Coconut oil is an edible oil that is extracted from the core of mature coconuts that are harvested from coconut palm trees. The type of oil contains a wide variety of health benefits that can improve the conditioning of a person’s hair and skin as well as digestive and immune systems. Coconut oil also contains a wide variety of convenient uses for activities around the house and emergency purposes. The overall benefits of coconut oil are hard to ignore.
Coconut Oil Helps Burn Fat
One advantage that coconut oil has is that it can increase the body’s use of energy while it exercises. Consuming coconut oil is a consumption of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT), which means more calories will be burned compared to the calories that are burned from the larger chain fatty acids. Coconut oil promotes energy expenditure, which will lead to more weight being lost in a 24 hour span.
Coconut Oil Reduces Hunger
Fatty acids in coconut oil play a significant role in controlling your appetite. One study that was conducted to measure MCT and LCT (Larger Chain Triglycerides) saw that 6 healthy men who regularly consumed the MCT rich coconut oil consumed 256 less calories per day. Another study found that men consumed much less calories at lunch once they started consuming coconut oil.
Coconut Oil Reduces Seizures
Coconut oil is an essential part of the Ketogenic Diet, which involves very low carbohydrate and very high fat consumption. The results of this diet include increased concentrations of ketone bodies in the blood stream, which will significantly reduce the chances of epileptic children suffering from seizures. The MCT levels in coconut oil penetrate the liver in a positive way and are turned into ketone bodies, inducing ketosis for epileptic patients and allows for more carbohydrates to be consumed in the diet.
Coconut Oil Improves Cholesterol Levels
The saturated fats of coconut oil raise the good kind of cholesterol (HDL) and reduces the bad kind of cholesterol (LDL) to a benign state. A study involving 40 women found that there was a decrease in LDL levels and an increase in HDL levels when comparing the consumption of coconut oil and soybean oil.
Coconut oil promotes proper functioning in the body’s thyroid system due to it containing 50% lauric acid, and it also reduces the chances of injury and damage to arteries, preventing antherosclerosis (clogged arteries). Coconut oil also removes unnecessary stress from the pancreas, increases the body’s metabolic rate, healthily burns more energy, and most importantly reduces the risk of heart disease.
Coconut Oil Builds Immunity
Coconut oil is extremely helpful in in fighting off fungal, bacterial and viral attacks. This is due to it containing capric acid, caprylic acid, and antimicrobial lipids. The lauric acid of coconut oil is converted into Monolaurin, which is effective in handling various viruses and bacterias. Herpes, influenza, HIV and similar illnesses can be treated by coconut oil, which also fights off listeria monoctogenes and helicobacter pylori.
Coconut Oil Helps the Digestive System
Coconut oil is a great ingredient to use as a cooking oil. This oil is easy to digest and prevents problems relating to the stomach. Infirmities such as irritable bowel syndrome. Consuming coconut oil allows the body to absorb nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Coconut Oil Promotes Better Brain Functioning
According to various studies coconut oil can help treat Alzheimer’s Disease. As people grow older their ability to use glucose and energy decreases, and by the time they become part of the elderly demographic they struggle to maintain efficient brain functions. The key factor in coconut oil providing help for brain functioning are the ketone bodies of the oil, which will give the brain the energy it needs to maintain a healthy memory and relieve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. A 2006 study showed after consumption of the MCT rich coconut oil, elderly patients who suffered from milder forms of Alzheimer’s Disease experienced immediate improvement in their brain functions.
Coconut Oil Strengthens Bones
Coconut oil happens to contain calcium and magnesium, which are two of the most important minerals that help prevent osteoporosis. You will see that the bones that benefit from the consumption of the calcium from coconut oil will be your teeth. When you build up your teeth with calcium you will prevent tooth decay. Coconut oil will also decrease the risk of developing plaque and gingivitis.
There are many ways to apply coconut oil in everyday use. On the subject of clean teeth, in the event that you run out of conventional toothpaste that you buy at the local store, you can make your own toothpaste using coconut oil. Mixed in with baking soda you can brush your teeth with coconut oil and it will be a legitimate substitute for store brand toothpaste. The baking soda will gently cleanse your teeth while the coconut oil’s antibacterial mechanism will go to work.
General Uses of Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil Prevents Hair Damage
You can use coconut oil as a pre-shampoo conditioner, which will relieve your dry hair. By leaving the coconut oil in place for as little as 1 hour, or as much as overnight with a shower cap on while you sleep, this alternate conditioner restrains the penetration of water into the hair strands, which means there will be no breaks in your hairline. The hair shaft is deeply penetrated when coconut oil is used as a pre-wash treatment.
Alternate Soap
There are known recipes which include coconut oil as an integral ingredient. One recipe includes adding 1,500 grams of olive oil, 300 grams of coconut oil, 100 grams of palm oil, 90 grams of sweet almond oil, 330 grams of Sodium Hydroxide Lye, and 610 to 915 milliliters of water. The alternate soap containing coconut oil can also include 5 to 10 tablespoons of oatmeal, lavender buds and chopped herbs.
Alternate Deodorant
Coconut oil can eliminate a person’s underarm odor because of its antibacterial properties. Mixed in with baking soda, essential oils and arrow root powder, coconut oil can be turned into a custom stick of deodorant.
Substitute for Non-Stick Cooking Spray
When cooking a healthy breakfast in the skillet, food will sometimes stick to the skillet. In the event that you don’t have any non-stick cooking spray to fix this problem, adding 1 or 2 teaspoons of coconut oil will keep the skillet clean and prevent food from sticking.
Alternate Coffee Creamer
Coconut oil is a source of energy for your body, so if you don’t have any dairy creamers to use to spruce up your cup of coffee in the morning, you can always add a spoonful of coconut oil. This is a popular practice in the Far East as many athletes use coconut oil in their morning coffee along with grass-fed ghee.
Links:
- http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/coconut-oil
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinical-trials/coconut-oil-alzheimers-disease
- http://news.berkeley.edu/2015/01/15/coconut-oil-does-it-live-up-to-the-hype/
- http://www.academia.edu/25873230/The_Effects_of_Virgin_Coconut_Oil_on_Bone_Oxidative_Status_in_Ovariectomised_Rat
- https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/cocoilparadise/?page_id=73
- https://www.nuhs.edu/juli/2014/4/4/yep,-i-make-my-own-deodorant/
- https://www.pvamu.edu/cahs/2016/05/24/natural-hair-nutrition-and-coconut-oil-2/
