Virgin Coconut Oil Benefits
Some of the major benefits of coconut oil are that it:
- Increases your metabolism and can therefore help boost weight loss
- Coconut Oil has anti-bacterial properties
- It can enhances your immune system health
- The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are a great source of energy
- Applied to the body on a regular basis, it can help you have smooth, youthful and healthy skin
- Coconut oil also supports the proper functioning of your thyroid gland
So many people are interested in the weight loss and thyroid-boosting properties of coconut oil that we have separate pages on them. But here are some of the other benefits that people have reported when using coconut oil, including virgin coconut oil or VCO:
Coconut Oil and Anti-Microbial Properties
Coconut oil contain high levels of lauric acid, which is a medium-chain fatty acid that has been shown to have an ability to destroy lipid-coated viruses. Some of these include the flu or influenza virus, HIV, herpes and more. There has been a case where an infant which had tested positive for HIV, and was fed with an infant formula that had a considerable amount of coconut oil in it. This infant later tested negative for HIV!
Lauric acid is also able to destroy many bad bacteria, including giardia and listeria. Many have also reported benefits from taking coconut oil with systemic yeast infections, or candida. Lauric acid is very high in human breast milk, probably in no small part due to its immune-boosting properties.
Coconut Oil and Diabetes or Blood Sugar Issues
Many people have reported lower blood sugar when consuming coconut oil, and better mood and energy as well. This is important, as many diabetics experience low energy and problem moods, as do those with insulin resistance. Many people today are insulin resistant and don’t even know it, but if you put weight on around your midsection, there is a pretty good chance that you are one of them.
Coconut Oil and Digestive Problems
Many have reported relief from various digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome and even Crohn’s disease. This may be because the medium chain fatty acids in the lauric acid seem to help your body to absorb other nutrients.
Coconut Oil and Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
There are some alternative doctors who think chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia both have some basis in thyroid dysfunction. But in order for the thyroid gland to function properly, you also need to have a strong adrenal gland. In any case, many who have added coconut oil to their diet say that their chronic fatigue and/or fibromyalgia have improved.
Coconut oil, of course, does not have the money-making potential of prescription drugs, so it is hard to find studies about coconut oil and how it has helped with various health issues, but many people have just decided to try some for themselves and many have had a pleasant surprise. Recommended amounts really depend on why you are taking it, as well as your size, but range from 1 - 4 Tablespoons per day. Like all more natural ways of healing, it often takes a while to see results, so you might want to make a commitment to try it for at least a month.
|
