|
Little Known Weight Loss Secrets: Part
6 - Coconut Oil
Imagine a completely natural food that can help lower body
fat, speed up your metabolism, increase the strength of your
cell membranes (which help prevent cancer), is antimicrobial,
beneficial to the heart, and doubles as a moisturizer. What
is this food? Coconut oil.
Coconut oil has been around for thousands of years. Historically,
it’s been consumed by Polynesians, Asians, and people
in tropical areas of the world. The beneficial property of
coconut oil is the lauric acid contained within. Lauric acid
is a medium chain fatty acid (MCFA), and it’s these
MCFA’s that are responsible for most of the health benefits
noted above. I’ll address MCFA’s a little more
later, but let us first take a look at improved digestion.
Organic virgin coconut oil should be considered for those
suffering from digestive disorders or those who have had a
gall bladder removed. Normally when we eat fat the gallbladder
combines bile with food to assist in the breakdown of fat,
making it available for absorption within the body. If production
of bile is low, or if the gall bladder has been removed, then
absorption of fat soluble vitamins will be compromised –
leading to deficiency in vitamins A, D, E, K. However, coconut
oil, being comprised of 64% MFCA, does not require bile or
pancreatic enzymes for metabolism. So those who have trouble
digesting fats would benefit from the inclusion of coconut
oil in their diet.
Studies have shown an increase in thyroid function and metabolism
with the addition of MCFA’s, and coconuts contain the
highest amount of MCFA’s (64%) compared to other foods.
Increasing your thyroid function is important for those trying
to drop weight. A slow metabolism causes a person to metabolize
calories at a slower rate, and hence burn fewer calories throughout
the day. Vegetable oils have been shown to decrease thyroid
function. For those who are consuming high amounts of processed
foods and vegetable oils, adding coconut oil, while minimizing
vegetable oil, is a step in the right direction.
In addition to consuming coconut oil as a food, it can also
be used topically as a moisturizer. Because it’s a saturated
fat it will not oxidize and turn rancid, unlike unsaturated
fats which are used in most commercial skin moisturizers.
When fats turn rancid they create free radicals which can
age the skin faster! Certainly not the effect most of us are
looking for. Combining coconut oil with a small amount of
vitamin E oil will act as an ideal skin moisturizer. And because
your skin absorbs 60% of what you put on it, once absorbed
this combination can help strengthen the connective tissue
in the joints.
Using organic virgin coconut oil that has NOT been processed
with chemicals or at high heat is paramount. Poor processing
can turn the oil into unhealthy adulterated oil. Many companies
cut corners on processing because it’s easier and less
expensive. Buy the good stuff.
Coconut oil can be used to cook with, melted down to drizzle
on salads (melts at a low temperature of 76 degrees Fahrenheit),
or used as a spread. It has a wonderful taste and acts as
a healthy condiment for many foods. Coconut oil has been safely
consumed for thousands of years. With all its benefits, why
not try it?
References:
1. Bruce Fife, N.D. Saturated Fats May Save
Your Life. Colorado Springs: Health Wise Publications, 1999.
2. Ray Peat, PhD. Coconut Oil. Online: http://www.coconutoil.com/ray_peat_coconutoil.htm
3. Mary Enig, PhD. The Latest Studies on Coconut Oil. Online:
http://www.westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/coconut-oil-studies.html
|