7 Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
Everyone is raving about coconut oil as though this miracle source of food has only just been discovered. Yet there are people around the world that have known this truth for centuries. In South East Asia, the Pacific and India where coconut is a staple in traditional dishes, these nations boast some of the healthiest people with the greatest longevity. It seems we could all learn from them. Here are seven benefits of coconut oil that you can apply in your kitchen and in your home:
Beauty benefits for skin and hair
Coconut oil is a simple and effective skin moisturizer with the added benefit that it has a moderate sun protective factor. It can help sooth skin irritations such as hives or dry itchy skin. In India coconut oil is traditionally used as a hair conditioner. It moisturizes and helps to protect hair from becoming dry and brittle.
Oil pulling for oral health
Coconut oil has strong antibacterial properties and can be used for oil pulling. This is a method whereby a portion of coconut oil is swirled around in your mount for 15-20 minutes. There are several other types of oil that can be used for oil pulling but coconut oil is preferred as it has a sweet mild taste that is more palatable. Coconut oil is effective in helping to prevent cavities, improve gum health and even bad breath.
Antibacterial effects of Lauric acid
It is the lauric acid in coconut oil that gives it such powerful antibacterial properties. This has many applications both internally and externally. Coconut oil can help heal skin blemishes and in the gut it has strong antifungal and antiviral and antibacterial effects.
Helps ease seizures
Coconut oil is very easily converted to ketones in the liver. Ketones are an alternate form of energy that the body can use that isn’t sugar based. Treatments involving ketones – often referred to as ketogenic diets are used to help manage seizures in people who have epilepsy. A number of studies have reflected at least a 50% improvement and reduction of seizures on average while some patients have been able to achieve a 100% seizure free lifestyle.
Helps improve neurological functioning
In a similar way in which ketones help reduce seizures, they have also been found to be effective in preventing and treating neurological degeneration in diseases such as Alzheimers in elderly people.
Improves blood lipid profiles
Coconut oil has shown very positive results in studies relating to blood lipid profiles. It has the ability to increase levels of good HDL cholesterol and increase the size of LDL cholesterol particles so that they are less harmful. Coconut oil has also shown to improve triglycerides. These factors combine to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Can aid with weight loss
The unique composition of coconut oil can help with weigh loss because it helps to reduce the appetite and has fat burning properties. Some studies theorize that this has to do with the production of ketones.
No matter which of these benefits apply to you, coconut oil is a delicious and versatile food that has proven health benefits for people of all ages.
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