“Coconut oil have high levels of saturated fat and it contains a large proportion of lauric acid. A decreased ratio indicates reduced risk for heart disease.”
Many health organizations advise against the consumption of high amounts of coconut oil due to its high levels of saturated fat, including the United States Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization, International College of Nutrition, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association, British National Health Service, and Dietitians of Canada.
Coconut oil contains a large proportion of lauric acid—a saturated fat that raises blood cholesterol levels by increasing the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Most of the increase is HDL cholesterol, hence the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol is decreased. A decreased ratio indicates reduced risk for heart disease. It is also found in significant amounts in laurel oil, palm kernel oil (not to be confused with palm oil), human and animal breast milk, and sebaceous gland secretions.[32][33] This may create a more favourable blood cholesterol profile, although it is unclear whether coconut oil may promote atherosclerosis through other pathways. Because much of the saturated fat of coconut oil is in the form of lauric acid, coconut oil may be a better alternative to partially hydrogenated vegetable oil when solid fats are required. In addition, virgin coconut oil (VCO) is composed mainly of medium-chain triglycerides, which may not carry the same risks as other saturated fats.
Advocacy against coconut and palm oils in the 1970s and 1980s due to their perceived danger as a saturated fat caused companies to substitute trans fats instead of them, unaware of their health-damaging effects.
A repellent made from coconut oil can be used to prevent tungiasis-causing sand fleas from invading the body
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_oil