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Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil

Mar 23, 2010 | By SarahB
Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil
Photo Credit coconut image by Slyadnyev Oleksandr from Fotolia.com

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is produced from fresh-pressed coconut meat, resulting in a pure, colorless coconut oil with a fresh smell and taste. Virgin coconut oil, unlike some commercial coconut oils, is never refined, bleached or deodorized. Virgin coconut oil can be purchased at most health food stores or online. VCO has many properties that can help you improve your health.

Weight Loss Aid

VCO, a healthy fat due to its composition of medium chain fatty acids, is a natural weight loss aid. VCO gives you a full and satisfied feeling, resulting in less total calorie consumption throughout the day. Virgin coconut oil also contains rare medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are digested more rapidly than the more commonly consumed long-chain triglycerides (LCT). LCT is prevalent in most diets because it appears in commonly used oils like safflower, corn, soybean and canola oils. The rapid digestion of MCT results in a rapid rise in metabolism and energy levels, resulting in more calories burned and weight loss. A 2002 study conducted by Marie-Pierre St-Onge and Peter J. H. Jones, published in the "Journal of Nutrition," states "research conducted to date in animals shows that replacing dietary LCT by MCT causes a rise in energy expenditure, a depression of food intake and lower body fat mass. Similarly, in humans, MCT increase energy expenditure relative to LCT consumption."

Candida Cure

Candida albicans is a yeast microorganism that lives naturally in your intestinal tract. Candida overgrowth symptoms occur when the yeasts multiply and spread throughout the body. The effectiveness of virgin coconut oil as an anti-fungal agent on these candida species was tested in a 2007 study performed at the Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, University College Hospital, in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study found that candida albicans, the most common isolate from clinical specimens taken, was 100 percent susceptible to pure coconut oil. The study concluded that "coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species."

Disease Treatment and Prevention

Virgin coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids, including lauric acid (also found in human breast milk) and caprilic acid. VCO contains anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties due to these medium-chain fatty acids. On a smaller scale VCO can strengthen the immune system and prevent the common cold and flu. On a larger scale, a study performed on HIV infected patients at San Lazaro Hospital found that "coconut oil does have an anti-viral effect and can beneficially reduce the viral load of HIV patients."

Skin Care

Virgin coconut oil is an excellent face and body moisturizer. Use a small amount of VCO daily for wrinkle prevention on the face, or as a gentle replacement for baby lotions. The anti fungal properties of VCO will effectively kill fungal infections like athletes foot when applied liberally to the infected area twice daily.

Hair Care

Virgin coconut oil is an exemplary hair conditioner. Not only will VCO make hair glossy and lustrous, it will also improve scalp conditions like itchiness, cradle cap and dandruff.

How to Consume Virgin Coconut Oil

To consume VCO, try adding a small amount to your diet and slowly working up to around 3 tbsp. a day. Virgin coconut oil can be eaten plain by the spoonful, or incorporated into virtually any recipe in place of other fats like butter or vegetable oil.

References

Article reviewed by Mona Newbacher Last updated on: Mar 23, 2010

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