Virgin coconut oil and its potential cardioprotective effects.
Emphasis on diet to improve the cardiovascular (CV) risk profile has been the focus of many studies. Recently, virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been growing in popularity due to its potential CV benefits. The chemical properties and the manufacturing process of VCO make this oil healthier than its copra-derived counterpart. This review highlights the mechanism through which saturated fatty acids contribute to CV disease (CVD), how oils and fats contribute to the risk of CVD, and the existing views on VCO and how its cardioprotective effects may make this a possible dietary intervention in isolation or in combination with exercise to help reduce the burden of CVDs.
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India. abrahambabu@gmail.com.
Abraham Samuel
AS
Babu
Sundar Kumar
SK
Veluswamy
Ross
R
Arena
Marco
M
Guazzi
Carl J
CJ
Lavie
D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000074263:Coconut Oil; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005227:Fatty Acids; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; D000074263:Coconut Oil