The Healing Power Of Coconut Oil

Dr Bruce Fife, a naturopathic physician and the author of "The Coconut Oil Miracle," describes coconut oil as the healthiest oil on earth. Its unique concentration of medium-chain fats allows for a variety of medicinal uses beyond simply being consumed as a food. Particular effects stand out when you begin to consume coconut oil.

Cleansing

In the tropical areas where palm trees grow, coconut oil has a long history of medicinal use beyond simply being a food. The University College of Los Angeles reports how coconut oil contains a number of medium-chain fatty acids, which demonstrate a powerful antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial action. These effects can help restore intestinal bacteria back to a more beneficial balance and support efforts to eradicate pathogenic organisms like Candida.

Energy Production

The body handles the medium-chain fatty acids differently from other fats. Whereas most dietary fat enters circulation only after diffusing from the intestines into the lymphatic system and then joining together with cholesterol compounds, the medium-chain fats take a more direct route. They travel directly from the intestines to the liver through the portal vein, ready for immediate oxidation. Canadian research from 2003 led by Dr. Marie-Pierre St. Onge looked into the effects of medium-chain fats in the body and showed that their consumption increased the metabolic rate of individuals by 6 percent.

Cardiovascular Protection

Mary Enig, Ph.D., a lipid researcher and a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, explains that coconut oil can reduce cardiovascular risk. The oils from the plant remain stable in the body, which reduces their ability to form atherosclerotic plaques, and the polyphenol content of coconut oil can inhibit oxidation of cholesterol. Enig refers to studies that show coconut oil consumption reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and lipoprotein-a.

Weight Loss

Coconut oil can enhance weight loss because of the unique structure of medium-chain fatty acids, which make up three-quarters of the coconut's oil content, according to Fife, who explains that, because of the increased energy production that results from the way they are handled by the body, individuals burn more fat. He refers to a study that showed that a group who consumed coconut oil lost significantly more weight than those that did not.

Expert Insight

Fife suggests using coconut oil several times a day, adding it to food or consuming it on its own. Because of the low melting point of coconut oil, it can be used in many recipes and can even be applied to the skin, through which absorption can occur.