This article is written by Kiran Patil
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.
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.
Let us now explore the benefits of coconut oil in detail:
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.
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.
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.
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 cooking.
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.
Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
Twitter: DrCoryCouillard
Dr. Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.
Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com
Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard
Twitter: DrCoryCouillard
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