COCONUT OIL

[SIDE EFFECTS]  05/25/2009: JJManila from Manila, Philippines writes: "im 40yo male. last night may 24,09 i took my first v.c.o. with 1 tbs. before bedtime. i felt real bad right after, cold sweats and i was shaking and dizzy. i hope im not allergic to vco. im going to take 1tbs again before i go to bed."

I have a history of lupus. In 2005, my WBC count was 3.2 and has slowly gone down since. It is now 2.2 and the doctor wants me to see an oncologist. I saw one in 2007 who said the only way to find out exactly what the problem is is to have a bone marrow test. I do not want to do this. I saw a post from Ted that said coconut oil cured his blood disorder. I don't know exactly what he was referring to but is it possible that CO could raise my WBC count over time? For the last month I have been using only coconut oil for cooking and trying a little ACV and just started oil pulling with sesame oil about 5 times now). I have no other health issues and I am feeling good (higher energy, better skin, good sleep, better mood, etc.) but this WBC number scares me. I would love to hear from Ted and everyone on this.

Also my cholesterol has slowly gotten worse, now 263 (HDL-177; HDL-68; Trig-88). The doctor wants to put me on cholesterol meds. Again, I do not want to do this. I eat a diet of no sugar or white flour and moderate fats but recently tried a diet that recommended eating lots of fat, little protein and carbs to help lose weight. I did this during this last month and did lose a few pounds. Is it possible that this diet could have raised my cholesterol in such a short time? Can CO raise cholesterol? Any advice appreciated."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  03/19/2009: Misha from Binghamton, New York writes: "I began taking a tablespoon of coconut oil in my morning tea each day. On about the 4th day, I suffered from chest pains which I had never experienced before. I discontinued use to rule out other possibilities, and when I reintroduced it, I suffered from the chest pains once again. I began taking the coconut oil to help a sluggish thyroid, but have stopped taking it since my negative experiences with it. I am 27 and in excellent health."

[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."

[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."

Thank you"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/28/2008: Lithloren from Omaha, Ne writes: "VCO - I had heard that coconut oil was very good for your hair. So, I came online to do a bit of research when I came across this great website. After reading about the benefits of VCO, I purchased VCO and began putting it on my hair as well as taking it internally. The next day I started experiencing body aches, sore throat and fatigue. I really thought I was coming down with something! After reading that other people with Blood Type O were not doing well with VCO I went to the bookstore and purchased a book about blood type diets. In the the book it listed coconut as a food to avoid for people with Blood Type O. That is acts as a toxin in my body. I sure believe it because I started using Olve Oil and Flaxseed Oil, which are listed as a benefit to Type O's, instead and have not experienced the same symptoms."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/19/2008: B Cole from Nixa, MO writes: "When I take a certain brand of VCO (one of the most popular brands) I get moody and cranky. It does not matter how much I take Tbl. or teaspoon. I would like to know if anyone else has experienced anything like this. Some of the other brands do not cause this, but I gain weight with other brands."

[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."

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."

[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!"

Today, I didn't eat any Coconut Oil and my symptoms reduced by over 50%. I love the Oil Pulling, Apple Cider Vinegar, and everything else listed on this site. Unfortunately, eating Coconut Oil didn't work out for me apparently. I do plan on using Coconut Oil externally on my skin."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  03/01/2008: Kelly from Brooklyn, NY writes: "i found out i was hypo in Sept 07. have never been overweight ..read about VCO so i tried it for a month but have gained weightI went from size 4 to 6 in a short time. i exercise alot and have not changed my eating habits with the exception of adding VCO to my diet. I would have 1lbs on my toast in the morning and then cook with another tbls at night. i started taking it for additional energy and softer skin...but the only thing i got was thicker thighs and stomach. i just had my endo appt this week and still had to increase my meds as the THS levels were still not close to normal. I guess I was the exception!"

[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."

[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???"

[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."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  12/14/2007: Linda from Concord, CA writes: "I began using VCO on doctor's orders to help combat hypothyroid. My skin, hair, energy levels were all positive results. I also used VCO as a deodorant. However, after a few days I began gaining weight, got dizzy spells and some diarrhea. My blood pressure soared! After continued trials for a couple of weeks, my doctor advised me to stop using it. This was disappointment as I got good results in other areas; however, every attempt made to try it again caused my BP to go higher. I do full body cleanses once or twice a year. Possibly it might help if I did just liver cleanse? I'm 60 years old, exercise daily, eat healthy foods, do drink 1.5 cups coffee in morning and am Blood Type A. Disappointed as not being able to use coconut oil due to HBP. Would appreciate any comments on my HBP problem to be answered on this site. Any insight would be beneficial. Thanks, a CA gal"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  11/07/2007: Shane (McManus) from Sunbury, Victoria/Australia writes: "I've had mixed results taking coconut oil. It cleared my eczema and improved my skin but have been light headed and dizzy after 2 weeks of taking it. Also my hayfever has come back where i was fine before. A herxheimer reaction should have settled after 2 weeks. I'm wondering if others who have had reactions are Blood group O, as according to the blood group diet coconut oil does not agree with type O blood."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/27/2007: Jess from London, England writes: "the many times I tried massaging my head with coconut oil, if I leave it on for too long on my head, I end up with a fever. After many years of not using it, I used it a few days ago. Left it on for many hrs and the next day, I had the worst flu and still am feeling very lethargic, weak."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/23/2007: John from Virginia Beach, Virginia writes: "it has now been over two weeks since i started taking VCO, i had stomach pains and diarrhea at first but the pains have subsided. I havent experienced any weight loss but i havent gained any weight either. It does give me a little bit of energy."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/21/2007: Dee from Mineral Wells, TX writes: "I have recently taken CO Butter because of the great taste and then taken the VCO later for about for about 4 days, my autistic son was prescribed Caprylic Acid for yeast and bacteria overgrowth, so thought I'd give it a try, although I have had a wonderful decrease in cravings for sweets and an increase in energy it is totally overkill, Not only did I have more energy but TOOO much, I've stopped taking it due to this, I took approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons daily and can't sleep, 2am rolls around and here I am, awake, and the most bothersome thing is now my feet and lower legs are cramping soo much I cants sleep!!! I'm tired but am revved up like the energizer bunny, how long will this last and what can be done about the feet?? Help Me!!!"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/12/2007: John from Virginia Beach, Virginia writes: "vco [virgin coconut oil] has been giving me bad stomach pains and diarrhea. I've only been taking it for several days now but i'm hoping these side effects subside in the near future..."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  03/21/2007: Sheena from Belize, Belize writes: "I first tried coconut oil to combat the symptoms of hypothyroidism 2 weeks ago.By the first day, I had fantastic energy and felt like I've never felt before! One week ago however, I started having heart palpitations, high blood pressure and tachycardia (rapid heart rate), even at rest, that landed me in the ER. I had never had these problems before and I am wondering if the oil boosted my metabolism so much that it is causing these symptoms. Is there anyone else that has experienced this? I feel great otherwise, but my unbelieving doctor has told me to stop taking the oil and put me on antihypertensive meds. I was taking a tablespoon with every meal. Was this too much? Can somebody please help me?"

CONSTIPATION CAUSED FROM OP AND ACV