Coconut Oil Cures
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Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
SIDE EFFECT MYTHS
07/12/2007: Michael writes: "The other controversy with Coconut Oil... some experience a body odor, while others find it's a pleasant light scent. The minority reporting that they EVENTUALLY acquire an odor from using the product, are more then likely experiencing the toxins that the oils absorb from the skin, while other don't have that issue.
Depends on one's diet and functioning of organs again. The skin is an organ of elimination and when other organs are congested, the skin will take over to eliminate the toxins (backup into blood and end up in skin). Did these individuals clog their organ detoxification systems and need more internal cleansing then others that are maintaining better diets?... you bet. Mike G. Website: http://www.nynaturalhealthcenter.com"
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07/12/2007: Deborah from Denison, TX writes: "I have read a lot of the comments about the VCO and its problems. i have been taking VCO & ACV (Read my testimonial) for over 10 years. In addition to both of these natural cures I also take 1/2 lemon & 1 tbsp. of Sea Salt each day with 8 oz. of warm water. This lemon/sea salt drink is a natural cleanser for your liver & digestive tract. If anyone is scared of the VCO causing liver problems then this might benefit them. The VCO does give you a oily discharge and gas but the benefits far outweigh the negative. I have taken several body cleanses and the natural, cheap and easiest way to do a body cleanse is to take the VCO twice daily (I mix mine with vanilla yogurt) and you will dispel the parasites that cause illnesses and clean your intestinal tract that when old food is not dispelled causes diseases. I do the lemon drink first thing then my VCO with yogurt and then my ACV & water and I am ready with so much energy to start my day. I have my thyroid and weight under control due to this regimen.
I also use VCO instead of body lotion or hair conditioner. I had very dry hair, skin and cuticles due to a thyroid problem but once I started the VCO it went away. I also make a VCO & Sea Salt scrub that does double duty because it opens your pores of the skin to dispel toxins and softens your skin. I am a 48 year old red head grandmother that looks in her 30's because of this great oil. I have 3 incurable diseases that I take no medication for except for my thyroid medication and my dosage keeps getting smaller & smaller each time my blood work is done.
I have found many cures for illnesses that are natural and have not been to a doctor in 4 years except for my yearly Lupus physical."
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07/05/2007: Michael from Getzville, NY writes: "Why the Coconut Oil Side Effects include heart palpitations and digestive issues... I am a natural health practitioner, I have been reading posts about the side effects of Coconut Oil and wanted to share some insights. If the liver is not flushed clean using a liver flush procedure or perhaps being on Lecithin for a pretty good length of time, one will not be able to digest it since the Liver plays a role with digesting fats.
If the liver is clogged you will have undigested fats causing not only digestive upsets, but elimination problems with disrupting bowels. Since the liver is a filter that cleans our blood of used fats, if the liver is clogged, we will have a backup of fats in the blood.
This backup of fats causes the heart to over work to pump the thicker blood and cause possible headaches (small capillaries in brain/ micro-circulation) and bloating (partial digestion and hence rotting), among other issues dependent on individual and what they manifest with their particular condition and body type.
The answer is to clean the liver then introduce the good oils that will then be absorbed to improve over-all health tremendously over time.
Many times it's the order in which we do things which depends on what that specific individual needs. Organs need to be cleansed and restored in a specific order dependent on findings when working w/ clients. Hope this helps shed some light. Michael G. Natural Health Center, NY"
Replies03/01/2010: Faithinhealing from Forest Park, Ohio, Usa replies: "Anyone experiencing problems with taking it orally can use it transdermally because it is absorbed through the skin. So you can rub it on your skin, use it in your hair, gargle with it or do oil pulling, etc. and it will not have to be filtered by the liver this way. It will instead go directly into your blood stream and start working it's magic!"
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SIDE EFFECTS
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 09/25/2010: Vacoffee Drinker from Fairfax, Va, Usa writes: "Started taking coconut oil about a week ago, 3tbs each day with meals. Not much gain on the energy level, definitely diarrhea/loose stool which I've read about on multiple sites. What about the weight? I'm going up, is this normal in the beginning? Would appreciate some insight."
Replies09/26/2010: Lisa from Lafayette, La replies: "You are taking in an additional 300 calories per day. If you are not cutting out the same amount of calories, you are going to gain weight, to the tune of about 1 pound every 12 days."
09/27/2010: Jules from Denver, Colorado replies: "Coconut oil has 120 calories per tablespoon. Your taking in an extra 360 calories daily which is like eating an extra meal. One pound is equal to 3500 calories. Every 10 to 12 days you will gain a pound if you don't work the extra 360 off. The oil is beneficial, just x out your morning bagel or evening dessert, or run for 20 minutes daily. Best of luck"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 08/22/2010: Juan from Houston, Tx writes: "The other day I took 1 teaspoon of Organic Coconut Oil and a day later this red "C" shaped thing appeared on my arm. It itches and has a burning sensation and I also have the sudden urge to scratch my body, mostly on my legs. I went out and bought anti-fungal cream but it didn't do any good. I then tried ACV, tea tree oil, ginger on the "C" shaped thing but it's still there. Does anyone know what this is and how to get rid of it? It has tiny red bumps, if that makes any difference. Thanks"
Replies08/24/2010: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "As with any living organisms, they tend to run away from the source trying to kill them. This happens even in cancer. My favorite solution is to get a magnesium chloride solution and apply to the red unknown area and apply that as many times as possible. However, there is other possibilities, such as applying vinegar, or lugol's solution to the area. You need at least apply this 6 to 8 times a day for it to begin working. However magnesium tends to work almost immediately in some cases. Vinegar tends to work against virus and some fungus, but you need to keep getting vinegar long enough, or with the solution such as 20 minutes at least. The lugol's works best against virus, but also the fungus.
