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13 Evidence-Based Medicinal Properties of Coconut Oil
Tuesday, February 5th, 2013. Filed under: Health Medical Fascism
While coconut oil has dragged itself out of the muck of vast misrepresentation over the past few years, it still rarely gets the appreciation it truly deserves. Not just a “good” saturated fat, coconut oil is an exceptional healing agent as well, with loads of useful health applications.
Some examples of “good” saturated fat include:
- Fat-burning: Ironic, isn’t it? A saturated fat which can accelerate the loss of midsection fat (the most dangerous kind). Well, there are now two solid, human studies showing just two tablespoons a day (30 ml), in both men and women, is capable of reducing belly fat within 1-3 months.
- Brain-Boosting: A now famous study, published in 2006 in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, showed that the administration of medium chain triglycerides (most plentifully found in coconut oil) in 20 subjects with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment, resulted in significant increases in ketone bodies (within only 90 minutes after treatment) associated with measurable cognitive improvement in those with less severe cognitive dysfunction.[i]
- Clearing Head Lice: When combined with anise spray, coconut oil was found to be superior to the insecticide permethrin (.43%).[ii]
- Healing Wounds: Coconut has been used for wound healing since time immemorial. Three of the identified mechanisms behind these healing effects are its ability to accelerate re-epithelialization, improve antioxidant enzyme activity, and stimulate higher collagen cross-linking within the tissue being repaired.[iii] Coconut oil has even been shown to work synergistically with traditional treatments, such as silver sulphadizine, to speed burn wound recovery.[iv]
- NSAID Alternative: Coconut oil has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and fever-reducing properties.[v]
- Anti-Ulcer Activity: Interestingly, coconut milk (which includes coconut oil components), has been shown to be as effective as the conventional drug sucralfate as an NSAID-associated anti-ulcer agent.[vi]
- Anti-Fungal: In 2004, 52 isolates of Candida species were exposed to coconut oil. The most notorious form, Candida albicans, was found to have the highest susceptibility. Researchers remarked: “Coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species.”[vii]
- Testosterone-Booster: Coconut oil was found to reduce oxidative stress in the testes of rats, resulting in significantly higher levels of testosterone.[viii]
- Reducing Swollen Prostate: Coconut oil has been found to reduce testosterone-induced benign prostate growth in rats.[ix]
- Improving Blood Lipids: Coconut oil consistently improves the LDL:HDL ratio in the blood of those who consume it. Given this effect, coconut oil can nolonger be dismissed for being ‘that saturated fat which clogs the arteries.’
- Fat-Soluble Nutrient Absorption: Coconut oil was recently found to be superior to safflower oil in enhancing tomato carotenoid absorption.[x]
- Bone Health: Coconut oil has been shown to reduce oxidative stress within the bone, which may prevent structural damage in osteoporotic bone.[xi] [Note: Osteoporosis is a Myth, as presently defined by the T-Score]
- Sunscreen: Coconut oil has been shown to block out UV rays by 30%. Keep in mind that this is good, insofar as UVA rays are damaging to the skin, whereas UVB rays are highly beneficial (when exposure is moderate).[i] Make sure to check this list of other sun-blocking oils.
Of course, when speaking about coconut oil, we are only looking at one part of the amazing coconut palm. Each component, including coconut hull fiber, coconut protein and coconut water has experimentally confirmed therapeutic applications. (REFERENCES AND MORE HERE)
P.S. From Zen : Here’s an excellent, informative article on the unique properties of coconut oil worth reading: Coconut Oil and Medium-Chain Triglycerides. (Hat tip: Peek..tx!)
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MCT Medium-Chain Triglycerides.Coconut oil is unique because it is composed predominately of MCT The size of the fatty acid is extremely important because physiological effects of medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are distinctly different from the long-chain fatty acids more commonly found in our diet. It’s the MCT in coconut oil that make it different from all other fats and for the most part gives it its unique character and healing properties. Almost all of the medium-chain triglycerides used in research, medicine, and food products come from coconut oil. One of the fastest burring calories you can use in your body for energy.Think of throwing a gas soaked log on a fire that’s coconut fats work wit your metabolic rate.Light em up bitches ! http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/article10612.htm
Peek, you crack me up! I love how you effortlessly go from your Ebonics to the King’s English. I agree 100%, I always keep a big jar of coconut oil. It makes fabulous organic popcorn. And thanks for the link (she winks)
Riot—ebonics to king’s english..lol!
Thanks pisces ( he blushes )
A true healer for sure. Just wish I could eat it – it’s about the only thing in the world that makes me gag – must have been a overdose of macaroons at an early age. I do EVERYTHING else with this oil. BEST for oil pulling – will whiten teeth in one 15 minute swish session. I put in all over my body from head to toe everyday. your skin is your largest organ – best way to absorb things – get the solid white organic cold pressed i n a glass jar kind – it’s really easy to spread – melts right into you skin before it has a chance to dissolve into a mess everywhere else. I usually keep a separate robe to wear for 5 – 10 minutes before it absorbs into skin and the smell is gone. It also will take you away to a tropical island for a few minutes if you want it too!!!
I use raw virgin coconut oil as a moisturiser; it is the only thing I will put on my face and skin. I also use it in my hair. I use bicarbonate of soda (baking soda in USA) as underarm deodorant, and occasionally use it in place of toothpaste. The maxim: “Don’t put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t eat” is an interesting one, and when you get used too it, anything remotely chemical seems abhorrent.
My problem is, because I use coconut oil for skincare, I feel squeamish about eating it! On the rare occasions I fry food, I do use it for that and it’s brilliant.
deodorant?? hmm I would like more info on that, I was trying limes , it worked for a bit then i got a rash .could never find a natural deodorant. ( sings ) You put the lime in the coconut, you drink ‘em both together
Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better
Put the lime in the coconut, drink ‘em both up
Put the lime in the coconut, and call me in the morning
Hi Peeks,
What I did was get a small, travel-sized container of baby powder, use it up, then empty the baking soda into the empty container. Wash under arms, leave damp, and sprinkle baking soda and rub in. It’s a little abrasive when you’re not used to it, and slightly messy (lean over sink), but I don’t care. Been doing this for years.
Make sure the baking soda (bicarbonate of soda in UK) doesn’t contain aluminium, as this was what I most wanted to avoid.
Thank you ..
Here’s a recipe for making your own deodorant using coconut oi, baking soda, corn starch and essential oils.
http://www.survivingthestores.com/homemade-coconut-oil-deodorant.html.
I looked this up a few weeks ago because the “natural” no aluminum kind from Whole Foods did not work well for me- phew!
LOL @ phew!
Thank you Pisces 222 (Hey – I’m pisces 2/23!) can’t wait to forward this to daughter. She’s a deodorant junkie. she even wrote her college essay on the subject – we argue about it all the time – cognitive dissonance at play here big time. This recipe looks promising! TY TY TY
Glad to pass on good info, I’m going to make it this weekend. I just love this platform Zen has that we can share info and help each other. It does the soul good.
My birthday is Feb 23 also! About 14 years ago the numerals 222 kept coming up everywhere. It stopped for awhile but has been back strong for the past 10 months or so. Happy Birthday Jersey. And BTW, I’m a cynic also
Every little thing you eat alters your body aromas for better or worse
)
is coconut oil supposed to taste like coconuts.????