The effect of virgin coconut oil on the cholesterol level of patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Dr. Florentino B. Herrera, Jr. Medical Library
Fil Fam Phy. 2008 Jan-Mar 46(1):9-17.

Bernardo-Lazaro, MRC.
Family Medicine Clinic, Philippine General Hospital, Manila

Abstract
Hypercholesterolemia is a common risk factor for cardiovascular risk which is presently being managed with diet and exercise and lipid lowering drugs. Due to the cost and potential harm of lipid lowering drugs, alternative supplemental therapies including the use of virgin coconut oil for hypercholesterolemia, are being explored. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of addition of virgin coconut oil to diet and exercise advice on the lipid profile, weight and body mass index of patients with hypercholesterolemia. A non-randomized, open-labeled study was done in 17 patients aged 35-65 years with elevated cholesterol seen at Family Medicine Clinic of Philippine General Hospital from February to September 2006. The six month study period consisted of giving diet and exercise advise in the first three months then adding virgin coconut oil to diet and exercise advice for the last three months. Lipid profile, weight and body mass index were measured monthly. There was greater significant reduction from baseline in total cholesterol (-9.9%; p < 0.01) and LDL cholesterol (-15.4%; p < 0.01) with diet and exercise advice than with addition of virgin coconut oil. There was a greater increase in HDL cholesterol (+9.4%; p = 0.08) and triglyceride levels (+16.4%; p = 0.51) and greater reduction in weight (2.27%; p = 0.4) and body mass index (-2.15%; p = 0.06) with addition of virgin coconut oil to diet and exercise advice than with diet and exercise advice alone. There was an increase in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and a decrease in weight and body mass index with addition of virgin coconut oil to diet and exercise advice. (Auth)

Language: English

Subject: Coconut oil—cholesterol—hypercholesterolemia