Oil free diet

[Adityac]

I am told by my cardiologist that totally avoiding oils does not promote cardiac safety. I can have 3/4 TSP daily.

[sandybrown]

There are many different type of oils available, which oil, 3 to 4 table spoons are you or your cardiologist talking about?

[Celtic]

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is best - I have it on a lunchtime salad daily. Coconut Oil is apparently one of the worst for those with high cholesterol.

[sandybrown in reply to Celtic]

Coconut oil is one of the best, in UK it is in spreadable from therefore you can put the coconut oil on toast.

[Celtic in reply to sandybrown]

Sandy, Coconut oil is highly saturated and, as such, should be limited in those with high cholesterol. Neither the NHS nor the Mayo Clinic recommend Coconut oil. I know about Michael Moseley's recent programme to the contrary but I prefer to err on the side of caution and stick to the non-saturated versions.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[sandybrown in reply to Celtic]

Two oils, I grew up with, coconut oil and sesame seed oil. Only in UK many different type of oil available .

When I cam to UK in 1965 only cooking oil.

[KatyB in reply to Celtic]

For those folk that did not watch Michael Moseley's programme, 94 volunteers aged between 50 - 75 were divided into 3 groups and a cholesterol test done on each person. First group were given 50g (about 3 tablespoons) of coconut oil every day for 4 weeks, second group were given olive oil, third group butter. After 4 weeks, LDL levels rose by 10% in the butter group, there was a small reduction of LDL but a 5% rise in the olive oil group and no rise of LDL in the coconut oil but the good HDL rose by 15%. So you can make your choice from the information given.

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to Celtic]

The saturated fat theory of cardiovascular risk has long ago been discredited. Sugar in all of its forms as well as simple carbohydrates are promoters of inflammation in the body which triggers a cascade of defense mechanisms including extra cholesterol synthesis that damages our endothelium.

The only limitation on oils (olive and coconut) should be for caloric reasons since they are very calorie dense. If you exercise daily and eat a whole foods, plant based diet, with some animal protein supplementation, you don't need to worry.

Avoid all other vegetable oils.

Vitamin C supplementation is also critical - 3,000 mg per day in divided doses.

[sos007 Ambassador]

The best oil is extra virgin olive oil. I use a liberal amount of it daily and I've achieved optimal levels of both endothelial function and blood markers.

I've heard good things about coconut oil as well. Avoid all other vegetable oils they are high in Omega 6 fatty acids and damage your endothelium.