Does anyone know which is the healthiest oil to use in frying fish? I am hopelessly addicted to fry fish but I am confused about all the different types of product on the shelf. Not so long ago we were told that coconut oil was bad for you, but I recently read something that lauded the benefits of said oil.

peanut,sunflower and canola-but with coconut is the best,and the fish must not "swimm "in oil-less is more

Dear Likkle john,

Here is an excerpt from a book entitled, "The Coconut Oil Miracle" by Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D., that might help answer your question, or at least provide food for thought:

"Dietary Changes Affect Health Status
...

The blood cholesterol of Tokelau Islanders increased when they migrated to New Zealand, despite the fact that the total fat content of their diet dropped, declining from 57 percent in Tokelau, with 80 percent of that from coconut oil, to around 43 percent in New Zealand. They ate more white bread, rice, meat, and other Western foods and less of their high-fiber, coconut rich foods.

The conclusion we can make from these island studies is that a high-saturated-fat diet consisting of coconut oil is not detrimental to health and does not contribute to arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Indeed, these people who eat coconut oil in place of other vegetable oils are amazingly free from the degenerative diseases that are so common in the West. They also have nearly ideal body weight and appear to be examples of perfect health. But when these people replace coconut oil in their diets with other oils and processed foods (which are typically loaded with polyunsaturated and hydrogenated oils) their health declines."

We are bombarded with so much information with regard to “food,” what is good and what is bad for us, that one could go (coco)nuts trying to keep up. I say, inform yourself, and don’t forget to look to the past, grandmas and grandpas, etc. What were they eating? Were they healthy/healthier?

Ultimately, no matter what anyone says, be it doctor, media, book, friend, “stranger on the internet,” the responsibility for our health, which is directly related to what we put in our mouths, is ours and ours alone. For me the question I always ask myself is “Does this resonate with me? Does this ring true?”

Here is one link http://www.milesresearch.com/main/coconut-oil.htm for some in-depth information on coconut oil.

Thanks for both responses. I have since found that "the UNREFINED virgin coconut oil...is not chemically treated and is trans-fat free" Also, "the main saturated fat in virgin coconut oil is lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that can help increase levels of HDL (good cholesterol)".

Based on these recent revisions, I wish that the agricultural sector and/or the Government will take an interest in reviving the coconut oil industry in Jamaica. We could get a two for one here: jobs and improved health.

can you buy coconut oil in Treasure Beach?

Does anyone remember when coconut oil, in TB had other uses, other than cooking? Now Dr. Oz has the ball rolling in his discussions about coconut. Have a good day all!!!

Do you mean as lotion and hair oil? That's my recollection

I recently learned of a study by Dr Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr (author of "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease"). The study shows that it's possible to have a future in which there never needs to be another heart attack. As part of a vegan diet, Dr Esselstyn recommends the total elimination of all "nuts", which I imagine would include coconuts. Of course I don't know if I could strictly follow this diet as it also eliminates the eating of fish!

Yes, Oldtimer #1, back in the day we happily used coconut oil as hair oil and body lotion. Those were good days. Now, I purchase my coconut oil from the health store; it's called organic,,,,ha ha ha. We have come a long way.

Shine hair and shine limbs! Yet we wore it with pride.