Percentage Of Omega-6 In Coconut Oil

Percentage Of Omega-6 In Coconut Oil

In Its original tropical environment, the coconut, or Cocos nucifera, is a food source used in traditional medicine to treat infections, upset stomachs, wounds, bronchitis and coughs. Coconut oil have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. It also contains vitamin E, vitamin K and the essential omega-6 fatty acid.

Summary

Coconut oil is obtained by drying the coconut pulp and putting it in a press that extracts it. Coconut oil is suitable for cooking at high temperatures and has a long shelf life. It is frequently found in processed foods, such as fried foods, desserts, non-dairy covers and cookies.

Coconut oil fats

Unlike most vegetable oils, coconut oil is rich in saturated fats. One cup of coconut oil has 218 g of fat, with 87% unhealthy saturated fat. It also has 3.92 g of omega-6 fatty acids, according to the SDA Nutrient Database. The omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats, but they are only present in 1, 8% of the total fats of this oil. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fats to less than 7% of your daily calories, and this includes limiting the amount of coconut oil, even if it provides omega-6 fatty acids.

Omega-6

Omega-6 is called essential fatty acid because it is necessary for health and must be obtained from the diet. It is used in cell membranes to create flexibility and permeability. Although it is not clear exactly how it works, in the brain there is a high concentration of this substance, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. There are different types of omega-6 fatty acids. One type can reduce inflammation and protect against arterial disease. A second type becomes chemical messengers that tell the body when the inflammatory response should start. Inflammation is part of the healing process used by the immune system when the body suffers an injury. However, prolonged inflammation can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system. Another type of fatty acids, called omega-3, promotes an anti-inflammatory response, therefore it is important to consume a balanced diet in omega-6 and omega-3.

Health Considerations

Coconut oil does not provide a balance of essential fatty acids because it does not provide omega-3. In the June 2011 edition of the "Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition," Alan Feranil and colleagues reported that coconut oil is not associated with an increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Video Tutorial: Omega 3 DHA, Coconut Oil, and Olive Oil.

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