Coconut
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Contents
Special Precautions of Coconut
Pure virgin coconut oil contains 92% saturated fat -- the highest amount of saturated fat of any fat. However a heart-healthy diet does NOT exclude saturated fat; rather, an appropriate balance of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats is best. Only a mixed-fat diet promotes a healthful ratio of LDL to HDL—the “good” cholesterol—and lowers the risk of heart disease. When coconut oil is hydrogenated it becomes a trans fat, and trans fats are bad news. Trans fats have been closely associated with heart disease because they not only increase LDL cholesterol but impede the body’s ability to utilize HDL.
The benefits of Coconut are
"Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a 'functional food' because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine among Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illness. The coconut palm is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called 'The Tree of Life.' Only recently has modern medical science unlocked the secrets to coconut's amazing healing powers."
Dr. Fife says that "Nearly one third of the world's population depends on coconut to some degree for their food and their economy. Wherever the coconut palm grows the people have learned of its importance as an effective medicine. For thousands of years coconut products have held a respected and valuable place in local folk medicine."
Coconut oil differs from other oils because it's rich in medium chain fatty acids that are utilized readily by the body for energy.
Fats and oils are called fatty acids and they are saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. They can also be classified as short-chain (SCFA), medium-chain (MCFA), and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Another term you will often see in reference to fatty acids is triglyceride. Three fatty acids joined together make a triglyceride, so you may have short-chain (SCT), medium-chain (MCT), or long-chain triglycerides (LCT).
Most dietary fats and oils you eat, whether they are saturated or unsaturated or are sourced from animals or plants, are composed of long-chain triglycerides. Almost 100% of all the fats we eat are LCT.
Now here's the point about coconut oil. It's mostly an MCT fat. Medium-chain triglycerides are exceptionally easy to digest and absorb. In my experience they don't make you burp like other fats! They are easily digested and are used by the body as a quick source of energy. But at the same time these fats give your stomach a feeling of fullness allowing you to eat less.
Most MCT products are made from coconut oil. Since they are added to infant formulas and health recovery products and athletic products more research is being done on their beneficial effects of late.
Anti-infective Properties
Dr. Fife graciously allowed me to quote from his website the current research on coconut oil that confirms the following extensive list of benefits.
- Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.
- Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.
- Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.
- Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.
- Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
Energy
- Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
- Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
Digestion and Metabolism
- Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
- Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
- Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.
- Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
- Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.
- Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
- Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.
- Helps protect against osteoporosis.
- Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.
- Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
- Improves digestion and bowel function. (Clients tell me that taken 20 minutes before a meal, it relieves symptoms of heartburn and GERD.)
- Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
Boosts the Immune System
- Supports and aids immune system function.
- Reduces inflammation.
- Supports tissue healing and repair.
- Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
- Functions as a protective antioxidant.
- Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.
- Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.
- Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do.
- Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.
- Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
Heart Health
- Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.
- Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.
Organ Support
- Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.
- Dissolves kidney stones.
- Helps prevent liver disease.
- Supports thyroid function.
- Reduces epileptic seizures.
Balances Body Weight
- Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.
- Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.
- Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
- Is lower in calories than all other fats.
Creates Healthy Skin and Hair
- Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.
- Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
- Virgin coconut oil is superior to mineral oil for lessening both the signs and symptoms of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children and senile xerosis in elderly adults.
- Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
- Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
- Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
- Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
- Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
- Helps control dandruff.
