Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

How is Lauric Acid Used by our body?

The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia. As a result of these various health benefits of coconut oil, though its exact mechanism of action was unknown, it has been extensively used in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicinal system. The Coconut Research Center has compiled various references on scientific research done on coconut oil. Before we move on to the benefits of coconut oil in detail, let us understand its composition.

Composition of Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil consists of more than ninety percent of saturated fats (Don’t panic! First read to the last word. Your opinion may change), with traces of few unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Virgin Coconut Oil is no different from this. Let us have a bit detailed study of this.

• The Saturated Fatty Acids: Most of them are Medium Chain Triglycerides, which are supposed to assimilate well. Lauric Acid is the chief contributor, with more than forty percent of the share, followed by Capric Acid, Caprylic Acid, Myristic Acid and Palmitic.
• The Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Linoleic Acid.
• The Monounsaturated Fatty Acids: Oleic Acid.
• The Poly-phenols: Gallic Acid, which is phenolic acid. These poly-phenols are supposed to be responsible for the fragrance and the taste of Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in these poly-phenols.
• Certain derivatives of fatty acid like Betaines, Ethanolamide, Ethoxylates, Fatty Esters, Fatty Polysorbates, Monoglycerides and Polyol Esters.
• Fatty Chlorides, Fatty Alcohol Sulphate and Fatty Alcohol Ether Sulphate, all of which are derivatives of Fatty Alcohols.
• Vitamin-E and Vitamin K and minerals such as Iron.

Hair Care:
Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shiny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. Most of the people in these countries apply coconut oil on their hair daily after bath. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair care.

Skin Care:
Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. Further, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil therefore is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Therefore coconut oil forms the basic ingredient of various body care products such as soaps, lotions, creams, etc., used for skin care. Coconut oil also helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.

 

Heart Diseases:

There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for the heart. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. However, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in preventing various heart problems including high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as it happens in case of other vegetables oils. It does not lead to increase in LDL levels. It also reduces the incidence of injury in arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

Weight Loss

Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.

Digestion

Internal use of coconut oil occurs primarily as cooking oil. Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Immunity:

Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Healing and Infections

When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.
Infections: Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.

Other:

Liver: The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids helps in preventing liver diseases as they substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing work load on the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.
Kidney: Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.
Pancreatitis: Coconut oil is also believed to be useful in treating pancreatitis.
Stress Relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.
Diabetes: Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.
Bones: As mentioned earlier, coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium which are necessary for development of bones. Thus coconut oil is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.
Dental Care: Calcium is an important element present in teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay.
HIV and Cancer: It is believed that coconut oil plays an instrumental role in reducing viral susceptibility of HIV and cancer patients. Preliminary research has shown indications of the effect of coconut oil on reducing the viral load of HIV patients (Reference).
Finally, coconut oil is often preferred by athletes and body builders and by those who are dieting. The reason behind this being that coconut oil contains lesser calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Coconut oil helps in boosting energy and endurance, and enhances the performance of athletes.
Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's Disease: There are reports of research conducted by Dr. Newport stating that coconut oil is useful for treating Alzheimer's disease. Apart from this there is no scientific evidence or traditional knowledge or coconut oil being used for treating Alzheimer's. It was also not known traditionally that coconut oil helps in the brain function.
Why is Coconut Oil Solid?: Unlike most other oils, coconut oil has a high melting point - about 24 to 25 degress Celcius or 76-78 Farenheit. Therefore it is solid at room temperature and melts only when the temperatures go high. Hence, if you buy a bottle of coconut oil and find it solid, don't think that there is some problem with it. Coconut oil is like this only. And of course, don't keep it in your refrigerator.
How to Use Coconut Oil?: If you are using coconut oil for topical purposes, especially hair care, just melt the oil (if it is solid) by keeping the bottle in the sun or warm water. You can also take some coconut oil out and put it in a small bowl and heat the bowl over a flame (do not use microwave). Then take the oil on your palm and apply it to your hair. If you want to use it for internal consumption, simply replace butter or vegetable oils with coconut oil in your recipes. Remember, you need not switch to coconut oil completely, as you will miss the benefits of other oils and dairy products.
Can I Use Coconut Oil for Cooking?: Yes, in most of the tropical coastal regions, people use coconut oil for coooking.
I Don't Like the Taste of Coconut Oil. What Should I do?: Try using coconut oil in some different recipe. That may help. If you get nauseated after eating coconut oil, don't force yourself. As it happens with any other food item, your body may be allergic to coconut oil and it is best not to consume it.

