The Healthiest Oil On Earth
Modern research backs up this bold statement. Once wrongly accused of increasing cholesterol levels, coconut oil is now actually being used by doctors in the treatment of a variety of disorders.
Clinical studies have shown that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, and is now even being used in treating AIDS patients. Studies conducted in the Philippines last year showed that coconut oil does indeed reduce the viral load in AIDS patients.
Once mistakenly thought to be bad because of its saturated fat content, coconut oil is now known to contain a unique form of saturated fat that actually helps prevent heart disease, stroke, and hardening of the arteries.
The saturated fat in coconut oil is unlike the fat found in meat or other vegetable fats. It is identical to a special group of fats found in human breast milk that have been shown to improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and protect against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. These fats, derived from coconut oil, are now routinely used in hospital for formulations and commercial baby formulas. They're also used in sports drinks to boost energy and enhance athletic performance.
Clinical studies have shown that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, and is now even being used in treating AIDS patients. Studies conducted in the Philippines last year showed that coconut oil does indeed reduce the viral load in AIDS patients.
Once mistakenly thought to be bad because of its saturated fat content, coconut oil is now known to contain a unique form of saturated fat that actually helps prevent heart disease, stroke, and hardening of the arteries.
The saturated fat in coconut oil is unlike the fat found in meat or other vegetable fats. It is identical to a special group of fats found in human breast milk that have been shown to improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and protect against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. These fats, derived from coconut oil, are now routinely used in hospital for formulations and commercial baby formulas. They're also used in sports drinks to boost energy and enhance athletic performance.
HEVCO is a product that can rightly be called a “nutraceutical” because of its ability to help a number of health problems - substantiated by the abundant positive research that has been carried out on it. Jon J. Kabara, Ph.D (Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University) had this to say about the value of lauric acids (contained in virgin coconut oil). "Never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize the value of Lauric Oils. The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother's milk and have similar nutraceutical effects.”
Coconut oil has been used throughout Asia and the Pacific for thousands of years as both a food and a medicine. Even today it holds a highly respected position in the Ayurvedic medicine of India. Only recently has modern medical research confirmed the many health benefits traditionally attributed to this remarkable oil:
Coconut oil has been used throughout Asia and the Pacific for thousands of years as both a food and a medicine. Even today it holds a highly respected position in the Ayurvedic medicine of India. Only recently has modern medical research confirmed the many health benefits traditionally attributed to this remarkable oil:
Hypocholesterolemic, Hypolipidemic and Hypotensive Effects
According to a study reviewed by Harvard Medical School, lauric acid in VCO lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL). The balancing of cholesterol ratio will eventually reduce risk of heart disease and help balance the blood pressure.Benefits: Helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis and stroke.
Hypoglycemic Effects
It has been reported that lauric acid possess insulinotropic effects, and when combine with high polyphenolic content in the VCO will have synergistic anti-diabetic effects. The polyphenols enhance the sensitivity to insulin, reduce the insulin resistance and injury to pancreatic beta cells by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) in diabetic patients.Benefits: Helps to improve type II diabetes and prevent ketoacidosis, macrovascular and microvascular disease, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and kidney failure.
Virucidal Effects
The monolaurin (a disease-fighting fatty acid derivative produced when the lauric acid in VCO is digested by the human body) was found to provide strong anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties that have an immune boosting effect. By fighting these harmful pathogens present in the body, it will potentially help to prevent infections.Benefits: Helps to improve eczema, psoriasis, acne, herpes, pruritus and destroy lipid-coated viruses such as HIV, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria, including listeria monocytogenes and helicobacter pylori, and parasitic fungus such as Candida.
Moisturizing Effects
VCO is a natural emollient. It prevents dry skin by creating a protective layer that helps our skin retain moisture. Using VCO for skin health works well as a moisturizer for our skin. It absorbs quickly, moisturizing deeply and thoroughly, and is non-greasy and non-sticky. It was reported thata coconut oil is as effective and safe as mineral oil when used as a moisturizer in xerosis (dry & rough skin). It can significantly improve the skin hydration and increase the skin surface lipid levels.Benefits: Helps to improve xerosis, dry, sensitive and cracked skin
Anti-Obesity Effects
The MCTs in VCO have been shown to increase calories burned over 24 hours by as much as 5%, potentially leading to significant weight loss, especially effective at reducing harmful abdominal fat (belly fat). On the other hand, when MCTs are metabolized, ketone bodies are created in the liver. Ketone bodies have been shown to have a strong appetite reducing effect. Coupled with its stimulatory effect on metabolism, it become easier to maintain a healthy weight.Benefits: Helps to suppress obesity and diseases caused by it. Also helps in protecting the internal organs wrapped around by fat, such as fatty liver.
Anti-Carcinogenic Effects
Several studies prove that VCO has anti-cancer effects. The MCTs component of coconut oil has antimicrobial properties so it effectively prevents the spread of cancer cells and enhances the immune system. In a study done by L.A. Cohen and his colleagues in 1986, animals were chemically induced with colon and breast cancer. They found out that the animals that were given coconut oil did not develop tumors while those animals that were given other dietary oils develop tumors.VCO has two qualities that help it fight cancer. One, because of the ketones produced in it’s digestion. Tumor cells are not able to access the energy in ketones and are glucose dependent. It is believed that a ketogenic diet could be a possible component of helping cancer patients recover. Two, as the MCTs digest the lipid walls of bacteria, they also can kill the helicobacter pylori bacteria that has been known as increasing the risk of stomach cancer.