If I am dealing with the fungus issue, it is best to keep the body alkalized as the best approach in general, as fungus can't exist in more alkaline condition. At the very least the simplest of all solution, is 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda taken 30 minutes after meal, preferably three times a day. If it is taken for about two weeks, the fungus will begin to subside, not in every case, because yeast and fungus may still persist in certain areas of the body. The reason why they won't completely die off is that they will survive on one more thing: sugar either from fruits, sweet drinks and any sugar. Thereafter they may persist on wheat, white bread and flour. A person with a mineral deficiencies, such as chromium, selenium, molybdenum, copper and manganese tend to be low in people with this condition. A simple vitamin to reduce some candida that I know is niacinamide vitamin B3. If the red thing on the arm is indeed a fungus, a strong solution, say 50% vitamin B3 niacinamide apply to the skin should kill them. The same is true if 250 mg of niacinamide is taken 4 times a day, for about a week or so. The chemical properties of niacinamide seems to prevent the fungus from attaching to healthy cells, hence kill it off that way, technically it kills by disturbing the fungus metabolism. However, I do find people with fungus issue are also low on B1 thiamine, and B2 riboflavin.
Ted"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 04/24/2010: Sara from Sacramento, Ca, Usa writes: "I have been using coconut oil for more than weeks now. My whole body is itching. I am just wondering if itching is the side effect of coconut oil?"
EC: Hi Sara,
Are you taking coconut oil internally, applying it topically or oil pulling with it? Please send us more details!
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/22/2010: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France writes: "Coconut oil - questions for Bill or someone else.....
I started to use coconut oil in my cooking a few days ago and also taking a few spoons in my tea. To my surprise although my intestines have worked wonderfully for the past number of years I am now constipated. I thought that coconut oil would regulate the intestines or even cause diarrhea? As I have been drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juices since December almost every day my intestines even worked a bit too much, not really diarrhea but almost but now I am constipated. Today I have tried Detox tea which mostly makes them work and I am also taking dessicated coconut and eating more fruit but nothing seems to happen. Is it possible that I seem to be constipated just because the oil is regulating my intestines?
Another question, in my book about coconut oil I have read that you can't heat it up too high but that you can use it for normal cooking and also in the oven because the moisture in the food will lower the temperature. What about grilling in the oven or barbecuing? Will that spoil the oil?"
03/23/2010: Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines replies: "Hi Francesca...Regarding using coconut oil for cooking, her is what Wikipedia has to say:
"Coconut oil is very heat stable so it makes an excellent cooking and frying oil. It has a smoke point of about 360°F (180°C). Because of its stability it is slow to oxidize and thus resistant to rancidity, lasting up to two years due to high saturated fat content."
"Coconut oil is commonly used in cooking, especially when frying. In communities where coconut oil is widely used in cooking, the unrefined oil is the one most commonly used. Coconut oil is commonly used to flavor many South Asian curries. It does not create any harmful byproducts when heated"
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_oil
I am not sure exactly why the coconut oil should cause your constipation -- it did the opposite for me and cleared my own constipation quickly, although if your pancreas was not producing enough bicarbonates or your liver was not producing enough bile, this too could also cause constipation issues. Whilst I was doing my own Candida remedy and taking coconut oil(and other remedies), I also took Milk Thistle capsules which helps support the liver as well as to help stimulate the liver's production of bile.
Perhaps the secret here is to also drink plenty of water with your meals too, and I would beware of eating too much dessicated fruit as this would definitely tend to reduce the moisture of the faeces."
03/24/2010: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "Sorry Bill, two more questions. Is there a test for Candida? I ask this because a while ago a guy contacted me about eye floaters and he told me that he was convinced that he had Candida and was being tested for it but my natural doctor says that you can't really test for Candida or else you would have to test everywhere where you could have it. Another question is supposing that I have Candida (no idea so far, just guessing) is it good to take molasses? I have no idea what kind of molasses it is, here they don't tell but I buy it in a good health shop.
As far as the coconut oil I looked on Wikipedia and couldn't find anything about grilling or barbecuing but I suppose that you shouldn't do that because the heat is too high. A pity because when I feel like a simple meal I often grill a bit of meat or fish in the oven.
I still have constipation but today and yesterday I have been doing a juice fast. Tomorrow I will start eating fruit first thing in the morning, it usually helps me. I do have a bad digestion so maybe that is what caused it when I started cooking with coconut oil and taking it in my tea."
03/25/2010: Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines replies: "Hi Francisca...There are well over 20 symptoms of Candida, and I've read much evidence how candida can lead to a multitude of other serious ailments including cancer. I've just recently read some research that found to their amazement, in a research trial of diabetics, that all the diabetic participants had candida.
But these days even doctors can be fooled by candida, very difficult to diagnose, especially if it is hidden and masked by symptoms of another major ailment.
As to your question:
"Another question is supposing that I have Candida (no idea so far, just guessing) is it good to take molasses?"
