What Are The Benefits Of Using Extra Virgin Coconut Oil?

Polynesians bask in the sun all day, yet somehow they still look young, beautiful and healthy. Their secret weapon: coconuts! Coconut oil is popping up everywhere with professions of numerous benefits. Like olive oil, some come with the plain label "coconut oil," some will add "virgin" to the front, and other products will say "extra virgin coconut oil." However, unlike olive oil, there is currently no such product as "extra virgin coconut oil." Any product labeled as such is actually "virgin." With that said, virgin coconut oil offers many benefits to the consumer when used topically and internally.

Skincare

Bruce Fife, N.D., author of "The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil," says virgin coconut oil has a unique cellular makeup that helps prevent free radical damage. It absorbs well into the skin, keeping it soft and smooth and decreasing the effects of aging.

Fights Diseases

Fife claims that this healing oil reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, heart disease, cancer and other degenerative diseases. Walter Willett, chair of the department of nutrition at Harvard School for Public Health, admits that it does raise HDL, or good, cholesterol, but the exact facts on the reduction of diseases is unknown. What is known is that Pacific Island and Asian populations who consume high levels of coconut have a lower incidence of heart disease and other degenerative diseases.

Fights Infections

Fife further claims that virgin coconut oil fights bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Although no studies exist backing this claim, none can be found that refute it. However, the effect that the lauric acid found in coconut oil may have on the treatment of HIV and AIDS is currently being examined. Although more research needs to be conducted to develop a solid answer, the outlook is positive.

Quick Energy

According to Coconutconnections.com, virgin coconut oil is a high source of medium chain triglycerides, containing more than any other known vegan food. Lauric acid, important in maintaining the body's immune system, makes up approximately 50 percent of these. The only other source of such high concentrations of lauric acid is mother's milk. Medium chain triglycerides are also metabolism boosters, they digest faster and easier than the fats found in other oils, and they are processed in the liver and quickly converted to energy.