The effects of coconut oil supplementation on the body composition and lipid profile of rats submitted to physical exercise.

Nathália M Resende,Murillo R Soré,Henrique R Félix,Aníbal M.M Neto,Gustavo T Volpato,Kleber E Campos

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201620150302

Nathália M Resende, Murillo R Soré + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201620150302

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Abstract

This study aims to verify the effects of coconut oil supplementation (COS) in the body composition and lipid profile of rats submitted to physical exercise. The animals (n=6 per group) were randomly assigned to: G1=Sedentary and Non-supplemented (Control Group), G2=Sedentary and Supplemented, G3=Exercised and Non-supplemented and G4=Exercised and Supplemented. The COS protocol used was 3 mL/Kg of body mass by gavage for 28 days. The physical exercise was the vertical jumping training for 28 days. It was determined the body mass parameters, Lee Index, blood glucose and lipid profile. The COS did not interfere with body mass, but the lean body mass was lower in G3 compared to G2. The final Lee Index classified G1 and G2 as obese (>30g/cm). The lipid profile showed total cholesterol was decreased in G3, LDL-c concentration was decreased in G2, triglycerides, VLDL-c and HDL-c concentrations were increased in G2 and G4 in relation to G1 and G3. The COS decreased LDL-c/HDL-c ratio. In conclusion, the COS associated or not to physical exercise worsen others lipid parameters, like triglycerides and VLDL-c level, showing the care with the use of lipid supplements.

Highlights

The coconut oil is a food supplement derived from the Cocos nucifera of Cocoideae subfamily and Arecaceae family
This study aims to verify the effects of coconut oil supplementation (COS) in the body composition and lipid profile of rats submitted to physical exercise
The COS did not interfere with body mass from sedentary or physical exercise groups compared to their respective Non-supplemented groups (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

The coconut oil is a food supplement derived from the Cocos nucifera of Cocoideae subfamily and Arecaceae family. This fruit is a fibrous drupe that consists of a thin hard skin called exocarp, a thicker layer of fibrous mesocarp, the hard endocarp, the white endosperm called kernel, and a large cavity filled with liquid (Chan and Elevitch 2006). It may provide an ideal food source to reduction of the body fat, especially in the abdominal region (Assunção et al 2009). The accumulated fat is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia (Lippi et al 2006, Misra et al 2010). The popular use of coconut oil supplementation (COS) can reduce the accumulated fat. To carry changes in body composition and assisting the obesity status, some life style changes are necessary, mainly about food choices and regular physical exercises programs (Lee et al 2008, WHO 2008)

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