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 Nina (West Midlands, UK) on 08/02/2007
I took coconut oil last year for my CFS. I ended up off work for 4 months because it made me so ill. I think it works if you have a slight underactive thyroid, but it made my nerves bad.
Side Effects
Posted by Anna (Kahului, Hawaii) on 07/02/2007
I read all of the information and people feedbacks on your web site. Now TED is saying only hydrogenated coconut oil will cause heart palpitations etc. That is so NOT true! I took virgin coconut oil for one week and my heart started to race. Please watch what you advise people.
Side Effects
Posted by Janea (Grand Prairie, TX) on 06/07/2007
I have hypothyroidism. I started taking EVCO. For a week, I was fine. No real improvements noticed. But the second week, I started having heart palpitations. I can only point this to the EVCO. I will go off of it and see it the palpitations stop.
Side Effects
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?
Side Effects
Posted by Mary (Nevada City) on 03/06/2006
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
My son and i are both celiac - so we must totally avoid gluten. Even so, we still had lingering health problems. I bought coconut oil and used it as a replacement oil in cooking and baking. (It's great that way) In about three days my son and I both had a herx "die-off reaction" of some sort and then things seemed to go better for us. He really started to look healthy. It was a few years ago - so that it all I recall right now. It took may things to bring our health back. Later, I cut back on coconut oil and I have only recently re introduced it to fight a serious cold in the sinuses and the throat and the lungs. It helped immensely. But i believe it is important to keep other known healthy oil in the diet, too. Olive, fish, etc.
Side Effects
Posted by Dani (Sydney NSW) on 02/27/2006
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Been taking coconut oil for over one month so far. Unfortunately, i wasn't aware of the "side-effects" when i started, and started taking the standard 3 - 5 tbsp daily, thinking this is good for me. The nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting were not pleasant. I would become nauseous around 8 - 10 hours later, diarrhea would follow, and sometimes i'd wake in the middle of the night to vomit. It took a while to work out these symptoms were caused by the coconut oil. I kept thinking it was food poisoning. I stopped taking coconut oil temporarily, and the symptoms disappeared. Started the coconut oil again, and the symptoms returned -- just like clockwork. I found the trick is to start off with smaller doses, say 1 tsp the first week, then gradually increase. Wish i'd known this prior to starting, would've saved me nearly a month of continually feeling nauseous and ill. On the plus, it has helped with a few things -- it's diminished cravings for sweets and alcohol. And that's great! I'm hoping the longer i take this oil, the more i'll receive some of the other wonderful benefits that i've read about.
Side Effects
Posted by Michael (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) on 04/19/2010
If after you take the oil, it is mobilising the toxins in your body, thats why your body wants to get it out, once the side effects start you should mix a teaspoon of activated charcoal, with water and drink it, the charcoal will soak up all the toxins and you will notice the side effects aren't as bad, you can use ghee as well as coconut oil for the same toxic flush
Side Effects
Posted by Jorge (Beltsville, Maryland Usa) on 05/25/2012
Well, I been using coconut oil for cooking, drinking it for more than 6 months with no side effects. The only effects that I feel is that I do not feel the pains, high blood pressure, no more high blood sugar levels, no headaches, no more fears about the consequences of DIABETES this coconut oil WORKS FOR ME adjusting my blood/sugar ratios.
Coconut oil works for 70 people that I recommended. All I can said it may not cure diabetes completely but soothes the metabolic failure avoiding the dangerous side effects.
If your system is dirty and full of toxics you will feel the side effects as when you take Fish oil. The side effects you feel is because it's getting rid of all the toxics containing in your system. If I were you I should look from the proper advise of Dr Bruce Fife who knows all the aspects of the coconut oil. thank you
Side Effects
Posted by Lynn (OC) on 02/10/2006
I put a tablespoon of coconut oil in tea after a big meal the other night and got so nauseous after about 15 minutes, I threw up. Later I got diarrhea. I could not stomach the thought of taking it after that so now I bathe in 2 tablespoons. Not sure I am getting the same health benefits as taking it internally, but it sure does soften my skin! I would suggest to others to start with 1/8th teaspoon if they are going to take it internally. 1 teaspoon is probably too much to start. Build up slowly. And don't take it after a big meal!
