What is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is an indisputable superb-gift from nature. This is supported by the innumerable scientific researches that prove its benefits, which continue to appear from time to time.

In the kitchen is the most recommended, and in terms of medicinal and therapeutic uses is priceless.

On the other hand, it is the number one ingredient for numerous natural DIY beauty treatments. As a result, coconut oil is a great alternative to harmful cosmetics and chemical products.

These are just a couple of reasons to at least try coconut oil. However, when you know and experience its effects, you will not omit it again from the list of priorities.

Properties of Coconut Oil

The properties of coconut oil are endless, starting with being a potent antibacterial that kills the bacteria that cause ulcers, throat and urinary tract infections, as well as gum diseases.

Besides, the benefits that are attributed to these properties are also extensive. Below, you will find some of them:

- It prevents cancer cells from spreading, improving the immune system, which is why it is qualified as anticarcinogenic.
- It is an effective protector against free radicals, due to its antioxidant action.
- Frees the body from lice, tapeworms and other parasites, so it is known as antiparasitic.
- Reduces inflammation and helps repair skin tissue, thanks to its anti-inflammatory qualities.
- This last reason causes it to inhibit the harmful microorganisms that cause chronic inflammation.
- Coconut oil boost metabolism, improving the absorption of nutrients in the body. Consequently, vitamins and minerals become easily digested.
- It contains medium chain fatty acids and monoglycerides (the same as those of human breast milk) and act as extraordinary antimicrobials.
- Anti-Protozoan properties. Effective facing giardiasis, a protozoan infection that affects the intestines.
- Helps eliminate viruses that cause flu, herpes, measles, hepatitis C and SARS coronavirus; reason why classifies as anti-virus.

Not enough reasons? It this seems like little, but there are much more to tell you about why it will be great to introduce coconut oil into your home and as a daily diet.

10 Benefits of consuming Coconut Oil, scientifically proven

The combination of medium chain fatty acid, characteristic of coconut oil, has an enormous positive impact on health, highlighting it as an ideal way to lose weight.

Along with it, coconut oil consumption support and improve skin health, heart and brain functions, immune system, and thyroids, among others.

There are several health benefits that have been already confirmed by the scientific community. In this article, you will learn about the 10 main advantages that you will experience when consuming virgin cold pressed coconut oil.

1. By accelerating your metabolism you will lose weight

This is a practical matter that deserves a separate chapter, but we already told you that coconut oil has the virtue of accelerating your metabolism, so, that you lose fat more easily.

Despite what you may think, in your final weight will not only influence the addition and subtraction of calories, but the origin of them.

2. Its exclusive combination of fatty acids endows it with very powerful medicinal properties

Some time ago the use of coconut oil was considered harmful because its saturated fat. There is the fact that there are just a few vegetable oils rich in saturated fats, and coconut oil is one of them. Almost 90% of its composition is based on these acids.

However, contrary to what we might think, the latest medical studies have shown that using saturated fats in the diet does not have any harmful effect in our bodies, and there is no association between their intake and the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

On the other hand, coconut oil does not concentrate the same saturated fats present in red meat or cheese. Rather, its fats are called medium chain triglycerides which, as we mentioned, occurs in breast milk.

In addition, this type of fatty acid, contribute to improve the state of the brain of those suffering from Alzheimer’s diseases or epilepsy.

3. Coconut oil reduces appetite

The reason that justifies it, is none other than the fact that its fatty acids are metabolized, since the ketone bodies that are formed, contribute to reduce the desire to eat.

4. The population that consumes it, the most enjoys excellent health

There are many places in the planet where coconut consumption is one of the basis pillars of their diet since immemorial times.

As the population that lives in the South Pacific and that enjoy an outstanding health. Even more, the fact that the cardiovascular diseases does not exist at all. Populations such as the Tokelauans, Polynesian or the Kitavans, are the best examples.

5. Coconut fatty acids are transformed into ketone bodies, able to reduce seizures

A ketogenic diet is one that barely contains carbohydrates and is rich in fat and protein and is being largest studied in order to determine how it can treat various diseases.

What can be affirmed so far, is that children suffering from epilepsy are greatly benefited, due to coconut oil consumption increase the concentration of ketone bodies in the blood, achieving the consequent cessation of infant epilepsy attacks.

6. The lauric acid that coconut oil contains ends up with bacteria, fungi and viruses, keeping you safe from infections

Lauric acid, rarely found in nature, represents about half of the acids in coconut oil. It owns unique health-promoting properties, and interestingly, coconut oil contains the most lauric acid of any substance on Earth.

When it is digested enzymatically, it gives rise to a monoglyceride called monolaurin.

Thanks to its antiviral, antibacterial and antiprotozoa properties, monolaurin has the ability to kill pathogens such as bacteria, fungi or viruses. Monolaurin is a monoglyceride that can actually destroy lipid coated viruses such as:

Influenza virus
HIV
Herpes
Measles
Several pathogenic bacteria
Protozoa such as giardia lamblia

One of the bacteria that shown wiped out is the bacteria Staphulococcus Aureus, and the fungus that is materialized in yeast Candida Albicans.

Another antimicrobial component of coconut oil is Capric acid, a fatty acid found in smaller amounts.

7. Wear hydrated skin and healthy hair like never before

You will love the results of caring your hair with coconut oil, as it nourished your hair and provides more benefits than many substances considered specific for it.

In regard to your skin, hydration levels will be increases and its lipid content will clearly improve, making it a perfect therapy for people with dry skin.

Do not use on your face if you have acne prone skin. For other types of skin, it is recommended to use it with caution, since due to its high comedogenic level (4 of 5) it can clog pores.

