/oss/taxonomy/term/1210/all en /oss/article/cosmetics-environment-health-quirky-science-you-asked/does-emu-oil-have-any-benefits <p>So what is an emu? A bird. It can grow to about six feet and is native to Australia. It is a strange looking bird, but not as strange as some of the health claims being made for its oil. Dozens of conditions ranging from acne and arthritis to eczema and hemorrhoids supposedly respond to emu oil treatment. A pharmacist even says that rubbing emu oil on his bald head grew hair! Patients say their shingles and carpal tunnel symptoms improve. Cuts and burns heal faster. Emu oil even takes the sting out of fire ant bites. Supposedly 95% of NBA teams use emu oil to help injuries heal.</p> Mon, 16 Sep 2013 01:07:36 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2013 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know-you-asked/are-all-fats-created-equal <p>Not all saturated fats are created equal. They have a different effect on blood cholesterol depending on the number of carbon atoms in their molecular structure. Lauric acid, the predominant fatty acid in coconut oil has twelve carbons and unlike longer chain fatty acids does not raise LDL the "bad cholesterol" significantly but does elevate HDL, the "good cholesterol."  This does not make it into any sort of "miracle fat" because like any other fat, it is high in calories (9 calories per gram).</p> Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:25:22 +0000 OSS 1726 at /oss