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Previously, Prior et al. (1981) had shown that islanders with Chlamydia pneumoniae, a gram-negative bacterium, is another high intakes of coconut oil showed "no evidence of the high satu- of the micro-organisms suspected of playing a role in atheroscle- rated fat intake having a harmful effect in these populations". rosis by provoking an inflammatory process that would result in When these groups migrated to New Zealand, however, and low- the oxidation of lipoproteins with induction of cytokines and pro- ered their intake of coconut oil, their total cholesterol and LDL _ duction of proteolystic enzymes—a typical phenomenon in ather- cholesterol increased and their HDL cholesterol decreased. osclerosis (Saikku, 1997). Some of the pathogenic gram-negative Statements that any saturated fat is a dietary problem is not sup- bacteria with an appropriate chelator have been reported to be ported by evidence (Enig, 1993). inactivated or killed by lauric acid and monolaurin as well as Studies that allegedly showed a "hypercholesterolemic" effect capric acid and monocaprin (Bergsson et al., 1997; Thormar et al., of coconut oil feeding usually only showed that coconut oil was 1999). not as effective at lowering the serum cholesterol as was the more However, the micro-organisms which are most frequently iden- unsaturated fat to which coconut tified as probable causative oil was being compared. This infecting agents are in the her- appears to be in part because pes virus family and include coconut oil does not "drive" cho- cytomegalovirus, type 2 herpes lesterol into the tissues as do the . . simplex (HSV-2) and Coxsackie more polyunsaturated fats. The Thus, ironically enough, one could B4 virus. chemical analysis of the athero- consider the recommendations to The evidence for a causative ma showed that the fatty acids . . A role for cytomegalovirus is the from the cholesterol esters are avoid coconut and other lauric oils strongest (Ellis, 1997; Visseren 74% unsaturated (41% of the as contributing to the increased et al., 1997; Zhou et al., 1996; total fatty acids is polyunsaturat- Melnick et al., 1996; Epstein et ed) and only 24% are saturated. incidence of coronary heart disease! al., 1996; Chen and Yang, None of the saturated fatty acids 995), but a role for HSV-2 is was reported to be lauric acid or also shown (Raza-Ahmad et al., myristic acid (Felton et al., 995). 1994). All members of the herpes There is another aspect to the virus family are reported to be coronary heart disease picture. This is related to the initiation of killed by the fatty acids and monoglycerides from saturated fatty the atheromas that are reported to be blocking arteries. Recent acids ranging from C-6 to C-14 (Isaacs et al., 1991), which research shows that there is a causative role for the herpes virus include approximately 80% of the fatty acids in coconut oil. and cytomegalovirus in the initial formation of atherosclerotic In spite of what has been said over the past four or more plaques and the reclogging of arteries after angioplasty (New York decades about the culpability of the saturated fatty acids in heart Times, January 29, 1991). What is so interesting is that the herpes disease, they are ultimately going to be held blameless. More and virus and cytomegalovirus are both inhibited by the antimicrobial more research is showing the problem to be related to oxidised lipid monolaurin, but monolaurin is not formed in the body unless products. The naturally saturated fats such as coconut oil are one there is a source of lauric acid in the diet. protection we have against oxidised products. Thus, ironically enough, one could consider the recommenda- tions to avoid coconut and other lauric oils as contributing to the increased incidence of coronary heart disease. tinued in the next issue of NEXUS Magazine’ Thus, ironically enough, one could consider the recommendations to avoid coconut and other lauric oils Editor's Note: Science Editor of the Foundation's ings in Europe, India, Japan, Vietnam, As we have insufficient space to publish publication. Dr Enig has many years Indonesia, the Philippines and the numerous references accompanying of experience as a lecturer and has Micronesia. this article, we have instead posted them taught graduate-level courses for the Dr Enig is the author of numerous on the NEXUS Magazine website, Nutritional Sciences Program at the journal publications, mainly on fats Www.nexusmagazine.com. University of Maryland, where she was and oils research and nutrient/drug a Faculty Research Associate in the interactions. She also wrote the book About the Author: Lipids Research Group, Department of | Know Your Fats (Bethesda Press, Silver Dr Mary G. Enig holds an MS and PhD Chemistry and Biochemistry, Spring, MD, May 2000). She is a pop- in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Maryland. She also ular media spokesperson and was an University of Maryland in the USA. maintains a limited clinical practice for early critic speaking out about the use She is a consulting nutritionist and bio- patients needing nutritional assessment of trans fatty acids and advocating chemist of international renown and __ and consultation. their inclusion in nutritional labelling. an expert in fats/oils analysis and Dr Enig has extensive experience One of Dr Enig's recent research metabolism, food chemistry and com- consulting and lecturing on nutrition to topics dealt with the development of a position and nutrition and dietetics. individuals, medical and allied health nutritional protocol for proposed clini- Dr Enig is Director of the Nutritional groups, the food processing industry cal trials of a non-drug treatment for Sciences Division of Enig Associates, and state and federal governments in HIV/AIDS patients. Her articles, "The Inc., President of the Maryland the US. She also lectures and acts asa Oiling of America" and "Tragedy and Nutritionists Association and a Fellow consultant to the international health Hype: The Third International Soy of the American College of Nutrition. and food processing communities. Symposium", written with nutritionist/ She is also Vice President of the Since 1995 she has been invited to researcher Sally Fallon, were published Weston A. Price Foundation and make presentations at scientific meet- in NEXUS 6/01-2 and 7/03 respectively. 18 ¢ NEXUS as contributing to the increased incidence of coronary heart disease! Continued in the next issue of NEXUS Magazine WWW.NeXU smagazi ne.com FEBRUARY — MARCH 2002