Virgin Coconut Oil
"Virgin coconut oil is the healthiest oil on Earth". This is not an exaggeration but a fact. Virgin coconut oil is derived from fresh coconuts rather than dried ones as in copra. To retain its original properties, it is not chemically refined, bleached or deodorized. Lauric acid makes up 50% of virgin coconut oil. Its use has been documented for the past 4000 years but the time of its first use is still unknown. It was seen as a sustainable resource that helped almost every tropical community. It is said to be high in vitamins and minerals and therefore, it is not put through further processing. It has survived much damage to its reputation and is now recommended by many doctors and scientists for a host of problems.
The history behind it: -
Virgin coconut oil has been put to a variety of uses in almost every part of the world - South and Central America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and most of Asia. In Panama, Somalia and Ethiopia, virgin coconut oil has been used as a health tonic to cure illnesses. It has been an important component of many Ayurvedic treatments in India. After World War II, coconut oil was sold in England as margarine and in the U.S.A. as coconut butter.
However, in the 50's, it's reputation was tarnished. In 1954, in the U.S.A, when coronary heart disease was becoming the major reason for mortality in the adult population, a researcher called David Kritchevsky published two significant academic papers that described the effect of feeding cholesterol to rabbits. The study revealed that this may lead to the formation of blocked arteries and contribute to heart disease. In his second paper, he described the beneficial effects of consuming polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Kritchevsky's theory supported the lipid hypothesis theory, which argued that saturated fat and cholesterol from animal sources raise cholesterol levels in the blood, leading to a likely deposition of cholesterol and fatty acids in the arteries. Though many studies that were published later showed evidence to the contrary, the damage had been done.
Benefits: -
Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on Earth - this is a statement that is now backed by any doctor. It is perhaps one of the few oils that offers such a multitude of benefits without causing us any harm. Many studies have shown that lauric acid present in coconut oil has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and is now being used for the treatment of AIDS patients.
One of the reasons coconut oil is so healthy is that it contains a unique form of saturated fat called lauric acid that is identical to a special group of fats found in human breast milk, which has been shown to improve digestion, strengthen our immune system and protect us from bacterial, fungal and viral infections. It is differently composed when compared to animal fat and can even prevent heart disease, the hardening of arteries and strokes.
Another interesting fact about virgin coconut oil is that, despite being a fat itself, it can help promote weight loss. The reason is that the lauric acid does not circulate in the blood stream but is sent directly to the liver where it is converted to energy. So the fat is used up rather than stored in the body. They also help quicken metabolism, thereby allowing weight loss to take place rapidly. This has been demonstrated in many studies. This property of coconut oil makes it ideal for people suffering from thyroid disorders.
Coconut oil helps prevent diseases like cancer, skin cancer, blemishes, osteoporosis and many degenerative diseases. It also has a very long shelf life and does not get spoilt quickly.
When it comes to skin care and hair care, coconut oil provides nourishment like no other. Most commercial lotions for skin contain water and oil. Water, as we know, is absorbed by the skin and this allows it to dry out even more. The oils used are most frequently processed and therefore, devoid of any antioxidants. This combination does not help much. Virgin coconut oil is the best natural treatment available for the skin. It protects the skin and prevents the formation of blemishes caused by exposure to the sun and ageing. It keeps the connective tissue strong and supple so that it does not wrinkle or sag quickly. It also has lasting benefits, when compared to other lotions or creams. It aids in removing dead skin cells, giving your skin a fresher, more textured look.
Virgin coconut oil is also traditionally used as a conditioner for hair before it is washed. This can rid a person of dandruff better than a medicated shampoo. It also softens the hair and conditions the scalp.
Major uses: -
Virgin coconut oil, once exiled for increasing cholesterol levels, is in the spotlight again. It is now being used widely by more people and is even being recommended by doctors. Virgin coconut oil is now being used in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. Fats derived from this oil are being routinely used in hospital IV formulations and commercial baby formulations. They are also used in sports drinks to enhance performance and increase energy. Its more common uses are as a cooking oil and also for skin and hair care. It is still an important component of Ayurvedic medicines.
Conclusion: -
A good therapeutic dosage of virgin coconut oil for a person is about 3 to 4 tablespoons a day. This provides the body with enough lauric acid to build up and strengthen the immune system. It is highly unlikely to find something better than virgin coconut oil to include in our diet and in our daily use that can give us such astounding results. We have also reached a time where we are in desperate need for sustainable resources that are effective, easy to acquire and cheap. Modern research has also shown that it is not only beneficial in our diet but can also be used to develop cures for diseases like AIDS. Virgin coconut oil is the answer to most problems that we face now.