The Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil on Lipid Profile and Fasting Blood Sugar: A Phase I Clinical Trial

Background: Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is promoted as a dietary supplement for people with various ailments. However, there have been few formal scientific studies to validate its health benefits. Objective: To determine the effect of VCO on lipid profile, FBS, weight and body mass index (BMI) of healthy humans and evaluate its safety profile by determining effect on creatinine, potassium, AST, ALT and CBC Methods: Weight and height were obtained from 30 healthy males and BMI was computed on first visit. Baseline laboratories were taken: FBS, 2-hour glucose after 75 gram oral glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, creatinine, potassium, AST and ALT, and CBC. Each subject took VCO 15 mL t.i.d. before meals. After 6 weeks, repeat laboratory examinations were done. Weight was taken and BMI recomputed. Adverse events were reported. Results: There was significant increase in mean FBS (76.03, 6.62 mg/dl to 80.11, 9.04 mg/dl, p=0.024), significant decrease in HDL (47.58, 7.54 to 44.09, 7.10, p=0.028), significant increase in creatinine (76.44, 9.88 umol/L to 82.99, 11.29 umol/L, p = 0.0002) and platelet count (281.03, 52.6 x 109/L to 295.1, 58.06 x 109/L, p = 0.040) and significant decrease in WBC count (7.63, 1.74 x 109/L to 6.85, 1.5 x 109/L, p = 0.012). There was no effect on the rest of the laboratory examinations done. Twenty participants reported mild gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, including diarrhea (8), abdominal pain (3), diarrhea and abdominal pain (5), and diarrhea and vomiting (4). Conclusion: VCO significantly increases FBS and decreases HDL. VCO also increases creatinine and platelet count and decreases WBC count. Mild GI complaints were the most commonly reported adverse events. Further studies may be needed in order to validate the results of this exploratory study and elucidate the metabolic effects of VCO. Keywords: virgin coconut oil; metabolic effect; lipid profile Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine, Vol. 48 No. 2: Jul-Sep 2010, pp 1-6