Virgin Coconut Oil - Used as a Carrier Oil In HempMy Pet™ products

The demand for coconut oil is on the rise due to consumer ideologies that coconut oil can aid in weight loss, immunity support, cardiovascular support, and memory enhancement in addition to being a fantastic source of medium-chain triglycerides (3). Virgin coconut oil is currently being researched for its medicinal properties including acting as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and hypolipidemic agent (1). 

 Any form of coconut oil is technically processed since coconuts originate from a tree and the oil needs to be extracted in some format (4). Virgin coconut oil is made by extracting the oil from the fresh milk of the coconut and left unrefined after that step indicating that it is not processed any further (4). The term “virgin” originates from being defined as the lowest refined and processed product available on the market and the virgin coconut oil must be taken from a fresh coconut as opposed to the copra which is the kernel of the coconut fruit (4). Virgin coconut oil displays a stronger lipid profile for the body to ingest and an increased antioxidant profile compared to coconut oil (2,4). Since virgin coconut oil goes through a shorter refinement process compared to coconut oil, more of the bioavailable phytonutrients are obtained in the final product (4). 

Fractionated coconut oil is a frequently used carrier oil that other companies utilize when creating hemp products for animals. Fractionated coconut oil is an extremely refined product that may also be referred to as “MCT Oil” (4). Fractionated coconut oil comes in a liquid form however, during the refining process the key ingredient in coconut oil is removed; lauric acid (4). Lauric acid contains significant antimicrobial properties and is a saturated fatty acid encompassing approximately 50% of the coconut oil (4). Once lauric acid is removed, all that is left is a liquid oil with no coconut flavor or smell leading to a much lower melting point (4).

HempMy Pet™ chooses to use certified organic, sustainably sourced virgin coconut oil as a carrier oil for 100 mg and 500 mg full spectrum hemp-infused coconut oil products. Full spectrum hemp extract means that the extract is minimally processed and includes all of the naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, etc that are in the hemp flower. All of these naturally occurring constituents work together synergistically to comprise what is known as the “entourage effect”(5 and 6).  HempMy Pet™’s proprietary cultivar Cherry Abacus and the derived extract, does include a full spectrum of CBD, CBG, CBC, Terpenes, Flavonoids, and Tocopherols. The finished products are all under 0.3% of THC, are all cultivar specific, and full of bioactive, human grade, and vegan ingredients that are beneficial for animals. HempMy Pet™ goes the extra mile to obtain certified organic and sustainably sourced coconut oil, with accompanying certifications so customers know exactly where the oil is originating from and they can feel good about minimizing any long-term impact. All batches are third-party analyzed and tested to ensure purity, potency, and safety for every pet. 

 

HempMy Pet™’s organic coconut oil can be utilized as a preventative maintenance supplement for your pet and can be administered orally, whether you choose to add to your Pet’s food, treats, or simply allow them to lick it out of your hand. It’s really up to your Pet, as they all seem to have differing preferences. The only thing we advise against is allowing your pet to lick the product right out of the jar or directly off the dropper, as the introduction of saliva into the product could potentially lead to contamination and cause degradation of the product (just the same as any human products). Our coconut oils can also be applied topically to hot spots or any other areas that need a little soothing. We recommend that pet owners communicate with their veterinarian regarding any dietary supplement that they are administering to their animals. 

References

      1. Nair, S. S., Manalil, J. J., Ramavarma, S. K., Suseela, I. M., Thekkepatt, A., & Raghavamenon, A. C. (2016). Virgin coconut oil supplementation ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced systemic toxicity in mice. Human & experimental toxicology35(2), 205–212. https://doi.org/10.1177/0960327115578867 
      2. Teng, M., Zhao, Y. J., Khoo, A. L., Yeo, T. C., Yong, Q. W., & Lim, B. P. (2020). Impact of coconut oil consumption on cardiovascular health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition reviews78(3), 249–259. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuz074 
      3. Sankararaman, S., & Sferra, T. J. (2018). Are We Going Nuts on Coconut Oil?. Current nutrition reports7(3), 107–115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-018-0230-5 
      4. Shilhavy, B. (2015). What type of coconut oil is best? How to choose a coconut oil.
      5. Uziel, A., Gelfand, A., Amsalem, K., Berman, P., Lewitus, G. M., Meiri, D., & Lewitus, D. Y. (2020). Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extract Microdepots Support Controlled Release of Multiple Phytocannabinoids for Extended Therapeutic Effect. ACS applied materials & interfaces12(21), 23707–23716. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c04435
      6. Koltai, H., & Namdar, D. (2020). Cannabis Phytomolecule ‘Entourage’: From Domestication to Medical Use. Trends in plant science, 25(10), 976–984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2020.04.007
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