Ray Peat

Ray Peat on Coconut Oil

By OxidativeState · · 16 articles · 89 studies

Short answer: Ray Peat called coconut oil the safest fat. He wrote that it raises the metabolic rate by taking the brakes off the thyroid, resists oxidation, protects against the effects of unsaturated fats, and helps prevent weight gain.

What Ray Peat wrote about coconut oil

He describes his own first use. Although he had stopped eating seed oils years earlier, coconut oil produced an immediate response that convinced him his metabolism had been chronically held down. Source: Coconut Oil ↗

He wrote that coconut oil increases the metabolic rate, apparently by normalizing thyroid function, while the unsaturated oils suppress the thyroid. Source: Diabetes, scleroderma, oils and hormones

He called it unique in its ability to prevent weight gain or cure obesity by stimulating metabolism. Source: Unsaturated Vegetable Oils: Toxic

He cites B. A. Houssay's 1947 experiment: a diet based on sugar protected against diabetes better than one based on lard, and the most protective diet was based on coconut oil. Source: Diabetes, scleroderma, oils and hormones

On cholesterol, he noted that the people he knew who used coconut oil regularly had levels around 160 while eating eggs, milk, cheese, meat and shellfish. Source: Coconut Oil ↗

It is stable. Coconuts grow at around 100°F, so room temperature does not oxidize the oil, while fish oil and safflower oil go rancid quickly at body temperature. Source: Oils in Context

Hospitals use it as the base for intravenous fat feeding because emulsions of unsaturated oils suppress immunity. Source: Coconut Oil ↗

Butter and coconut oil both contain butyrate, which he calls an anti-stress substance that helps cells take up thyroid hormone. Source: Multiple Sclerosis and other hormone related brain syndromes

What he suggested in practice

  • Use it as the main cooking fat.
  • In the carrot salad dressing, with vinegar.
  • He lists vitamin E and coconut oil first among supplements for protecting the brain.

Where he wrote about it

This topic comes up in 16 of the articles on his site. These are the most relevant ones:

My take

Coconut oil is my main fat. It is rich in lauric and caprylic acid, which are hard on bad bacteria, and it is easy to burn. I also swish it in my mouth in the morning.

Quick answers

What did Ray Peat say about coconut oil?

That it is the safest oil, raises the metabolic rate by supporting thyroid function, protects against the toxic effects of unsaturated fats and helps prevent weight gain.

Did Ray Peat say coconut oil raises cholesterol?

He reported the opposite from the people he knew: regular users had cholesterol around 160 while eating cholesterol-rich foods.