No, it isn't so good to take ordinary molasses. If you want to take molasses as an aid to health then you must use only BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES(BSM) -- not the same as ordinary molasses.
BSM is made from the third boiling of sugar cane juice -- which has much less sugar than ordinary molasses, and BSM contains more iron, potassium and other minerals. Ordinary molasses is made from the first or second boiling of sugar cane, and has too much sugar, and is not as good for you as BSM. I took BSM as part of my regimen for Candida because I wanted extra potassium from a natural source. But I wouldn't say that BSM was an essential part of my candida regimen, you don't have to use it if you'ld rather not do so.
I just use a spoonful of BSM in my coffee every morning just to get the minerals, which is a tasty way to take BSM."
03/26/2010: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "Bill, I assume that the molasses you buy here here BSM because it is only sold in halth shops, not refined, very black and quite bitter. In this part of Europe people just don't use molasses so it is not available in supermarkets.
By the way, coconut oil is horribly expensive here! Maybe five times more expensive than olive oil.
So... if I understand well there is no test for Candida which is a pity. I don't know why that other guy contacted me to tell me that he was being tested for Candida because of eye floaters. In the past few days I was on a juice fast and the itching in my eyes stopped completely so maybe it is indeed related to Candida. In my Coconut oil book the author talks about a coconut detox, do you have any experience with it or maybe someone else?"
03/28/2010: Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines replies: "Hi Francisca...Blackstrap molasses isn't really essential to my diet protocol -- it's just a nice convenient way to ingest minerals -- and they grow sugar cane here in the Philippines, so its cheap.
Yes, I know how much it costs in UK to buy VCO. But again, here in the Philippines every third tree is a coconut tree...LOL, so this too is pretty cheap.
Yes, there is a test for Candida -- called the Spit Test, but I don't know how reliable it is. Check this site:
http://www.adhdrelief.com/CandidaTest.html
I confess that I've never heard of the coconut detox that you mention. I just use it for all my cooking now."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/13/2010: Cpn from Panther Land, Usa writes: "Hi Bill! I always find your post interesting.
I have a question for you. I have been consuming VCO 1 Tablespoon 2 or 3 times a day and baking soda 1/2 Teaspoon 2 or 3 times daily for about a week now.
Most of my stools have yellow liquid mixed in and some mucus. I was wondering if this is yeast die off??? Did you have this yellow liquid at anytime???
The reason I think it is yeast is because, back in the day, when I use to drink alot of beer. If I were to drink to much or sometimes just after a night of drinking, I would have stools similar to this. One of my friends said it was yeast that was in the beer coming out.
I hope it is yeast die off, but I have no flu like symtoms at all. Although most of the stools have water with them, I still would not say it is diherra, but rather just a loose stool. Most of the time just one or two a day, but space out like normal bowel movements would be.
I also take a probotic when I can remember to. I have lost a small amount of weight also. I still eat most anything, but have cut out alcohol, sugary drinks and most anything that resembles bread for the most part.
Thank you."
03/13/2010: Bill from San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines replies: "Hi Cpn...I think your protocol is fine as it stands. But the yellow stool might also be due to problems with bile production from your liver, so I would just buy a good liver herb for some liver protection and take that.
I religiously used all of Ted's alkalizing remedies, at one time or another, every day for my own anti-candida protocol, even the bare 1/2 tps baking soda on its own with water at times. I also took a good brand of Milk Thistle herb capsule to protect my liver. I also took molasses in my coffee every day and avoided all foods containing standard veg oils like canola, and avoided all food containing sugar or sweeteners.
I also made up my own tri-herbal remedy as a general tonic, but you've probably read about that anyway. Other than that, I ate fairly normally and had the occasional glass of wine to make it all bearable..LOL."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/04/2010: Heather from Readig, Pa writes: "I need desperate help and I don't know where to start! For the past month i have had horrible reactions to all my shampoo, soap, face wash, bubblebath, etc. I knew of my allergy to coconut however always avoided ingesting it, just now, it is affecting me topically. All my products have a form of coconut oil in them. My symptoms are upset stomach and extreme itching all over my body, sweating, and maybe others that i don't notice as being related. I started using products without any(which is very hard to find) yet i am still experiencing this extreme itching all over. Antihistamines are not helping and i'm absolutely baffled on how this has flared up only this past month when it seems to be in everything i have used in past years. Please give me any info you can!!!!"
Replies03/04/2010: Heather from Ortonville, Michigan, Usa replies: "have been there. one constant was lack of exercise. when i was exercising all itching went away. when i stopped it came back. body can not eliminate toxins easily with out it. believe me tried all the stuff you did too. so bad woke me up at night some times. if your itching is around the torso area at its worst, mine always started around the breast area and then would move further out it is because i think one of the places where lymph tissue is trying to unload waste is located in the pit area. drink lots of water and try to get some exercise. serious. i suffered for months and tried everything!!! "
03/04/2010: Dianna from Austin, Tx replies: "you could try soaking in an epsom salt bath - 1-3 cups of epsom salts in warm water.
and definitely STOP using all of your products.
perhaps one day you can try new products but until you get this under control STOP.
you can wash yourself fine in the epsom salt water - i have even used this in the past for hair washing.
if you absolutely need soap you can use some natural olive oil soap like kiss my face which has no coconut oil in it.
after you get out of your bath you can use olive oil or any other oil you are not allergic to all over you body.
hope you feel better soon.
drink LOTS of water."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/03/2010: Juno from West Hollywood, California, Usa writes: "A few weeks ago I posted a question regarding the possibility of being allergic to coconut oil? I got many good responses, mostly praises for the wonderful qualities of this oil and the fact that most people with a reaction to it probably have detox issues, mainly candida. So I tried it again. This time I did not attempt to ingest it, but used it on my face and some on my arms. My face glowed and my arm skin was supple and soft, however, my neck started developing red dots which soon became red patches of raised swollen skin.
