Coconut oil is like eating candy on a deserted island. Coconut is the only sweet food to be found on some islands. Islanders are found to have healthy hearts and have less heart disease than Americans. So why do islanders get to enjoy coconut and American’s are recommended to limit this delicious food?
Coconut is a saturated fat and contains omega 6’s. Saturated fats have been found to raise bad (LDL) cholesterol levels. The American diet is high in saturated fats and omega 6’s. There is a disconnect for what is contained in a general healthy diet, reported by Donald Hensrun, medical director of the Mayo Clinic’s Health Living Program.
So back to the islanders. If you are only eating a large amount of fish like an islander, you are consuming a larger amount of unsaturated fats or omega 3’s. Omega 3’s are polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats and come in the form of fish, nuts, avocado’s and green olives. So if you are only eating a large amount of omega 3’s, go ahead on enjoy a coconut.
Mary Ann Wietbrock RN MSN is an Advanced Practice Nurse specialized in Nutrition helping reduce chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system. 317-410-9140 www.cardinalelements.com. Programs include personal weight loss coach and lunch & learns. Accepts Anthem/BlueCross & Blue Shield, and Medicare Insurance plans with NO copay and NO deductible out of pocket fees.
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