Virgin coco oil good for chicken — study

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is not only good for humans.

It can also boost the immune system of chicken, particularly those organically raised, as found in a study done by Dr. Edmundo Campoto of the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan, Eastern Samar.

The ESSU scientist, however, hastened to add that although the study’s initial results showed positive effects, more tests should be done.

"If the positive effects of VCO is further established in succeeding trials, this can enhance the value of native chicken production as well as the local production of VCO," the Los Baños-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), which monitored the study, also pointed out.

In his research, Dr. Campoto studied the gamma globulin concentration (IgG) in the blood of native chicken given VCO. IgG is one of the indicators of the presence of antibodies (toxin neutralizers) needed to fight infectious diseases.

He also determined the chickens’ bleeding and clotting time, which are likewise indicators of good health.

The procedures were premised on the fact that since VCO contains lauric acid, which is the most essential fatty acid in building and maintaining the immune system, it could boost the chickens’ immune system.

Dr. Campoto’s tests showed that chickens given VCO had higher total serum protein than those without. (A serum is the watery portion of an animal fluid remaining after coagulation or clotting.)

This suggests that chickens fed with VCO had higher antibody titers against infectious diseases, he said, as reported by PCARRD’s Ana Marie Alo.

This could be attributed to the VCO’s ability to remove the lipid coat of viruses that expose them to macrophages that destroy them. (A macrophage is a small phagocyte or a cell that engulfs foreign material and consumes debris and foreign bodies.)

"Moreover," Dr. Campoto reported, "the bleeding and clotting time was faster in VCO-fed chickens that in those without VCO supplementation, which means the VCO-fed chickens have healthier circulatory system." – Rudy A. Fernandez