What Are the Benefits of Coconut Oil With Type 1 Diabetes?

While much about Type 1 Diabetes is still unknown, a well-balanced diet that includes coconut oil as a substitute for other fats is helpful in protecting against insulin resistance and offers many other health benefits.

Benefits

• Unlike other oils, coconut oil doesn't contain trans fats when used for cooking. Coconut oil helps your body utilize essential fatty acids more efficiently. It also contains medium chain fatty acids that assist in digestion as well as hormone and insulin function; these fatty acids are vital for anyone with Type 1 diabetes.

Type

• The less processing to the oil, the better. Search for virgin, unprocessed coconut oil, which can be ordered online if you can't find any at your local market.

Considerations

• While researchers study the causes of the disease, doctors know that Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system destroys cells in the pancreas. Coconut oil contains certain acids, like lauric acid, which are capable of fighting strong germs and viruses.

Misconceptions

• Many people think that they should avoid coconut oil because it is so high in saturated fat. Because coconut oil is mostly a medium-chain fatty acid as opposed to long-chain, the fat burns quickly, as opposed to getting stored in the body. It does not clog arteries like other fats.

Expert Insight

• According to Dr. Conrado S. Dayrit, people who regularly ingest coconut oil have lower than average cholesterol and very low incidences of heart disease.