Benefits of Coconut Oil

For far too long coconut has gotten a bad rap in the war against fat. Fat = Bad. But even as fat intake decreased in the US, waistlines and heart disease increased and we seemed to miss the mark. Coconut has proven hands down to be a great choice.

Coconut has been vilified and misunderstood for too many years. It is now time to set the record straight. Now it is time to clap your palms together for coconut! (pun intended 😉 )

Coconut oil is great on your skin.
Topically it soothes irritated skin and is not only anti-viral but also anti-bacterial. It is great for sensitive skin and works wonders on diaper rash. It absorbs wells and leaves skin feeling soft.

But when coconut oil is consumed, this is where it really shines. Research shows coconut oil can decrease LDL ,“bad cholesterol”, and increase HDL, “good cholesterol”. All this from an oil that is up to 90% saturated fat.

Saturated fat is not bad, as it was been made out to be, a detriment to a healthy heart. In fact, only 26% of the fat in artery clogs is saturated and the remainder is unsaturated and mainly polyunsaturated. Coconut oil also supports the healthy function of the thyroid gland, a major player in the immune system.

There are many ways you can integrate coconut into your life. Slather oil on after a shower or bath. Use it to replace other oils in baking for a tasty new twist on your favorite recipes.

Some brands have more of a coconut flavor than others so try a few to find the one you like best. Look for organic unrefined virgin coconut oil for the greatest health benefits.

As coconut is more stable than a lot of other fats, refined coconut oil, while losing some of its benefits, is another option. When coconut oil is refined, it loses the coconutty flavor and smell making it  more versatile in your recipes and food. If you want to use coconut oil but don’t want to taste the coconut, organic refined oil is a good choice.

The options are endless and scrumptious, so give it a try and enjoy the tasty benefits!

Leave a comment below and let me know your favorite ways to include coconut in your diet!

  Here is a recipe on how to make your own coconut butter!

In Health and Balance,

Learn more here:
Eat Fat Lose Fat. By Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon. Great book to learn more about healthy fats.

Felton, C V, et al, Lancet, 1994, 344:1195

Assunção ML, Ferreira HS, dos Santos AF, Cabral CR Jr, Florêncio TM. Lipids. 2009 Jul;44(7):593-601. Epub 2009 May 13.

Siddhanti SR, King MW, Tove SB. J Nutr. 1990 Nov;120(11):1297-304