Coconut oil, a dietary cooking oil extracted from the coconut, includes antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that stem from the existence of capric, caprylic and lauric acids found in the coconut oil. The body uses these coconut oil acids to combat internal and external stress, infections and diseases. Coconut oil is widely used for its benefits by weight loss dieters, athletes, and alternative and conventional medicine practitioners. Coconut oil increases energy, sustains endurance, does not leave fatty deposits in the arteries or heart and has a lower caloric count than many other dietary oils.
Weight Loss
Coconut oil accelerates the body's metabolism by relieving stress on the pancreas. Coconut oil contains healthy saturated fats that prevent foods from becoming incompletely digested, which in turn aids enzyme and thyroid function. Naturopathic doctor Bruce Fife states that by substituting coconut oil for other oils in recipes, individuals end up eating less because the beneficial fats in coconut oil naturally make people feel fuller sooner than if they had ingested other dietary oils. The coconut diet is not necessarily a "diet" because instead of limiting or restricting the dieter's food intake, it replaces the widely used refined fats with coconut oil to incorporate a lifelong weight reduction plan that is based on the healthier coconut oil fat.
Skin Care
While coconut oil has been recognized as a soothing skin massage oil, it is also an efficient dry skin treatment that eradicates skin flaking. Coconut oil is very rich in vitamin E, which clears skin blockages and diminishes various skin infections such as psoriasis, acne, eczema and dermatitis. Coconut oil also inhibits face wrinkling and prevents overall skin sagging, therefore, it is widely used as the basis for skin lotions, soaps and creams.
Hair and Scalp
Coconut oil has been used for centuries as a hair conditioner in many countries. It is a natural hair softener that also moisturizes the scalp. Coconut oil is claimed to assist in hair regrowth and when massaged into the scalp it eliminates lice eggs, lice and dandruff. According to A World of Aromatherapy, Ayurvedic, traditional Indian medicine, practitioners use warm coconut oil in hair and scalp massages to eradicate stress, clear the mind and calm the central nervous system.
Bone and Dental Health
Coconut oil improves calcium and magnesium absorption in the body, which in turn is greatly beneficial to dental an bone health. The improved calcium absorption created by coconut oil use ceases tooth decay and aids in the development of strong teeth. The combined increased calcium and are of great benefit to middle-aged women who may become afflicted with osteoporosis.
Infections and Diseases
According to the Coconut Research Center, the healing properties of coconut oil are the greatest of any of the dietary oils. The Pacific Islanders and the Asians widely use coconut oil as a traditional medicine staple. However, in the United States medicinal coconut oil use is currently gaining national attention as American researchers are validating coconut oil as effectively killing such viruses as AIDS, influenza and measles, as well as reporting that coconut oil may aid in reducing symptoms of diabetes, thrush, pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and numerous other health ailments.
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