Previous studies conducted in 258 human volunteers
(age 18–65 years) showed that coconut oil consumption
(15.40 g/head/day and average contribution of total fats
were 16.3%/head/day) was beneficial in reducing LDL
cholesterol and thereby raising HDL cholesterol when
compared to groundnut oil (Suma, 1998). Epidemiological
observation of Polynesian Puka Pukans (37% calories from
fat), whose 75% of the dietary fat come from coconut
showed lower cholesterol and lower prevalence of vascular
disease (Prior, Davidson, Salmond, & Czochanska, 1981).
From the available literature it is evident that coconut oil
consumption appears to be neutral in its effect on serum
cholesterol (Frantz & Carey, 1961). Due to the world wide
marketing of VCO and reports on its beneficial effects over
CO, we under took this study. Earlier we have found that it
is better in reducing lipid components in rats and capable
of reducing the in vitro oxidation of LDL by physiological
oxidants (Nevin & Rajamohan, 2004).