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Coconut Oil:
The Healthiest Oil on Earth
Article by herbalist Dave
Hawkins, MH, CNC
Some time ago,
Woman’s World published an article on the weight loss
benefits of coconut oil. Since that
article’s publication, coconut oil sales have skyrocketed,
both locally and nationally. I’m still
getting a lot of questions about this tropical oil as
earlier research had indicated that its saturated fat
content would lead to both high cholesterol and heart
disease. Today, I’ll share with you
some of the pertinent facts about coconut oil and
the
proven health benefits associated with adding it to your
diet.
According to
Dr. Bruce Fife, a naturopathic doctor and author
of “The
Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil”, “Coconut oil is the
healthiest oil on earth.” Made up of
nearly 50% lauric acid, a
key
component of human breast milk, coconut oil is now being
used by doctors to treat a variety of disorders.
Dr. Jon J. Kabara, PhD
and Professor Emeritus of
Michigan State
University
says, “Never before in the history of man is it
so important to emphasize the value of
lauric oils.
The medium-chain
fats in coconut oil are similar to the fats in mother’s
milk and have similar neutraceutical
effects.” These medium-chain fatty
acids are absorbed directly by the portal vein to the
liver, making them immediately accessible to the body.
The conversion of the lauric
acid to monolaurin is the key
to many of the reported health benefits of coconut oil.
The monolaurin has
adverse effects on a variety of microorganisms including
bacteria, yeast, fungi, and enveloped viruses.
Capric acid, also found
in coconut oil, also stimulates anti-microbial activity.
Coconut oil has
always held a highly respected place in the
Ayurvedic medicine of
India.
A true neutraceutical, it
provides health benefits beyond its basic nutritional
value, as evidenced in populations throughout
Asia and the Pacific. These
people have for centuries noted the health benefits of
coconut oil. As listed by Bruce Fife,
coconut oil: improves digestion,
provides quick energy, improves insulin secretion and
utilization of blood glucose, improves calcium and
magnesium absorption for the development of bones and
teeth, aids in the absorption of minerals and fat soluble
vitamins, supports healthy thyroid function, supports and
aids the immune system, makes skin smooth and soft, reduces
the need for essential fatty acids, and helps to protect
the body from free-radical damage.
But, will
coconut oil really help you lose those extra pounds?
The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil
help to speed up metabolism, promoting weight loss.
Since these fats are sent directly to the liver,
instead of circulating in the blood stream, they are
converted into energy rather than being stored as body fat.
Those suffering from hypothyroidism may be
pleasantly surprised by the kick-start coconut oil provides
to their sluggish metabolism. A list of
references on studies dealing with metabolism rates and
consumption of coconut oil can be found in Dr. Fife’s book,
The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil.
When you make
the switch to coconut oil, there are some basic guidelines
you should follow.
First, and most important, stay away from the hydrogenated
varieties. The process of
hydrogenation creates the trans
fatty acids (TFAs), which have
been proven to cause the elevated levels of cholesterol in
the blood, which can lead to heart disease.
These substances are not present in
natural extra
virgin coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil
should smell mildly of coconut; the others don’t.
Also, avoid the terms “bleached” and “deodorized” as
the processes used to bleach and deodorize may add
undesirable chemical components to the oil.
Once you have selected a clean,
natural oil, try to consume three to four tablespoons per
day. This is
a therapeutic dosage and
should provide your body with enough
lauric acid to really give your immune system a
boost.
Use coconut oil to replace
whatever cooking oil you currently use or add it to
smoothies and salad dressings. Be sure
to store your coconut oil in a cool, dark area.
You may refrigerate your oil if you like, but
refrigeration is not required to maintain freshness.
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