Coconut oil - magic or myth?

ahunkofmexican

Thanks everyone. Guess if it was a 'miracle' then doctors would be prescribing it to us! Think I will stick with olive oil for now - at least it's easier to buy from the supermarket!

Not saying coconut oil is a miracle.. But I hate the phrase "If such and such worked, doctors would prescribe it."

You'd be surprised what knowledge is out there, and what doctor's don't "prescribe" -- Say, high doses of vitamin C to get rid of cancer.. High doses of niacin to nix depression..

[Edited to correct a typo]

I COMPLETELY agree with this!

Example: A week and a half ago I had severe pain in my side and drove to the ER at 11:00pm when I couldn't take the pain anymore. Turns out I had a kidney stone that i was in the process of passing, and more in my kidney. The doctor prescribed 4 medications. I am breastfeeding, and was told that I would have to pump and dump for ELEVEN DAYS! No way. I went to my chiropractor first thing on Friday, who practices Nutrition Response Testing. She hooked me up with some supplements would:

1. Turn kidney stones to jelly
2. Naturally reduce inflammation and act as a pain medication.
3. Help drain the "jellied" kidney stones
4. Natural antibiotic to treat the urinary tract infection that came along with the kidney stone.
5. Balance my parathyroid, which was responsible for taking too much calcium, and then depositing it in my kidneys CAUSING the kidney stones.
and
6. A natural form of niacin and B6 which my body needed.

All of these worked naturally, were safe for breast feeding, and best of all not only treated the symptom but CURED the cause (the parathyroid).

Doctor's get HUGE kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies to push their drugs. And pharmaceutical companies try their hardest to block natural healing products because it cuts into their pockets, due to the fact that they are healthier than many of the drugs.

Hyperbolic chambers can cure MANY MANY MANY ailments. But it's difficult to gain access to one. The healthier people are, the less money the pharmaceutical companies and doctors make.

Now, I'm not saying that there is NEVER a need for pharmaceutical drugs. I realize that some people truly do need them. All I'm saying is that you can't always say "If this worked, more doctors would prescribe it." Because that's not always true. Our society relies TOO MUCH on pills to "fix" things.. especially when the drugs themselves can do as much harm to our bodies as good.

I'm a huge fan of doing my own research. YOU are your own biggest advocate. No one else will work as hard for your health as you would.

God bless!

You are awesome !

reneelee

I've just started using it, and I've noticed a HUGE difference in just 2 days. I have had all the signs of hypothyroidism: low resting heart rate (mine was 45), low body temperature (mine was usually around 96 - sometimes 97 if I was lucky), difficulty losing weight while on a calorie restricted diet, dry skin and hair, etc.). And my mom has hypothyroidism, and it's known to be hereditary and common in women who have spent a lot of time dieting. I got checked out years ago and it was negative, but that doesn't mean I don't have a low grade version now. I've lost a decent amount of weight but have hit plateau after plateau and have been doing A LOT of dietary experimentation trying to pinpoint why this was happening. I came across coconut oil for thyroid function (as well as the millions of other benefits they talk about) and decided to try it.

I started with 1 tablespoon that I cooked my dinner in the other night(salmon and swiss chard). Prior to dinner I was exhausted because I hadn't gotten any sleep the night before due to an allergic reaction to something. Within 30 minutes after I finished my dinner I got this sudden burst of energy and I proceeded to clean my entire kitchen, top to bottom, decided I liked this stuff so I found ingredients in my cupboard to bake my own granola for the morning so I could have a burst of whatever this was before my morning run. I had already planned to have a bowl of ice cream as dessert, but I never got hungry enough to have it - and I had been looking forward to that all day. I didn't crave it at all - and usually at that time I would've been starving for it.

It was a little tough for me to get to sleep, but when I finally did I slept like a baby and woke up bright and early for my workout. Had a couple bite-fulls of my granola and went running - fastest run ever, muscles didn't get tired, no pain - none. I worked up to 2 tablespoons today, and I'm hoping to get to the recommended dose of 3 tablespoons a day (1 with every meal).

Also, this morning I took my resting heart rate - it was up to 58!!! - much more appropriate for my fitness level (45 is only good if you're an olympic athlete). My temperature was 98.4!!! I felt a healthy buzz throughout the entire day - it's like I've been working soooo hard with only 80% of my potential - now I feel like 100% and I've moved more today than I have every day of last week.

Anyway, in the 2 days I've used this, I've lost 2 pounds so far (could be a fluke, but I don't think so, given my boost in heart rate). I have so much more energy and life and color is returning to my face. I'm so excited I found this stuff, and I look forward to reaping the benefits.

I HIGHLY recommend it.

