Virgin Coconut Oil – Healing from the Tropics

Many women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) struggle with low thyroid or hypothyroidism. This condition can slow metabolism and make it harder to lose weight.

After a recent visit to the endocrinologist, I discovered that I was borderline hypothyroid. It wasn't a big surprise considering I have been struggling with a sudden weight gain despite my normal healthy diet and exercise routine. What did come as a surprise however is that women with PCOS may be four times more likely to suffer from hypothyroidism. (1)

When learning that I had a sluggish thyroid, I went online to see what natural therapies were available. Interestingly, I found countless testimonials praising the benefits of coconut oil, not only to help thyroid function, but also to help with insulin resistance and diabetes.

Coconut oil is edible oil that has been consumed in tropical places for thousands of years. It is a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA). In nature, coconut oil has the largest concentration of MCFA outside of human breast milk.

All fats and oils are composed of molecules called fatty acids. There are two methods of classifying fatty acids. One method is based on saturation – you have probably heard of saturated fats, monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. The other system of classification is based on molecular size or length of the carbon chain within each fatty acid. Fatty acids consist of long chains of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached. In this system you have short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Most other fats, such as polyunsaturated vegetable oils and animal fat, are LCFA. For the hypothyroid sufferer, the MCFA in coconut oil speed up the body's sluggish metabolism and promote weight loss as well.

Ray Peat, PhD is a renowned nutritional counselor who specializes in the study of hormones. He recommends using coconut oil for people with low thyroid. According to Dr. Peat, "Polyunsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulation and the response of tissues to the hormone. When thyroid hormones are deficient, metabolism becomes depressed." (2)

Every time we eat polyunsaturated oils, our thyroid gland is compromised and loses its ability to function normally. Weight gain is one of the consequences.

Dr. Bruce Fife, ND, author of Eat Fat Look Thin recommends adding coconut oil and substituting it for polyunsaturated oils (vegetable oils) to suppress appetite, boost metabolism and bring about weight loss. Dr. Fife explains, "MCFA in coconut oil are easily absorbed and put to use nourishing the body. Unlike other fats, they put little strain on the digestive system and provide a quick source of energy."

"On the other hand," he explains, "LCFA are usually digested with digestive enzymes from the liver and take a long time to break down. Less enzymes and less energy are required for coconut oil digestion. You see, the MCFA in coconut oil are digested and absorbed quickly and with minimal effort. Because of this there is less strain on the pancreas, liver and the digestive system." (3) This is important for persons who suffer from metabolic problems like insulin resistance and diabetes.

Population studies of societies that consume a majority of their fat calories from coconut oil reveal that diabetes is very rare. A 1998 study conducted in India showed that when Indians abandoned traditional fats like coconut oil, and started using polyunsaturated fats, the rate of diabetes became alarmingly high. The authors of the study commented on the link between polyunsaturated oils and diabetes and recommended increasing coconut oil consumption as a means to prevent diabetes. (4)

Similar studies carried out in the South Pacific have also confirmed these findings. When the traditional diet high in coconut oil is abandoned in favor a diet which includes polyunsaturated vegetable oils, there is a direct increase in the rate of diabetes and other western diseases. (5) More recently, researchers have been able to bring on diabetes in test animals by feeding them diets high in polyunsaturated fat. (6)

I have begun taking 1 Tbsp of unrefined virgin coconut oil before every meal. I am able to find it in the natural food section of my local grocery store. If you can't find it in your local health food store you can find sources online. Coconut oil is a solid until it reaches 80 degrees so it is easy to scoop out with a spoon. In addition, I have been using it to sauté vegetables or even cook eggs. I find the flavor very subtle and often times can't even taste a difference between my usual butter or olive oil.

You might try it in a smoothie, or in a bowl of oatmeal and can even spread it on toast. I must agree with the many coconut oil testimonials – my sugar cravings have subsided because the fat leaves me satiated longer and I have begun to shed those stubborn pounds.

NOTE: If you have PCOS, it is important that you ask your doctor to test your thyroid. You should request tests that screen the thyroid hormones T4 and T3, as well as TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Many women have been told they do not have a thyroid problem when in fact they do have low thyroid under the new guidelines established by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) in November, 2002. (7) When you have your results in hand, be sure that your doctor is comparing them to these new TSH standards.

– Amy Medling