Benefits: Helps in prevention of various kinds of cancers especially colon and breast cancer.
Anti-Constipation Effects
VCO is easy to digest and contains compounds that destroy bad bacteria, promote growth of probiotics and helps to improve digestion. VCO promotes the growth of healthy probiotics in the digestive tract. The anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-microbial properties help to control parasites, and fungi, while aiding in the efficient absorption of essential nutrients.Many people swear by VCO to cure chronic constipation and relieve bloating. The oil penetrates the digestive tract and keeps things running smoothly by killing off harmful bacteria and allowing our gut flora to re-balance.
Benefits: Helps to improve constipation and prevent diseases associated with poor intestinal health such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, Diverticulosis, Proctitis, Stomach Ulcers and Duodenal Ulcers.
Oil Pulling Effects
To improve the health of our teeth and gums, oil pulling with VCO, is the way to go. In Ayurvedic medicine practice, oil pulling is used to detoxify the mouth, killing bad breath, fighting bacteria, cures tooth decay, and helps to boost the immune system. It can be simply done by swishing a tablespoon of VCO in the mouth for 10-20 minutes.Oil pulling works by cleansing (detoxifying) the oral cavity in a similar way that soap cleans dirty dishes. It literally sucks the dirt (toxins) out of our mouth and creates a clean, antiseptic oral environment that is needed to prevent cavities and diseases.
Benefits: Helps to improve tooth decay, kill bad breath, heal bleeding gums, reduce inflammations, whiten teeth, prevent cavities, strengthen gums and jaw.
Anti-Osteoporosis Effects
Researchers found that saturated fats contained in VCO will act as antioxidant and protect our bones from damaging free radicals. Free radicals and oxidative stress are linked to the development of osteoporosis, a metabolic disorder. According to a recent study, VCO due to its high polyphenols and exerts antioxidant properties, is effective in maintaining bone structure, and preventing bone loss in estrogen-deficient rats. It is also a leading natural treatment for osteoporosis.Another of the amazing coconut oil benefits is that it increases calcium absorption in the gut. Research with osteoporosis has found that VCO not only increases bone volume and structure in subjects, but also decreased bone loss due to osteoporosis.
Benefits: Helps to prevent bone loss and reduce osteoporosis risk
Hormone Balancing Effects
VCO helps to suppress inflammation, while supporting healthy metabolism, two things that are essential for balanced hormones. The lauric acid and other compounds in VCO support the thyroid and adrenal glands which can lower cortisol to naturally balance hormones. Studies have found that VCO may be an excellent fat to consume during menopause and also may have positives effects on estrogen levels.Benefits: Helps to relieve menopause, and other hormonal imbalances signs and symptoms such as insomnia, infertility, irregular periods, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (POS), low libido, fatigue, depression, anxiety, digestive issues, hypothyroidism and Grave’s disease.
Anti-Aging Effects
According to the research published in the medical journal Food and Function, VCO improves antioxidant levels to protect us from the harmful effects of free radicals, reducing the amount of free radical damage and can eventually slow down the aging process. Free radical damage is one of the main cause of dry, wrinkled, aging skin.Whether we use VCO on the inside or the outside of our body, it nourishes and energizes our cells, stimulating healing and repair. It naturally penetrates into deeper layers of our skin to actually help heal damaged tissues, restoring our skins strength and elasticity.
Benefits: Helps to slow down the growth of fine lines, wrinkles, pigmented spots, skin tags, warts, rough patches (keratosis), and other blemishes normally found in older people.
Anti-Alzheimer Effects
The digestion of MCTs by the liver creates ketones which are a readily accessible energy by the brain. Ketones supply energy to the brain without the need of insulin to process glucose into energy. Recent research has shown that the brain actually creates its own insulin to process glucose and power brain cells. As the brain of an Alzheimer’s patient has lost the ability to create its own insulin, the ketones from coconut oil could create an alternate source of energy to help repair brain function.Benefits: Helps to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, epilepsy, or other brain disorder diseases.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Coconut oil supports both a healthy liver, and kidneys. According to researchers, VCO, prepared without chemical or high-heat treatment exhibits an inhibitory effect on chronic inflammation. As inflammation is one of the leading causes of many chronic diseases, this study supports regular consumption of VCO to suppress inflammatory cells. It works as both an analgesic and anti-inflammatory.A study also found that the unique VCO antioxidants reduce inflammation associated with arthritis more effectively than current pharmaceutical drugs. This is due to the MCTs in VCO nourish and energize cells. This leads to less inflammation. Compared to other fats, energy liberation from MCT-rich VCO is more prolonged. This suggests it continues to circulate our body long enough to effectively heal and repair damaged tissues.
VCO also has the added bonus of strengthening the bones which can reduce pressure on the joints.
Benefits: Helps to prevent and suppress diseases associated with inflammation including arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibrosis, allergies, sinus, multiple sclerosis and relief muscle pains, cramps and spasms.