To counteract (in part) this effect, it is better to blend it in equal parts with another oil such as jojoba, argan, grapeseed, hemps seed or fig seed oil.

However, coconut oil is better for body use.

On the other hand, along with these properties, its power should not be underestimated as an excellent toothpaste and, in particular, as a mouth rinse, since it eliminates bacteria in the mouth. Thereby contributing to good oral health and ending with the bad breath.

8. Its fatty acids increase brain function in people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease

This dreaded disease is one of the main causes of senile dementia that plagues an important part of the elderly.

One of the common problems that Alzheimer’s patients have, is that the brain stops being able to use glucose as energy.

As the ketone bodies have the virtue of providing this energy to the brain, the alternative of increasing the amount of ketone bodies in the blood is being studied.

The purpose of the study is to improve the brain functions of these patients, thus achieving a reduction in the symptoms of this complicated disease.

9. Coconut Oil will help you keep your cholesterol levels at bay, which will make you less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease

Although coconut oil contains large amounts of saturated fats, it is not detrimental to the lipid profile of our blood, as we might think.

The way saturated fat works is through raising the good cholesterol or HDL and change the bad cholesterol or LDL for another subtype that is less harmful.

Eating coconut oil is equivalent to reducing triglycerides as well as total cholesterol and LDL levels. Increasing HDL and making them improve both, coagulation and the anti-oxidation status in blood. So, in the long term the risk of suffering from heart disease will be diminished.

10. It is an effective weapon to combat the dangerous abdominal fat

Abdominal fat is especially difficult to reduce. However, doing so is necessary because you have to keep in mind that it surrounds several vital organs, which significantly increases the risk of illness.

It is known as “visceral fat” and is associated with various diseases that develop in the western world.

Coconut oil helps fight diabetes

When consumed orally, coconut oil acts like a carbohydrate but without producing an insulin spike in the bloodstream. In addition, its consumption does not generate any debilitating effects related to insulin, as it usually happens in the long-term due to high consumption of carbohydrates.

On the other hand, it has been shown that coconut oil added to diabetic and pre-diabetic diets helps stabilize weight gain, which can dramatically decrease the chance of having type 2 diabetes in adults.

Organic Coconut Oil and its impact to lose weight

Certainly, not all saturated fats are bad. For example, the one that coconut oil contains, which is called medium chain triglycerides, is small in size and is not used by the body to build more fat.

This fat is sent directly to the cells in order to be transformed into energy, without the need to go through the liver filter. So, that it becomes immediately energy and contributes to the increase of metabolism, which can burn more calories.

How to take Coconut Oil?

If you do not like to consume coconut oil directly by spoonful, you can choose between the following alternatives:

Use it to cook, both for frying and in most of your favorite recipes and home remedies.
Mix it half with olive oil when dressing your salads.
Taken in supplement as pills is also very healthy.
Consume it fresh, dry or grated.
Add it to your favorite smoothies, teas and coffees.
As a butter on your toast.

The way you consume it is not important as long as you actually do it. When it comes to cooking, avoid doing it with processed vegetable oils that cause plenty health problems.

Substitute them for coconut oil, which due to its saturated fat concentration, will not oxidize unless it is heated to very high temperatures.

Do not forget that hydrogenated oils are extremely harmful because of their trans fat content, a toxic fat that is produced during the hydrogenation process.

Is it safe to ingest coconut oil?

The high nutritional values of the medium-chain fats in coconut oil are considered so powerful that they are used in baby formulas, and in hospitals to feed the critically ill, those on tube feeding, and those with digestive problems.

In addition, coconut oil has even been used successfully by doctors in treating aluminum poisoning.

Coconut oil is excellent for pregnant and breastfeeding women, the elderly, those concerned about digestive health, athletes, and people who just want to enhance overall health.

Coconut oil for massage

In the field of aromatherapy, coconut oil has been used for decades by professional massage therapists to soothe tight stressed muscles.

Coconut oil is a great ally for skin care. It helps protect the skin from the aging effects of free radicals, and can help improve the appearance of skin with its anti-aging benefits.

Together with sweet almond oil, coconut oil is one of the favorites and most popular oils for blending purposes in the preparation of beauty-care homemade products such as body scrubs, soaps, massage oils, make-up remover, etc.

Ray Peat (physiologist and biochemist), considers coconut oil an antioxidant, due to its stability and resistance to oxidation and free radical formation. Besides, he believes it reduces our need for the antioxidant protection of vitamin E.

Like Dr. Peat, many experts believe coconut oil may help restore more youthful-looking skin. When coconut oil is absorbed into the skin and connective tissues, it helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by helping to keep the connective tissues strong and supple, and aids in exfoliating the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother.

Where to buy Coconut Oil?

First, when it comes to shopping, you should consider the following:

Look out for these label terms “unrefined“, “extra virgin” and/or “cold pressed“.
Avoid coconut oil that is labeled as “deodorized“. Probably you will get oil subjected to the least amount of processing.

Unrefined cold press coconut oil, also called extra virgin, is extracted from the fruit of fresh mature coconuts without the use of chemicals or high temperatures.

Coconut oil es one of the easiest to find. You can get yours in most grocery stores, preferably over the organic products section.

How much coconut oil should be taken?

When you are sick, it is recommended to consume 2 to 4 tablespoons of coconut oil per day, until you feel better.

At that time, you can lower the dose of 1 to 2 tablespoons daily. It is advisable to drink it little by little at different times of the day and not all at once.

For those who have never tried it, can start with a teaspoon (equivalent to 5ml.) and, if well tolerated, then move to a tablespoon (equivalent to 15ml.).

After about four days, you can increase to two tablespoons and when you reach ten days, start taking three tablespoons. It will depend on how you are noticing its effects. It is up to you to raise or lower the dose.