10 Healthy Reasons to use Coconut Oil

1. All Fats Are Not Created Equal

Coconut oil contains short term medium-chain saturated fatty acids (MCFAs), which is a "healthy" form saturated fat compared to trans fat. Trans fatty acid consumption is linked with heart problems, depression and increased cholesterol levels. What does consuming MCFA fats in coconut oil mean for your body? Our body metabolises these fats in the liver, immediately coverting this into energy (fuel for the brain and muscle function) rather than it being stored as fat.

2. Helps Controls Weight

One 2009 study looked at the weight loss link between women's consumption of coconut oil and found that it reduces abdominal obesity. Researchers discovered coconut oil is easy to digest and also protects the body from insulin resistance. To try coconut oil for weight loss start by adding one teaspoon to your diet and gradually work your way up to four teaspoons per day.

3. Eases Digestion

If you suffer from poor digestion or tummy bloating try adding coconut oil to your diet. Coconut oil has been found to benefit digestive disorders including irritable bowel syndrome and microbial related tummy bugs. Fatty acids in coconut oil contain anti microbial properties, which have a soothing affect on bacteria, candida, or parasites that cause poor digestion.

4. Manage type 2 Diabetes

A recent study by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research found that coconut oil protects against insulin resistance, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. MCFA fats are small enough to be absorbed into the cells where they're quickly converted to energy. It is this process that not only reduces the amount of fat we pack into storage, but improves insulin sensitivity.

5. Supports Immunity

Coconut oil is made up of healthy fats lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid which contain antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral prosperities to boost the immune system. Lauric acid contains the highest concentration of MCFA fatty acids, approximately 75 per cent. The body turn this fat into monolaurin which is claimed to help heal viruses such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, helicobacter pylori and candida.

6. Boost Metabolism

A study reported in the Journal of Nutrition found that coconut oil boosts metabolism. Researchers found that participants who consumed two tablespoons of coconut oil per day burned more kilojoules than those who consumed less. A speedy metabolism helps boost the body's immune system and keep weight off.

7. Slows Fine Lines

Coconut is not just for your cooking – it's a wonderfully hydrating treat for skin too. It keeps the skin's connective tissues strong, which prevents sagging and wrinkles. Apply coconut oil directly to your skin to soften the appearance of fine lines or use it daily on your face and body for a healthy glow. Be sure you use virgin coconut oil with no additives.

8. Cooks In High Temperatures

Because coconut oil is a medium-chain saturated fatty acid, it gives it a higher smoking temperature than most polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oils. If you're preparing recipes that require high temperatures you should consider coconut oil for this type of cooking. Unlike olive oil which will oxidise at high temperatures, creating free radicals.

9. Stops Sugar Cravings

Instead of reaching for the lollie jar for an afternoon sweet hit, try eating a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil to beat sugar cravings. This is because good quality fat is more satiating than carbs, so if you cut down on sugar you will feel less 'ravenous'.

Most of us do not realize but constant hunger is a major clue that your body is not being fed correctly.  With the proper amounts of fats and protein, you can fuel your energy reserves properly, and come off the sugar roller coaster that many of us are on.

10. Coconut Oil Makes Delicious Desserts

Try this recipe for a nutritious high protein, gluten and dairy free coconut treat.

1 tablespoon of coconut oil

1 cup of almonds or walnuts (soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight)

5 organic dates soaked in hot water to soften (or raw honey to taste)

3 tablespoons of raw cocoa powder

Shredded coconut (check it contains no preservatives)

Place all ingredients in a food processor. Roll into small bite size balls and roll into shredded coconut. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.

Over fed and malnourished

Let's take control of our Health!

Over the last few decades, America has become the most overfed yet undernourished nation in the world.

When we feel sick, we go straight to the doctor’s office, looking for a quick fix to relieve whatever ails us. And we think we are all well again

We get pills for feeling dizzy, pills for feeling sad, pills for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, indigestion, – you name it!

Yet, despite the ever-increasing variety of medicine available, current middle-aged Americans report feeling less healthy than the generation that preceded them.

Our life expectancies are reducing, as those of our children, who are expected to live 10 years less than we are. And most of us are dying from a small handful of the same avoidable diseases.

Leading causes of death in the United States:

1.     heart disease
2.     cancer
3.     chronic lower respiratory diseases
4.     stroke
5.     accidents
6.     Alzheimer’s disease
7.     diabetes
8.     influenza and pneumonia
9.     kidney diseases

source http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm

Why then, with all the incredible medical advances of the last 50 years, are we getting less healthy as a population? It is because we are avoiding responsibility of our own health: failing to choose to live a healthy lifestyle, and instead relying on prescription medications, which often only treat the symptoms and not the underlying causes of our health problems.

So how do we reclaim our health?

If we want to regain true health, we must eat and properly digest real, whole foods. Each day, the link between diet and disease becomes more and more apparent. Since processed food enter the standard American diet in the mid-– 20^th century, hospital visits, medicine prescriptions, and instances of obesity and its related issues has steadily increased. First came margarine, and fast food and frozen dinners, and now most Americans don’t understand what real, whole food is. The term whole food had to be created to define food not produced in a factory.

Is your food robbing your health?

Most of the foods sold in a typical market rob us of our health. We must steer clear of these unhealthy food products if we want to avoid contributing to gruesome American health statistics. We must change the way we eat. We need to significantly reduce the amount of processed food included in our diet.

If we don’t get back to basics and start eating plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and unaltered meets, our prognosis could be horrible. According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men and one third of all women in the United States will develop cancer at some point in their lives. The American Heart Association states that over 82 million Americans suffer from some form of heart disease, and over780,000 of these people die each year. These are tragic statistics considering that these diseases can be prevented and potentially reversed – not with the pill or one doctor’s visit, but with a commitment to following healthy eating habits.