What Are The Benefits Of Coconut Oil Pills?

Coconut oil is widely used for cooking in tropical climates, and many people use it to moisturize hair and skin. In recent years, the medical community has become aware of even more significant health benefits that coconut oil provides. Most people are familiar with coconut oil in liquid or solid form, which you can get from grocery, health or beauty-supply stores. However, coconut oil also comes in liquid-filled pill form.

Immune System Boost

Coconut oil pills contain the trigycerides caprylic, capric and lauric acid. These fatty acids help the immune system fight harmful bacteria and viruses. A study conducted in 2008 at the Philippine Children's Medical Center found that children who were diagnosed with pneumonia recovered from the illness faster when doctors supplemented the usual antibiotic treatment with coconut oil.

Anti-fungal Properties

A 2007 study by doctors from the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria, revealed that the tryglycerides in coconut oil pills are also effective anti-fungal agents. The doctors studies the effects of coconut oil on different strains of a fungus called candida, responsible for disease such as thrush and yeast infections. The oil provided results that were equal to known medical treatments.

Increased Metabolism

Coconut oil contains special types of monosaturated fats that actually increase the metabolism and help the body burn calories. This is because these fats are not stored in the body's fat cells. Instead, the fats go directly to the liver, where they are converted into energy immediately.

Increased "Good" Cholesterol

Coconut oil is noted by doctor Bruce Fife, director of the nonprofit Coconut Research Center, as being able to increase the ratio of HDL, or "good" cholesterol, to LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. This lowers the risk of heart disease.

Benefits of Pill Form

Pure coconut oil has a very distinctive taste and aftertaste that some people do not like. Coconut oil pills allow people to take the supplement without having to taste it. Coconut oil pills are also more convenient to dose and administer than spoonfuls of oil. The pills have a longer shelf life than coconut oil in a jar or other container, because the oil is sealed from bacteria.