Coconut is a nutritious nut from which coconut oil is made. Coconut oil is rich with lauric acid; a medium-chain fatty acid. Medium chain-fatty acids differ from long chain fatty acids, found in animal fats. They are small, absorbed directly by the liver and convert quickly into energy; unlike long-chain fatty acids that are deposited in fat cells and convert much slower. Coconut oil is revered in Asia and the Pacific Islands where it's used extensively for its healing powers.
Properties
The white meat of the coconut is packed with fiber, protein, vitamins B1, B6, C and E, folic acid, calcium and iron. It is the source from which coconut oil is extracted. Coconut oil is remarkable because it contains approximately 50 percent of lauric acid. In the body, lauric acid converts into monolaurin which gives coconut oil antibacterial, antiviral and antiprotozoal properties. Coconut oil has many other health benefits, including lowering the risk of heart disease and reducing body fat.
Protects Against Heart Disease
Coconut oil helps to lower LDL cholesterol levels and prevents the risk of heart disease. In Asia, the Pacific Islands, Central America and Africa; coconuts and coconut oil are consumed extensively. In these regions the population usually has normal cholesterol levels and no cardiovascular diseases. Coconut oil, though saturated, is stable and is not easily oxidized; which may be key factors as to why it does not cause heart disease.
Reduces Bady Fat
Consuming coconut oil rather than long-chain fatty acid oils, such as olive oil or soybean oil, promotes and maintains weight loss. Coconut oil increases the caloric rate and produces heat and energy quickly from food. Animals fed medium-chain triglycerides oils; had smaller fat pads and showed a reduction in a number of key adipogenic or fatty tissue genes.
Protects Against Diabetes
A study reported by Dr. Nigel Turner and an associate on the American Diabetic Association website examined the tissue specific effects of medium-chain fatty acids, found in coconut oil on fat metabolism and insulin action. C57BL6/J mice and Wistar rats were given a low fat control or high-fat diets rich in medium-chain fatty acid or long-chained fatty acids for five weeks. The results showed that dietary supplementation with medium-chain fatty acid may be beneficial in preventing peripheral insulin resistance.
References
- Coconut: Virgin Coconut oil
- Coconut research Center: Coconut Oil
- Advance Health: Coconut Oil for Heart Health, Infection Resistance and Weight Los
- Jamaica Gleaner: Healthy lifestyle: The truth about Coconut oil
- Diabetes-Diabetes Journal: Enhancement of Muscle Mitochondrial Oxidative Capacity and Alterations in Insulin Action
- Medical News Today: How Coconut Oil Could Help Reduce The Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
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