Coconut oil is a versatile and bone-healthy food. Today we’ll look at two scientific studies that confirm the beneficial effects of coconut oil on bone health.
We’ll also examine the difference between virgin coconut oil and regular coconut oil. Although both are similar in appearance, they don’t offer all the same health benefits.
And you’ll also get two new recipes, both of which feature coconut oil, so you can start incorporating this powerful bone-building fruit oil into your daily diet.
Coconut Oil Protects Your Bones
Two recent studies have examined the effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on bone loss, and they arrived at the same conclusion: VCO protects your bones against oxidation and also helps to build your bones.1,2
Both studies were conducted on ovariectomized rats, which are a standard and widely accepted model for the study of osteoporosis and human bone remodeling. In each experiment, the rats in the VCO group received a diet of “rat chow” enhanced with 8% VCO. A control group received regular rat chow. After six weeks, the scientists compared the two groups.
The first study assessed the oxidative status of the rats’ bones by measuring the index of lipid peroxidation. That index consists of the malondialdehyde concentration and the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the tibia — the large bone located at the front of the leg, below the knee.
The authors found that virgin coconut oil can “prevent lipid peroxidation and increase the antioxidant enzymes in the osteoporotic rat model.” The antioxidants increased by the virgin coconut oil have been shown to reverse bone loss.1
The second study looked at the bone itself, assessing differences in bone volume and microarchitecture between the VCO group and the control.
Quoting from the study:
“To summarise our findings, virgin coconut oil effectively improved bone structure and prevented bone loss in osteoporosis animal model. The beneficial effects of VCO on bone microarchitecture may be due to the high polyphenols which exert antioxidant property. Virgin coconut oil could offer an interesting approach to prevent accelerated bone loss in osteoporosis especially in postmenopausal women.”2
Synopsis
Two recent studies show that virgin coconut oil improves bone structure and prevents bone loss.
Virgin Vs. Regular Coconut Oil
There are two types of coconut oil: regular and virgin. It’s important to know the difference.
Virgin coconut oil (the kind used in the research above) is extracted from the fresh milk of the coconut and is unrefined, untreated and unprocessed.
Whereas regular refined coconut oil is extracted from the dried coconut kernel, called copra. The copra is pressed to extract the oil, which is then refined, bleached and deodorized. This process involves chemicals that have a lasting impact on the makeup of the oil.
The two types look almost the same, so read the label carefully. Both contain the medium-chain fatty acids, including lauric acid, which fortifies your immune system and energy levels.3 These fats are different from the long-chain fatty acids found in animal products that can clog arteries and cause heart disease.
Virgin coconut oil contains more antioxidants than regular refined coconut oil. Antioxidants are the compounds that protect your bones from the cellular damage wrought by oxidative stress.
In the researchers own words:
“Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is obtained from fresh, mature coconut kernel without the use of heat and without undergoing refining process [11]. This retains the important biologically active components in the oil such as antioxidant vitamins and phenolic compounds.”1
Synopsis
Regular coconut oil goes through a refining process that robs it of antioxidants and exposes it to chemicals. Choose VCO, preferably organic, to get the bone-building results observed in the studies described above.
Coconut Oil Offers Many Health Benefits
When you incorporate coconut oil in your diet, you get significant bone-building benefits, but there are even more reasons to add it to your shopping list.
- The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil have been shown to improve memory recall in Alzheimer’s patients.4
- A 2010 study found the oil had a positive effect on wound healing.5
- The fats in coconut oil facilitate the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, allowing you to absorb more of the nutrients in the food you eat
- Soothe dry skin by directly applying the oil to dry patches
- Coconut oil increases your ability to burn off calories from fat6
- The lauric acid in coconut oil kills harmful pathogens such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria7
- Coconut oil is a non-toxic alternative to many beauty products, from makeup remover to conditioner, to mouthwash.
You can get all of the nutritional benefits of virgin coconut oil by including it in the foods you prepare. Here are two pH-balanced, gluten-free, no-bake recipes to get you started.
Fruity Bars
pH-Balanced
10 Servings
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup coconut flour
- 1 cup vanilla whey protein powder
- 2 bananas, mashed
- ½ cup almond or coconut milk
- ¼ cup virgin coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries or your favorite dried fruit
- Combine the whey protein powder and coconut flour in a medium bowl.
- In another medium bowl mash the bananas, and mix in the coconut milk, coconut oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined. If the mixture is too dry, add a little water. Then mix in the cranberries or the dried fruit of your choice.
- Place the dough shaped into 10 bars inside a pan lined with wax paper. Freeze for at least 20 minutes and serve. It’s best to store these bars in the freezer.
Directions:
No Cheese Chocolate “Cheese Cake”
pH-Balanced
8 Servings
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 banana
- 1 tablespoon honey (adjust to taste)
- 1/3 cup mini dark, dairy-free chocolate chips
Directions:
- For the crust, pulse the almonds and coconut oil in food processor or blender until crumbly, then press on 7-inch pan lined with parchment paper.
- For the filling, pulse all the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, until smooth. Spread the filling over the almond crust.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the filling and freeze for at least 10 minutes before serving. Store in the refrigerator.
Make Coconut Oil A Part Of Your pH-Balanced Diet
Take advantage of the coconut’s bone-healthy properties by using virgin coconut oil to enrich your pH-balanced diet. The antioxidants it adds to your bones will protect them from oxidative stress and help increase your bone density. Pick up a jar of virgin coconut oil and start fortifying your bones.