Side Effects
Posted by Sunny (Ca, Usa) on 09/13/2013
I have been talking coconut oil for about a month I take Virgin Cocout oil, ( good brand)( Organic) cold pressed, unrefined, 1000 mgs per 3 softgels. Softgels, started w 3 w meals, then stayed at 5 for a month 2 morn., 1 midday, 2 dinner. I took this for an infection I have been having. I have had a strange side effect of like cloudy eyes. I get these clouds on my eyes, where I see blurry and I have to blink my eyes a lot till it takes off. ( maybe my eye mucus got thick???? dry??)
I was wondering if this has been a side effect for any of you?
I am only taking this so it cannot be other things.. Have been eating the same, and my infection is not on my eyes ok.
The positive that I did notice is not much constipation. But not much difference with my infection either :(
I plan on decreasing the dose, to see how I feel. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!!!
Side Effects
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 06/26/2013
Art, it seems that specifically Coconut Oil, does the opposite. Other saturated fats, like animal fats do build up plaque if taken in excess.
Side Effects
Posted by JUAN (PHILIPPINES) on 10/31/2021
The diarrhea effect of VCO is what you would expect for first time users. It has the effect of cleaning out your guts. Maybe you should lower the dosage to 1 tsp. a day.
Side Effects
Posted by Gigi (Camino, Ca, Usa) on 02/10/2012
I first took coconut oil about 2 years ago. I noticed an alarming pressure behind my sternum. I took it a couple weeks later, same thing. So, I quit. A few weeks ago I decided to try again since my skin is getting dry due to our lack of winter. The chest pressure returned, I broke out with hives (itching and wheals), esophygeal spasms, bronchial restrictions.... A classic histamine reaction. (BTW, I was checked for heart issues and PNA and cleared the tests. ) Benadryl is alleviating the symptoms. I have to wait for the histamine cascade to conclude its course before I return to homeostasis. CO sounds great.... however, I don't think it's for me.
Being sensitive to foods is not an anomaly. Each person has a genotype-by-environment component to their health. If you can draw an association between a bad response and a known allergen, you are far ahead!!! I concur - - Listen to your body!
Side Effects
Posted by Sheila (San Diego, Ca, Usa) on 04/30/2011
I love coconut oil, and I use it sparingly, on occasion. It dried my skin when using it consistently, daily. This surprised me, so I researched a bit online about drying effects since none of the resources I had about VCO mentioned a drying effect. I found a blog and one site that mentioned a drying effect. If you live somewhere humid and warm, you won't experience the drying effect if used consistently is what I gleaned from the sources. VCO will sit on the skin. This didn't explain the drying effect though. I'm assuming it has to do with the lack of deep skin absorption and being in a dryer climate.
Anyhow, I still use VCO to condition my hair on occasion as a warm oil treatment before washing; treating yeast flare ups digestively; with desiccated coconut shreds as a parasite cleanse.
I've recommended consuming it to my mom for a preventative to Alzheimer's.
Side Effects
Posted by Louise (Orlando, Fl) on 04/28/2011
Hi Bill, just wondering if you could help me. I tried VCO about a year ago. Started with 1tsp and added 1 each day til I was up to 3. After about a week or so, I got a horrible cold sore and started having bladder control issues. So I stopped using the coconut oil and the bladder problem went away. Cold sore was gone after a week and I haven't had one since. I would really like to use coconut oil but am afraid to. Are these normal reactions that will go away after a while, was I doing something wrong or are they possibly allergic reactions? The bladder thing happened to me once before when I tried aspirin therapy - does that have something to do with thinning the blood? Thanks so much for the information.
Side Effects
Posted by Louise (Orlando, Fl) on 04/29/2011
Thanks so much for the response. I will try the allergy test and the liver boosting suggestions. The bladder control problem was the thing that really freaked me out but from what you're saying, sounds like that may have been herx reaction as well. Thanks again.