89 studies Ray Peat cited on coconut oil

  1. Unsaturated fatty acids stimulate LH secretion via novel PKCepsilon and -theta in gonadotrope cells and inhibit GnRH-induced LH releaseEndocrinology · 2011 · PMID 21862612 · cited in Hot flashes, energy, and aging
  2. Unsaturated fatty acids drive disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM)-dependent cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration by modulating membrane fluidityJ Biol Chem · 2011 · PMID 21642425 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions
  3. Role of calcium and ROS in cell death induced by polyunsaturated fatty acids in murine thymocytesJ Cell Physiol · 2010 · PMID 20589836 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions
  4. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids improve cholinergic transmission in the aged brainGenes Nutr · 2009 · PMID 19727886 · cited in The dark side of stress (learned helplessness)
  5. Fetal learning and memory: weak associations with the early essential polyunsaturated fatty acid statusProstaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids · 2009 · PMID 19303277 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions, Regeneration and degeneration: Types of inflammation change with aging
  6. Effect of lifelong coenzyme Q10 supplementation on age-related oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in liver and skeletal muscle of rats fed on a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich dietJ Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci · 2007 · PMID 18000140 · cited in Cancer: Disorder and Energy
  7. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids impair lifespan but have no role for metabolismAging Cell · 2007 · PMID 17156083 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions
  8. Polyunsaturated fatty acids mobilize intracellular Ca2+ in NT2 human teratocarcinoma cells by causing release of Ca2+ from mitochondriaAm J Physiol Cell Physiol · 2006 · PMID 16601147 · cited in Cancer: Disorder and Energy
  9. Coenzyme Q10 protects from aging-related oxidative stress and improves mitochondrial function in heart of rats fed a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich dietJ Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci · 2005 · PMID 16127098 · cited in Cancer: Disorder and Energy
  10. Antiarrhythmic and electrophysiological effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsNaunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol · 2005 · PMID 15900514 · cited in Heart and hormones, Fats, functions & malfunctions
  11. Unsaturated fatty acids intake and all-causes mortality: a 8.5-year follow-up of the Italian Longitudinal Study on AgingExp Gerontol · 2005 · PMID 15820615 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions
  12. Changes in lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense status in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar rats fed a diet enriched with fructose and saturated fatty acidsNutrition · 2005 · PMID 15723754 · cited in Sugar issues
  13. Relationships between serum unsaturated fatty acids and coronary risk factors: negative relations between nervonic acid and obesity-related risk factorsInt Heart J · 2005 · PMID 16394593 · cited in Suitable Fats, Unsuitable Fats: Issues in Nutrition
  14. Unsaturated fatty acids phosphorylate and destabilize ABCA1 through a phospholipase D2 pathwayJ Biol Chem · 2005 · PMID 16118212 · cited in Suitable Fats, Unsuitable Fats: Issues in Nutrition
  15. Roles of unsaturated fatty acids (especially omega-3 fatty acids) in the brain at various ages and during ageingJ Nutr Health Aging · 2004 · PMID 15129302 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions
  16. Evidence that unsaturated fatty acids are potent inhibitors of renal UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT): kinetic studies using human kidney cortical microsomes and recombinant UGT1A9 and UGT2B7Biochem Pharmacol · 2004 · PMID 14667942 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions, Suitable Fats, Unsuitable Fats: Issues in Nutrition
  17. In vitro effects of selenite and mercuric chloride on liver thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and non-protein thiols from rats: influences of dietary cholesterol and polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acidsNutrition · 2003 · PMID 12781854 · cited in Cholesterol, longevity, intelligence, and health
  18. (n-3) Polyunsaturated fatty acids promote activation-induced cell death in murine T lymphocytesJ Nutr · 2003 · PMID 12566490 · cited in The Great Fish Oil Experiment
  19. Increased muscle proteasome activities in rats fed a polyunsaturated fatty acid supplemented dietInt J Biochem Cell Biol · 2003 · PMID 12672466 · cited in Fats and degeneration
  20. Unsaturated fatty acids inhibit cholesterol efflux from macrophages by increasing degradation of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1J Biol Chem · 2002 · PMID 11741998 · cited in Suitable Fats, Unsuitable Fats: Issues in Nutrition
  21. Formation of cyclic deoxyguanosine adducts from omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids under oxidative conditionsChem Res Toxicol · 2002 · PMID 11896684 · cited in Fats and degeneration
  22. Mitochondrial adaptation to in vivo polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency: increase in phosphorylation efficiencyJ Bioenerg Biomembr · 2001 · PMID 11460926 · cited in Phosphate, activation, and aging
  23. Dietary saturated fatty acids reverse inflammatory and fibrotic changes in rat liver despite continued ethanol administrationJ Pharmacol Exp Ther · 2001 · PMID 11602676 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions, Fats and degeneration
  24. Aspects of the intercellular communication in aged hearts: effects of the gap junction uncoupler palmitoleic acidNaunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol · 2001 · PMID 11692222 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions
  25. Polyunsaturated fatty acids influence neonatal monocyte survivalPediatr Surg Int · 2001 · PMID 11409157 · cited in Regeneration and degeneration: Types of inflammation change with aging
  26. Polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich diets: effect on adipose tissue metabolism in ratsBr J Nutr · 2001 · PMID 11570989 · cited in Suitable Fats, Unsuitable Fats: Issues in Nutrition
  27. Inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum function by polyunsaturated fatty acids in intact, isolated myocytes from rat ventricular muscleJ Physiol · 2000 · PMID 10699081 · cited in Heart and hormones
  28. Dietary unsaturated fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: higher levels of postprandial lipoprotein on a linoleic acid-rich sunflower oil diet compared with an oleic acid-rich olive oil dietDiabetes Care · 2000 · PMID 11023139 · cited in Glycemia, starch, and sugar in context
  29. Age-related accumulation of free polyunsaturated fatty acids in human retinaOphthalmic Res · 1999 · PMID 10325542 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions, Fats and degeneration
  30. Hydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by human colonic bacteriaLett Appl Microbiol · 1999 · PMID 10530040 · cited in Vitamin E: Estrogen antagonist, energy promoter, and anti-inflammatory
  31. The electrical and mechanical response of adult guinea pig and rat ventricular myocytes to omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsEur J Pharmacol · 1998 · PMID 9774258 · cited in Heart and hormones
  32. Generation of protein carbonyls by glycoxidation and lipoxidation reactions with autoxidation products of ascorbic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acidsFEBS Lett · 1998 · PMID 9804165 · cited in Suitable Fats, Unsuitable Fats: Issues in Nutrition
  33. Effects of dietary n-3-to-n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio on mammary carcinogenesis in ratsNutr Cancer · 1998 · PMID 9589432 · cited in Suitable Fats, Unsuitable Fats: Issues in Nutrition, Fats and degeneration
  34. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids promote colon carcinoma metastasis in rat liverCancer Res · 1998 · PMID 9699661 · cited in Fats and degeneration
  35. Glycolysis inhibition by palmitate in renal cells cultured in a two-chamber systemAm J Physiol · 1997 · PMID 9374661 · cited in Mitochondria and mortality
  36. Dietary saturated fatty acids down-regulate cyclooxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor alfa and reverse fibrosis in alcohol-induced liver disease in the ratHepatology · 1997 · PMID 9397995 · cited in Rosacea, inflammation, and aging: The inefficiency of stress, Estrogen and Osteoporosis
  37. The preferential mobilisation of C20 and C22 polyunsaturated fatty acids from the adipose tissue of the chick embryo: potential implications regarding the provision of essential fatty acids for neural developmentBiochim Biophys Acta · 1997 · PMID 9150251 · cited in Fats, functions & malfunctions
  38. Toxicity of polyunsaturated fatty acid esters for human monocyte-macrophages: the anomalous behaviour of cholesteryl linolenateFree Radic Res · 1997 · PMID 9167940 · cited in Multiple sclerosis, protein, fats, and progesterone
  39. A maternal diet high in n - 6 polyunsaturated fats alters mammary gland development, puberty onset, and breast cancer risk among female rat offspringProc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 1997 · PMID 9256489 · cited in Breast Cancer
  40. Subcutaneous, omentum and tumor fatty acid composition, and serum insulin status in patients with benign or cancerous ovarian or endometrial tumors. Do tumors preferentially utilize polyunsaturated fatty acids?Cancer Lett · 1997 · PMID 9022144 · cited in Vitamin E: Estrogen antagonist, energy promoter, and anti-inflammatory

Showing 40 of 89. Search all of them in the database →

Not affiliated with raypeat.com. This page describes Ray Peat's published articles in our own words and links to the originals. Educational content, not medical advice.

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