10 Great Reasons To Go Crazy for Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has become the “all-purpose oil of choice” in my home.
This was not always the case, though.
For many years, there was a common misconception that coconut oil was bad for you.
Due to the fact that coconut oil is a saturated fat, many American consumers considered
coconut oil to be classified as a “bad” fat and, therefore, avoided the use of coconut oil.
However, people all over the world have been experiencing the healthy benefits of
using coconut oil  for centuries.
This tropical staple is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.
It is actually one of the healthiest oils you can consume and provides significant
natural healing benefits.
Here are 10 great reasons why you should use consider using coconut oil:

1. Unique Health Benefits

Coconut oil has healthy benefits that most other oils do not.
It fights all kinds of microbes, from viruses to bacteria to protozoa.
Coconut oil has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects–both when
consumed and when used topically on the skin.
Most oils oxidize and turn rancid very quickly causing free radical damage in our bodies.
Coconut oil is not easily oxidized and does not cause harmful free radical damage
like polyunsaturated vegetable oils.
Apparently, folks in the tropics really knew what they were doing!
Free radical damage is thought to be responsible for many ailments in the body from arthritis
to increased susceptibility to cancers.
Coconut oil also helps our bodies absorb other nutrients more effectively, such as
Vitamin E.
Most notably, coconut oil consumption is said to contribute to the prevention and
treatment of heart disease through the reduction and control of cholesterol.

2. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Coconut oil has omega 3 fatty acids.
Most cooking oils contain omega 6 fatty acids, something we get way too much of in the
United States.
Our omega 6 to omega 3 ratio should be 1:1 but it is more like 50:1.
We need to drastically cut back our omega 6 oils and consume much more
omega 3 oils to be healthy.
And coconut oil is filled with these healthy omega 3 fatty acids

3. Increases Metabolism

Another benefit of coconut oil is that it increases your metabolism.
The high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps to boost metabolism.
Not only does coconut oil convert to energy quicker in your body, it increases your metabolism,
which promotes weight loss.
Because it boosts your metabolism, it helps your body burn fat more effectively.
Coconut oil may even triple your calorie burn.
Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is converted to energy so quickly that it creates a lot of heat.

“In a study published in the American Journal

of Clinical Nutrition, MCT’s burn three times more

calories for six hours after a meal than LCT’s.

The February 15, 2005 issue of Woman’s World

magazine stated that coconut oil is the

“underground high-metabolism secret.”

This is great news for people who have thyroid problems, since coconut oil improves sluggish
thyroids by stimulating the production of extra thyroid hormones.
Most other common oils, like vegetable (soy) and corn have been shown to inhibit thyroid function.

4. Provides Energy

Coconut oil gives you energy.
Because of the healthy omega 3 fatty acids and the fact that it increases the metabolism, most people
that switch to coconut oil feel a burst of added energy in their daily life.
This is because coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT’s),
which increase metabolic rates and lead to weight loss.
MCT’s promote thermogenesis, which increases the body’s metabolism, producing energy.
Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia have found that adding coconut and
coconut oil to their diet was helpful to them.

5. Versatile Beauty Oil

One of the best things you can use on your skin and hair is coconut oil.
Coconut oil one of the best things you can apply directly on your skin and hair.
It provides temporary relief to skin problems like rashes.
It aids in healing and restoring skin to a more youthful appearance.
It has also been known to help with people who suffer from yeast infections in the skin,
as well as many other skin problems.
Not only does it soften and smooth your skin, coconut oil has antioxidant properties
that protect the skin from free radical damage.
It is definitely a healthier alternative to most commercial health and beauty products.
Toss those petroleum-based lotions and face creams for a kinder, healthier alternative.

“I have tossed all of my old

chemical-laden

potions and lotions.

I simply use coconut oil on

my skin and hair daily. 

It’s cheaper and more effective.”

