Cord Relationship Between Coconut Oil Intake And Serum Lipid And ApoA-1 Profiles Among The Traditional Coconut Oil Consumers In Ciamis Regency, West Java, Indonesia: The Possible Protective Role Of Lauric Acid Though Gene Expressi
Coconut oil is a saturated vegetable oil. It is traditionally thought to be associated with the increased levels of total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and increased risks of cardio-vascular diseases (Shekelle et al., 1981). A study has been initiated not only to disprove this theory, but also to find evidence that coconut oil promotes normal lipid profile and is able to protect us against cardio-vascular diseases.
Although coconut oil is high in saturated fatty acids (91% of total fat), but 69.2% of SAFA are MCFA (or 63% of total fat) (Muller et al., 2003). MCFA are easily metabolized and do not increase total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (Gurr, 2000). Among the MCFA, lauric acid comprises of 48 g per 100 gram coconut oil (Muller et al., 2003). Adequate intake of coconut oil is healthy, and should be associated with normal lipid profile and normal health.
A cross sectional study was carried out among traditional coconut farmers who are also traditional coconut oil consumers in Ciamis Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Forty six healthy subjects were recruited for the study, consisting of 22 males and 24 females with average age of 39.1 ± 10.4 years. Daily fat intake was 47.9 ± 27.27 g with coconut fat intake of 28.8 g (60% of total fat intake). Laboratory data showed that the average levels of total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, ApoA-1A and LDL/HDL ratio were 184.9 ± 38.41 mg/dl, 115.5 ± 36.88 mg/dl, 54.7 ± 11.44 mg/dl, 136.5 ± 17.12 mg/dl and 2.23 ± 0.71 respectively. All farmers appeared to be physically healthy, with normal total serum cholesterol (<200 mg/dl) - 71.7%, normal LDL cholesterol (< 130 mg/dl) - 69.6%, normal HDL cholesterol (> 40 mg/dl)-93.5%, normal ApoA-1 - 95.7%, normal triglyceride (<150 mg/dl) - 87% and 100% with low risk of CHD (based on LDL/HDL ratio <4). The data suggest that coconut oil may have a protection effect against abnormal lipid profile.