My neck was itchy and very sensitive. Today, the day after (I did not use the coconut oil) still, neck very red swollen patches, and after the morning shower it looked like my neck suffered a burn.
Does this mean I have Candida? is this a die off reaction? and if so, why only my neck?"
EC: Hi Juno,
Allergic reactions to topical coconut oil application have been reported on another website forum: http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php?action=printpage;topic=5868.0
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/02/2010: Amanda from Hot Springs, Ar, Usa writes: "i had taken vco a few times in the past and it gave me severe diarrhea. i started out more slowly this time and it no longer happened. i have been taking 2 tsp per day for a few weeks. i was feeling great for a while; more energy, better skin, etc. the last week or so, i have been feeling bad; more anxiety, trouble sleeping, lightheaded, my heart racing. i stopped taking it a few days ago,but my heart rate is still higher than my normal and in the middle of the night i woke up feeling panic and checked my bp and pulse rate on a bp monitor; it said around 90 and irregular heartbeat which made me worry (i get panic attacks) i checked it again and it said my pulse was 144 and my blood pressure was high. my blood pressure is NEVER high. it is usually about 100 over 60. i know i was at a high level of anxiety and that can make your heart race and blood pressure go up,but i know my body and i have had anxiety for years and my blood pressure and heart rate have never gone up like that. my question is,for those of you who have experienced similar symptoms, does it take a while to get out of your system?"
Replies[SIDE EFFECTS] 03/05/2010: Laura from Boulder, Co replies: "Wow, you have described me exactly. I have the exact same symptoms. More anxiety, less sleep, heart racing, light-headed. It's been a week since I stopped taking the oil and I am still getting heart palpitations. It's been awful. I hadn't taken it in over a month and I decided to try some again. I only took it twice-a couple tsp each time-and I ended up with the worst heart palpitations ever that don't seem to be going away this time. In fact, I went to the cardiologist today because it's so unsettling and it really freaks me out! They didn't find anything yet, but I need further testing to make sure it's not serious. It seems like every time I try to incorporate CO into my diet my symptoms get worse. I've also tried it topically and ended up with red bumps all over my face. This time, I will not be trying again. Ever. It's nice to know I'm not alone! I will try to follow up and I would like to hear your experience too. Best wishes!"
03/07/2010: Amanda from Hot Springs, Ar, Usa replies: "It has been a little over a week, and i am still having that nervous feeling, like i cannot calm down, like i am on caffeine. i have been concerned about my heart as well; especially because i have anxiety and i keep thinking something is wrong with me. i just don't feel right. i haven't been getting the fluttering anymore, but i think i have other symptoms of palpitations, like being too aware of my heart rate; just a nervous feeling in my chest.i get lightheaded, too. i wish it would just get out of my system, i am tired of this.i think someone else's post said they were better within two weeks. someone said it could be that if your liver is sluggish, the coconut oil would cause this. this makes sense to me, because i know i have a sluggish liver, and i read somewhere else that coconut oil is converted to energy directly in the liver and that is something that makes it different from other fats, and while the liver is sluggish, the person may not be able to process it properly."
03/11/2010: Amanda from Hot Springs, Ar, Usa replies: "Can anybody who has had side effects with coconut oil tell me how long it takes to leave the system? i have been off of it for two weeks. i feel like it has ruined my life. i constantly feel my heart beating and i am nervous and my resting heart rate is higher than my normal. i was up almost all night. i cannot find answers; nobody really knows why it has this effect. i have four children and i am worried about this all day and night."
03/11/2010: T from Maryland, Usa replies: "Amanda, I'd take some magnesium and see if that helps (there's lots of magnesium info here at EC to guide you on types and dosages). I don't take coconut oil because it gives me palpitations as well. I have autoimmune thyroid disease which can swing from hypo to hyper. I don't think anyone with an overactive thyroid should take coconut oil supplementally as it stimulates the thyroid. I wonder if you have an underlying thyroid condition. Anxiety, sleeplessness, and nervousness can be all be symptoms as well. You might want to get your thyroid tested (be sure they test Free T3 and Free T4 in addition to their usual TSH, and consider getting antibody tests as well). Let us know if you do that as it may help others reading here in future, and also let us know if the magnesium helps. If it doesn't, there's a bugleweed/motherwort compound that is sold at a major vitamin dealer online which might be helpful. Bugleweed is a thyroxin antagonist which has been useful in treating hyperthyroid conditions as well as irregular heartbeat. Motherwort has similar properties.
You should of course research thoroughly for yourself before trying any remedy. Good luck, and please do update us!"
