Coconut seems to have been a theme of this past week. A client asked why coconut oil is a healthier choice, and then I couldn’t stop drinking naturally sweetened coconut milk hot chocolate over Christmas weekend.
Pacific Islanders have used the coconut for a long time, and these native populations rarely show signs of degenerative disease, until being introduced to processed and sweetened food. The coconut provides them with good-quality fat while keeping their cholesterol low and their bodies in perfect shape. Coconut products are a great addition to many diets, and the oil is also useful to have in the bathroom cabinet.
We use many soap products these days, and even the softest soaps can irritate or remove the protective chemical barrier on the skin. This barrier is meant to protect us from certain germs that cause infections. Applying coconut oil softens and lubricates the skin, and reestablishes a protective antibacterial and antifungal layer. People find that some blemishes, dandruff, discolorations, wrinkles, liver spots, and growths go away with consistent coconut oil use. The oil also adds luster to your skin and hair when applied topically and ingested.
If you eat meat, cook it in coconut oil. One study compared the effects of coconut oil and animal fat on cholesterol. Diets that derived more total dietary fat from coconuts rather than animals, showed no adverse effects on cholesterol. The diets with more animal fats than coconut fats significantly increased cholesterol in the subjects. This shows that coconut oil can reduce the cholesterol-elevating effects of animal fat.
Eating coconut oil can help your health in so many other ways, and I’m sure there is something on this list that you are looking to support. Research and clinical observation has shown that coconut oil may help prevent, treat, or reduce symptoms of:
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Atherosclerosis
Stroke
Diabetes
Weak bones and teeth
Osteoporosis
Gum disease/gingivitis
Periodontal disease
Tooth decay
Overweight
Mononucleosis
Influenza
Hepatitis C
Measles
Herpes
AIDS
Pancreatitis
Malabsorption syndrome
Cystic fibrosis
Gallbladder disease
Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
Stomach ulcers
Hemorrhoids
Chronic inflammation
Breast cancer
Colon cancer
Premature aging
Degenerative disease
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Epileptic seizures
Kidney disease
Bladder infections
Liver disease
Pneumonia
Earache
Throat infections
Food poisoning
Urinary tract infection
Meningitis
Gonorrhea
Candida
Jock itch
Ringworm
Athlete’s foot
Thrush
Diaper rash
Tapeworms
Lice
Giardia
Skin infections
Psoriasis
Eczema
Dermatitis
Dryness, flaking, and dandruff
Wrinkles
Sagging skin
Age spots
Yes, it’s a LONG list!
When you’re ready to purchase coconut oil, be sure to buy it in glass jars, since plastic does not protect oils from oxygen, and coconut oil causes some plastics to leech chemicals into the oil. I add coconut oils to smoothies, cook eggs in the oil, and I also like to swish and spit out a spoonful of the oil for dental health.
One of my favorite books about coconut is The Coconut Oil Miracle (4th edition), by Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D.
© 2011 Ava Waits
