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 Billy (Louisville, KY) on 01/01/2008
I have been taking 2 tablespoons daily for 2 yrs. I am a teacher and pack a basic breakfast daily, which I eat daily. Total amount = 1 cup cereal (bran and knock-off wheat-chex and cheerios), 1/4 cup blueberries, and of course, 2 tablespoons coconut oil. A larger amount of food would be desirable, but this diversity is better than nothing. By the way, buy blueberries in bulk mid-summer (3 for 1!) and freeze, to get you through the winter. Been doin' this a while.
Simply put, less is more. Rome wasn't built in a day. The side effects do occur (diarrhea, etc.). This tells you what a slob you've been over the years. If you want to be healthy, sign -on for the long haul.
For those from India deriding internal ingestion, read your history. Clarified butter is the clogged artery culprit. Apparently, agricultural interests spread around the world to sell sunflower, safflower oils, etc. as a healthy alternative. The U.S. lumped lard and palm oil together with coconut oil as an across-the -board saturated fat ban. Coconut oil is a different animal.
Observe the effects of oxidation on your vegetable oil, safflower, etc bottle caps.The oxygen in your blood will convert these seemingly free-flowing oils into a viscous material which taxes the digestive system. A material approaching the consistency of varnish passing through the body is counterproductive.
My own experience has yielded energy, regularity, and fewer instances of flu and colds.
As a final word, studies in the U.S. have shown that hype about "bad fat" has induced people to abstain, resulting in a lack, which is necessary to digest the "good fat" . The target of the Atkin's diet was correct. The source of red meat, however, was incorrect. Coconut oil is the yang to the complimentary yin.
Side Effects
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???
Side Effects
Posted by Bill (Cooranbong, NSW Australia) on 06/04/2008
One big topic on the Internet for heart burn is a table spoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Reflux is not caused from acid in the stomach, it is the opposite. I have tried this and it worked for me. It works for me, hope it helps you.
Side Effects
Posted by Dianna (Austin, Tx) on 03/21/2009
do you take the virgin coconut oil by itself or with food? i also get heart burn sometimes when i take it by itself. for me it is better to eat it on toast with jam or mix it in with popcorn. you can also mix it up in a smoothie - it will make little chunks - but at least there is other foods mixed with it. good luck!
Side Effects
Posted by Roxane (Jacksonville, Florida) on 12/19/2007
I've read the email reports you've posted regarding virgin coconut oil. I want to tell those people having side affects from taking VCO that I've been taking three to four tablespoons a day for almost three months now and have lost 20 pounds and feels great. Yes at first I experienced nausea and diarrhea but keep in mind that VCO goes to the liver first and starts detoxing it. If your body needs detoxing these heart palps, diarrhea, and nausea may be due to the detoxing. I'm not a doctor but I do have an autistic son who was metal poisoned due the fact that the vaccines he was given are preserved with toxic metals. It took two years to detox him and horrible side affects of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc go hand in hand with detoxing the body. So logically I think the VCO detoxes me and causes these symptoms too. Perhaps a homeopathic doctor out there would respond to my email and clear this up for everyone.
Side Effects
Posted by Karen (Detroit, MI) on 05/16/2008
I just started to read the side effects of coconut oil. I just got into as a result of the Natural Cures book. Then, I saw on page for side effects how one lady's blood pressure went up! I just started taking medication for high blood pressure last year and I just bought a jar of virgin coconut oil and used it a smoothie, so, I don't know if my blood pressure went up yet, so, I 'll have see on my blood pressure monitor and I'll let you know. I mainly wanted to use the coconut oil to lose weight, which will help lower my blood pressure.
Side Effects
Posted by Shane McManus (Sunbury, Victoria/Australia) on 11/07/2007
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
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.
Side Effects
Posted by Cured (Niceville, Fl) on 12/23/2009
Had to comment on the blood type thing. I am O and I use Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) almost daily. Daily I use it as a moisturizer under makeup and all over after every shower, even as deoderant and chapstick sometimes. This gives me no problems. I have only eaten it a few times. The first time yes I did make a quick trip within 2 hours to the restroom for a roaring BM. I probably used too much to cook my eggs. I have since made the same with less like 1/8teaspoon of VCO and had no problems at all. Need to build up slowly for the body to adjust. I have only been using for the last 3 weeks but will very slowly increase internal use and amount down the road.
Side Effects
Posted by DD (Phoenix, AZ) on 10/10/2007
re Coconut Oil Side Effects -- Do you think maybe that heart palpatations, nausea, achiness and headaches are candida die off? A good search to do is "Candida Die Off" whebnever you experiencing a healing crisis when taking an antifungal.
Side Effects
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.
Side Effects
Posted by Robinlhood (Los Altos, Ca/usa) on 03/21/2012
Don't leave on your head for hours and by the way, a side affect is not catching the flu. If you are going to write about side effects be a little more credible please.
Side Effects
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.
