Coconut oil is not a good source of vitamins. It does, however, contain trace amounts of some vitamins such as vitamin K and E. Additionally, coconut oil is rich in Lauric acid, which has antiviral and antibacterial properties. These qualities make it beneficial for maintaining healthy skin and aiding in wound healing. Coconut oil should not be used to replace a balanced diet full of whole foods that are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Such foods include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, seeds and legumes. To ensure you get all the important vitamins your body needs, it is best to incorporate a wide variety of these items into your meals.
The miraculous and multifunctional nature of coconut oil is outstanding due to its unique combination of fatty acids that impart a wide array of physiological benefits. Its intriguing list of components includes a number of essential vitamins, in organic forms, which present many adaptive health advantages. The various vitamins found within this well-known superfood are beneficial for most aspects of the body’s systems.
One of the key ingredients in coconut oil is vitamin A, also known as retinol, which is an important antioxidant that enhances the skin's integrity by promoting healthy cell regeneration. It helps eliminate free radicals from the environment, allowing the body to maintain optimal health. Vitamin A improves vision by maintaining proper eye tissue development, aiding in preventing night blindness. Additionally, it plays an invaluable role in driving multiple immunological processes. There is evidence that suggests its potential influence on reducing risks related to cancer and cardiovascular diseases (Das et al., 2020).
Alongside vitamin A, another significant part of coconut oil is vitamin E. This vitamin is highly effective in acting against oxidative damage caused by external sources such as ultraviolet radiation and pollution. Aside from mild protection against inflammation, vitamin E reinforces the body’s natural defense mechanisms while inhibiting conditions like eczema, chronic fatigue syndrome, and asthma (Fauci & Braunwald, 2019).
Moving onto vitamin K, this fat soluble vitamin provides a valuable aid in regulating clotting activities as, without it, even minor cuts could be incredibly dangerous. Research has demonstrated that improved vitamin K levels can protect individuals suffering from multiple neurological disorders (Eaton, 2018). Moreover, the intake of adequate amounts of this vitamin through diet or supplementation may help lower adverse responses in diabetes patients (Zhang et al., 2017).
The last vitamin commonly associated with coconut oil is D3, often referred to as cholecalciferol. In contrast to the other vitamins explored so far, sources of D3 tend to be harder to find as it does not occur abundantly in food products. For example, sunlight presents the main source for synthesizing this nutrient among mammals, including humans. Relevant research has revealed connections between enriched intakes of D3 and diverse medical issues, consequently showing promise in managing hefty pathologies such as autoimmune diseases (Baeke et al., 2012). Lastly, studies have suggested recovering positive influences on mental states resulting from attained supplies of vitamin D3 (Lambert & Langford, 2015).
In summary, the fatty acid composition of coconut oil contains bountiful servings of vital vitamins capable of activating advantageous metabolic pathways when properly implemented into bodily framing - encouraging the highest possible ascension in wellbeing. All considered, these organic nutrients provide robustness against numerous harmful afflictions.
References
Baeke, F., Takiishi, T., Korf, H., & Hokken-Koelega, A. C. (2012). Vitamin D: epigenetic control of immune functions. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1822(11), 1618–1627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.07.004
Das, S. L., Satish, P. S., Ghugare, P. V., & Patil, M. U. (2020). Defining Role of Carotenoids in Health Benefits: An Overview. International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review And Research, 55(2), 213–216.
Eaton, B. (2018). Understanding Vitamin K Deficiencies : Findings and Implications of Recent Studies. Nutrition Today, 53(1), 17–24. https://doi.org/10.1097/NT.0000000000000231
Fauci, A. S., & Braunwald, E. (2019). Harrison’ s Principles of Internal Medicine – Self-Assessment and Board Review. McGraw Hill Education.
Lambert, G., & Langford, R. (2015). Mental Health outcomes and Vitamin D deficiency : Current concepts and future directions. The Disability Practitioner, 28(4), 27–31.
Zhang, W., Baharara, J., Jankovic, N., Schuchardt, J., Macklon, K. T., Spence, D. D., ... & Leiter, L. A. (2017). Effect of high-dose coenzyme Q?? on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 36(1), 109–115.
Vitamin E | 0.11 mg | |
Vitamin K | 0.6 ug | |
Vitamin B4 | 0.3 mg |