Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is used for cardiovascular disease and weight loss. When applied topically, it can help relieve dry skin.

Coconut Oil Overview

Reviewed: July 30, 2014
Updated: 

Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from coconuts, the seeds of the coconut palm tree.

Coconut oil is used most often for cardiovascular disease, weight loss, and dry skin.

Coconut oil is thought to work by replacing other sources of fat in the diet. Coconut oil is made up of mostly medium-chain fatty acids, which are easily broken down and are not stored in fatty tissue, unlike the long-chain fatty acids found in other dietary fats. 

Common side effects of coconut oil include gastrointestinal irritation and skin irritation.

Coconut Oil Cautionary Labels

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precautionsprecautions

Uses

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Coconut oil is used most often for cardiovascular disease, weight loss, high cholesterol, and dry skin.

Coconut oil has not been proven effective for all of the uses listed above. Coconut oil may be used for other conditions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Coconut Oil

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Common side effects of coconut oil include the following:

  • Gastrointestinal irritation (when consumed by mouth)
  • Skin irritation (when applied to the skin)

Coconut oil is generally well tolerated. 

This is not a complete list of coconut oil side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Coconut Oil Interactions

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No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Coconut Oil Precautions

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Special precautions & warnings:

  • Increased coconut oil consumption may be beneficial, but may also cause weight gain if taken in large amounts. In obesity studies, a 30mL dose of coconut oil has been used.
  • Large amounts of coconut oil in the diet may cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea.
  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using coconut oil if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to become pregnant.