Virgin coconut oil, or VCO, is a stable, highly saturated oil derived from the flesh of the hard-shelled seed of the coconut palm. Unlike regular coconut oil, which is chemically processed, this oil is extracted mechanically from fresh coconut flesh. There are a number of benefits that virgin coconut has to offer.
Antibacterial
In his book "The Coconut Oil Miracle," Dr. Bruce Fife, ND notes that coconut oil contains a compound called lauric acid, which has strong antibacterial properties. Lauric acid is a major medium-chain fat that is only found in high concentrations of mother's breast milk. It kills off disease-causing, lipid-coated bacteria without harming friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract.
Antifungal
In the book "Coconut Oil: Discover the Key to Vibrant Health," author Siegfried Gursche notes that virgin coconut oil has been found to be an effective treatment for candidiasis, a yeast infection that is caused by an overgrowth of the candida fungus. Citing lab tests conducted by Jon j. Kabara, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology, he reports that the lauric acid contained in this oil has potent antifungal properties that have the capacity to kill off harmful yeast cells while keeping the friendly bacteria.
Analgesic
In a 2010 research article published in "Pharmaceutical Biology," S. Intahphuak et al. report that their investigation to assess the pharmaceutical properties of virgin coconut oil suggests that it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and antipyretic properties. According to the book "Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut," it has analgesic properties, which are beneficial in treating aches and pains, arthritis and stiff joints, back pain and osteoporosis.
Disease Prevention
Author Siegfried Gursche notes that coconut oil helps to prevent and treat degenerative diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. According to Dr. Linda Kennedy MS SLP ND, coconut oil is rich in antioxidants that help to prevent the cell damage that contributes to the development of these degenerative diseases. This cell damage is mainly caused by free radicals, a group of atoms that form naturally in the body. Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize the damaging effect of free radicals. According to Harald Tietze, author of the book, "Coconut: rediscovered as medicinal food," in addition to its antioxidant action, coconut is also an immune-system enhancing agent, which also helps to deter cancer growth.
References
- "The Coconut Oil Miracle"; Dr. Bruce Fife; 2004
- "Coconut Oil: Discover the Key to Vibrant Health"; Siegfried Gursche; 2008
- Pharmaceutical Biology: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil
- "Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut"; Dr. Bruce Fife, ND; 2005
- Virgin Coconut Oil UK: Antioxidants in coconut oil by Dr. Linda Kennedy MS SLP ND
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