Coconut oil
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roger711
Posts: 22 Member
I eat 2 types of healthy fats in moderation. Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Here is why I use Coconut Oil. i want to thank Dr. Oz for this article.
Conventional thought used to consider fats like coconut oil to be unhealthy and contribute to heart disease. We now know that this isn't true. In fact, coconut oil is actually a heart healthy food that can keep your body running smoother in a few different ways.
What are the health benefits of coconut oil?
Studies have show that intake of coconut oil can help our bodies mount resistance to both viruses and bacteria that can cause illness. Even more, it also can help to fight off yeast, fungus and candida.
Coconut oil can also positively affect our hormones for thyroid and blood sugar control. People who take coconut oil also tend to have improvements in how they handle blood sugar since coconut can help improve insulin use within the body. Coconut oil can boost thyroid function helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance. It increases digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
Can coconut oil reduce cholesterol?
Coconut oil has a saturated fat called lauric acid, a type of MCT (Medium Chain Trygliceride). It has been shown that lauric acid increases the good HDL cholesterol in the blood to help improve cholesterol ratio levels. Coconut oil lowers cholesterol by promoting its conversion to pregnenolone, a molecule that is a precursor to many of the hormones our bodies need. Coconut can help restore normal thyroid function. When the thyroid does not function optimally, it can contribute to higher levels of bad cholesterol.
How does coconut help keep weight balanced?
Coconut fats have special fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). It has been shown that breaking down these types of healthy fats in the liver leads to efficient burning of energy. One 2009 study found that women who consumed 30 milliliters (about 2 tablespoons) of coconut oil daily for 12 weeks not only did not gain more weight, but actually had lowered amounts of abdominal fat, a type of fat that is difficult to lose, and contributes to more heart problems.
Is it true coconut can help with aging?
The oils found in the coconut have a positive antioxidant action in the body. This means they help our body stop the damage to other healthy fats and tissues in our body. Oxidation is considered a major contributor to cardiovascular problems and skin aging. Coconut oil can actually help our bodies reduce the need for antioxidant intake.
Is coconut oil good for my skin and hair?
We tell our patients that from the time of infancy through the senior years, coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer for skin and hair. It has good amounts of the antioxidant vitamin E, which is very protective. If you are using on the skin regularly, it is best to try to find an organic coconut oil, to reduce the absorption of toxins and pesticides through your skin.
We even recommend new parents massage infants with coconut oil after a bath. One 2005 study of 120 babies showed that a coconut oil massage is safe and has health benefits.
How can I use coconut oil?
Coconut oil works in both baked goods like zucchini and banana bread and with vegetables. It is especially tasteful when paired with bitter greens like kale. You can use it as part of the onion and garlic sauté, where it offers a surprisingly different and pleasant full-bodied taste. It is also a wonderful addition to oatmeal to make it even creamier, while staying healthy.
I want to thank Dr. Oz for this article.
Conventional thought used to consider fats like coconut oil to be unhealthy and contribute to heart disease. We now know that this isn't true. In fact, coconut oil is actually a heart healthy food that can keep your body running smoother in a few different ways.
What are the health benefits of coconut oil?
Studies have show that intake of coconut oil can help our bodies mount resistance to both viruses and bacteria that can cause illness. Even more, it also can help to fight off yeast, fungus and candida.
Coconut oil can also positively affect our hormones for thyroid and blood sugar control. People who take coconut oil also tend to have improvements in how they handle blood sugar since coconut can help improve insulin use within the body. Coconut oil can boost thyroid function helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance. It increases digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
Can coconut oil reduce cholesterol?
Coconut oil has a saturated fat called lauric acid, a type of MCT (Medium Chain Trygliceride). It has been shown that lauric acid increases the good HDL cholesterol in the blood to help improve cholesterol ratio levels. Coconut oil lowers cholesterol by promoting its conversion to pregnenolone, a molecule that is a precursor to many of the hormones our bodies need. Coconut can help restore normal thyroid function. When the thyroid does not function optimally, it can contribute to higher levels of bad cholesterol.
How does coconut help keep weight balanced?
Coconut fats have special fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). It has been shown that breaking down these types of healthy fats in the liver leads to efficient burning of energy. One 2009 study found that women who consumed 30 milliliters (about 2 tablespoons) of coconut oil daily for 12 weeks not only did not gain more weight, but actually had lowered amounts of abdominal fat, a type of fat that is difficult to lose, and contributes to more heart problems.
Is it true coconut can help with aging?
The oils found in the coconut have a positive antioxidant action in the body. This means they help our body stop the damage to other healthy fats and tissues in our body. Oxidation is considered a major contributor to cardiovascular problems and skin aging. Coconut oil can actually help our bodies reduce the need for antioxidant intake.
Is coconut oil good for my skin and hair?
We tell our patients that from the time of infancy through the senior years, coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer for skin and hair. It has good amounts of the antioxidant vitamin E, which is very protective. If you are using on the skin regularly, it is best to try to find an organic coconut oil, to reduce the absorption of toxins and pesticides through your skin.
We even recommend new parents massage infants with coconut oil after a bath. One 2005 study of 120 babies showed that a coconut oil massage is safe and has health benefits.
How can I use coconut oil?
Coconut oil works in both baked goods like zucchini and banana bread and with vegetables. It is especially tasteful when paired with bitter greens like kale. You can use it as part of the onion and garlic sauté, where it offers a surprisingly different and pleasant full-bodied taste. It is also a wonderful addition to oatmeal to make it even creamier, while staying healthy.
I want to thank Dr. Oz for this article.
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Replies
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If need be, could you just take 2 tbls of coconut oil alone per day?0
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Well on most of the labels I have read, it says it can be taken as a supplement. I would assume that would mean to take it plain. I get mine at whole foods for about $9.99 a jar. But they have it at Costco for the same price, but the container is double the size then at Whole Foods.0
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When I was in the Dominican I went on an educational excursion. Part of the tour was about agriculture and included health information about coconut oil. I had no idea that coconut oil contained so many important nutrients and antioxidants until then. I will try taking it straight but it might be nice on a salad too. Thanks for the info.
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Coconut oil is a solid. So it may not work with a salad. But I mix it into oatmeal or into a smoothie or right on the spoon. Tastes pretty good. But like with any fats, in moderation. It is also a great moisturizer for your face, hands, feet, hair. It has so many uses. You can search online for the uses of coconut oil and you will find many pages on it.0
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Would melting it so that it is pourable for salads degrade its nutritive value?0
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Deb, the coconut oil you should look for is extra virgin, which means that there is no heat applied to it to extract the oil. Like extra virgin olive oil. Not heated.........pressed cold. Some of them will say expeller coconut oil. That means the oil is extracted by putting the coconut in a centrifuge. That is the best way, because squeezing creates a little heat. The type you want to stay away from is the kind that is heated to extract the oil because it changes the structure of the oil.
In response to your question, you can do what you like but I personally wouldn't heat it. It defeats the whole purpose of being cold pressed. But you can do what you want and see how it works out. I, personally would stick to a really good EVOO in salad.0 -
Coconut oil tend to be expensive in the majotiry of the suppermarkets, but at Trader Joe's is aroung $6/jar. - Also it makes chicken and other meets taste so good!0
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Well Dani, you have to like coconut. Because it gives everything that slight coconut flavor. A jar I got at at Whole Foods was like $9.99 for about 16 oz. So I bought mine at Costco. It was also $9.99, but for 54 oz. A little goes a long way. I shop at Trader Joe's also, but have not tried their coconut oil.0