P2 Deals of the week

King Soopers
English Cucumbers $1
Asparagus .99 Lb
Navel Oranges $2.99

Albertsons
Chicken Breast $1.99 lb
English Cucumbers $1

Sunflower Market
Hothouse Cucumbers .77 ea
Red, Yellow and White Onions 2lbs for $1
Red Grapfruit 4 for $1
Navel Oranges .88 lb
Red or Green Lettuce .99 ea
Fuji, Gala, Red Delicious and Granny Smith Apples 2 for $5
Strawberries 2 for $5
Organic Celery 2 for $3
Organic Braeburna nd Fuji Apples 2 lbs for $3
Organic Romaine Lettuce 2 for $3
Fresh Tilapia $3.99 lb
Chicken Breast $2.99 lb
Asparagus $2.99 lb
93% Ground Beef $3.99 lb
Organic Strawberries 2 for $5
Organic Green Cabbage .99 lb

The Problem With "Corn-Fed" besides GMO

Corn is cheap, plentiful, fattening, and it helps livestock and farm-raised seafood get plumper and ready for market a whole lot sooner. So it’s no wonder that most of the meat and fish on the market these days has been raised on corn — however, that’s bad news for us humans.
Even though buying farm-raised meat and fish is cheaper, it’s pennywise and pound foolish — with “pound” here meaning extra pounds of fat! Here’s why:

• These meats may be less nutritious for you. Grass-fed beef is richer in heart-healthy omega-3 fats, while its corn-fed counterparts are loaded up with excess omega-6 fats, which counteract the benefits of omega-3s.
• They may be loaded with antibiotics and toxins. Feeding animals with foods they don’t naturally consume makes them more prone to illness — that’s how E. coli and other dangerous bacteria have ended up infecting large quantities of beef, pork, and other foods. Therefore, farmers often need to beef up their animals’ immune systems with antibiotics and other medications. Many food producers who utilize corn feeding also feed their livestock growth hormones to help speed up their time to market. And guess who ends up consuming those growth hormones and antibiotics in the long run? That’s right. We do. Yuck.
• They may fatten you up. Corn is a high-starch vegetable that fattens you up if you eat it — and if you’re eating meat that’s fattened up on that same ingredient, it’s likely to make you gain weight.

Instead of eating corn-fed meats and seafood, choose wild-caught fish and animals that were raised on their natural diets — it’s healthier for you, and for the animals themselves.


P2 Deals of the week

King Soopers
Roma Tomatoes .88 lb
Foster Farms Chicken Breast $1.99 lb
Strawberried 2 for $5
Gala Apples .99 lb
Navel Oranges .99 lb
Tri Color Onions $1.99 for 3 lb bag
Organic Lettuce $1.99

Albertsons
Snaderson Farms Chicken Breast buy 1 get 2 free
Tilapia buy 1 get 2 free
Petite Sirloin buy one get one free
Asparagus $2.99 ea
Navel Oranges .99 lb
Fuji or Granny Smith Apples $1.29 lb

Sunflower Market
Navel Oranges .47 lb
Strawberries 4 for $5
Rio Red Grapefruit 3 for $1
Sweet Onions .88 lb
Red, Yellow and Orange Peppers .77 ea
Organic Red or Golden Delicious Apples 2 for $3
Organic Re or Yellow Onions .99 lm
Chiken Tenders $2.99 lb

How to Food-Shop for Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Making poor food choices can be all too easy — especially when you hit the grocery store and see aisle upon aisle of delicious, but dangerously unhealthy, foods. If you want to eat more healthfully and lose weight, consider revamping your grocery shopping list and start choosing the most nutrition-rich products at the store. Here’s how to do it:

