The Health Benefits of Coconut Oil Coconut oil has been shown to reduce the symptoms of digestive disorders, support overall immune functions, and to help prevent bacterial, viral and fungal infections. People who consistently use coconut oil, report changes in their ability to go without eating for several hours without experiencing the effects of hypoglycemia. A study conducted in Yucatan where coconut oil is a staple, showed that metabolic rates of people living there were 25% higher than in comparable test subjects living in the U. S. Increased metabolic rate is a key to healthy weight management and could account for the leanness of people living in areas where coconut oil is consumed on a daily basis. The study further observed that local women displayed none of the symptoms commonly associated with menopause. Research done in the 1950s concluded that all fat was bad. And still today many people equate fat with weight gain, clogged arteries, high blood pressure, etc. However, certain fats actually help to prevent those conditions and are essential to good health. Early researchers failed to distinguish between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats. They assumed at the time, that all fats (including coconut oil) were unhealthy because they raised serum cholesterol levels. But, in revisiting those studies, researchers found that hydrogenated (refined) coconut oil had been used. All hydrogenated oils produce higher serum cholesterol levels, and contribute to greater oxidation and free radicals in the body. In fact, further research has shown that excess amounts of trans-fatty acids (found in hydrogenated vegetable oils) increase the risk of degenerative diseases and other age-related maladies. Studies have shown that the amount of unsaturated oil in the diet strongly affects the rate at which wrinkled skin develops. Taken internally and used topically, extra virgin coconut oil is effective at slowing down that process. Extra virgin coconut oil has tremendous antiviral properties. Lauric acid makes up 50 to 55% of the medium-chain fatty acids in extra virgin coconut oil. In the body lauric acid converts into monolaurin, a compound which is adept at fighting viral pathogens, and is also present in large quantities in breast milk, where it protects infants from viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. When tested, extra virgin coconut oil stored at room temperature for a year, showed no signs of rancidity. Of greatest interest, is its ability to withstand wide temperature ranges during cooking, without the oxidizing effects that occur with other plant-based oils. Summary
Call Nutritional Living for Raw Organic Coconut Oil at 1-800-620-9975 *Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration ("FDA"). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. ©Copyright 2007 Ward W. Bond, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Ward W. Bond, Ph.D. is required. Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Ward W. Bond, Ph.D., unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Ward W. Bond, Ph.D. and his community. Ward W. Bond, Ph.D. encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. |
