Joshi Shashank, Kaushik Vaibhav, Gode Vaishali, Mhaskar Sudhakar
Dean, Indian College of Physicians; Consultant Endocrinologist, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre and Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Research and Development Centre, Marico Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
J Assoc Physicians India. 2020 Jul;68(7):67-72.
Coconut oil as health oil was recognized in Ayurvedic medicine almost 4000 years ago. The same health effects were also attributed to the mother's milk in ancient literature. Modern research has now found a common link between these two natural health products - their lipid content. The medium chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found primarily in coconut oil have miraculous healing power which act as natural antibiotic and also help modulate immunity. The information discussed in this review explains that coconut oil, either topically applied or ingested, gets broken down to release Lauric Acid and Monolaurin - known anti-microbial agents. The studies reported in literature are discussed to evaluate the antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal benefits of coconut oil. Not only does coconut oil metabolites have antimicrobial activity but also these remarkable derivatives have been shown not to cause resistance organisms to appear. The anti-microbial mechanistic action also helps activate the antiinflammatory nature of the immune response in human body. In vitro, animal, and human studies support the potential of coconut oil as effective and safe immune-nutritive active. New and exciting health and industrial uses of coconut oil and its derivative are possible. Never before in recent times has the recognition of the positive health effects of coconut oil been stronger. And never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize both need and efficacy of natural products known for their safety proposition. Immunity has been a buzzword in the current scenario and the demand for modulating immunity with natural means has been so unprecedented and so ubiquitous. Coconut oil and its value added forms can contribute to a more vigorous and healthy future.
大约4000年前，椰子油作为健康油在阿育吠陀医学中就已得到认可。古代文献中也将同样的健康功效归功于母乳。现代研究现已发现这两种天然健康产品之间的一个共同联系——它们的脂质成分。主要存在于椰子油中的中链脂肪酸和甘油单酯具有神奇的治愈能力，可作为天然抗生素，还有助于调节免疫力。本综述中讨论的信息解释说，无论是局部涂抹还是摄入，椰子油都会分解以释放月桂酸和月桂醇单酯——已知的抗菌剂。本文讨论了文献中报道的研究，以评估椰子油的抗病毒、抗菌和抗真菌益处。椰子油代谢产物不仅具有抗菌活性，而且这些显著的衍生物已被证明不会导致耐药菌出现。抗菌作用机制还有助于激活人体免疫反应的抗炎特性。体外、动物和人体研究都支持椰子油作为有效且安全的免疫营养活性物质的潜力。椰子油及其衍生物可能会有新的、令人兴奋的健康和工业用途。近年来，对椰子油积极健康影响的认识从未像现在这样强烈。在人类历史上，强调以安全著称的天然产品的必要性和功效也从未像现在这样重要。在当前情况下，免疫一直是个热门词汇，通过自然方式调节免疫力的需求前所未有的普遍。椰子油及其增值形式可以为更有活力和健康的未来做出贡献。