I have a resting heart rate of 48 and my temperature is 97.6 , had no idea this could be hypothyriod.

dittiepe

I have a resting heart rate of 48 and my temperature is 97.6 , had no idea this could be hypothyriod.

People vary in body temp. Anything from 97-99 is considered normal. As for heart rate, hypothyroidism is one of the many, many illnesses that can cause low heart rate. Or, you could just naturally have bradycardia.

SRH7

I knew if I asked the question on here someone would be able to help - but can't believe I've had so many thorough and informative responses! Thanks everyone. Bottom line, I think, is that it sounds like a healthy oil so I'll order some and use it in my day-to-day diet. I'll let you know how I get on...

cclaborn22

I love coconut oil! I use it to cook all the time whether it be frying up some eggs in the morn, stir-frying veggies or spreading some on my salmon before baking it. Definitely worth buying! There is also a coconut oil spray without any extra added calories or fat

SRH7

I don't know about cooking, but it's certainly been magical on my hair! :laugh:

Yes extra virgin coconut oil is the only oil that actually gets into the hair cuticle making the hair softer and less frizzy. I melt some in a pan on warm heat on top of stove when melted and cooled I place the melted oil in a bottel that I us to dye my hair with. Section you hair and apply oil on small sections of hair combing each section to get oil all the way thru. Place a shower cap on your hair and clean the house, leaving the shower for last. wash hair two times rinsing well and condition like normal. You will love how your hair feels and look!

My oil arrived in the post yesterday - tasted great when used in a stir fry with chicken and spring greens. Not sure yet what effect it will have by adding it to my diet but have to say - omigod! - ran a small amount through the ends of my hair before going to bed and washed it out this morning... my hair is sooooooo soft! Could get used to coconut oil in my life!

Only wish it was cheaper. I bought Emerald off Amazon - if anyone in UK has advice on where to get good quality for a lower price, that would be great.

SRH7

Quick update...

Thanks for all the advice on coconut oil. Have been using it nearly a week and have made some changes to my diet and... whoosh... a pound has come off.

I'd been stuck at the same weight for a few weeks so decided to ignore the MFP settings (which as a low-carber I should do anyway) reset my diary goals up from 1200 calories to 1500 calories with a different balance of nutrients (allowing for a lot more fat) and what do you know? I've lost a pound.

Not sure if it's the coconut oil or the increase in calories but I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing! Perhaps best of all, by using the coconut oil I don't feel like I'm depriving myself - it makes coffee so creamy that I'm actually seeing my one cup of the day (in the morning - keeps me awake if I have it in the evening) as a treat. How sad is that? :laugh:

tkacomet

can't speak for health benefits or weight loss - I've just started using it again (internally, anyway). But for cooking? all good, healthy, logical reasons aside - things taste GREAT cooked in coconut oil. really. it's divine.

I've been using it in my hair for years. I'd never go to spendy chemical products when coconut oil does all the work better.

megsie25

Bump

mamax5

I don't know about cooking, but it's certainly been magical on my hair! :laugh:

Yes extra virgin coconut oil is the only oil that actually gets into the hair cuticle making the hair softer and less frizzy. I melt some in a pan on warm heat on top of stove when melted and cooled I place the melted oil in a bottel that I us to dye my hair with. Section you hair and apply oil on small sections of hair combing each section to get oil all the way thru. Place a shower cap on your hair and clean the house, leaving the shower for last. wash hair two times rinsing well and condition like normal. You will love how your hair feels and look!

I think I need some of that...my hair is naturally curly and right now feels like straw and will not curl no matter what I do. No amount of product is working.

Oh, and coconut oil is also a good lube for um...:blushing: things if you know what I mean. They talk about it on the marriage boards I'm a member of. It may not be a "miracle drug" for weight loss, but it has SO many uses!

Schwiggity

It's a decent cooking fat. It still has saturated fat, but the effects of that are under debate, and it is perfectly okay to have some saturated fat in your diet.

SRH7

I don't know about cooking, but it's certainly been magical on my hair! :laugh:

Yes extra virgin coconut oil is the only oil that actually gets into the hair cuticle making the hair softer and less frizzy. I melt some in a pan on warm heat on top of stove when melted and cooled I place the melted oil in a bottel that I us to dye my hair with. Section you hair and apply oil on small sections of hair combing each section to get oil all the way thru. Place a shower cap on your hair and clean the house, leaving the shower for last. wash hair two times rinsing well and condition like normal. You will love how your hair feels and look!

I think I need some of that...my hair is naturally curly and right now feels like straw and will not curl no matter what I do. No amount of product is working.

Oh, and coconut oil is also a good lube for um...:blushing: things if you know what I mean. They talk about it on the marriage boards I'm a member of. It may not be a "miracle drug" for weight loss, but it has SO many uses!

