Lauric Acid The Healthy Ingredient In Coconut Oil

Raw Coconut Oil is excellent for our health and this article outlines just how good it is and also some of the many ways it can be used.

Coconuts smell delicious and taste delicious, but did you know that the virgin oil extracted from coconuts actually has some extraordinary health properties; e.g.anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties?

In the past coconut oil has received a bad rap when it comes to the fats they contain and how they impact on the health of our heart, cholesterol and weight. Yes, coconut oil does contain saturated fat it is not the bad trans- fats.

Fat’s asides, there are a lot of healthy benefits that Virgin Coconut Oil has to offer.

Coconut Oil has been aptly labelled by some of the world’s, major, health guru’s as the ‘Healthiest Oil on the Planet!’

Lauric Acid The Secret To Coconut Oil’s Success!

So what is it that makes this oil so extraordinary? It is it that Coconut Oil contains about 50% Lauric Acid, a very valuable, medium-chain fatty acid. In our bodies Lauric Acid converts into Monolaurin, a monoglyceride compound which is also found in human breast milk and which displays antiviral, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal and anti-fungal properties. Monolaurin works by disrupting the lipid membranes in organisms like fungus, bacteria and viruses, which in turn, kills them. Here is some more in-depth information on The Health Benefits of Lauric Acid by Natural News

Learn even more here at NaturalNews.com about how Lauric Acid works against infections.

Lauric Acid protects your heart and has antibacterial and antiviral properties see article on Lauric Acid by Livestrong.com

Virgin Organic Coconut Oil is completely non-toxic and is also great to use as an oil for cooking, including frying, as it has a very high smoke point.

What Raw Coconut Oil Is Good For

Studies have shown coconut oil helps relieve the symptoms associated with Ulcerative Colitis, Stomach Ulcers and Crohn’s Disease.

It also helps to protect our arteries, teeth and gums. See my article Learn All About Oil Pulling. Does It Work and How To Pull Oil Properly.

When applied topically it acts as a chemical barrier on the skin, repelling infections.

Coconut oil is excellent at softening and moisturizing our skin and hair.

It can be used to treat a variety of skin and scalp conditions e.g dandruff, dermatitis, eczema etc..

To see how to use coconut oil for the above and more, read my article – The Best Top 10 Uses For Raw Coconut Oil

Natural Health Authorities On Coconut Oil Benefits

There are two leading authorities on all things good, about pure, unrefined/virgin Coconut Oil and these are Dr. Mary G. Enig, a pioneer on work that saturated fats are actually healthier than unsaturated and Bruce Fife N.D the Director of the non-profit, Coconut Research Centre (yes a real live coconut research centre!). Both Dr. Mary G. Enig and Bruce Fife N.D, are huge advocates for the using coconut oil.

Health Studies Done On Coconut Oil

Numerous studies done around the world have shown virgin coconut oil has the ability to help control weight, actually improve cardiovascular health, help both our metabolism, bowel and digestive systems work optimally and also helps us to better absorb vitamins and minerals. Coconut oil actually has been shown to increase our metabolism and help with weight loss, rather than causing weight gain.

The Coconut Research Center has an extensive list of what health conditions coconut oil can help to improve. According to them, coconut oil has the ability to kill a whole host of viruses, diseases, fungi, bacteria and yeast infections. Coconut oil is believed to help in the prevention of certain cancers, including colon and breast cancer. This incredible oil also helps support the Thyroid and also aids with tissue healing and repairing. Virgin coconut oil also contains powerful anti-oxidants that protect us from free radicals and therefore helping to slow down the aging of our bodies, both internally and externally.

Among the many studies done on raw, coconut oil, is the improvement in the condition of Alzheimer’s patients. See video with Dr.Newport On Treating Alzheimers With Raw Coconut Oil.

The list of positives in coconut oils favour, seems to go on and on.

One of the most well known, world-wide, natural health experts, Dr Joseph Mercola has made this short video “Is Coconut Oil REALLY Healthy?”explaining the benefits and the falsely acquired, bad reputation that coconut oil has in the past, unfairly earned.

Scientific Studies Show That Yes Coconut Oil Can Increase Cholesterol

Conventional scientific studies that have been done on pure, virgin Coconut Oil, have mainly been on whether it increases cholesterol or not and the findings are, at least so far, that potentially yes too much can. Scientist say in moderation Raw Coconut Oil is still healthier than butter and tans-fats (partially hydrogenated oils), but in the cholesterol area, it is not as healthy as olive and liquid vegetable oils.

Which Coconut Oil To Buy & How To Correctly Use Coconut Oil

Firstly it is important to pick the ‘right’ coconut oil, it must be a brand that is certified organic and it must be made from fresh raw coconuts and then cold pressed into coconut oil.

Never double dip your fingers or utensils into your jar or coconut oil. Doing this allows bacteria and fungus to form. Likewise never use wet fingers of utensils.

It is important to know that:

Coconut Oil will solidify if left in a cool room . You will need to scrape out the required amount of coconut oil with a spoon.

In hot conditions Coconut Oil, melts and if hot enough (during summer), will turn into a clear liquid.

Don’t worry both the solidified and liquefied states are fine and perfectly normal.

Coconut Oil in your Daily Diet

Due to there being opposing opinions as to whether coconut oil is detrimental to our Cholesterol levels, it is important to first read the above research links and only then make an informed decision as to how much coconut oil to use.

If you are worried about the cholesterol side of consuming so much saturated fat then be aware that 3 tablespoons of raw coconut oil (some natural therapists recommend this as the amount needed to get ultimate benefits) would equal 33grams of saturated fat.

You may also like to contact a reputable, Naturopath, or Holistic Doctor and get their recommendations as to how much coconut oil you should take.

Personally from all that I have researched on the subject, I am currently comfortable sticking to a teaspoon full and I also use coconut oil in my baking and desert recipes and for shallow frying; e.g. tofu burgers etc.

I also found that it works really well and is very soothing when you have a sore throat, cough etc.. . Simply add a teaspoon of coconut oil into a cup of boiled water and sip slowly.

There is a very small minority of people who can’t tolerate coconut oil and it causes them nausea and vomiting etc., so it is best to start slow and see that your body tolerates it and of course, like with anything, there may be people who are allergic to coconut. So again if you haven’t tried coconut oil before, start slow and build up.

Topical Use of Coconut Oil

To use coconut oil topically on your hair and skin, you just need to use a very small amount, as a little goes a long way.

You may first need to warm it up in your hands and then you can rub into scalp and hair for a great moisturizing treatment and to add shine to dry hair.

Or alternatively, try massaging coconut oil over your entire body and face to achieve, beautifully soft and coconut scented skin.

It is also fantastic for soothing, dry chapped lips and for healing and protecting skin wounds and rashes.

Coconut oil also works well as a Head Lice repellent, to soothe sore baby bottoms and external hemorrhoids.

For more healthy coconut oil tips see my article – The Best Top 10 Uses For Raw Coconut Oil

Important–Please understand that I am not in any way recommending, nor do I think it is wise to, use coconut oil as a cure-all and stop seeing doctors or taking necessary medication. Currently Natural Health Practitioners are recommending that a maximum of 3 tablespoons a day is the right amount to get the optimal health benefits from coconut oil. But they also state that even one teaspoon of coconut oil is beneficial.