Article

Benefits of Coconut Oil

Written by Carly Balsz, R.N.

Topic: Health EducationPublished July 31, 2009
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I wanted to share this post in hopes of inspiring people to add healthy saturated fats to their diets. Yes, I said it SATURATED FATS!!! Isn't fat bad for you? Won't it make me gain weight? Doesn't it cause high cholesterol? The truth of the matter is that fat has gotten a bad rap, and most Americans are missing out on the important health benefits they offer.

Coconut oil is a tropical oil, rich in saturated fat. It is stable at room temperature, and melts at heat above 76 degrees. This is an excellent oil to cook with. Due to its stability it does not create free radicals in the body like many polyunsaturated fats do, as they easily become rancid.

People who live in tropical climates and typically have a diet high in coconut oil are healthier, have less heart disease, cancer, and colon problems than those consuming primarily unsaturated fat.

Coconut oil contains 40% lauric acid (also found in breast milk), which has anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. This can be very beneficial for anyone working on strengthening their immune system and healing their digestive track. Coconut oil also has a stimulating effect on the thyroid, and is excellent to increase your metabolism. That's right, people can actually lose fat by eating fat!

Coconut oil helps increase HDL (healthy cholesterol), which is crucial to building healthy cell membranes. Many people still believe that the lower their cholesterol the better. When the truth is we are healthier and our mood is better when we have healthy cholesterol levels.

As a general public we have been led to believe that a low fat diet is best. We have been greatly misinformed and are suffering the consequences as our health is declining. Fat and protein help sustain your energy and balance your blood sugar. Low fat dieters often feel hungry and crave sugar.

So pick up some unrefined cold-pressed coconut oil and start experiencing the benefits.

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