Coconut Oil – The healthiest oil you can find

Coconut oil a staple a staple in our household. We use it for everything from cooking to skin moisturizer to Alzheimer’s prevention and a dozen things in between.

Coconut oil is a unique type of saturated fat, called a medium chain triglyceride (MFT) that are metabolized differently than other types of fat, transported directly to the liver from the digestive tract where they provide a quick energy source and so much more.

Please note: Coconut oil is solid at room temperature. It’s not anything like that old Crisco and its nasty trans fatty acids. However, you don’t have to worry about it becoming rancid. It lasts forever. By the way, always buy organic coconut oil. It’s not expensive and for the wide variety of uses we have in our household, a 64-ounce jar costs $13 and lasts about a year. That’s’ probably one of the cheapest and healthiest additions to our diet I can imagine.

So here’s the short list of health benefits of coconut oil. For a longer list, Google “coconut health benefits” and you’ll find several sites with 1000 uses or more.

Combat obesity: Those MCTs are broken down in the liver to lead to a more efficient metabolism—increasing energy expenditure when you eat the same number of calories. A 2009 Brazilian study showed that women who ate 2 T of coconut oil every day for 12 weeks not only didn’t gain weight, they lowered their levels of health-damaging abdominal fat. Swiss researcher found that coconut oil improved metabolism by about 5%, netting about 120 calories more burned every day. It has also been shown to help decrease appetite.

Blood sugar control: Blood sugar control goes hand in had with obesity prevention, since the two are so closely linked. An Indian animal study in 2014 showed that dietary coconut oil reduced insulin resistance, helpful in people with type 2 diabetes, and stabilized blood sugar levels.

Improve thyroid function: Coconut oil promotes proper thyroid function through the underlying mechanism for hormone production and increases metabolism, energy and endurance.

Immune system booster: Numerous studies show the antibacterial and antiviral properties of coconut oil and its abilities to help increase immune function. It can even help fight off yeast and fungal infections. It’s a natural antibiotic.

Heart health: The lauric acid in coconut oil increased HDL (good) cholesterol by helping cholesterol convert to pregnenalone, the foundation of the body’s hormone-manufacturing mechanism.

Gum health: Oil pulling has long been a treatment for gum disease (periodontitis). This simple method of putting a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swishing it around for 10 minutes twice a day is effective for reducing inflammation and preventing the numerous health problems associated with gum disease, including heart disease. Be sure to spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm water to remove the toxins the oil have helped remove.

Improved brain health and memory: Research has confirmed short-term memory benefits from coconut oil. While there is only one major study on coconut oil and Alzheimer’s underway right now, there is enough circumstantial evidence to show its benefits, which far surpass those or the prescription drugs currently on the market, that I take it every single day since Alzheimer’s runs in my family. This is not a scientific study, but if you take a look at this video, there is certainly no harm in it and it will probably convince you, too.

Skin and nail health: I use coconut oil as a moisturizer and to rub on my nails and cuticles. It’s a great emollient and keeps my skin healthy and has improved the health of my nails dramatically.

Love home remedies? Me too. Be sure to see my other write-ups on more home remedies.