Coconut Oil- the Forgotten Critical Super Food

Coconut oil was commonly used in the U.S. until the 1950s.  In spite of new evidence showing that coconut is, among other things, an inexpensive and important source of nutrition and healing, many still falsely believe that coconut is a dangerous food due to its high saturated fat content.

According to Dr. Jerry Tennant, M.D., an expert in healing chronic disease and terminal illness, coconut is “very useful in rehabilitation of a sick liver”.  And, “There is no relationship whatsoever between the amount of saturated fat eaten and the levels of blood cholesterol.”  “Highly saturated tropical oils such as coconut . . . are not harmful, as the popular press would lead us to believe.  These fats and oils have nourished healthy populations, free of heart disease, for millennia.”

Did you know that, among other benefits, coconut oil is antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial?  There is even a Coconut Research Center!  Coconut oil is even rich in minerals, which makes it alkalizing.

Coconut oil is also . . . .

* Good for the Heart: The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful like they are in other vegetables oils. Coconut oil does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

* Good for Weight Loss: It is often preferred by athletes and body builders and by those who are dieting because it contains lesser calories than other oils.  (Its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries.)  Coconut oil helps in boosting energy and endurance, and enhances the performance of athletes.  It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight.  Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.

* Good for the Immune System: It strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV

* Good for Healing: When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.

* Good for Fighting Infections: According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.

(Source: http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html)

* Coconut is also good for beauty/anti-aging, diabetes, bones, dental care, cancer and more.  Visit http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html to learn more.  (It’s good for so many things, it reminds of us the Greek father in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” who was always saying, “Just put some Windex on it!”)

Tip: if you love grilled cheese sandwiches, try cooking yours in coconut oil for an unbeatable texture and flavor!  Yum!

(We will discuss more about how to add coconut oil to your lifestyle in future blogs.)