Organic extra virgin coconut oil is a type of coconut oil that is not refined, bleached, deodorized or pressed in high heat during the manufacturing process. When manufacturers process and hydrogenate coconut oil, the oil loses most of its benefits and becomes a potentially dangerous product containing trans fats. Organic extra virgin coconut oil also has strong antibacterial properties and helps support your immune system.
Health Properties of Lauric Acid
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a good fat that makes up almost 50 percent of coconut oil. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid that your body has an easier time breaking down than many other fatty acids. Additionally, according to "Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems With Coconut," organic extra virgin coconut oil promotes a healthy intestinal tract, improves digestion, supports metabolic function, controls blood sugar levels and helps improve the absorption of other nutrients in your body. Further, coconut oil has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.
Oil for the Skin
Organic extra virgin coconut oil also has several different topical applications due to its antibacterial and anti viral properties. Topical medicinal uses for this oil include treatment of eczema, psoriasis and cold sores. Additionally, you can use organic extra virgin coconut oil to treat severely dried skin and brittle hair.
Side Effects
Organic extra virgin coconut oil has a few potential minor side effects associated with its use. The antibacterial properties of this oil can potentially kill the good bacteria in your intestinal tract. This can cause digestion problems, including diarrhea and an upset stomach. You can minimize this side effect, however, by gradually adjusting your system to the amount of coconut oil you consume. Organic extra virgin coconut oil also contains a large amount of fat. One tablespoon contains approximately 117 calories and 13.6 g of fat. This means that four tablespoons of this oil will give you 100 percent of your daily FDA recommended intake of fat.
MCFA Medium Chain Fatty Acids
There are three types of fatty acids, short chain fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids, and long chain fatty acids. Most fats in your diet consist of LCFA. LCFAs include and saturated and unsaturated fats that come from animals and plants. The longer the chain on the fatty acid, the harder it is for your body to process the fatty acid. Your body has a much easier time breaking down the MCFAs contained in organic extra virgin coconut oil than LCFAs found in other oils.
References
- "Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut"; Bruce Fife and Conrado S Dayrit; 2005
- "Virgin Coconut Oil: How It Has Changed People's Lives, and How It Can Change Yours!"; Brian Shilhavy and Marianita Jader Shilhavy; 2004
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