Heather Whaley, Personal Trainer

Why Coconut Oil Is Amazing

June 22, 2012 at 9:19 am 1 comment

+ It’s healthy to cook with:Coconut oil will not turn rancid and oxidize when introduced to heat (unlike other oils – including olive). This means it is suitable for cooking at high temperatures, and has a shelf life of approximately two years or more.

+ It won’t mess with cholesterol: Coconut oil is one of the only few dietary sources of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), and it is said to be the best source. MCFA are special because they do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and they are known to reduce the risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis.

+ It will aid in weight loss: Effective weight loss can be achieved when you replace long-chain fatty acids with medium-chain fatty acids. These guys are easily digested and converted into energy, speeding up metabolism.

+ It treats candida and other fungal and bacterial infections: The lauric acid in coconut oil is highly toxic to viruses, funguses and bacteria, which makes it effective for treating candida albicans, fungal infections and athlete’s foot. It also targets bacterial infections and viruses like measles, influenza, hepatitis C and even HIV. Breast milk is the only other source of lauric acid.

+ It’s great for your skin: The medium-chain triglycerides, naturally occurring fats in coconut oil, deeply penetrate, moisturize and act as a protective barrier against environmental and free radical damage.  Put it right on your face (a little goes a long way) as a moisturizer.  Got those little bumps on the back of your arm, rub some coconut oil on your arms each night and you’ll see the bumps start to quickly go away.  Also, I haven’t tried this one yet, but it’s said to replace sunscreen.  Apparently coconut oil screens 20% of ultraviolet exposure!

WHAT TYPE SHOULD I BUY?

Look for coconut oil that is organic, unrefined, undeoderized, and cold pressed. It’s also good to use one that is in a glass jar rather than plastic

HOW MUCH SHOULD I CONSUME?

Some researchers suggest consuming around 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil each day in order to obtain the same amounts of MCFA a nursing infant would receive in one day. However, if you are used to eating a low fat diet, jumping right into consuming this amount of coconut oil may cause diarrhea, so start out slower and work your way up.

Entry filed under: BELLY. Tags: benefits of coconut oil.