Side Effects
Posted by Mocha (Troy, Ny) on 04/28/2011
About a year ago, I read about the different health benefits of taking coconut oil & so I took a teaspoon of organic extra virgin coconut oil, and I immediately felt hot & my heart starting racing for about a minute, which was really scary & I said I would never eat it again. Since I keep reading about the many benefits of coconut oil, I just started using it on my hair & skin. Just wondering if anyone knows if using it externally will eventually cause racing heartrate or palpitations after taking it for like a week or something. Thanks for your help.
Side Effects
Posted by Randy (Jersey City, Nj, Usa) on 01/28/2011
You need to take it even slower it seems. i would recommend only 1 TEAspoon for a week, then step up gradually. It's not a race
Side Effects
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 01/28/2011
I don't think that you should take VCO late in the afternoon as I have read that it will keep you from sleeping, the same goes for vitamins, for example and even MSM or anything that gives you energy!
Side Effects
Posted by Vacoffee Drinker (Fairfax, Va, Usa) on 09/25/2010
Started taking coconut oil about a week ago, 3 tablespoons each day with meals. Not much gain on the energy level, definitely diarrhea/loose stool which I've read about on multiple sites. What about the weight? I'm going up, is this normal in the beginning? Would appreciate some insight.
Side Effects
Posted by Juan (Houston, Tx) on 08/22/2010
The other day I took 1 teaspoon of Organic Coconut Oil and a day later this red "C" shaped thing appeared on my arm. It itches and has a burning sensation and I also have the sudden urge to scratch my body, mostly on my legs. I went out and bought anti-fungal cream but it didn't do any good. I then tried ACV, tea tree oil, ginger on the "C" shaped thing but it's still there. Does anyone know what this is and how to get rid of it? It has tiny red bumps, if that makes any difference. Thanks
Side Effects
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 08/24/2010 392 posts
As with any living organisms, they tend to run away from the source trying to kill them. This happens even in cancer. My favorite solution is to get a magnesium chloride solution and apply to the red unknown area and apply that as many times as possible. However, there is other possibilities, such as applying vinegar, or lugol's solution to the area. You need at least apply this 6 to 8 times a day for it to begin working. However magnesium tends to work almost immediately in some cases. Vinegar tends to work against virus and some fungus, but you need to keep getting vinegar long enough, or with the solution such as 20 minutes at least. The lugol's works best against virus, but also the fungus.
If I am dealing with the fungus issue, it is best to keep the body alkalized as the best approach in general, as fungus can't exist in more alkaline condition. At the very least the simplest of all solution, is 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda taken 30 minutes after meal, preferably three times a day. If it is taken for about two weeks, the fungus will begin to subside, not in every case, because yeast and fungus may still persist in certain areas of the body. The reason why they won't completely die off is that they will survive on one more thing: sugar either from fruits, sweet drinks and any sugar. Thereafter they may persist on wheat, white bread and flour. A person with a mineral deficiencies, such as chromium, selenium, molybdenum, copper and manganese tend to be low in people with this condition. A simple vitamin to reduce some candida that I know is niacinamide vitamin B3. If the red thing on the arm is indeed a fungus, a strong solution, say 50% vitamin B3 niacinamide apply to the skin should kill them. The same is true if 250 mg of niacinamide is taken 4 times a day, for about a week or so. The chemical properties of niacinamide seems to prevent the fungus from attaching to healthy cells, hence kill it off that way, technically it kills by disturbing the fungus metabolism. However, I do find people with fungus issue are also low on B1 thiamine, and B2 riboflavin.
Ted
Side Effects
Posted by K (Mobile, Al) on 04/25/2012
The "C" shape is usually indicative of hives, which means your body is treating the coconut as an allergen, and releases histamine which form in little raised formations. The hives can go away in one spot, then come back in another spot. Try taking an antihistamine for symptoms and get an allergy test done before further use.
Side Effects
Posted by Sara (Sacramento, Ca, Usa) on 04/24/2010
I have been using coconut oil for more than weeks now. My whole body is itching. I am just wondering if itching is the side effect of coconut oil?