Side Effects
Posted by John (Virginia Beach, Virginia) on 09/12/2007
vco 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...
Side Effects
Posted by Sco (Jefferson, NJ) on 09/01/2007
I've used one 29 oz bottle of coconut oil inconsistently over a 6 month period. Used it to cook eggs & yam fries. Also regularly put 1 tbs in my hot oatmeal. Haven't noticed much change in my weight, but I eat a lot of junk food at night, every night, cause I'm always on the road. Yesterday I had some negative side effects that I'm guessing came from the VCO. In the morning I had it in my oatmeal along with green tea extract and raw cocao. No problem. Later in the day I tood two spoonfulls prior to heading out for work. About ten minutes later I stopped at Wendy's and got a small chili and downed that following the instructions of a popular TV Cure-All guy who says to eat it before a meal for weight loss. Well, not sure if the added saturated fats in the chili meat affected me or the VCO or both but soon after eating the chili I started feeling light headed, weak (like I wanted to pass out), dizzy and chest pains. Thought I was having a heart attack. Finished work, went home and right to bed. Slept pretty well but upon arising still felt dizzy & weak. Ate only veggies all day today and no VCO and still had the symptoms most of the day. Around 8 at night symptoms started subsiding noticably. Now at 2 a.m. i'm feeling pretty much back to normal. I'm thinking the two spoonfuls was too much too fast. I never took that amount before. Forgot to mention, the night prior to waking up and having it in my oatmeal and later taking the 2 spoonfuls before the chili, I did use it as a spread on my dark wheat toast with honey about an hour before bedtime. Noticed a very restless sleep, as though I'd drunk a cup of coffee before bed. All-in-all it seems like I o-d'ed on VCO. I'm going to try reintroducing it orally in a more gradual and regular regiment and see what happens. Also - I've been using this stuff on my face after a shave in the winter and it really gives my face a glow. Haven't experienced any zits; but I only shave every three days so I'm only apply the VCO that often.
Side Effects
Posted by Amanda (Hot Springs, Ar, Usa) on 03/07/2010
can you explain what symptoms you were having?
Side Effects
Posted by Amanda (Hot Springs, Ar, Usa) on 03/10/2010
it has been almost two weeks since i got off the coconut oil. i had still been feeling very bad yesterday, so i bought some magnesium oil from the health food store. after putting it on my feet a couple of times, i slowly started feeling better. i put some once on my feet today. i think i need another dose again. i will update how it goes. my naturopath said that maybe i caused an imbalance and suggested fish oil and magnesium. the oral magnesium (glycinate) which is highly absorbable didn't seem to help. i don't think i was absorbing it.
Side Effects
Posted by Michael (USA) on 07/12/2007
The other controversy with Coconut Oil... some experience a body odor, while others find it's a pleasant light scent. The minority reporting that they EVENTUALLY acquire an odor from using the product, are more then likely experiencing the toxins that the oils absorb from the skin, while other don't have that issue.
Depends on one's diet and functioning of organs again. The skin is an organ of elimination and when other organs are congested, the skin will take over to eliminate the toxins (backup into blood and end up in skin). Did these individuals clog their organ detoxification systems and need more internal cleansing then others that are maintaining better diets?... you bet. Mike G. Website: http://www.nynaturalhealthcenter.com
Side Effects
Posted by Deborah (Denison, TX) on 07/12/2007
I have read a lot of the comments about the VCO and its problems. i have been taking VCO & ACV (Read my testimonial) for over 10 years. In addition to both of these natural cures I also take 1/2 lemon & 1 tbsp. of Sea Salt each day with 8 oz. of warm water. This lemon/sea salt drink is a natural cleanser for your liver & digestive tract. If anyone is scared of the VCO causing liver problems then this might benefit them. The VCO does give you a oily discharge and gas but the benefits far outweigh the negative. I have taken several body cleanses and the natural, cheap and easiest way to do a body cleanse is to take the VCO twice daily (I mix mine with vanilla yogurt) and you will dispel the parasites that cause illnesses and clean your intestinal tract that when old food is not dispelled causes diseases. I do the lemon drink first thing then my VCO with yogurt and then my ACV & water and I am ready with so much energy to start my day. I have my thyroid and weight under control due to this regimen.
I also use VCO instead of body lotion or hair conditioner. I had very dry hair, skin and cuticles due to a thyroid problem but once I started the VCO it went away. I also make a VCO & Sea Salt scrub that does double duty because it opens your pores of the skin to dispel toxins and softens your skin. I am a 48 year old red head grandmother that looks in her 30's because of this great oil. I have 3 incurable diseases that I take no medication for except for my thyroid medication and my dosage keeps getting smaller & smaller each time my blood work is done.
I have found many cures for illnesses that are natural and have not been to a doctor in 4 years except for my yearly Lupus physical.
