Do you use coconut oil?

skinnyjess15

If so, what for? I'm reading up on all the health benefits and want to start using it for more than cooking. I saw that you can use it for a skin moisturizer, make-up remover, weight loss aid, treating dry/split ends on your hair, etc.

jess_blonde

This is probably TMI but.....I use it as lube

I've also tried it in my hair but my hair is too fine and it looks greasy (and is IMPOSSIBLE to wash out).

I've never actually cooked with or eaten it though.

formersec

If you have heart issues or a strong family history of heart disease, I wouldn't use it internally (cooking for example). It's loaded with saturated fats which are bad for the heart. Now, if you want to use coconut oil on your skin or hair, that's fine.

knittnponder

We use it a lot. My oldest likes to put a little in her smoothies, we cook with it all the time, when I used to eat bread I liked it on toast and that kind of thing. You can make your own "magic shell" topping for ice cream if you're having a splurge day since the coconut oil is what makes it harden. If I'm having an energy slump in the afternoon a little coconut oil really does give a little energy boost.

For external purposes we use one that is slightly refined and doesn't smell like coconut. I use this type because it's a little cheaper and I'd rather spend my money on the completely raw, unrefined stuff for eating. It's still organic though. We use it as a moisturizer, I take my makeup off with it, my daughter uses it as a conditioner (she has very curly hair and is super picky about what she puts on/in it) I like to shave my legs with it too but make sure you wash out the bottom of the tub or you'll break your neck!

It really is wonderful stuff but remember to count your calories if you're eating it. I know they say it burns fat and all that but my personal experience with it is, you eat a bunch and don't take it into account in your diary and you will be unpleasantly surprised by your scale!

dls06

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coconut-oil-and-weight-loss/AN01899

Read this.

Pams_Shadow

I've done a lot of reading on coconut oil in the last month. I started using it a week and a half ago. I use the extra virgin organic stuff for cooking. I take extra virgin organic pills 3 times a day. So far, I've noticed an energy boost and I broke my latest plateau with it. Here are some links that I read up on. Hope this helps!

http://healthimpactnews.com/2011/80-uses-for-coconut-oil/
http://correct-weight-loss.net/2011/07/27/coconut-oil-and-weight-loss/
http://www.coconutoil.com/coconut_oil_21st_century.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7270479?dopt=Abstract
http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2008/09/coconut-oil-its-health-benefits-and-why-its-in-my-diet.html
http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/coconut_oil_facts.html
http://www.libschiropractic.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63:importance-of-coconut-oil-&catid=1:latest-news

Thulpa

And that has been dis proven. Coconut oil contains Lauric acid, which actually reverses heart problems and heart disease. That is why countries whose diet has the highest coconut intake has the least heart problems. The best thing you can do with heart issues is use coconut oil.

To properly use it though, you need to use a medium heat and let things slowly cook with it, or use it in raw foods as a binding agent. If coconut oil gets too hot, all of the good fats in it turn to trans fats and it is no longer healthy for you.

The other thing that comes up a lot is MCT or medium chain triglycerides. They are easily broken down by the body for energy.

Thulpa

If you have heart issues or a strong family history of heart disease, I wouldn't use it internally (cooking for example). It's loaded with saturated fats which are bad for the heart. Now, if you want to use coconut oil on your skin or hair, that's fine.

And that has been dis proven. Coconut oil contains Lauric acid, which actually reverses heart problems and heart disease. That is why countries whose diet has the highest coconut intake has the least heart problems. The best thing you can do with heart issues is use coconut oil.

I needed to add what I was referring too

teagin2002

I cook with it, deep fry with it and add it to my smoothies. I use it in the place of oil :flowerforyou:

pretty_ribbons

If so, what for? I'm reading up on all the health benefits and want to start using it for more than cooking. I saw that you can use it for a skin moisturizer, make-up remover, weight loss aid, treating dry/split ends on your hair, etc.

I use it on my hair and my childrens hair too, i have done for years

formersec

And that has been dis proven. Coconut oil contains Lauric acid, which actually reverses heart problems and heart disease. That is why countries whose diet has the highest coconut intake has the least heart problems. The best thing you can do with heart issues is use coconut oil.

To properly use it though, you need to use a medium heat and let things slowly cook with it, or use it in raw foods as a binding agent. If coconut oil gets too hot, all of the good fats in it turn to trans fats and it is no longer healthy for you.

The other thing that comes up a lot is MCT or medium chain triglycerides. They are easily broken down by the body for energy.

.

My cardiologist and my dietician would disagree with you. And the American Heart Association still considers coconut oil to be harmful to heart health because of its high quantity of saturated fat. Go to the organization's website and search for coconut oil. Plenty of information on coconut oil and the effects of saturated fat on the heart.