03/12/2010: Amanda from Hot Springs, Ar, Usa replies: "Thanks, you all who have responded. i will try to make this short. the magnesium oil i had put on the bottom of my feet did help that day, but the next day i decided to take a bath in the crystals (from the same company) i was not aware until after the fact that the crystals are stronger than the oil, and i am not a large person 127 lbs, and i didn't fill the tub very much because i did not want to dilute it too much. well, that night was AWFUL! i had palpitations all night and couldn't sleep. i am a sensitive person and i do not need much of whatever i take.anyway, i went out to a friend that sells herbs from a well known company and she had something that can tell you what supplements your body needs at the time, and you don't even enter information into the computer. you put your hold your hand on something that is like a computer mouse (it is like muscle testing). anyway, magnesium malate came up for me, and i started taking it yesterday evening. i calmed down and was able to sleep and it is 10:30 p.m and i have been doing great.i even was very nervous because i am afraid of it coming back and i checked my pulse and was sure it would be high because of being so nervous.it was 67, which is my normal.praise God!anyway, i had tried magnesium glycinate a few days ago and that had made me feel worse, too. a few years ago i had taken magnesium citrate for depression and it made me feel terrible and weird. so i said all of this to say that sometimes even the same thing but in different forms could affect a person different. it's good to find someone who muscle tests. anyway, like someone had said, maybe the coconut oil can use up your magnesium and that could be one reason to affect some people this way."
09/01/2010: Toddcolorado from Wiggins, Co replies: "I am not a doctor but have been told that detox can take years as toxins can be stored away in fat tissue and slowly release as fat is burned. I am told this is why lsd flashbacks can happen years after initial ingestion. I am told that this can apply to almost anything from prescription and over the counter drugs to caffeine and vitamins in addition to more well known toxins. Sweating is the best way to detox fast and MSM can help with that. Smaller doses of VCO should result in less fat burning to help minimize daily detox."
12/24/2011: Faith from Forest Park, Ohio replies: "Those SYMPTOMS are DIE OFF so in that case decrease the amount that you are taking to a dose low enough that you an handle the detoxification symptoms. THYROID problems are mostly an INFECTION and the coconut oil kills the infection over time. If you can't take it orally at first, then use it on your skin and hair. Then after a few weeks try a small amount orally and use that amount until you have no more reaction, then build up over time. This will benefit your body greatly, so don't be afraid of it. In the long-run your body will be better for it and all of the microbes that were making you ill will be under control... As long as you use it for life!"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/09/2010: Juno from West Hollywood, California, Usa writes: "Is it possible to be allergic to coconut oil? Whenever I try to use coconut oil(internally, or externally) my skin feels itchy and dries up. Is this just the famous die off reaction, and if so what exactly is dying off of my skin?
I have read somewhere that coconut oil is a drying oil and also that it doesn't go well with people with certain blood types like -O is this true?"
Replies02/11/2010: Anna from Philadelphia, Pa replies: "I don't think it is true as I have blood -0 and just love using coconut oil either on my skin or drinking it with orange juice (1 tbsp in a cup). I had awful red, itchy skin spots after keeping exfoliant overnight (I was sure it was lotion!) and coconut oil was my treatment of choice-better after one day, no trace after a week."
02/11/2010: Cured from Niceville, Fl replies: "I have to add as well. I am O and I love coconut oil, both internally and externally. My body did not love it at first as I did not know I had a candida issue, which I quickly found out. Die-off symptoms can be unpleasant. I knew from doing a little pre-reading some of the things to expect--just incase I were to have a Candida problem. Could people be allergic? Maybe. I would have to say though with most cases it is just any number of die-off symptoms. We are all different and react in different ways weather it is listed as a symptom or not. My take--slowly expose yourself to it even if it is just 1x a week then 2x a week. Use just as a lotion on a covered part of the body if your breaking out or even a hand lotion once or twice a week. Expose yourself slowly then gradually increase and decrease sugar intake cause your feeding the Candida. I agree with Lisa From Thousand Oaks, CA; Candida is a serious problem in the US. Of course Dr.s won't get on board, they are getting used to the extra income. If they help their patients cure the dozens of ailments that Candida causes then they loose income. It is getting time we wise up and take control and educate ourselves and family. TV isn't helping either. Have you noticed lately on about every channel just about ever other commercial is a drug commercial be it over the counter or Rx. It is big business and they will do anything to keep the revenue!"
02/12/2010: Bill from San Fernando, Philippines replies: "I'm also 0 Rhesus negative and I had bad intestinal candida 3 years ago. Part of my protocol was to take 3 tbsns of coconut oil a day.
My candida is gone, and I cook everything in virgin coconut oil now. My reasoning for this is historic and goes like this:
Before 1910, all western diets used either tallow, lard or butter(all saturated fats) as dietary cooking fats at this time. And there was no heart disease, diabetes, Parkinsons, Obeisity, Allergies, ME, Fibromyalgia, CFS, Cancer or any other auto-immune diseases that exist so widely as they do today.
One primary culprit is processed foods and, in particularly, the heavily processed dietary vegetable fats and oils that we all use now. The relatively newboy on the block is vegetable oils (not in our diets at all before 1910). We started to use both vegetable oils and margarine heavily, particularly after WW2. This is when all these strange ailments and diseases all started to appear in larger and larger numbers.
Much fear was caused in the sixties when there was a big and successful advertising push to promote vegetable oils(like Canola oil) and margarine as the best and healthiest oils for your body in the West(rather than saturated fats like coconut oil). But what many seem to forget is that vegetable oil is completely manufactured and processed chemically and is not a natural oil derived from a natural process. The same can be said about margarine -- which is a completely man-made "food".
