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Coconut Oil – Here’s what you need to know about  this amazing rejuvenation and healing oil

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 by: Aurora Geib

(NaturalNews) Coconut oil is a popular nutritional oil derived from the meat of  matured coconuts. Coconut has long been a primary source of food throughout the  tropics. Its various industrial and cosmetic applications have made it a very  viable commodity. Coconut oil is heat stable, making it suitable for cooking at  high temperatures. It is slow to oxidize, resists rancidity and has a shelf life  of approximately two years or more; virgin coco creme created through a  wet-milling process has an indefinite shelf life.

See the NaturalNews  InfoGraphic on coconut oil here (it’s beautiful!)
http://www.naturalnews.com/Infographic-Benefits-of-Coconut-Oil.html

The composition of coconut oil

The coconut possesses a wide variety of  health benefits due to its fiber and nutritional content, but it is the oil that  makes it a remarkable source of food and medicine. It has definitely earned its  reputation as the healthiest oil in the world despite the fact that its high  saturated fat content was once falsely claimed to be unhealthy.
What  makes coconut oil different?
Oils and fats are composed of molecules  known as fatty acids. They are classified either according to saturation or  based on molecular length and size of the carbon chain within each fatty acid.  Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are an example of the first  class.
The second classification is based on molecular size or length of  the fatty acid’s carbon chain. Long chains of carbon atoms consist of each fatty  acid with an attached hydrogen atom. There are short chain fatty acids known as  SCFA, medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) such as coconut oil and long chain fatty  acids (LCFA). Whether unsaturated or saturated, the majority of fats and oils in  our diet are composed of long chain fatty acids. In fact, a majority of the  fatty acids commonly consumed are LCFA.
Coconut oil is predominantly  medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) and the effects of the MCFA in coconut oil are  distinctly different from the LCFA found in other foods. In fact, the saturated  and unsaturated fat in milk, eggs, meat and even in plants and most vegetable  oils are made of LCFA. Why is this relevant? It is important because our bodies  respond and metabolize each fatty acid differently. It is the MCFA found in  coconut oil that makes it special because these fatty acids do not have a  negative effect on cholesterol. In fact, they are known to lower the risk of  heart disease and atherosclerosis. There are only few dietary sources of MCFA,  and one of the best sources by far is coconut oil.
Theliver and gall  bladder do not need to digest and emulsify MCFA, resulting in instant energy,  increased metabolic rate and subsequently more heat production as well as  increased circulation. Anyone with an impaired fat digestion or removed  gallbladder will benefit from coconut oil as this oil is easily digested.

(http://www.naturalnews.com/022313_fat_oil_coconut.html)

Lauric Acid

Coconut oil has many health benefits which are attributed  to the presence of lauric acid. When it is present in the body, lauric acid is  converted into monolaurin, a compound that is highly toxic to viruses, bacteria,  funguses and other microorganisms because of its ability to disrupt their lipid  membranes and virtually destroy them.
Monolaurin is effective for  treating candida albicans, fungal infections and athlete’s foot. It also targets  bacterial infections and viruses like measles, influenza, hepatitis C and even  HIV. In fact, researchers from the Philippines are studying the effectiveness of  lauric acid against HIV/AIDS due to its strong anti-viral properties. Moreover,  lauric acid is non-toxic, making it a better alternative to modern drugs that  are typically prescribed for viruses as well as fungal and bacterial  infections.
Without lauric acid, monolaurin cannot be produced by the  body. Breast milk is the only other source of lauric acid, which must explain  the lesser incidents of infections with breast-fed infants. It has also been  observed that regular consumption of coconut oil boosts immunity and reduces  incidences of sickness.

(http://www.naturalnews.com)

The health benefits of coconut oil

Hair care – The unique fatty acids  in coconut oil have a small molecular structure and pass freely into the hair’s  cell membrane, allowing for the oil to penetrate the hair’s shaft; this  literally brings out the deep conditioning from within compared to other  conditioners that work from the outside in.
Massaging the oil into the  scalp can offer relief from dandruff. Dandruff is caused by dry skin or an  internal fungal condition that reached the scalp. With regular use, coconut oil  can kill the fungus and eliminate dandruff issues. For deep hair conditioning, a  teaspoon or two on damp hair left for as long as possible can give an ultra-nice  shine. Leave it on overnight and see startling results.

