December 6, 2019 – Cypress, CA – Dr. Scott Howell, a 2019 graduate of Trident University International’s (Trident) Ph.D. in Health Sciences program, recently published research on the health benefits of coconut oil in the 7 November 2019 edition of Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases.
“Coconut Oil Intake and Its Effects on the Cardiometabolic Profile: A Structured Literature Review,” led by Dr. Hector O. Santos, examines the effect of coconut oil intake on the cardiometabolic profile through the exploration of lipid indices, as well as potential non-lipid effects, like weight loss. Those with a cardiometabolic risk have increased chances of having diabetes, heart disease, or stroke.
“Our review reveals that coconut oil is not an effective weight loss strategy and it should not be considered as an appetite suppressant,” states Dr. Howell. “Lauric acid – a fatty acid that is the main component of coconut oil – is known to increase concentrations of both low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.”
The research suggests that coconut oil intake in a weight loss regimen should be limited to no more than 10% of total caloric intake. Given that both health and industry professionals have encouraged the use of coconut oil for its health benefits, this research could have far-reaching public health benefits.
Dr. Howell teaches in Trident’s College of Health and Human Services and has research interests in the long-term effects of therapeutic androgen use and endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure. He also serves as the research director at Tier 1 Health and Wellness in Chattanooga, TN.
Earlier this year Dr. Howell co-authored, edited, and published the exercise text, “Integrated Periodization in Sports Training and Athletic Development,” with Dr. Tudor Bompa, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, and Dr. James Hoffmann, of East Tennessee State University. He also had papers published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacological Research in April.
Dr. Howell has received several acknowledgments for his contributions to academic scholarship. He received the American Military University Academic Scholar Award in 2016 and has taken part in two major National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Defense (DoD) funded studies at Wake Forest University: Strength Training for Arthritis Trial (START) and The Runners and Injury Longitudinal Study (TRAILS).
Dr. Howell holds a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from Trident’s College of Health and Human Services and a Master of Science in Sport and Health Science from American Military University.
About Trident at AIUFounded in 1998, Trident at American InterContinental University (Trident) is part of an online postsecondary university serving adult learners. Trident uses the EdActive™ learning approach, which employs case-based learning in an online setting to teach real-world relevant critical thinking skills designed to enhance the lives and education of students. Trident offers quality associate, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs and certificates, led by a qualified faculty team, over 80% of whom have doctoral degrees. Trident is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org) and has more than 22,000 alumni with a military affiliation. The University has received multiple acknowledgements from Washington Monthly, Military Times, and Military Advanced Education & Transition for their dedication to student success. Visit www.trident.edu, Trident’s Facebook page, or call at to learn more about Trident's wide range of educational options.
