I knew it!!

>It was a long time ago, probably the early 70's. And it may very well have been hydrgogenated coconut oil. But it really did make me quite sick. I do remember using it to cook foods in.

Dude,
whatever you ate back in the 70's was very unlikely to be even half-decent quality. Coconut oil has only recently taken-off in the west, and even now can be tricky to get hold of.

Most of us recommend only the virgin coconut oil which has been minimally heated/processed. This will not raise your cholesterol (it will lower it) and will not adversely affect the liver (it will help it).

I agree with MN that it was probably hydrogenated, as virgin cocout oil can not adversely affect your health in the ways you describe. I knew something didn't smell right.

Well done Mental Nomad - mystery solved!!