably benefit you, as well. Leafy greens juice like cilantro, parsley, arugula, spinach, etc. would probably be a good thing to drink first thing each morning. Aloe juice. Fresh lemon juice. Especially avoid milk and ice cream for a while, too. That is what I would do.
You may benefit from eating raw garlic with your meals. You can mince it and swallow it with some water.
Side Effects
Posted by Art. (Vancouver Bc., Canada) on 06/25/2013
Dear Dee, I don't know about your condition but I do know that Coconut Oil can cause a plaque build up in your arteries causing a heart attack.
Art.
Side Effects
Posted by Gordon (North East Uk) on 06/03/2014
★☆☆☆☆
I am 64 years old. I used coconut oil and it increased my cholesterol from 5.2 to 6.2 in three months. I stopped using it and my cholesterol reduced back down to 5.1 within three months.
Would not recommend it.
Side Effects
Posted by Rc Hoppy (Winamac, Indiana Usa) on 06/03/2014
Gordon, I have not used CC for my cholesterol, but do use it. What my wife and I have found to be fantastic for our cholesterol is "oat straw tea". It's just like it sounds. It is literally oat straw, chopped up and steeped in hot water. It has no taste to it, so we usually add a bag or two of 'apple / cinnamon spice' tea to the pot, and drink it either hot or chilled down on hot days. My cholesterol dropped 40 points and my wife's dropped 30, just from drinking a cup or two every evening. The number system in the US seems to be different than what you are using in the UK, but the results should be similar, as far as lowering the LDL. It also raised the HDL and lowered triglycerides. If you know a farmer who grows oats, just ask for a small bag full. It goes a long way, and even if you have to buy it, it's much cheaper and safer than statin drugs. Good luck.
Side Effects
Posted by Nicole (Melbourne, Australia) on 02/21/2013
Hi everyone, I have been taking 1 tsp of extra virgin coconut oil organic cold pressed about 3 days before my menses and I also drank coconut water on those days as well.
On the first day of my menses I drank 2 bottles of coconut water and about 4 tsp of VCO it was really light and the pan wasn't so severe, I was happy because nothing else seemed to work for me, not the ACV with mother, not the unsulphured BSM or the cayenne pepper, they all just made my period heavier for some strange reason.
I had hope for once but then that night I started to bleed like crazy and clotting more than usual, I don't understand why this keeps happening to me. Please if Ted or anyone could help me, did I take too much VCO? Is the VCO and coconut water making my menses worse?
I'm on my second day now and it's still heavy I'm lying in bed trying not to move, I'm drinking some coconut water but I haven't had anything else for today please help me I would like some answers. Thank you.
Side Effects
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 02/21/2013
Nicole, you can try sage tea twice a day. Yep, sage the spice. Just put a teaspoon or less in boiling water and let steep a bit.
Side Effects
Posted by Lilaki (Nashville, Tn) on 06/20/2018
Coconut Oil Causing Skin and Urine to Smell Excessively Sweet
Hi, when I take 1/2 teaspoon to 3/4 teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil for a few days my skin and urine started to get a sweet smell. This happened before and I stopped taking the oil. I started taking it again and the skin for a few hours had a sweet smell. Does the oil stir something with possible diabetes and ketosis? I was still eating carbs and sugars. I am not diagnosed with diabetes but have eaten my share of sweets and then some.
Side Effects
Posted by Beryl (Nottingham, Uk) on 10/02/2015
I'm in my seventies and have always tried to eat healthily, and it has paid off dividends because I do keep well. However, recently I have found that occasionally I have problems remembering the odd word, which worries me, and so decided to take virgin coconut oil in the belief that the brain needs 'fat' to keep healthy.
I began having pains in my stomach, and then the most awful diarrhea, but did not connect it with the coconut oil. It was after a severe bout of diarrhea yesterday that I decided to cut it out and very quickly all the symptoms disappeared and I felt well again.
Reading about coconut oil it does seem like the panacea for lots of health problems, but to me it hasn't been. I would advise anyone thinking of using it to approach it with caution. It may suit you, it may not!
Side Effects
Posted by Robert (Ca) on 10/03/2015
For your brain I would advise non-gmo lecithin, 1-tbsp daily up to a max of 4-tbsps. Personally I use about 2-tbsps. & find it enhances brain function. I place the granules in warmed water until softened into a gel & mix into a smoothie. Sunflower lecithin is non-gmo but more expensive than non-gmo soy. This contains phospholipids & other nutrients which are excellent for brain & cardiovascular system. Include with omega-3 fish oils &/or DHA/EPA supplements.Co-enzyme B-complex is also helpful along with the lecithin.
Side Effects
Posted by Dee (Mel, Australia) on 06/23/2013
Hi am a big fan of this amazing site. Recently I came up with a strep throat and I was in pain. Tried apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper but no relief this time. So I thought it must be bacterial then. Went to the doctor and she said it bacterial infection so had no choice but to take antibiotics which I hate taking them.. Am on pencillin for 12 days. Hate it but now I have already started so have it finish the whole course..
