From the monthly archives:

October 2007

Coconut Oil - Good, Bad or Ugly?

by Melanie on October 5, 2007

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Coconut OilKathryn over at Limes and Lycopene previously mentioned how she often gets asked about coconut oil. I must say this is a product I knew very little about, and so following on from my previous discussion on oils, lets take a look at this very controversial topic!

What exactly does coconut oil consist of?

Coconut oil is made up of around 90% saturated fat, 6% monounsaturated fat, and 2% polyunsaturated fat. Differing from other highly saturated fats however, coconut oil is mostly made up of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs).

Why does that matter? Well, MCFAs are more easily digested, and absorbed in the body than other fats, and for this reason they are actually often used in enteral feeding formula for critically ill patients.

Due to the MCFA makeup of coconut oil, some suggest it is therefore different from other saturated fats, and as a result it doesn’t have the same ‘unhealthy’ effects associated with regular saturated fats.

So, is coconut oil healthy?
[click here to read on…]

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Dietary Guidelines from Around the World

by Melanie on October 3, 2007

If you’re interesting in the healthy eating guidelines, and recommendations, from around the world, here are four of the best:

  • UK - ‘Healthy Eating a Whole Diet Approach’
  • Australia - ‘The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating’
  • USA - ‘Finding your Way to a Healthier You’
  • Canada - ‘Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide’


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Is Scientific Research Reliable?

by Melanie on October 2, 2007

We all know that a simple health related search on the internet will return all sorts of weird and wonderful articles, ranging from highly reliable, to complete rubbish! But how do you know what information to trust? What’s reliable? What’s not so reliable? It definitely can feel like a bit of a mind field.

This is something which troubles me at times. I often search the internet, finding a range of products, books, and individuals claiming to have the secret to a healthier lifestyle. Many times such claims are made with absolutely no scientific research backing them, and in such cases I am very wary of the content.
[click here to read on…]

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