(http://www.naturalnews.com/029120_coconut_oil_hair_conditioner.html)

Skin  care – Coconut oil is an excellent skin conditioner containing medium-chain  triglycerides, naturally occurring fats which deeply penetrate, moisturize and  acts as a protective barrier against environmental and free radical damage. The  oil also provides sun protection by screening 20 percent of ultraviolet  exposure.

Coconut oil is rich in anti-oxidants and bursting with the  natural microbial and antibacterial agents caphrylic and capric acids. . Its  ability to smooth the skin while infusing with anti-oxidants makes it a perfect  anti-aging moisturizer. Moreover, it contains vitamin E, another antioxidant  popular for hastening the recovery of skin abrasions, burns and other trauma.

(http://www.naturalnews.com)

Weight loss -  Medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil can speed up metabolism faster  than long-chain fatty acids because they are easily digested and converted into  energy. In fact, a study reported medium-chain fatty acids to be three times  more effective in raising metabolism than long-chain fatty acids, leading  researchers to conclude that effective weight loss can be achieved by replacing  long-chain fatty acids with medium- chain fatty acids.

(http://www.naturalnews.com/026808_oil_coconut.html)

Natural  remedy for pneumonia – In a study presented before The American College of Chest  Physicians on October 29, 2008, coconut oil was found to offer pneumonia  patients faster and more complete relief from symptoms. This could be a welcome  development for many as this means a reduced stay in the hospital, lower medical  expenses and lower exposure for the patient to a hospital environment. Moreover,  it is an inexpensive addition to traditional antibiotics and has no known side  effects.

(http://www.naturalnews.com/025038_coconut_child_oil.html)

Lowers  risk of diabetes, heart disease and improves cholesterol levels – In a study  made on women subjects ranging from 20 to 40 years old, half of the subjects  were instructed to take a 30 ml soybean oil supplement while the other half were  instructed to take a 30ml coconut oil supplement while maintaining moderate  exercise routine over a 12-week period. Results of the study showed that  although both group of women had a decrease in body mass index (BMI), only the  women who were taking coconut oil showed a notable decease in waist  circumference significantly lowering the risk of conditions like type II  diabetes and heart disease.
Furthermore, the study also showed that the  subjects who experienced an improvement in their cholesterol profile along with  higher HDL levels and higher HDL: LDL ratio were the ones taking coconut oil.  Those taking soybean oil did not receive the same benefits but reflected a  higher total cholesterol as well as higher LDL cholesterol lower, lower HDL  cholesterol and a lower HDL: LDL ratio.

(http://www.naturalnews.com/026547_oil_coconut.html)
Assists  in bone health and chronic fatigue – Research has found coconut oil to help  prevent osteoporosis because it helps in the nutrient absorption of minerals  such as calcium and magnesium – important minerals that fight  osteoporosis.

Moreover, the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil  produce energy rather than body fat, thereby improving metabolism and preventing  fatigue. The oil has also been shown to destroy organisms in the body that sap  its strength and contribute to the condition of fatigue.

(http://www.naturalnews.com/033718_food_miracles.html)
Alzheimer’s  Disease – 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.

(http://www.naturalnews.com)

Others – aside from the  health benefits mentioned earlier the following health benefits have been  attributed to the beneficial use 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.

(http://www.naturalnews.com/036028_coconu_oil_health_solutions.html)

How much oil should be taken in to enjoy its benefits?

According to  researchers, an adult should consume around 3 1/2 tbsp. of coconut oil daily: an  amount equal to the MCFA a nursing infant would receive in one day. The benefits  of coconut oil are derived from the nutritional value of medium-chain fatty  acids (MCFA’s), and the best comparison in nature as to the percentage of MCFA  consumed in a diet is in human breast milk. For those who are not used to having  coconut oil in their diet, it is best to start out with a lesser amount and see  how the body reacts before following the recommended amount.

 

Does coconut oil have any adverse side effects?

Coconut oil has no  known side effects. However, if you are used to a low-fat diet, a common adverse  reaction would be diarrhea. It is probably not advisable to start with a large  amount right away. Spreading the recommended amount over the course of one day  and building up to a larger dose can help to avoid unwanted effects.
In  coconut-producing countries, it is considered beneficial for pregnant and  lactating women to enjoy coconut oil; Westerners used to a low-fat diet,  however, are cautioned not to experiment with coconut oil while pregnant if the  body is not used to it. If you have been consuming coconut oil regularly with no  adverse reactions, there is no reason to discontinue consumption.

Learn more:  http://www.naturalnews.com/036156_Coconut_oil_superfood_healing.html#ixzz2E8md2Um1

 

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