The Many Benefits of Coconut Oil

One of my absolute favorite additions to my natural medicine cabinet is COCONUT OIL: organic, virgin coconut oil.

You’ll see arbitrary language on coconut oil labels. The main thing to look for is virgin, or cold pressed.  Here is what Trader Joe’s says: “To make our Organic Virgin Coconut Oil our supplier starts with freshly harvested coconuts that are de-husked and grated. Then, when the meat of the coconut is still fresh, it’s cold pressed and filtered to remove any remaining pieces of the fruit. That’s the process. Nothing more. Some coconut oil is extracted using high heat, chemicals and even bleach. Not ours. Producing the oil in this more pure, natural way, we are able to retain the nutrients, flavor characteristics and aromas of fresh coconuts. Use Organic Virgin Coconut Oil in cooking – it stands up to relatively high heat and imparts a distinctive flavor – in salad dressings, for baking, and even as a moisturizer for dry skin. It’s true! It will fluctuate from a liquid to a solid state, depending on the temperature at which it’s stored, so don’t be surprised when you see liquid in a jar that’s been stored in a hot pantry.”

Coconut oil, in it’s raw form is solid. It has a very low melting point, at 76 degrees…..if you put some in your hand, it will melt almost instantly. We’ve been programmed to think that solid fats are BAD for us. It’s time to stop believing that myth. Coconut oil is a superfood that should be included in everyone's daily diet. There are many scientific studies that demonstrate the benefits of coconut oil.

The many, many, many benefits of coconut oil:

1. Coconut oil consists primarily of medium-chain fatty acids, which are metabolized very differently from long-chain fatty acids in partially hydrogenated oils, corn oil, canola oil, soybean oil, safflower oil. These oils are stored as fat if not burned right away, whereas coconut oil is burned rather than stored. Long-chain fats take longer to digest and tend to be stored as fat that is difficult to get rid of. Medium-chain fats, on the other hand, are immediately broken down into fatty acids, and tend to be burned for energy.

2. Coconut oil increases metabolic rate. If you combat fatigue on a daily basis, you may notice an increase in body temperature and a temporary increase in blood pressure when you begin to consume coconut oil. That is the result of the increased metabolic rate as the medium-chain fatty acids are burned. Since you’ll be more energetic, you’ll feel more like exercising and more fat will be burned.

3. Coconut oil slows down body fat storage. Because more of your dietary fat is metabolized for energy, the rate at which your body stores fat slows down drastically when you replace other dietary ftas with coconut oil. The process is dynamic and quick. When you’ve been consuming coconut oil for a while, you’ll see a difference. Fat stores are dynamic. Every day, your body releases the fatty acids it has stored and replaces them with new fatty acids it receives. So, your body turns over fat every 2-3 weeks. Most of us tend to keep putting on a little more than we’re taking off. However, this has more to do with the partially hydrogenated soybean oils in our diet and less to do with the saturated fat. By elminating the trans fats tends to stabilize weight. When the majority of your fat comes from coconut oil, you body will tend to take off more than it puts on. This can happen without changing any other aspect of your diet or exercise regimen. People have reported losting 20 lbs. in 6 months with no changes other than replacing trans fats and long chain fats with coconut oil. With a healthy diet and exercise, results can be much faster than that.

4. Coconut oil is antimicrobial. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is an important triglyceride that further breaks down and kills bacteria and viruses. It also contains caprylic acid, which kills fungus. Therefore, coconut oil is useful in preventing and treating:

• athletes foot
• candida and vaginal yeast
• intestinal parasites
• bacteria on and in the skin
• sinus infections
• drug resistant bacteria
• respiratory infections such as pneumonia

5. Coconut oil is good for brain health and offers great promise for Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia .  A woman, Dr. Mary Newport, after failing to get treatment for her husband’s dementia, discovered that coconut oil contained natural medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), the same substance was used in a drug trial her husband failed to qualify for. So, she gave her husband 1 tbsp. of coconut oil twice a day for a month and a half and saw him almost completely recovered.

More of the many benefits of coconut oil:

• Protects against cancer and HIV and other infectious diseases
• Kills bacteria and parasites like tape worm and liver flukes
• Eases acid reflux, aids in proper bowel function
• Lowers incidence of hemorrhoids
• Heals and relieves intestinal problems
• Soothes earaches
• Deals with symptoms connected with prostate enlargement
• Strengthens the liver and protects against degeneration
• Reduces incidence of epileptic seizures
• Reduces joint and muscle inflammation
• Eases neuropathies and itching from diabetes.

Even more of the many benefits of coconut oil:

• Kills bacteria causing urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, gum disease, staphylococcus, MRSA…
• Destroys fungus causing candida
• Kills viruses causing flu, infectious disease, typhoid...
• Relieves gallbladder disease
• Enhances proper bowel function and lowers incidence of hemorrhoids when oil is consumed
• Relieves and heals intestinal disorders, ulcers, colitis, IBS, and Crohn’s disease
• Stabilizes blood sugar and insulin production
• Eases neuropathies and itching from diabetes
• Protects against osteoporosis and reduces problems from cystic fibrosis
• Enhances pancreatic function and enzyme production
• Improves magnesium and calcium absorption, promoting stronger bones
• Reduces joint and muscle inflammation, supporting repair of tissues
• Regulates thyroid function
• Protects against cancers of colon, breast, and digestive tract
• Medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) protect against development of Alzheimer’s disease
• MCFA strengthen heart and circulatory system protecting against artherosclerosis and heart disease
• Prevents oxidation of fatty acids
• Provides antioxidants to fight free radicals slowing aging and degenerative diseases such as arthritis
• Relieves symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
• Reduces incidence and intensity of epileptic seizures
• Stabilizes female hormones reducing hot flashes and vaginal dryness during menopause
• Strengthens the liver and protects against degeneration.

Topical uses for coconut oil:

• Forms a chemical barrier on skin to protect and heal infections.
• Topical applications relieve pain and swelling from hemorrhoids.
• Moisturizes and softens dry skin.
• Reduces bags, puffiness and wrinkles under eyes.
• Lessens occurrence and appearance of varicose veins.
• Preps skin before shaving.
• Mixed with baking soda, coconut oil makes an effective toothpaste.
• Soothes sunburned skin and promotes healing of burns and blisters.
• Heals psoriasis and eczema lesions.
• Stops pain, burning, and itching of bug and snake bites.
• Prevents itching from poison ivy, oak, and sumac.
• Promotes firm skin tone, preventing age spots, sagging and wrinkles.
• Removes makeup easily.
• Heals nail fungus under finger and toenails.
• Prevent nosebleeds by applying light film inside nostrils.
• In combination with cornstarch and baking soda, coconut oil makes an effective deodorant.
• Makes an excellent massage oil, a natural personal lubricant, and great sunscreen.
• Conditions hair, prevents split ends, reduces frizz, controls flaky scalp and dandruff.
• Removes scars and stretch marks.
• Repairs cracked, sore, dry nipples from nursing.
• Heals diaper rash and removes cradle cap on babies.

~Thank you Penny Sue Mueller!