The other problem with vegetable oils(polyunsaturates as well as mono-unsaturates like olive oil) is that they oxidize far quicker than saturated oils like coconut oil and palm oil. Saturated fats have much stronger bonds and are oxidised far slower than polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oils that contain weaker bonds, therefore saturated fats last longer, are healthier and can be heated to higher temperatures than polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats without the dangers of oxidation. And for this reason, saturated fats like coconut oil made from a natural process(no chemicals, no deodorizing etc.) are the best oils for your body.
I also read an article recently. A respected gastro-intestinological surgeon on interview said that in all his forty years of operating on human intestines, he said that he had never ever seen what he believed to be a healthy intestine. In the majority of his operations, he described that the inner coating of the intestines of all his patients were rather black and smooth, like a dark varnish on the intestinal wall. And he believed that this was entirely caused by the heavily processed and oxidized vegetable oils in the modern diets of today.
This information may well go against the belief of some. But even the organic food industry is a big earner now. And whenever a product -- even perhaps an organic vegetable oil product -- becomes popular and a big earner, the industry will do its utmost to find ways to quicken the production of that product and take industrial shortcuts to increase profit -- and the easiest way is to invent a quicker chemical process for production. Vegetable oils and margarine are wonderful examples of this common industrial practice."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/27/2009: Angela from Dawson City, Yukon writes: "Last night I cooked with about two tablespoons of coconut oil for the first time. I was not aware of it's specific cleansing properties. About two hours later I experienced extreme stomach cramps, shaking, vomiting and diarrhea. This lasted about 4 hours. This morning I am still having some stomach cramps. I thought I had food poisoning and noticed that the coconut oil I had just purchased expired in 2008.
I am wondering if the expired coconut oil could have caused these reactions or did I use too much? I also have had liver issues for many years. Any feed back would be great."
10/30/2009: Kyra from Cortlandt Manor, New York replies: "Coconut Oil is the one oil that does not spoil. It does not have to be refrigerated and it will not become rancid. What you experienced is a normal reaction for someone consuming that much coconut oil for the first time. You really must start your intake slowly. Read the Coconut Oil section and you will find everyone suggests to start slowly and build up your intake. It has amazing health benefits, don't give up. Good luck."
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10/16/2009: Jane from St. Johns, Newfoundland writes: "OK so what i wanted to add here is that i have read this whole site here on virgin coconut oil. Obviously to me there were way more yahs then nays in here. I think like anything else some people have allergic reactions to coconut oil. Whats good for one person is not always whats good for someone else.I think you could just try it in very small doses to start with internally and externally. Maybe try it on a patch of skin maybe on your back where a reaction is not so noticeable. and just a small patch.
Internally i have heard of people starting with like a teaspoon or maybe even half. After a week or two maybe up it to a full teaspoon if no bad side effects ocurr. Its always better to be safe than sorry. For the most part though i think with all the positive effects its worth trying. I am not an experienced user but i will be starting after today. only problem is i bought the wrong stuff. Some refined stuff thats missing the great smell of coconut that i love.So back to the store again hunting for this stuff."
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[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS] 08/11/2009: Bee from Somewhere, Mo writes: "Just wanted to share my experience with VCO. I read about it here and was impressed by all the claims of how good it is for your health. I'm sure my diet isn't ideal anyways and I'm trying to be healthier and avoid all kinds of chemicals and drugs. So I started slowly. First evening just a 1/2 tsp. I did relatively shortly after experience cramping and nausea. I felt like I was going to get sick but never actually did. I'm glad I started with a small dose!! Anyhow I kept on with it..and after that I didn't have stomach ailments until I was up to about a TBSP (about a month later). However around the point I was taking 1 tsp I became sick, flu like symptoms. I had just been sick with a severe cold/flu not even 2 weeks earlier and it felt like the same thing all over again. Although I think it was a detox reaction. It did eventually pass, but lasted almost two weeks, and while it was unpleasant, I think it was necessary. I suspect maybe I have a candida problem or something similar. I crave sweets and eat a lot of carbs and sweets (Bad I know!!! I try to be better but obviously am not always). So I think this caused the headaches, general feeling of fatigue and acheyness and lots and lots of mucus!! I was coughing up stuff and my sinuses were clogged. Salt water in a neti pot helped and I tried the tomato tea which helped some too. But I'm feeling better now, not perfect, but it tells me that my body has a lot of recovering to do. There are a number of things I want to get under control, like anxiety and depression and digestive issues. I also want to get off my SSRI, I've gone through the withdrawal before and it is HORRIBLE, so I know it will not be easy, but I feel with some healthier habits and diet I can do it. Thank you for this site! And if anyone has suggestions to make getting off an SSRI easier please share!! I would also love to see a page on here about that if that would be possible!! Thanks again!"
Replies01/11/2010: Brygivrob from Escondido, Ca replies: "I know someone who weaned herself off of SSRIs. That she did was taper off very slowly for a few months. I think it does take some will power too, and won't happen without some suffering.
