Skip to main content

6 Great Health Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is perhaps the tropics best kept secret. Virgin coconut oil has been getting a lot of great press as of late due to its supposed health benefits. Despite a propaganda attack that coconut oil is bad for health due to high saturated fat content; it seems that there is a difference.The saturated fat that is found in virgin coconut oil is not the same that is found in other oils. The medium-chain fatty acids are more beneficial to the body than the long-chain ones found in other cooking oils. Virgin coconut oil stands out because it has certain chemicals that have positive health benefits.Here are some of the health benefits one may enjoy from virgin coconut oil.


Better immune system
There have been studies that show consumption of virgin coconut oil can help the immune system. Virgin coconut oil has shown good anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. That is why people that have impaired immune system may get some benefit by taking some virgin coconut oil. A study made at the University of the Philippines showed that virgin coconut oil has proved the anecdotal reports of the anti-viral properties of virgin coconut oil. Dr. Conrato Dayrit, professor emeritus of pharmacology at the UP said that initial trials confirmed that virgin coconut oil can beneficially reduce the viral load of HIV patients. The secret lies on the lauric acid and it seems that it is effective in lowering down viral loads.

Better bad cholesterol levels
Lauric acid is also responsible in lowering the bad cholesterol levels in the body. The lower cholesterol is important because it will not cause adverse effects on the arteries that could cause it to harden and brittle which may increase the risk of strokes and even cause certain cardiovascular diseases. The medium-chain fatty acids that are found in virgin coconut oil easily pass through membranes and are not stored in the body as fat. It is easily converted into energy as it passes to the liver.

Better blood sugar levels
Virgin coconut oil can significantly lower blood sugar levels. It impact blood sugar levels in a lot of ways. The medium-chain fatty acids in virgin coconut oil stimulate metabolism the same way how exercise makes the body more efficient in absorbing insulin. Virgin coconut oil slows down the digestion of food thus delaying the release of sugars into the blood stream

Better weight loss
Do you remember that the medium-chain fatty acids can actually speed up the metabolism? MCFA is able to go through membranes and into the liver which converts the fat easily into energy. Since it does not get to be stored as fat in the body, this same idea can also speed up fat burning.

Better skin health
Virgin coconut oil has a generous amount of lauric acid, a rare kind of acid that is not found in significant amounts except in a mother’s milk. Lauric acid in breastmilk is nurturing, healing and good for babies. If lauric acid is safe for newborns then it should be safe for you too. The anti-bacterial properties of lauric acid can help get rid of eczema, dandruff, ringworm and even psoriasis. It is also good for moisturizing the skin and can protect it too using vitamin E from the harsh heat of the sunlight.

Better stress protection
People showing symptoms of anxiety and stress can get a lot of help from virgin coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil has a significant amount of anti-oxidants that can help fight oxidative stress created by free radicals. Diet, exercise, meditation and virgin coconut oil can be a helpful combination as a cure for anxiety. Also, administration of virgin coconut oil can also help the elderly to prevent cognitive disorders that is associated with aging.


Virgin coconut oil has become a victim of a vicious attack which impaired its reputation. It does not get the respect it deserves because of the bad press. However, the scientific community is making amends to the injustice by publishing studies and reports attesting to the safety and the health benefits of coconut oil, with the hope that it will spread like wildfire.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green Tea originated in China and has been around for more than 4,000 years. It is made from leaves known as Camellia Sinensis that have undergone slight oxidation during process. Although the tea first originated in china it has become extremely popular with many cultures in Asia. As well as being a tasty drink to have while you relax it also proves to have a number of health benefits, some of which can be found below. Allergies : The body has many receptors, including those that react to allergies. Researchers in Japan have discovered that green tea has a compound in it that can block the receptor which causes the body to have an allergic response. Immunity : Another study conducted in Japan has found that if you gargle with the liquid, you can boost your immunity to illnesses such as Influenza and the Flu. Alzheimers Disease : Alzhimers is a disease that usually occurs in the elderly effecting their brain. It effectively damages the brain causing the person memory loss, mood swings

FDA Approves Non-Hormonal Drug For Hot Flashes During Menopause

The Unites States Food and Drugs Administration has approved the first non-hormonal drug to treat hot flashes associated with menopause. The U.S. Food and Drugs Administration has approved the first non-hormonal drug to treat hot flashes associated with menopause. The drug, Brisdelle ( paroxetine ), contains the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine mesylate and can be used to treat moderate to severe hot flashes experience by women during menopause. Hot flashes during menopause are known to affect 75 percent of women worldwide. According to a FDA press release , though this condition is not fatal it can carry on for five or more years in some women causing a lot of discomfort and disrupted sleep. "There are a significant number of women who suffer from hot flashes associated with menopause and who cannot or do not want to use hormonal treatments," said Hylton V. Joffe, M.D., M.M.Sc., director of the Division of Bone, Reproductive and Urologic Products in the F

What is the Best Time for Exercise?

There are many claims and counter claims regarding the best time to exercise. Conflicting research studies point to greater benefits for morning, afternoon or evening exercise regimes. In reality the best time to exercise is the time that suits you and your lifestyle best. The most important factor in choosing a time to exercise is to choose a time that you can commit to, will stick with and which can become an automatic and habitual part in your day. Exercising consistently is key to achieving the health benefits of exercise. Studies have found that people who exercised in the morning were more likely to persist with their exercise routine. They found it easier to stick with the program before the distractions of the day began to intrude. There are also claims that exercising in the morning is more effective for weight loss as it gave a kick start to the metabolism. Blood sugar levels are low so the body converts fat to fuel to meet its energy needs. In addition fat burning hormones