Coconut Oil Health Benefits

Most of the fats in today's diets come from long-chain fatty acids, but the medium-chain fatty acids like Coconut Oil are more easily digested and converted into energy faster. The medium-chain fatty acids found in Coconut Oil also have the amazing ability to kill germs and viruses. Coconut Oil is easier to metabolize and as a result, may aid in weight loss.

Extra-virgin, unrefined, organic Coconut Oil may help:

Improve cholesterol levels
Boost immunity
Control glucose levels
Boost nutrient absorption
Weight loss
Increase bone strength
Relieve stress
Moisturize skin
Promote proper digestion (including help with IBS and Crohn's)

Coconut Oil may improve conditions for those who have diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease, chronic fatigue and even psoriasis. Studies have shown that Coconut Oil may have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

The Power of Coconut Oil: Lauric Acid

Although all oils are composed of fat molecules, triglycerides or free fatty acids, Coconut Oil is one of the best because of its chemical structure. It includes a very unique type of saturated fat called medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These MCFAs contain the power within the Coconut Oil, especially Lauric Acid which is 42% to 57% of the oil. The only other place this percentage of Lauric Acid can be found naturally is in breast milk. It protects newborns from infections and diseases. Additionally, MCFAs have been added to baby formula to mimic the protection of breast milk.

The body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is a monoglyceride compound. This compound exhibits antiviral, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal and antifugal properties. It disrupts the lipid membranes in organisms like bacteria, fungus and viruses then destroys them.

More specifically the compound monolaurin is a strong treatment for fungal infections like ringworm and athlete's foot. It also targets bacterial infections and lipid-coated viruses like herpes, measles, influenza, hepatitis C and HIV.

In fact researchers in the Philippines have started to study the effectiveness of lauric acid against HIV/AIDS because of its powerful antiviral properties. Also lauric acid is non-toxic and has a strong advantage over modern pharmaceutical drugs that are used to fight viruses, fungal and bacterial infections.

When the body doesn't have an ample source of lauric acid, it can't produce monolaurin. Therefore, health conscious consumers are choosing to add Coconut Oil to their diet to support the fight against viruses, fungus and bacteria. Coconut Oil is the only source for lauric acid other than breast milk that can help achieve this.

A Closer Look at the Benefits of Coconut Oil

Skin Care

Coconut Oil may help to prevent or delay:

Dryness of the skin
Flaking of the skin
Wrinkles
Sagging skin
Psoriasis
Dermatitis
Eczema

Coconut Oil has antioxidant properties that may help prevent premature aging as well as degenerative diseases.

Hair Care

If you are looking for shiny hair, Coconut Oil is the remedy. Regularly massaging your scalp with Coconut Oil not only improves the health of your hair, but it also assists in keeping your scalp free of dandruff, lice and lice eggs. It conditions hair and helps re-growth of damaged hair.

Stress Relief

A popular choice by massage therapists, Coconut Oil is very soothing and helps with mental fatigue.

Heart Diseases

Due to misconceptions, many consumers think that Coconut Oil is bad for the heart because it contains saturated fats. Because Coconut Oil contains Lauric acid, which assists in preventing various heart problems, it is actually a perfect supplement. Coconut Oil doesn't increase LDL levels and it reduces injuries to arteries.

Weight Loss

Coconut Oil contains medium chain fatty acids that can assist in taking off excessive weight. The body digests Coconut Oil easily and it helps in the healthy function of the thyroid and enzymes systems. It also increases metabolism by removing stress on the pancreas. This assists the body in burning more energy. Interestingly, people that live in tropical costal areas who eat Coconut Oil on a daily basis are normally not overweight or obese.

Digestion

Coconut Oil helps in improving the digestive system and can prevent various stomach and digestion related issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats in Coconut Oil contain anti microbial properties which attack bacteria, fungi and parasites. Also Coconut Oil helps in the absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Immunity

Coconut Oil contains Lauric Acid, Capric Acid and Caprylic Acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Lauric Acid is needed by the human body because it converts it into a monolaurin which deals with viruses and bacteria.

Healing

When Coconut Oil is applied on skin infections, it forms a chemical layer that protects the infection. Most effective on bruises, because it speeds up the healing process by mending damaged tissue.

Liver

The medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids in Coconut Oil help prevent liver disease because these substances are easy for the body to convert into energy once they reach the liver. It reduces the liver's work load and prevents accumulation of fat.

Diabetes

Coconut Oil helps the body utilize blood glucose which can prevent Diabetes. Specifically, it controls blood sugar and improves the secretion of insulin.

Bones

Coconut Oil improves the body's ability to absorb minerals such as calcium and magnesium which are needed for the development of bones

Dental Care

Calcium is very important for the teeth. Because Coconut Oil assists in the absorption of calcium by the body, it can help strengthen teeth.