Can Coconut Oil Prevent or Treat Low Thyroid Activity

Coconut oil is widely used in the orient by millions of individuals. The oil composed chiefly or medium chain fatty acids is commonly used to flavor numerous South Asian foods and curries. Moreover, the oil is also used in many skincare products as a moisturizer and a skin softener. Many spas and clinics also use coconut oil for massages. Other uses of coconut oil include use as a lubricant during sex and as a base oil to make soaps, detergents and shampoos.

There are a lot of other health benefits attributed to coconut oil including weight loss, and reversal of low functioning thyroid. However, there is no evidence that coconut oil can help one reduce weight or cure hypothyroidism. There is not a single clinical study which has shown that daily intake of coconut oil can prevent hypothyroidism.

As far as weight loss properties of coconut oil are concerned, these are simply anecdotal reports without any scientific validity. There are thousands of Orientals who consume gallons of coconut oil on a yearly basis and still gain weight. All the hyped up data on increased metabolism and thermogenic properties of coconut oil are hogwash.

The treatment of hypothyroidism is thyroid hormone therapy. If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism like weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, constipation or extreme fatigue, go and see your physician. Thyroid hormone therapy is safe, relatively cheap and without too many side effects.  The health benefits of coconut oil have been exaggerated chiefly by people who sell this product.