Ooer missus! I'm sure the lovely coconutty suntan lotion scent is also an aphrodisiac!

SRH7

It's a decent cooking fat. It still has saturated fat, but the effects of that are under debate, and it is perfectly okay to have some saturated fat in your diet.

Amazing photos on your signature. Just read your biog and it's really inspiring!

caroln3

Research Chagga (sp) tea, in regards to cancer...and non-American apricot pits. There's some incredible evidence out there...which I've experienced with immediate friends...that suggests the American drug companies have specifically lobbied for some of these 'narural medicines' to be made illegal. The apricot pits for example. It is illegal to grow or sell apricot pits that haven't been genetically altered in the US.

this really makes me angry!

CherryTop

In the research I have done I found Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is best to use in cooking/baking and Extra Virgin Olive Oil is best in baking/broiling & dressings.
E V Coconut Oil is a natural anti fungal / antimicrobial / anti Yeast. The fat is burned as fuel not absorbed as fat like a butter or processed oil.
Here is a link to where I buy my E V C O ... it is organic. I buy the gallon ... but I wait til it is on sale for 1/2 off.
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/vcno/virgin_coconut_oil.htm?s=gad&gclid=CKO-ydujp6sCFYNM4AodbyyW5w
I have had friends to use it for medicinal purposes and got great health benefits.

I hope this helps :~)

theba2il

Great thread!! Thnx!!

Pams_Shadow

bump

Silverkittycat

posting this again -

The fat in coconut oil is lauric acid, which so happens to be the SAME fat that people are so insistent on eliminating from their milk by drinking skim instead of whole. It's also found in palm kernel oil and goat's milk.

Besides, while lauric acid may help overall cholesterol numbers, atherosclerosis has nothing to do with cholesterol, and they have yet to prove that lauric acid doesn't contribute to atherosclerosis like other saturated fats. Like everything else, use in moderation, there is no 1 miracle cure.

Personally I'll go with extra virgin or virgin olive oil as my cooking oil of choice, just based on it's polyphenol and antioxidant properties, as lauric acid can come from other sources, the antioxidants and polyphenols in olive oil are unique.

Exactly, no miracle cure.

It's just business. Marketing. A loss in sales volume of coconut oil to the U.S. was a "problem" that was easily fixed when millions were spent to promote it. No different than the $ spent on campaigns to put halos on almonds, pomegranate, bottled water and so on.

Clip below is from 5 years ago, before the decisions made by the Coconut industry Investment Fund to create more demand in the U.S. market. You can see the sales projections for the U.S. were quite low. It wouldn't benefit the Philippines to import it to India due to the high import duty, not until/ unless free import was allowed under advance license for value added re-exports.

QUOTE:
Philippines keen to export coconut oil to India
Posted: 2006-09-28

The Philippines, the world’s largest producer and exporter of coconut oil, is looking to shift its exports to Asia Pacific region from its traditional markets of Europe and the US. “One of the important markets in Asia-Pacific region would be India,” Coronacion told CrisilMarketWire. Traditionally, The Philippines exports crude coconut oil to Europe and refined bleached oil to the US, he said.

The Philippines, on an average, exports 80% of its coconut oil production. However, demand from Asia Pacific region is growing compared with Europe, the US and Canada, he said.

Demand from traditional markets is being shifted to Asia Pacific due to burgeoning population and prospering economies in the region, he said. “As growths in population and income in these economies spur demand...expansion of oil consumption in the region is expected to be sustained,” Coronacion said.

“The share of the US and Canada has stagnated and that of Europe has declined but Asia Pacific has widened from 14% in 2000 to 32.7% in 2005,” he said. Share of Europe exports for 2006 is projected at 45.0%, down from 52.4% last year. Exports to U.S. are pegged at 33.3%.



I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade here, I use coconut oil myself. I do believe it's healthier than many other sources of fat, but not as weight loss "magic". It's used to help with weight maintenance and weight gain in AIDS patients and cystic fibrosis along with other diseases that result in malabsorption syndromes. Celiac disease, hepatic disease, short - bowel syndrome.

Now that I'm thinking about it, it might benefit those who've restricted the fats in their diet, simply by aiding in the absorption of nutrients that they lack. But no magic!

bluebird321

I don't know about it being a wonder drug, but i've been using it for cooking breakfast and it helps me get through the morning without the cravings.

JennieAL

Coconut water from young coconuts is absolutely delicious. I also read that coconut water is somehow similar to the molecular structure of human blood and was used in emergency blood transfusions in wars... not sure how true that is. But, the coconut water is supposedly some of the most nutritious stuff you can consume.