When working with clients on their preventative nutritional plans we will suggest using coconut oil. We usually get two responses to this suggestion. 1. For those who don’t know about coconut oil we usually hear what is coconut oil? 2. For those who do know about coconut oil we usually hear isn’t it bad for you because it’s a saturated fat? Both ways the answer is the same and it begins with education about coconut oil. That is what this blog entry is all about and we ask you that regardless of what you think you know about coconut oil good or bad we encourage you to read on and learn more about this antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and cancer fighting agent.
Coconut oil has been used for thousands of years and is highly consumed by Asian and Pacific populations. In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following: herpes, influenza and HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as heliobacter pylori and giardia lamblia. In addition, it has helped heal abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, earache, fever, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, pancreatitis, kidney stones, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds. Coconut oils health benefits are attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid. It is through the body’s process of converting lauric acid into monolaurin that gives coconut oil its healing properties in the body.
So, it is quite clear that coconut oil has many great health benefits but lets get to the real concern that most people have about coconut oil and that is that it is a saturated fat. Yes, it is true that it is a saturated fat. However, did you know that coconut oil is a Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT)? MCT’s assimilate well meaning that they do not require bile salts for digestion and therefore do not require energy for absorption, utilization or storage. Because coconut oil increase the body’s metabolism by removing stress on the pancreas it helps assimilate weight loss. Coconut oil also contains lesser calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Therefore, it is great for maintaining a healthy heart and it also helps in boosting energy and endurance.
The benefits of coconut oil go on and on it is great for digestion, immunity, pre-mature aging, infections, controlling blood sugars by improving the secretion of insulin, bone health, skin care, hair care and stress relief. You can purchase coconut oil at any health food store. When looking for coconut oil be aware that it comes in a solid form not liquid and it is great when cooking at high temperatures.