Also, sweating might get some of those toxins out: saunas?"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/14/2009: Jennifer from Phoenix, Arizona, USA writes: "I have had malabsorption issues for sometime. My ND wanted me to introduce 100% virgin coconut oil into my diet because of the medium chain fatty acids. I needed to gain weight and muscle. I was using 2T per day in fruit smoothies, cooking, or on toast. Loved the flavor but the side effects were not good. My ND pooh-poohed my questions about possible side effects so I was extremely relieved to find this forum with postings from a number of people who have experienced what I did. My side effects were: severe stomach and gut pain with bloating and tenderness, bad reflux (which I had never had before), heart palpitations, severe sleeplessness, general anxiety-like symptoms, concentration problems, even gum sensitivity . . . just a general sense of continually deteriorating function the longer I was on it. After researching this forum I went off the oil and the symptoms I listed disappeared within two weeks. Although I have no doubt it is a great product for many people, I will never take it again. It just isn't okay for one food item to make me that ill and affect so many areas of my life. The bottom line for me is to learn to listen to my own body and to respect and act on those messages."
Replies02/10/2012: Gigi from Camino, Ca, Usa replies: "I first took coconut oil about 2 years ago. I noticed an alarming pressure behind my sternum. I took it a couple weeks later, same thing. So, I quit. A few weeks ago I decided to try again since my skin is getting dry due to our lack of winter. The chest pressure returned, I broke out with hives (itching and wheals), esophygeal spasms, bronchial restrictions.... A classic histamine reaction. (BTW, I was checked for heart issues and PNA and cleared the tests. ) Benadryl is alleviating the symptoms. I have to wait for the histamine cascade to conclude its course before I return to homeostasis. CO sounds great.... however, I don't think it's for me.Being sensitive to foods is not an anomaly. Each person has a genotype-by-environment component to their health. If you can draw an association between a bad response and a known allergen, you are far ahead!!! I concur - - Listen to your body!"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/26/2009: Janice from Lakeland, Fl writes: "Coconut oil, virgin, capsules: A big NAY for virgin coconut capsules....I am 63 with normal cholesterol and blood pressure. I took it to raise my HDL. I have GERD and it made it worse. I also had chest pain and palpitations and my BP went up to concerned levels. I have NO heart problems and see a doctor twice a year. I would suggest only a trial period for everyone to see what effects one might have. I was only taking one capsule and the bottle said to take four. Thank goodness I didn't. I am no longer on the virgin coconut capsules."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/20/2008: Lori from Delta, Colorado writes: "I started all my remdies a year ago this month. I don't think that the coconut oil is working for me any longer. I find everytime I cook with it I break out in hot flashes all morning. If I don't eat the coconut oil then I'm fine.The coconut oil is N_____ virgin oil. Has this happened to anyone else? I went to my doc last week and i had not been doing my remedies like I used to and my blood pressure is up I've never had high blood pressure, but I had started using estrogen cream and shortly after started having bloody noses. I stopped the estrogen and started back on my ac vinegar regiment and no more bloody noses and bp dropped some, but now I think I still can't use the coconut oil. Any body else have this happen to them? My thyroid test is high normal meaning almost to hyperthyroid."
Replies[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/28/2011: Michael from Dublin, California replies: "I just started on the virgin coconut oil. Yesterday morning I took 1 tablespoon and I noticed the energy level I had and mental clarity all day. I took another tablespoon at 5pm. I had trouble going to sleep last night and felt hot flashes. I am a little tired this morning. I took another tablespoon this morning and feel fine. I won't take any more for the rest of the day and see how I feel. I know VCO does give me energy and mental alertness. I think its not wise to take it late in the day for me. I'm still trying VCO out and wil take it slow. I'm looking forward to the benifits of Virgin Coconut Oil."
01/28/2011: Randy from Jersey City, Nj, Usa replies: "You need to take it even slower it seems. i would recommend only 1 TEAspoon for a week, then step up gradually. It's not a race"
01/28/2011: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "I don't think that you should take VCO late in the afternoon as I have read that it will keep you from sleeping, the same goes for vitamins, for example and even MSM or anything that gives you energy!"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 07/30/2008: Pamela from Otterville, Missouri writes: "I began taking 1 tablespoon of coconut oil per day - really good in oatmeal. Only problem was that I was also on a Candida cleanse at the same time, and I had a reaction of extremely dry lips - felt like a former reaction I had had to Bactrim, the antibiotic, where it burned my mouth. I think the combination of both at the same time was way too much for my system. I am going to go off of both, and start back on the Candida cleanse alone. Once that is over, then I will begin to try to take the coconut oil again. Not sure if this was the problem, but think perhaps it was. Overload. I would appreciate someone checking this out for me if you have any information that this may be the problem."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 04/16/2008: Olivia from Brooklyn, New York writes: "I have tried using coconut oil several times and one thing has been consistent: when I take it by the spoon, even a teaspoon full, I immediately feel my heart racing. This does not happen if I cook with it. Sometimes rubbing it on my neck or face induces a reaction in my pulse but not as severe as drinking. Cooking is ok for me. If anyone can think of a reason I'd be happy to hear of it."
Replies04/28/2011: Mocha from Troy, Ny replies: "About a year ago, I read about the different health benefits of taking coconut oil & so I took a teaspoon of organic extra virgin coconut oil, and I immediately felt hot & my heart starting racing for about a minute, which was really scary & I said I would never eat it again. Since I keep reading about the many benefits of coconut oil, I just started using it on my hair & skin. Just wondering if anyone knows if using it externally will eventually cause racing heartrate or palpitations after taking it for like a week or something. Thanks for your help."
