That Health Rules

 Much have been said about virgin coconut oil… you read them on newspapers, you hear great testimonies about its health benefits on radios and TV!  But what really is this oil…and the truth behind the claims regarding the therapeutic value.  If you log on to Google… it will link you to 1,400,000 sites!!!

According to some websites…”the oil comes from coconut trees that are grown organic… rich in lauric acid.” Because of the process , apparently the oil contains no trans fatty acid. It further claims “Research shows that the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil boosts the body’s metabolism, raises body temperatures, and helps provide greater energy which can lead to weight loss.”

What’s more interesting are the health related claims : oil to contain antifungal, antiviral including anti HIV and antimicrobial properties.  Likewise promoted to affect gastrointestinal problems, even as treatment for hypothyroidism and improves chronic fatigue syndrome. And the websites have lots of testimonials rather than true research oriented materials acceptable to the medical societies. 

Therefore the claims of this oil can’t be verified to warrant my recommendation with similar precautions to other herbal products being marketed as cure-all remedies.

Recently the US FDA posted in their web site demanding these coconut oil websites to stop their marketing practices of the products…

The therapeutic claims on your web site establish that the products are drugs because they are intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. The marketing of these products with these claims violates the Act section 201 (g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 USC 321(g)(1)(b)) .

Furthermore, your products are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced conditions and therefore, the products are also “new drugs” under section 201(p) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 321(p)]

FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data submitted by a drug sponsor to demonstrate that the drug is safe and effective. Your products are also misbranded within the meaning of section 502(f)(1) of the Act, in that the labeling for these drugs fails to bear adequate directions for use [21 U.S.C. 352(f)(1)].

Be more Vigilant…

This entry was posted on August 2, 2006 at 12:01 am and is filed under Medical News Bits, Nutrition Health Tips, Personal Thoughts.