• If it’s bagged or boxed, don’t buy it. Odds are, if the food comes in a bag or a box, it’s been processed and contains chemicals and preservatives that could add to your body’s toxic load.
• Shop the perimeter of the store. The healthiest foods — fresh produce, meats, and dairy — are often located in the outer aisles, while the interior of the store — or Fake Food Land, as I like to call it — is stocked with the processed foods that will add to both your toxic load and your waist line.
• Check the labels. If it lists something long and unpronounceable, put it down. If you can’t read it and say it, you probably don’t want to eat it.
• Look for clean foods. Choosing organic produce, grass-fed beef and lamb, organic chicken, wild-caught seafood and natural pork will limit your exposure to toxins.
• Avoid refined carbohydrates. White flour, white rice, corn, and most sweeteners are Insulin Triggers that can cause your body to store all the calories you eat as fat — and make it hard for you to burn your stored fat as energy. Look for whole-grain breads and pastas to help avoid the insulin rush.
• Choose the best beverages. Water is the best and healthiest drink, but decaffeinated teas and Swiss Water decaffeinated coffees are also good choices. Avoid sodas, whether regular or diet — the regular kinds are loaded with sugar and trigger an insulin surge, and the diet ones are full of chemicals and toxins you want to avoid.

The foundation of this plan is adopting and adapting to healthy eating habits, and a huge part of that is knowing how to shop for healthy, wholesome food



P2 Deals of the week

King Soopers
Asparagus $1.99 lb
Hot House Tomoatoes $1.59 lb
Celery .69 lb
Yellow Onions .69 lb
Strawberries $2.99 a basket
Texas Rio Star Grapefruit .99lb
Pink Lady Apples $2.99 3lb bag

Albertsons
Strawberries $2.99 lb
93% Lean Ground Beef $3.29 lb
Chicken breast $2.29 lb
Fuji Apples 2lbs for $5

Sunflower Market
Clementines $2.99 3lb bag
Asparagus .97 lb
Rio Red Grapefruit 3 for $1
Navel Oranges .88 lb
Red, Yellow and White Onions .49 lb
Chicken Breast $1.99 lb
Cluster Tomatoes $1.99 lb
Super Select Cucumbers .49 ea
Organic Braeburn, Cameo & Fuji Apples 2lb for $3

Kicking Your Soda Habit

Americans drink over 50 gallons of soda per person each year — and most of those soft drinks are full of corn syrup and sugar — and calories. All that liquid sugar serves to spike our insulin levels and encourage our bodies to store energy as fat, which makes us fat in the process. Think you’re off the hook because you drink diet sodas? Think again.

Diet versions aren’t any better — they may be worse because they’re loaded with chemicals that can wreak havoc on your health and your weight. When you drink diet sodas, the brain finds nothing recognizable as nutrition to make healthy cells. And the brain wants to get fed, so it triggers cravings for more food. Suddenly, you’re faced with impossible–to–ignore cravings for fattening foods (hello, french fries!).

Even worse, some of the artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas have been linked to both obesity and brain tumors. So you could be destroying — not protecting — your health by downing these chemicals.

The solution is simple: Skip the sodas and look for more natural ways to quench your thirst. If plain old water simply won’t do, you can try mineral waters or consider jazzing up your water with a twist of lemon or lime. You could also look for carbonated waters, like seltzers or sparkling waters, to get the fizz of soda without the chemicals or the sugar. Your body — and your waistline — will thank you!

Plus it take 26 glasses of water to flush the soda out of your body.


P2Deals of the Week!!

King Soopers
California Navel Oranges .19ea
5lb bag of Yellow Onions $1.99
Chicken Breast $2.79 lb

Albertsons
Chicken Breast $1.77 lb
93% Lean Ground Beef $2.99 lb
Large Texas Grapefruit .69 lb
Strawberries $2.99 ea

Sunflower Market
Navel Oranges $1 lb
Fuji, Jonagold and Braeburn Apples $1 lb
Hot House cucumbers $1 ea
Red and Green Leaf Lettuce $1 ea
Yelow Onions $1 for 3 lbs
Sweet Onions $1 lb
Strawberries 2 for $5
Organic Red, Golden and Granny Smith Apples 2lbs for $3
Organic Red and Yellow Onions .99 lb
Romaine Lettuce 2 for $3
93% Ground Beef 40% off
Chicken Breast $2.99 lb
Asparagus $2.99 lb
Raw E-Z Peel Shrimp $5.99 ln
Oranges and Grapefruit $2.99 for 4lb bag