Side Effects
Posted by Michael (Getzville, NY) on 07/05/2007
Why the Coconut Oil Side Effects include heart palpitations and digestive issues... I am a natural health practitioner, I have been reading posts about the side effects of Coconut Oil and wanted to share some insights. If the liver is not flushed clean using a liver flush procedure or perhaps being on Lecithin for a pretty good length of time, one will not be able to digest it since the Liver plays a role with digesting fats.
If the liver is clogged you will have undigested fats causing not only digestive upsets, but elimination problems with disrupting bowels. Since the liver is a filter that cleans our blood of used fats, if the liver is clogged, we will have a backup of fats in the blood.
This backup of fats causes the heart to over work to pump the thicker blood and cause possible headaches (small capillaries in brain/ micro-circulation) and bloating (partial digestion and hence rotting), among other issues dependent on individual and what they manifest with their particular condition and body type.
The answer is to clean the liver then introduce the good oils that will then be absorbed to improve over-all health tremendously over time.
Many times it's the order in which we do things which depends on what that specific individual needs. Organs need to be cleansed and restored in a specific order dependent on findings when working w/ clients. Hope this helps shed some light. Michael G. Natural Health Center, NY
Side Effects
Posted by Faithinhealing (Forest Park, Ohio, Usa) on 03/01/2010
Anyone experiencing problems with taking it orally can use it transdermally because it is absorbed through the skin. So you can rub it on your skin, use it in your hair, gargle with it or do oil pulling, etc. and it will not have to be filtered by the liver this way. It will instead go directly into your blood stream and start working it's magic!
Side Effects
Posted by Candi (Newalla, Ok) on 03/19/2012
You said applying coconut oil will go into the bloodstream doing its magic able to bypass a possibly clogged liver? I alway thought that everything in the bloodstream ad a common path... One bing the Liver. Is that no correct?? So o my way of thinking applying on the skin would not get around a clogged liver problem. Of course I may be wrong.
Side Effects
Posted by Bob (Kingston, PA) on 04/21/2009
Heart palpitations are caused by a lack of potassium. Magnesium supplements also act similarly, but potassium is recommended. If taking a couple of potassium pills doesn't help within the next day, then stop. Running out of calcium, potassium or magnesium will cause most of the adverse effects that are listed here in the "side effects" part. What is most likely happening is the coconut oil is using these alkaline bases and will burn them out, as happens also with overuse of protein, depending on usage and individual chemistry. As there is no way to determine this ourselves, caution would be recommended as with anything used habitually.
Side Effects
Posted by Cynthia (San Diego, CA) on 04/19/2007
Coconut oil, and I used virgin non-hydogenated which I bought at a whole foods store, caused similar reactions in my body to the reactions sheena from belize had. I got tachycardia which went into atrial fibrillation which landed me in the hospital. I feel this is a serious problem that some get and should be researched and addressed.
Side Effects
Posted by Shawna (Springfield, MA) on 04/02/2007
I mixed about a spoonful of coconut oil in a protein shake before going to bed. In the am I had terrible stomach pains and diarrhea.
Side Effects
Posted by Deborah (Swansea, SC) on 04/01/2007
I and also my dog have tried the coconut oil capsuls. I took them as directed, 3 with a meal...for the first 2 days I was a little nauseaus, but not too bad..the 3rd day I became severely bloated with terrible gas...my heart raced some but not bad. I have stopped taking them now, but wanted to give them to my dog because I read where it would cure his bad hip problem....I gave him one coconut pill a night, for the first 2 nights he felt great and walked better, after the 3rd dose, he feels terrible has diareaha and his hip problem is so bad he can hardly move and cries if he does. I was shocked to see so much negative feedback on coconut oil and realized I wasn't alone, but don't understand why it continues to be praised as a miracle cure. I am all for natural cures and continue to try different things, but I firmly believe coconut oil does more harm then good to people and pets.
Side Effects
Posted by Sherry (Birmingham, AL) on 02/26/2009
I have taken vco for about 5 months. After I got over the candida die off effects I started to notice my heart racing and pain in my chest area. I just didn't feel right anymore. I started taking my bp when I went to a store that had a monitor and it was high. I have never had bp problems before. It was always around 118/76. I stopped taking the oil (which was only 1 tbsp. a day) and started drinking the apple cider vinegar and my bp is normal (actually a little better than normal 115/74) and the heart and chest pains are gone. I decided to take another tbsp of vco last night and when I went to bed my heart started racing and hurting. I since then had bought bp monitor and got up and took my bp and it was 155/81. It was always the top number that was high (weird, I know). So I am now sure that the vco contributed to my high bp. I actually feel so much better and more energetic now that I am taking the apple cider vinegar. Also I had blood work done a month before I ever started taking the vco and my chol. tests were great, then when I started having the chest pains I had a follow up blood work and my chol. had jumped up 50 points. I am not familiar with chol. tests but I am sure that is alot! So unfortunatly I will not be taking the vco anymore but will def. use it for the other benefits I have gotten from it such as clearing acne, hair cond and my husbands toe nail infection. It works great on the outside, just not the inside.
