<![CDATA[Abstract: High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) has some protective roles in minimizing cardiovascular diseases. The risks of cardiovascular diseases decrease 2-3% by increasing 1 mg/dL of HDL-C. Although the blood levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) are low, these risks are still high if the HDL-C is low. The purpose of this study was to find out whether the consumption of virgin coconut oil (VCO) could increase the HDL-C level. This study used pre and post tests in a randomized control group design. Samples consisted of 39 male students at the ages of 19 ± 1.6 years. Nineteen students who were administered VCO 20 ml twice daily (pre-breakfast and pre-dinner) for two weeks belonged to the VCO group, while the others belonged to the control group. The result showed that the mean HDL-C level of the VCO group at day 15 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than at day 1 before VCO administration, with an increase of 10.45%. The mean HDL-C increase of the VCO group at day 15 was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the difference of the HDL-C level at day 1 and day 15 of the control group. Conclusion: two-week administration of VCO twice daily could increase HDL-C levels.Keywords: virgin coconut oil, High Density LipoproteinAbstrak: Kolesterol high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) berperan protektif terhadap penyakit kardiovaskular. Setiap peningkatan kadar HDL-C 1 mg/dL, terjadi penurunan 2-3% risiko terkena penyakit kardiovaskular. Walaupun kadar trigliserida, kolesterol total, kolesterol low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) rendah, risiko penyakit kardiovaskular tetap tinggi bila kadar kolesterol HDL juga rendah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan apakah konsumsi virgin coconut oil (VCO) dapat meningkatkan kadar kolesterol HDL darah. Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan yaitu randomized control group pre-test and post-test. Sampel penelitian sebanyak 39 orang mahasiswa laki-laki dengan usia rata-rata 19 ± 1,6 tahun. Sembilan belas mahasiswa mengonsumsi VCO 20 mL dua kali sehari sebelum makan pagi dan malam selama dua minggu; sampel lainnya menjadi kelompok kontrol. Rerata kadar kolesterol HDL darah setelah mengonsumsi VCO (hari ke-15) lebih tinggi secara bermakna (P < 0,05) dibandingkan dengan rerata kadar HDL-C darah sebelum mengonsumsi VCO (hari ke-1), dengan peningkatan sebesar 10,45%. Rerata kenaikan kadar HDL-C darah hari ke-15 setelah mengonsumsi VCO (p < 0,05) lebih tinggi secara bermakna (P < 0,05) dibandingkan selisih antara kadar kolesterol HDL darah hari ke-1 dan ke-15 kelompok kontrol. Simpulan: konsumsi VCO selama dua minggu dapat meningkatkan kadar HDL-C.Kata kunci: virgin coconut oil, High Density Lipoprotein]]>