This mild, fragrant oil makes your hair and skin soft, radiant and healthy, naturally.
Three ways I use coconut oil:
*A gentle skin moisturizer:
Unrefined coconut oil is an all-purpose moisturizer for all skin and hair types.
Apply directly to the skin to moisturize it.
*A natural sunscreen
Coconut oil is not only a moisturizer but a natural sunscreen which helps to help block
the sun’s harsh rays.
It has a low SPF so it should be reapplied if you plan to be outdoors for a long time.
*Make your own natural lip balm
Coconut oil is a key ingredient in homemade, lead-free lip balm.
*A deep hair conditioner:
Coconut oil keeps your hair and scalp nourished and moisturized.
Warm the oil.
Rub into dry hair.
Cover hair with a shower cap.
Leave on for several hours.
Coconut oil makes excellent massage oil too.

6. Oil Pulling for Dental Health

Oil pulling has been used for centuries as an Indian folk remedy.
Basically, you put a tablespoon of oil in your mouth, then swish it around your teeth
for 10-20 minutes.
When you swish the oil around your mouth, the bacteria in your mouth get stucks in it
and dissolves in the oil.
Oil pulling removes a large amount of the bacteria and plaque in your mouth.

7. Great for Cooking

Coconut oil is one of the best oils you can use for food prep and cooking.
It has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means it can take higher temperatures
better.
There are several healthy omega 3 oils we can choose to consume, such as flax and olive oil,
but they don’t do well under the high heat we use for cooking.
Coconut oil can be used in higher cooking temperatures.

8. Less Chance of Going Rancid

It is harder for coconut oil to go rancid, unlike other cooking oils, which are usually rancid
long before you even bring them home.
Rancid oils cause free radical damage in the body, which is a leading cause of cancer.
Coconut oil is stable for over a year at room temperature.

9. Less Chance of Making You Fat

Coconut oil doesn’t turn to fat in your body.
Unlike many other common oils, like soy (vegetable) and corn, coconut oil won’t make you fat.
Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are an easy fuel for
the body to burn, without turning to fat.
Most other cooking oils and fats contain long-chain triglycerides (LCT).
LCT’s are usually stored as fat.
Since coconut oil is a MCT, it is more easily absorbed and converted to energy quicker.

“People in the tropics have relied on

coconuts as a traditional staple

in their diet for centuries.

They consume large amounts of

coconut oil every day.

Instead of getting fatter, it helps them

stay healthy, lean and trim.”

When they switch from coconut oil to our modern oils, they develop obesity and the
health problems that our modern society faces.
For this reason, I prefer to use coconut oil as a base for salad dressings and I also add it
to my smoothies.
Others who have known this truth for a long time are people who work in the animal feed
business.
When livestock are fed vegetable oils, they put on weight and produce more fatty meat.
When they are fed coconut oil, they become very lean.

10. Non-Toxic Household Aid

Coconut oil is great to use for a variety of household cleaning purposes because of
it’s bacteria-killing and lubricant properties.
It is a safe and cost-effective alternative to harsh, often harmful, cleaning products.
You can use the oil as a natural household aid in a variety of ways, for example:
*Shower cleaner:
Clean shower scum by coating the area with coconut oil, then spray with white vinegar
and wipe it dry.
*Furniture  cleaner  & polish:
Coconut oil can also be used to clean and polish wood furniture.
*Leather cleaner:
Apply a thin layer to a clean rag to clean and polish leather furniture.
This versatile oil can even be used to clean and detail your car.
*Residue and stain remover:
Coconut oil can be used to remove gum, sticky residue from labels and even some stains.
*Household lubricant:
Use coconut oil to lubricate kitchen scissors before cutting sticky foods–in place of WD-40.

Go Crazy for Coconut Oil!

Of course, these are just a few of coconut oil’s many uses.
There are many more reasons to love coconut oil–in addition to other coconut-based
products.
So many that there books and entire websites devoted to the cult of coconut oil!
In fact, we will be exploring some fabulous uses for coconut oil in upcoming posts.
So, go a little crazy for coconut oil!
Add it to your foods smoothies, salads, soups, vegetables and other dishes daily.
Slather it on your skin.
Make it a ‘go-to’ staple in your home.
Your body will thank you!
Why do you like coconut oil? What other ways to you use it in your life?

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