Fuel from
the Tropics
The sweet aroma of coconut oil conjures up visions of sandy white beaches, aquamarine water and swaying palm trees. But coconut oil is much more than a delight for the senses; it’s a powerful source of nutrition. In fact, the coconut palm is often referred to as “the tree of life” among Asian and Pacific Islanders because of its wide range of uses — from traditional medicines, to food and drink, to body and hair tonic.
Life-Changing Benefits of Coconut Oil
By Bruce Fife, N.D., C.N.
oday, new studies are revealing
just how beneficial coconut oil
is for your health and vitality.
Incorporating coconut oil into your diet
– either on its own or as an alternative
to cooking oils or spreads with low
nutritional value – can yield a myriad of
benefits, including:
- Accelerated weight loss
- Improved heart health
- Healthy skin & hair
When Triglycerides Are a Good Thing
Coconut oil is made up of special fatty
acids called medium-chain triglycerides
(MCTs). While we tend to think of
triglycerides as bad, the medium-chain
variety is actually good for you. In
fact, MCTs are widely used by highendurance
athletes because of their
powerful energy-producing properties.
The MCTs in coconut oil – lauric acid,
caprylic acid, and capric acid – have
been reported to possess a wide variety
of health benefits.
You see, most other dietary fats are not
used right away to create energy. Rather,
they are stored in the body (as body fat) in
order to provide a back-up energy supply.
Most dietary carbohydrates, on the other
hand, are burned immediately by the
body to produce energy. Any excess is
converted into fat and stored for later use.
Coconut oil is unique because of its MCT
content, which allows it to be metabolized
like a carbohydrate by the body to create
energy immediately, rather than being
accumulated by the body and turned into
fat. Nearly 50 percent of coconut oil is
made up of MCTs.
Because MCTs are metabolized right away,
the body gets a boost of instant energy
upon ingesting them. And because these
fatty acids are easily absorbed by cells,
metabolism increases. This burst of energy
has a stimulating effect on the entire body.
So consuming coconut oil can actually
help increase your metabolism and, thus,
help you lose weight.
Getting Heart Smart
Multiple studies have shown that certain
populations – such as Polynesians and
Filipinos – who consume high levels of
coconut oil, generally have lower levels of
blood cholesterol and better heart health
compared to other cultures. Thanks
to its MCT content, coconut oil has
been shown to increase HDL, the good
cholesterol, which favorably affects
the cholesterol ratio (the relationship
between total and HDL cholesterol).
Special Reprint with permission of
Radiant Beauty
Coconut oil has long been a staple in producing cosmetics, soaps and conditioners for lustrous skin and hair – and with good reason. It’s a wonderful moisturizer that can relieve dryness and flaking, diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and ease the pain of sunburned skin. The medicinal properties of the MCT lauric acid have also proven helpful in healing rashes and acne. Additionally, coconut oil makes great massage oil because of its healing and non-staining properties.
It’s no wonder that cultures that rely upon coconut for its wide range of uses are known for their soft, smooth, luminous skin and shining, healthy hair.
How to Use Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can be used in a nearly endless variety of ways and including coconut oil in your diet is simple. As a general guideline, use one tablespoon per 50 pounds of body weight per day, which equates to the amount of MCTs that babies get naturally from mother’s milk daily. However, much smaller amounts will still be beneficial; great results can be experienced with just one tablespoon per day.
Many people enjoy taking coconut oil by the spoonful, but most prefer to incorporate it into the diet as a replacement for butter or other spreads. It also works well for cooking, especially for baking, sautéing vegetables and making grilled sandwiches. Coconut oil can withstand moderately high temperatures without the risk of creating toxic by-products, and its light, subtle taste won’t overpower other foods.
Externally, coconut oil may be applied to the body to keep hair and skin soft and supple. For soft, rich feeling hair, massage a small amount of oil into your locks and let it set prior to shampooing. For healthy, glowing skin, smother your whole body with this all-over moisturizer and healing aid. Coconut oil can also be used as a degreasing agent and make-up remover.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Choosing the Best Coconut Oil:
As with any oil, the best coconut oil is the freshest coconut oil.
Look for a product that:
-
Has been cold-pressed or expeller pressed for the freshest flavor
-
Is extra-virgin (minimally processed, unrefined and not deodorized with harsh solvents)
-
Is certified USDA Organic
-
Is designated Kosher (which indicates ongoing plant inspections and high-quality manufacturing)
This reprint provided courtesy of
4936 Lake Terrell Road Ferndale, WA 98248 800-445-3529 barleans.com
