Reviews of studies on the dermatological effects of topical and oral virgin coconut oil and monolaurin from coconut oil
2007
Verallo-Rowell, V.M., Makati Medical Center, Makati, Metro Manila (Philippines). Dermatopathology
Two oils used since ancient times: olive and coconut, have been undergoing closer scrutiny in regard their production and uses. 'Virgin' and 'Extra Virgin' now apply to both oils, and regulatory standards have been made to define these descriptives. Studies on olive oil, especially as a nutraceutical products are many. Studies on virgin coconut oil (VCO) are much fewer. This, because of the cloud of misunderstanding about VCO being a saturate, and an overall assumption that it is therefore bad for the health. The author, a dermatologist and dermatopathologist with a keen interest in cosmetic dermatology and research, initiated the very first efficacy and safety studies on the cosmeceutical and nutraceutical uses of VCO in 1998. These clinical studies start at first with topical, then oral use of monolaurin, a derivative of VCO, followed by studies on the topical and oral use of the VCO itself. The timeline on how the author began the clinical studies, followed through the initial results, pursued further investigations to support these initial results, while comparing results with the more established olive, mineral oils, and alcohol, are well detailed in this article.
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