The Amazing Anti-Aging Benefits of Coconut Oil
By Erin Chamerlik on January 8, 2015
By Erin Chamerlik –
Traditional cultures have revered the coconut for thousands of years as a healthy food and as a panacea medicine. Doctors and scientists are beginning to recognize the amazing anti-aging benefits of coconut oil, as a superior natural saturated fat, making it great for the skin and hair.
Weight Loss
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It seems counter intuitive that eating coconut oil, a saturated fat, increases weight loss but scientific research has shown this to be true. The secret is in the unique molecular structure of the fatty acids. Coconut oil is comprised of medium chain fatty acids while most other fats are typically long chains. The length of the chain determines how the body will metabolize the fat. This means that the body takes the coconut oil directly into the liver where it is immediately burned and used for energy.
In the book Eat Fat Lose Fat, authors Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon use two decades of research to explain why we need to eat coconut oil for health benefits and long-term weight loss:
- it raises body temperature and causes weight loss
- it keeps your blood sugar stable
- it maximizes your metabolism and provides a steady fuel supply
Beautiful Skin and Hair
Full of antioxidants and vitamins, coconut oil is the perfect moisturizer for skin. Helpful for dry, damaged skin, coconut oil can replace expensive moisturizers that often contain harmful ingredients.
Coconut oil has healing properties because of the antimicrobial compound lauric acid. Try rubbing coconut oil on eczema, psoriasis, rashes, infections and wounds to experience the benefits.
Unlike other hair conditioners that coat hair, coconut oil penetrates the porous hair shaft, working beautifully to restore the health and luster of the hair. It is also very effective in treating dandruff. After shampooing massage two teaspoons of coconut oil into hair. Cover with a towel or shower cap and leave in for an hour or overnight, then shampoo hair.
Immune Support
The secret ingredient in coconut oil, lauric acid, is also found in mother’s breast milk. This is the component that helps keep babies and adults healthy by fighting off infections from microorganisms like bacteria and viruses. The Coconut Research Center website lists many studies that support the health benefits of coconut oil. http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/
How to Add Coconut Oil to Your Diet
Coconut oil is the perfect oil to use for cooking because it is more stable than other oils when heated. Use it for sautéing, stir frying, baking or as a substitute for vegetable oils. Many people enjoy adding coconut oil to a mug of warm herbal tea.
To increase your metabolism, enhance weight loss and improve health, start by incorporating 1-3 teaspoons per day into your diet and work up to 2-3 Tablespoons per day.
What to Buy
Purchase raw, unrefined coconut oil. At 76 degrees coconut oil liquefies. Below that temperature it is solid, and should be pure white.
There are many ways to incorporate the amazing anti-aging and health benefits of coconut oil into your life. I recommend adding it to your diet and applying it topically every day. Of course, do not miss out on other coconut products including fresh coconut, coconut milk and coconut water. For me, probably the most delicious indulgence is simply eating a bit of coconut meat while it is balanced on a square of dark chocolate, holding a single almond!
Erin Chamerlik, MT (ASCP), is a regular Health & Fitness contributor for LivingBetterat50+. Erin offers e-courses for uncovering food sensitivities and improving candidiasis. Nutrition and wellness consultations are available through local and long distance coaching. Please visit Erin’s website at www.GetBetterWellness.com for more information or to receive her free newsletter.
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