3 Astonishing Benefits of Coconut Oil
How come Coconut oil is a superfuel for your cells, your metabolism, your immunity, your bones and your brain? Read on...
a. Coconut Oil helps your Liver
Coconut oil is a Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) which gives it great benefits over other fats. Whilst it is a solid at room temperature, it is liquid at body temperature. Yes, coconut oil is a saturated fat (which have had amn all-encompassing bad rap over the past decades) but this one helps raise your good (HDL) cholesterol and lower triglycerides, which is what a healthy you needs and thus helps to protect your heart.
Coconut oil is absorbed directly from the gut to the liver, whilst other oils are processed via the lymph system. This means that coconut oil will help heal fatty liver caused by obesity as well as cut your appetite. This affects your hormones, and helps Insulin levels to normalise.
b. Coconut Oil assists Weight Loss
Coconut oil boosts your metabolism. The MCTs convert easily into energy so that very little oil is stored as fat, unlike other oils. The MCTs boost energy expenditure and burning of fat – in other words it increases metabolism.
Back in 1940s USA farmers, wanting to support the Philippines’ economy, fed their livestock coconut oil – the plan backfired. Not only did the animals lose weight but they also had more energy! If it works for pigs......
c. Coconut Oil is Anti-Microbial
And that means it’s:
Anti-bacterial
Anti-fungal
Anti- viral
Remember the doctor saying ‘it’s a virus, your immune system will sort it out” or dishing out antibiotics for teenage acne?
Coconut oil is loaded with lauric acid (approx. 48% of it) and caprylic acid.
Lauric acid is good for treating Acne (bacteria problem) and Athlete’s Foot (fungal problem). Research has shown that lauric acid is significantly more potent than benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in medicated acne treatments.
As an anti-viral, Lauric acid, once converted to Monolaurin, has been shown to target viruses such as herpes, measles, flu and HIV (viral problems).
Caprylic acid is brilliant at killing fungal overgrowth, such as candida in the gut. And on its way through your digestive system it will help restore your stomach acidity to normal levels if it’s out of balance. So, excellent for boosting your immune system.
When buying coconut oil look for organic and extra virgin cold pressed. Cold pressed means that no chemicals have come in contact with your oil.
Remember, coconut oil has a similar calorie and fat count to olive oil. One tablespoon has 122 calories. So when you use it, make sure you’re substituting out other fats. It’s still easily over consumed.