The Health
Benefits of Coconut Oil
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Conventional thought had us
believing that fats like coconut oil were unhealthy and contributed to heart
disease - but fact, the opposite is true. Studies have found that not only is
coconut oil a heart-healthy food, it can keep your body running smoothly in a
number of ways.
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Did You Know?
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Before we look into the facts of
coconut oil, were you aware that populations who consume a lot of coconut are
among the healthiest in the world? While coconut may be perceived in the
West as somewhat of an 'exotic' fruit, primarily consumed by health
conscious people, in other parts of the world, coconut is a dietary staple
that people have thrived on for generations.
The Tokelauans, in the South
Pacific, for instance, take over 60% of their calories from coconuts and are
the biggest consumers of saturated fat in the world. According to the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, these people are in excellent
health and exhibit no evidence of heart
disease.
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This should be a good enough
reason to include this superfood in your daily diet, but if you're still not
convinced, these 10 health benefits of coconut oil will certainly change your
mind.
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Top Health
Benefits of Using Coconut Oil
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1. Use coconut oil to reduce
cholesterol levels
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Coconut oil contains a saturated
fat called lauric acid - which has been shown to increase
HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood to help improve cholesterol ratio levels.
Coconut oil has also been shown to help restore normal thyroid
function. When the thyroid does not function optimally it can
contribute to higher levels of bad cholesterol.
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2. Use it to kill bacteria,
viruses and fungi
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Lauric acid can kill harmful
pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. It can be applied directly to
infected areas, where it forms a chemical layer that protects the infected
body part from contaminants. As it contains antifungal, antiviral and
antibacterial properties, according to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil has been found to kill viruses that cause
influenza, measles, ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections,
athlete's foot, thrush and more. It is also highly effective on bruises because
it speeds up the healing process of damaged tissues.
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3. Use it for better dental care
and bone health
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An important component of teeth is
calcium. Coconut oil has been shown to facilitate absorption of calcium by
the body, strengthening the teeth. It has also been found to stop tooth
decay. Besides calcium, coconut oil can also facilitates the absorption of
magnesium. Both calcium and magnesium are necessary for the development of
bones. It is therefore useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after
middle age.
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4. Use it to delay the appearance
of wrinkles and sagging skin
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Coconuts contain oils which have
an antioxidizing effect in the body, helping it prevent damage to various
tissues that help protect the skin. It makes for an excellent massage oil,
acting as an effective moisturizer for all skin types. Besides delaying the
appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin, which normally accompany aging,
coconut oil helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis,
dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections.
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5. Use it to lower your risk of heart
disease
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In one study among 40 women,
coconut oil was found to reduce LDL cholesterol levels while increasing HDL,
primarily because it is loaded with polysaturated fats, which help raise HDL
(good) cholesterol. In addition, it contains about 50% lauric acid, which
helps in actively preventing various heart problems and high blood pressure.
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6. Coconut oil can be used to
boost brain function in Alzheimer's patients
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Studies show that the fatty acids
in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketone bodies, supplying energy
to the brain cells of Alzheimer's patients and relieving various symptoms. It
was discovered that in Alzheimer's patients, there appears to be a reduced
ability to use glucose for energy in certain parts of the brain. Researchers
have speculated that ketones can provide an alternative energy source for
these damaged brain cells and therefore can reduce symptoms of Alzheimer's.
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7. Use it to strengthen the immune
system
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Coconut oil has been found to
strengthen the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric
acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and
antiviral properties.
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SENY BY GR
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