Eat Your Way to Stronger Bones!
Discover over 200 mouth-watering bone healthy recipes for breakfast, smoothies, appetizers, soups, salads, vegetarian dishes, fish, and plenty of main courses and even desserts!
References
1 Mouna Abdelrahman Abujazia, et al. “The Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil on Bone Oxidative Status in Ovariectomised Rat.” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012; 2012: 525079. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3426286/
2 Zil Hayatullina, et al. “Virgin Coconut Oil Supplementation Prevents Bone Loss in Osteoporosis Rat Model.” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012; 2012: 237236. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3457741/
3 Gray, P., et al. “Fish oil supplementation augments post-exercise immune function in young males.” Brain, Behavior, Immunity. November 2012. 26(8): 265-72. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22902522
4 Arun Swaminathan, Gregory A. Jicha. “Nutrition and prevention of Alzheimer’s dementia.”Front Aging Neurosci. 2014; 6: 282. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202787/
5 Nevin KG1, Rajamohan T. “Effect of topical application of virgin coconut oil on skin components and antioxidant status during dermal wound healing in young rats.” Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2010;23(6):290-7. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20523108
6 Dulloo AG1, et al. “Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure and urinary catecholamines of humans consuming low-to-moderate amounts of medium-chain triglycerides: a dose-response study in a human respiratory chamber.” Eur J Clin Nutr. 1996 Mar;50(3):152-8. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8654328
6 Jon J. Kabara, et al. “Fatty Acids and Derivatives as Antimicrobial Agents.” Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1972 Jul; 2(1): 23–28. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC444260/
Comments on this article are closed.
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I just left a comment about Fractionated Coconut Oil. Can it be used as a lotion or is the virgin oil better?
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I’m wondering about Fractionated Coconut oil (Cocos uncovers oil). Thank you for your support.
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Thanks again for the useful info! I have been using organic deodorized coconut oil for the past 2 years and my cholesterol went down. I use about 2 – 3 tbsp a day. One tbsp in coffee and blended at high speed with a hand blender taste like a latté from a good coffee shop!.
Indeed the virgin version is much better, but I have not been able to accept the strong taste. You are right, it is these little compounds that make a big difference as antioxidants. Just like different wine with the same alcohol content will make a difference in their effect. There are so many different molecules in natural foods! -
It worries me when coconut oil is recommended. I have heart disease and coconut and palm oil are not recommended by the American Heart Association or my cardiologist. Tropical oils are very high in saturated fat, and therefore lead to blocked arteries. Many grocery store products and so called healthy recipe sites now contain coconut oil, so buyer beware especially if you have heart disease or a family history.
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SEE MY COMMENT ABOVE
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I had a total thyrodectomy surgery in 2016 My endocrinonogist, prescribed 100mcg levothyroxine everyday or lifetime I understand that taking this
would suffer my bones. I was diagnosed having OSTEOPOROSIS in 2018.
May I know if taking levothyroxine really affect my bones which causes me
to have OSTEOPOROSIS Same doctor prescribed for taking ALENDRONATE
ACID which I was able to take for 4 years now. But this 2023 I am on drug holiday for Alendornate Acid. And I was advised later this year that my doctor will inject
medicine on me as Osteoporosis Drug. This time I will tell my doctor that i -
would the daily 2 Tbl of coconut oil used for frying chicken… be as advantageous?
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Thank you for this very wonderful information it is very intresting
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Incredible! I could mirror Debbie’s comments (age wise and length of time having been diagnosed with osteoporosis). And yes I have been using organic virgin coconut oil for simply ages. At least my GP does not try to talk me into taking drugs as he knows what my response would be.
Keep up the good work Vivian
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Interesting information on coconut oil. Thank you.
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Is there any advantage to bone health in using coconut oil externally for dry skin, instead of lotion?
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Can you use the coconut oil topically? …..and if so would that increase the ldl ?
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I have been using Coconut Oil for about 4 years now, and back in June of this year, I was coerced into going to my doctor, who had me get a bone scan. They told me I have osteoporosis. BUT – I have been getting this diagnosis for at least 20 years! ! I have a very good diet incorporating MCT and coconut oil along with avocado oil, and I eat a LOT of greens from my garden. I also exercise and have a Jumpsport trampoline. Do you see any reason for me to be concerned, except for my age of 73? I am still active and do ALL my own cooking!
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Hi Debbie, I was diagnosed about 15 years ago, did 5 years of drugs then quit. The doctors have mentioned getting another scan but since I don’t plan to do the drugs again I don’t see why I should when they’ll just pressure me to go on more drugs and since I’ve never had a fracture I keep doing what I’m doing and don’t worry.
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I didn’t find a mention of how much coconut oil was needed to make a difference in bone health.
Is there a recommended amount? -
The last paragraph in the first 2012 NIH study referenced here states:
“However, further studies are necessary in order to obtain a more complete evaluation of the therapeutic potential and safety profile of the oil.”
Coconut oil contains saturated fat. It can raise your LDL levels and you can end up with worse problems than osteoporosis. If you have a problem already with cholesterol levels, consult a nutritionist. -
Dr Adamo’s blood type diet specifies that blood group O may not use coconut products.
Your comments will be appreciated -
Hi Vivian,
I wonder if the same results would come from taking MCT oil. What are your thoughts on this?
Maryann
Iv osteoporosis the last 10 years.I did take drugs at the start but my body was not happy taking them as was worse when I went back fr scan.
I go to Gym, walk every day, line dancing, play Badminton,& much more no falls yet & body very happy 😀