Coconut oil is a tropical plant oil that is derived from the mature fruit of the coconut tree, Cocos nucifera, which is native to the Polynesian Islands and other tropical regions of the world. According to Mark Rieger, Ph.D., a professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia, its use dates back to prehistoric times; he notes that it is probably one of the very first plant oils ever used by humankind. Today, coconut oil is still widely used for both internal and external applications.
Weight Loss
In an article published in the Journal of the Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine, B.M. Hegde, M.D. writes that coconut oil is beneficial in weight loss programs because it is a low-calorie fat. On an ounce-for-ounce basis, it contains fewer calories than other types of fats such as butter, margarine, lard and tallow. Furthermore, more than 50 per cent of this oil is composed of a type of saturated fats called medium-chain fatty acids, which are absorbed and metabolized much faster than long-chain fatty acids that are in other types of fats. Once metabolized, these fats are used up for energy, rather than being stored as body fat.
Preventing Hair Damage
In a research study conducted to compare the effects of coconut, sunflower and mineral oils in preventing hair damage, A.S. Rele and R.B. Mohile report that their findings indicate that coconut oil as a topical remedy has a strong, positive impact on damaged hair compared to the other two oils. When applied as a pre-wash and post-wash treatment, it was found to significantly reduce protein loss from hair. This beneficial effect was attributed to the biologic action of lauric acid, the principal fatty acid in coconut oil, which is able to penetrate into the hair shaft with a favorable impact on protein loss.
Alleviating Dry Skin
Coconut oil has traditionally been used as a treatment for dry skin, and clinical research provides support for this medicinal use. In a research study published in the September, 2004 edition of the Dermatitis Journal, researchers compared the efficacy of coconut oil with mineral oil in the treatment of xerosis, a skin condition characterized by dry, scaly, rough skin. Based on the findings of this study, they concluded that coconut oil is effective and safe when used as a moisturizer, with no adverse reactions reported. Its effectiveness was comparable to that of the mineral oil.
References
- University of Georgia: Coconut--Cocos nucifera
- Journal of the Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine: Coconut Oil – Ideal Fat Next Only to Mother’s Milk
- PubMed: Effect of Mineral Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Coconut Oil on Prevention of Hair Damage
- Dermatitis Journal--PubMed: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial Comparing Extra Virgin Coconut Oil With Mineral Oil
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