My question is that I had just started taking two teaspoon of coconut oil everyday and after a week I got sick with this throat infection.. Can it be related? And can I continue taking coconut oil while on antibiotic or is not safe to take it together??? Please help me am confused.
Side Effects
Posted by Natali (Moncton, Nb) on 03/28/2013
I am trying to put coconut oil in daily cooking. But as soon as I made tortilla with coconut oil instead of crisco, my husband complains of having heartburn. Will this heartburn go away or should I look for other alternatives beside coconut oil? Thanks.
Side Effects
Posted by Rosina (De Army, Fl) on 04/16/2015
I would try iodine and magnesium supplementation. Magnesium - dose to loose stool formation. Iodine is trickier, but I know Bill talks about iodine for candida. If not on here, Curezone.com is a good resource.
Side Effects
Posted by Ray (Calgary, Alberts) on 12/29/2012
Belle of the south, sorry but I agree with Violet of Chicago about coconut oil. Coconut oil is a marvelous thing but you have to be very careful about how you use it (as with all things. ) It is not saturated fat but it does have mid chain fatty acids. I started taking it for my thyroid and immediately had paralyzed arms and numbness. I stopped the COil and it went away. A few days later I tried again and the numbness returned. Now I take the coconut oil in much reduced amounts. Too much of a good thing is bad. I had also recommended the cononut oil to my wife.. Same sort of numbness reaction. Use coconut oil... like I do, but as Violet of Chicago says, go easy on the amounts.
Side Effects
Posted by Brezilda (Cebu, Philippines) on 10/07/2012
BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hi! My husband has been taking 2 tablespoon of VCO and oil pulling with VCO for about 3 weeks. I have just been oil pulling with VCO for 3 weeks. We both seem to have lost weight, teeth seem whiter. However, the side effcets have kicked in. I started with excrutiating headaches for 2 days and then loose bowel movements. My husband felt tired, then had very runny bowel movement over 2 days, fever, and exhaustion. As of now, we are experiencing loose bowel movement still.
Question : is this the die-off effect?
Do we continue after this diahrea calms down?
Do we lower the dosage of VCO taken and number of oil pulling?
Side Effects
Posted by Tonya (Leicester, England) on 07/10/2011
Last week after reading about VCO on here last week I took a tablespoon of oil before bed as a treatment for Candida. I had a terrible time that night unable to sleep because I was very hyperactive and then my heart began to race, it continued to race for a few days. In 24hrs I lost 4lbs in weight, in a week I have lost half a stone. I am already very slim and can't really afford to lose this much weight. This surprised me as I have used it in cooking previously and as a replacement for butter without these drastic effects. Today I used a tablespoon for roasting some parsnips and so far it hasn't had the same effects. Does the oil or the way in which our bodies use the oil change when it is heated to a high temperature?
Side Effects
Posted by Michael (Dublin, California) on 01/28/2011
I just started on the virgin coconut oil. Yesterday morning I took 1 tablespoon and I noticed the energy level I had and mental clarity all day. I took another tablespoon at 5pm. I had trouble going to sleep last night and felt hot flashes. I am a little tired this morning. I took another tablespoon this morning and feel fine. I won't take any more for the rest of the day and see how I feel. I know VCO does give me energy and mental alertness. I think its not wise to take it late in the day for me. I'm still trying VCO out and wil take it slow. I'm looking forward to the benifits of Virgin Coconut Oil.
Side Effects
Posted by Lisa (Lafayette, La) on 09/26/2010
You are taking in an additional 300 calories per day. If you are not cutting out the same amount of calories, you are going to gain weight, to the tune of about 1 pound every 12 days.
Side Effects
Posted by Jules (Denver, Colorado) on 09/27/2010
Coconut oil has 120 calories per tablespoon. Your taking in an extra 360 calories daily which is like eating an extra meal. One pound is equal to 3500 calories. Every 10 to 12 days you will gain a pound if you don't work the extra 360 off. The oil is beneficial, just x out your morning bagel or evening dessert, or run for 20 minutes daily. Best of luck
Side Effects
Posted by Laura (Boulder, Co) on 03/05/2010
Wow, you have described me exactly. I have the exact same symptoms. More anxiety, less sleep, heart racing, light-headed. It's been a week since I stopped taking the oil and I am still getting heart palpitations. It's been awful. I hadn't taken it in over a month and I decided to try some again. I only took it twice-a couple tsp each time-and I ended up with the worst heart palpitations ever that don't seem to be going away this time. In fact, I went to the cardiologist today because it's so unsettling and it really freaks me out! They didn't find anything yet, but I need further testing to make sure it's not serious. It seems like every time I try to incorporate CO into my diet my symptoms get worse. I've also tried it topically and ended up with red bumps all over my face. This time, I will not be trying again. Ever. It's nice to know I'm not alone! I will try to follow up and I would like to hear your experience too. Best wishes!
Side Effects
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.
Side Effects
Posted by Beverly Anne (Miami, FL) on 12/19/2007
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
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.
Side Effects
Posted by Linda (Concord, CA) on 12/14/2007
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
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
