The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Ray (Calgary, Alberts) on 12/29/2012:
Belle of the south, sorry but I agree with Violet of Chicago about coconut oil. Coconut oil is a marvelous thing but you have to be very careful about how you use it (as with all things. ) It is not saturated fat but it does have mid chain fatty acids. I started taking it for my thyroid and immediately had paralyzed arms and numbness. I stopped the COil and it went away. A few days later I tried again and the numbness returned. Now I take the coconut oil in much reduced amounts. Too much of a good thing is bad. I had also recommended the cononut oil to my wife.. Same sort of numbness reaction. Use coconut oil... like I do, but as Violet of Chicago says, go easy on the amounts.
Coconut Oil Causing Skin and Urine to Smell Excessively Sweet
Hi, when I take 1/2 teaspoon to 3/4 teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil for a few days my skin and urine started to get a sweet smell. This happened before and I stopped taking the oil. I started taking it again and the skin for a few hours had a sweet smell. Does the oil stir something with possible diabetes and ketosis? I was still eating carbs and sugars. I am not diagnosed with diabetes but have eaten my share of sweets and then some.
One of the reported side effects with coconut oil is Liver problems. For a long time, that baffled me. I came to realize that the saturated fat can cause NA fatty liver disease, NA hepatic steatosis and worse. There is a build up in liver. I was eating a lot of butter and coconut oil. Standard liver tests didn't give me any warning. This is likely the cause of most type 2 diabetes and many other things.
It can be treated with PolyenthylPhosphatidylCholine (most important), SiliPhos, L-carnitine and lowering saturated fats/raising Omega 3 can heal and cleanse the liver.
I was doing GallBladder Cleanse for a month before I discovered it.
The bottom line is that saturated fat like coconut oil is healthy for you but you need to be aware that your liver can get overloaded with it. People who have side effects from it should suspect a fatty liver or worse and be proactive in cleaning up their liver. Probably should do an annual cleanse as part of your annual body tune up to remove any built up gunk.
Preparing gradual changes in my eating habits to a ketogenic diet. After 3 days using coconut oil more then I usually did before I noticed in the evening heart palpitations... is there a reason for this. Should I replace for another oil?
I'm in my seventies and have always tried to eat healthily, and it has paid off dividends because I do keep well. However, recently I have found that occasionally I have problems remembering the odd word, which worries me, and so decided to take virgin coconut oil in the belief that the brain needs 'fat' to keep healthy.
I began having pains in my stomach, and then the most awful diarrhea, but did not connect it with the coconut oil. It was after a severe bout of diarrhea yesterday that I decided to cut it out and very quickly all the symptoms disappeared and I felt well again.
Reading about coconut oil it does seem like the panacea for lots of health problems, but to me it hasn't been. I would advise anyone thinking of using it to approach it with caution. It may suit you, it may not!
I am 64 years old. I used coconut oil and it increased my cholesterol from 5.2 to 6.2 in three months. I stopped using it and my cholesterol reduced back down to 5.1 within three months.
I have been talking coconut oil for about a month I take Virgin Cocout oil, ( good brand)( Organic) cold pressed, unrefined, 1000 mgs per 3 softgels. Softgels, started w 3 w meals, then stayed at 5 for a month 2 morn., 1 midday, 2 dinner. I took this for an infection I have been having. I have had a strange side effect of like cloudy eyes. I get these clouds on my eyes, where I see blurry and I have to blink my eyes a lot till it takes off. ( maybe my eye mucus got thick???? dry??) I was wondering if this has been a side effect for any of you?
I am only taking this so it cannot be other things.. Have been eating the same, and my infection is not on my eyes ok.
The positive that I did notice is not much constipation. But not much difference with my infection either :(
I plan on decreasing the dose, to see how I feel. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!!!
I am trying to put coconut oil in daily cooking. But as soon as I made tortilla with coconut oil instead of crisco, my husband complains of having heartburn. Will this heartburn go away or should I look for other alternatives beside coconut oil? Thanks.
Hi everyone, I have been taking 1 tsp of extra virgin coconut oil organic cold pressed about 3 days before my menses and I also drank coconut water on those days as well.
On the first day of my menses I drank 2 bottles of coconut water and about 4 tsp of VCO it was really light and the pan wasn't so severe, I was happy because nothing else seemed to work for me, not the ACV with mother, not the unsulphured BSM or the cayenne pepper, they all just made my period heavier for some strange reason.
I had hope for once but then that night I started to bleed like crazy and clotting more than usual, I don't understand why this keeps happening to me. Please if Ted or anyone could help me, did I take too much VCO? Is the VCO and coconut water making my menses worse?
I'm on my second day now and it's still heavy I'm lying in bed trying not to move, I'm drinking some coconut water but I haven't had anything else for today please help me I would like some answers. Thank you.
Hi! My husband has been taking 2 tablespoon of VCO and oil pulling with VCO for about 3 weeks. I have just been oil pulling with VCO for 3 weeks. We both seem to have lost weight, teeth seem whiter. However, the side effcets have kicked in. I started with excrutiating headaches for 2 days and then loose bowel movements. My husband felt tired, then had very runny bowel movement over 2 days, fever, and exhaustion. As of now, we are experiencing loose bowel movement still.
Question : is this the die-off effect?
Do we continue after this diahrea calms down?
Do we lower the dosage of VCO taken and number of oil pulling?
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!
Last week after reading about VCO on here last week I took a tablespoon of oil before bed as a treatment for Candida. I had a terrible time that night unable to sleep because I was very hyperactive and then my heart began to race, it continued to race for a few days. In 24hrs I lost 4lbs in weight, in a week I have lost half a stone. I am already very slim and can't really afford to lose this much weight. This surprised me as I have used it in cooking previously and as a replacement for butter without these drastic effects. Today I used a tablespoon for roasting some parsnips and so far it hasn't had the same effects. Does the oil or the way in which our bodies use the oil change when it is heated to a high temperature?
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.
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.
Hi Bill, just wondering if you could help me. I tried VCO about a year ago. Started with 1tsp and added 1 each day til I was up to 3. After about a week or so, I got a horrible cold sore and started having bladder control issues. So I stopped using the coconut oil and the bladder problem went away. Cold sore was gone after a week and I haven't had one since. I would really like to use coconut oil but am afraid to. Are these normal reactions that will go away after a while, was I doing something wrong or are they possibly allergic reactions? The bladder thing happened to me once before when I tried aspirin therapy - does that have something to do with thinning the blood? Thanks so much for the information.
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.
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?
Vacoffee Drinker (Fairfax, Va, Usa) on 09/25/2010:
Started taking coconut oil about a week ago, 3 tablespoons 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.
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
I think I've finally discovered the cause of my awful migraine headaches - VCO. I couldn't put my finger on it because I was taking so many supplements. After eliminating almost everything else I think VCO is the culprit. The reaction only happens when I take a couple spoonfuls of it but it's awful. Like Tammy it's the kind of headache that sets me back a whole day.
Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 03/22/2010:
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?
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.
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!
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!!!!
Juno (West Hollywood, California, Usa) on 03/03/2010:
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?
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?
Juno (West Hollywood, California, Usa) on 02/09/2010:
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?
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.
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!
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