04/30/2011: Sheila from San Diego, Ca, Usa replies: "I love coconut oil, and I use it sparingly, on occasion. It dried my skin when using it consistently, daily. This surprised me, so I researched a bit online about drying effects since none of the resources I had about VCO mentioned a drying effect. I found a blog and one site that mentioned a drying effect. If you live somewhere humid and warm, you won't experience the drying effect if used consistently is what I gleaned from the sources. VCO will sit on the skin. This didn't explain the drying effect though. I'm assuming it has to do with the lack of deep skin absorption and being in a dryer climate.Anyhow, I still use VCO to condition my hair on occasion as a warm oil treatment before washing; treating yeast flare ups digestively; with desiccated coconut shreds as a parasite cleanse.
I've recommended consuming it to my mom for a preventative to Alzheimer's."
04/30/2011: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "Hi Sheila, it is interesting that I experienced the same drying effect after using VCO on my skin for a while. I thought that I was the only one as some of my books do recommend it highly. It is hard to know what to use..... Glycerine dries the skin and is in almost all beauty products, VCO seems to do the same at least for some people..... And me thinking that I had found the perfect beauty product. Maybe if one wets the skin before applying it will be better?"
05/01/2011: Sheila from San Diego, Ca, Usa replies: "Hi Francisca, I forgot to ask earlier; have you found any glycerin-free hair care and soap products? I'm looking up "saponified" right now to see if that process involved glycerin. So far, I haven't had any luck finding glycerin-free, except for oils and a product using slug/snail mucus coming out of South America(?) as a lotion."
05/01/2011: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "Hi Sheila, I looked for glycerin free toothpaste for a while but never found any. One manufacturer told me that it is actually not bad for your health but can one trust them? I don't know. I have just looked into the "natural" shampoos I have at home and they either have glycerin or glyceril. The snail stuff I haven't tried yet because what I found was all rather expensive!"
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04/16/2008: Peter writes: "Coconut oil side effects:
1.In the first few days of using coconut oil as a massage oil, it is often the case that the body develops a "sand type overlay " noticeable around the abdomen.
2.When this first happened the reaction was, "how did that sand get into the clothes?".
3. But when it happened to another person, we wised up and realised that it was a salt extrusion from the body and not sand even if it felt like sand.
4. So its a cleansing side effect that occurs in the first few days. After that period it is not longer noticeable.
5. If somebody is experiencing an itching side effect, I would say that that is a side effect of salt extrusion which will disappear as the amount of the salt extruded becomes less."
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 04/14/2008: Dawn from Mapleton, MN writes: "I have been taking 1 to 2 tbsp of coconut oil daily in my tea, as well as using it as a moisturizer for 5 days. after the 3rd day i started to and continue itch in various spots all over my body. I don't want to stop using CO because of all the benefits but its becoming a pain. literally! :) Has this happened to anyone else? Is this normal, could it be the toxins that are fleeing my body? or am i possibly allergic? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/27/2008: Melissa from Miami, USA writes: "Hello, just wanted to give some feedback in regards to my experience with coconut oil usage. I took about 1 tbsp. of coconut oil and in less than 1 hour I had intense pain in my stomach along with heartburn ( I never get this). After that I developed diarrea and vomited. Those reactions lasted well through the night and for two days after taking the coconut oil the intense stomach pains persisted. If you are going to try cocunut oil it might be a great idea to use it as a cooking agent as suggested by another reader rather than ingesting it."
Replies[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/14/2011: Nix1234 from Iligan City, Philippines replies: "i also had a bad experience with v.c.o... After taking 2tablespoon on an evening, I immediately had this weird feeling on my stomach.. Then on the morning, the weird feeling still persisted and after I took my breakfast, I felt like vomiting and I did and that really scared me coz' I never involuntary vomit after eating breakfast before... Then on that evening, I had the worst bowel problems.. Its pure liquid that is going out of my body.. Was I having hyperacidity because of the vco?"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 12/26/2007: Becky from Bellefonte, PA writes: "I've started taking Coconut oil, and for the 1st time in my life I get terrible heartburn. What can I do to rectify this? I really want to try coconut oil for a number of benefits to my health, but what to do???"
Replies06/04/2008: Bill from Cooranbong, NSW Australia replies: "One big topic on the Internet for heart burn is a table spoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Reflux is not caused from acid in the stomach, it is the opposite. I have tried this and it worked for me. It works for me, hope it helps you."
03/21/2009: Dianna from Austin, Tx replies: "do you take the virgin coconut oil by itself or with food? i also get heart burn sometimes when i take it by itself. for me it is better to eat it on toast with jam or mix it in with popcorn. you can also mix it up in a smoothie - it will make little chunks - but at least there is other foods mixed with it. good luck!"
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[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS] 12/19/2007: Beverly Anne from Miami, FL writes: "Up to two weeks of v.c.o. usage I've got great looking/feeling skin but my face has broken out and experienced dryness. I've also got diarrhea and nausea with usage but am almost certain it is because of candida die-off symptoms as I understand vco has caprylic acid qualities used in fighting candida infection. Otherwise, I've lost weight, thyroid pulsating has subsided quite a bite and no vaginal discharge. Will up the dosage from 1 TBS. to 1.5 gradually during next week."
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