Effect of Coconut Oil on Serum Lipids of Normal and of Thyroidectomized Dogs ∗

Abstract

Summary

Thyroidectomized dogs respond to the addition of coconut oil to the diet with greater elevations of serum cholesterol concentration than do normal dogs. This greater elevation is not explained by the higher serum cholesterol level of the thyroidectomized dogs on the low-fat diet. Serum phospholipids are elevated by administration of coconut oil but there is no difference between the responses of normal and thyroidectomized dogs. Serum triglycerides are elevated in both groups of animals by coconut oil. The elevation tends to be greater in the thyroidectomized animals but the difference between normal and thyroidectomized dogs was not statistically significant.