The Truth about Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been getting good reviews recently because of the many health benefits it is said to give. Coconut oil, sometimes known as coconut butter, is made by extracting oil from dried coconuts. Here are some benefits that have been associated with coconut oil consumption.

1. Weight loss - Many popular diet fads ride on the principle that the way to lose weight is to cut out fat completely. This is not true; the body needs fats to absorb some specific and essential vitamins and minerals. A lack in good fats can actually lead to obesity, not away from it. Fats contained in coconut oil are quickly utilized by the liver, thus giving it no time at all to accumulate in the body. It also speeds up metabolism, thus burning more fat.

2. Butter or Margarine Substitute - At room temperature, coconut oil assumes its solid state form. Thus, it can be a healthy alternative in full or in part for other solid fats such as butter and margarine. Other oils undergo potentially harmful and unnatural processes to induce its solid state. In addition, the oil has a mild and delicate flavor that would truly enhance the flavor of the food.

3. Frying - Coconut oil possesses a higher smoking point, thus making it ideal for frying foods. High-heat cooking can be tolerated by coconut oil because of this property.

4. Not easily spoilt - Longer shelf-life is one of the best properties of coconut oil. Because of its stability, it resists spoiling for a relatively longer time. Leaving coconut oil unrefrigerated for up to one year would provide evidence supporting this fact.

5. Health - Coconut oil has been an integral part of the diet of some people from the tropics because of the easy availability of coconuts. These people are known to have fewer instances of heart disease, cancer, and colon disorders. It has also been known to stimulate the thyroid gland, the gland responsible for the human immune system.

6. Anti-aging properties - The oil can also be applied to the skin. By removing dead skin cells present on the outer part of the skin, it can rejuvenate it and provide a beautiful, healthy glow. In addition, it has also been used to remove make-up or lubricate the skin for shaving.

Coconut Health Beauty Oil

Fat free is the buzzword of the present day cooking. The word fat free helps selling the innovative new recipes in the restaurants. The industries cater to this new fat-free mania. But very few are aware of the fact that these obsessions for cutting fat off their diet can affect their skin badly. According to dermatologists, a diet sans fat not only has an adverse effect on the body, but also on mind. Beauty is not skin-dip.

But healthy skin is the integral part of beauty. So a certain amount of fat is necessary for body as the other nutrients like, Vitamin, Protein, carbohydrates and minerals. Coconut oil has that measured amount of fat, which is necessary for the development of the body. Theydeserveit brings a health and beauty advisor to rejuvenate your skin cells and make you much more beautiful. The article, Coconut Health Beauty Oil is that guide.

Beneficial quantity of fat improves blood circulation and provides nutrients to bring in new cells, as a result glowing skin. The fat in coconut oil keeps the skin moist from inside. Fat is an essential element for the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins like, vitamin- A, D, E and K, inside the body. The right kinds of fat that is available in coconut oil help in regulating hormones, as a result preventing skin inflammation, eczema, psoriasis and hair loss.

According to bio-scientists, a person is needed to consume 20gms of fat everyday which help in lubricating the skin. Coconut oil has that essential amount of fat. It can reduce ageing. The stability of coconut oil restrains it from getting hydrogenated. Despite having a strong aroma it does not change the flavor of the food cooked in coconut oil. This form of fat contains medium chain fatty acids, so doesn't get accumulated in cells like other forms of fat. After consumption it goes straight to the liver and generates energy. The type of fat that is found in coconut bypasses the metabolic pathway that other longer chain fats need to use. Coconut oil is regarded as the only saturated fat that is beneficial to health.

Cold, pressed coconut oil not only enhances the beauty of skin, but also helps in keeping the brain effective for long. Ultra-violet ray from the sun causes wrinkles; coconut oil prevents this process and reduces the process of aging. It does not only moisten the skin, but also provides essential oxygen electrons to make it look healthy and young. According to the dermatologists, coconut oil, extra virgin, virgin, cold pressed oils work wonder on the wrinkles.

Artisan Oils are best when drizzled over food or artisan breads are dipped into it. This is also ideal for gourmet recipes.

Organic Coconut Oil: Since this oil is extracted from Organic Coconut, a variety of coconut grown without the use of pesticides, it is a natural medicine and cosmetic for the skin.

Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil (Cocus Nuciferais) is actually unrefined expeller-pressed oil from the fresh carnal of the coconut palm. No preservative is used during the whole process. That is the reason behind for it being called virgin oil. Coconut oil serves as a rich source of Medium chain Triglycerides (MCTs), for example, lauric acid (C-12) and Caprylic acid (C-8).

Coconut oil is a rich source of nutrients when food is cooked in it. At the same time, it is the most useful beauty product to keep your skin young and wrinkle free and to provide nutrition to your hair. Coconut Health Beauty Oil gives you what you need to have a healthy skin and mind.

INGREDIENTS

* 1/2 cup coconut oil
* 1/4 fresh ripe pineapple, peeled and chopped
* 1 orange, peeled and seeded
* 1/4 cup coconut, shredded
* 1 cup ice water

METHOD
Put all ingredients in blender with water to make a thick creamy drink.
Chill well. Add honey, agave or maple syrup if it is not sweet enough.

Antiseptic fatty acids in coconut oil help to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in the skin when it is consumed and to some extent, when it is applied directly to the skin. The only way to gain entry into the body other than through the natural openings, such as the nose and mouth, is by penetrating the skin. When the skin's defenses break down, infections can result. Acne, ringworm, herpes, boils, athlete's foot, and warts are just some of the infectious conditions that can affect the skin and body.

The biggest chemical barrier to infectious organisms is the acid layer on the skin. Healthy skin has a pH of about 5, making it slightly acidic. Our sweat (containing uric and lactic acids) and body oils promote this acidic environment. For this reason, sweat and oil do us good. Harmless bacteria can tolerate the acid and live on the skin, but troublesome bacteria can't thrive and their numbers are few.

The oil our bodies produce is called sebum. Sebum is secreted by oil glands (sebaceous glands) located at the root of every hair as well as other places. This oil is very important to skin health. It softens and lubricates the skin and hair and prevents the skin from drying and cracking. Sebum also contains medium chain fatty acids, in the form of medium chain triglycerides, that can be released to fight harmful germs.

Our skin is home to many tiny organisms, most of which are harmless; some are beneficial. At least one variety of bacterium is essential to the healthy environment on our skin. It feeds on the sebum, breaking down the tryglycerides into free fatty acids. The bacteria actually feed on the glycerol part of the triglyceride. This leaves fatty acids which are now "freed" from the glycerol unit that held them together. Medium chain fatty acids which are bound to the glycerol unit as they are in coconut oil have no antimicrobial properties. However, when they are broken apart into free fatty acids, they become powerful antimicrobials.

So these bacteria convert the medium chain triglycerides (in the sebum or on the skin) into free fatty acids that can kill disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The combination of the slightly acid pH and medium chain fatty acids provides a protective chemical layer on the skin that prevents infection from disease-causing organisms. Due primarily to the action of bacteria, the oil on the surface of your skin and hair is composed of between 40 and 60 percent free fatty acids. The medium chain fatty acids in the sebum provide the protective layer on the skin that kills harmful germs. Coconut oil is nature's richest source of medium chain fatty acids.

When coconut oil is put on the skin it doesn't have any immediate antimicrobial action. However, when bacteria which are always present on the skin turn these triglycerides into free fatty acids, just as it does with sebum, the result is an increase in the number of antimicrobial fatty acids on the skin and protection from infection. The free fatty acids also help to contribute to the acid environment on the skin which repels disease causing germs.

When bathing or showering, soap washes the protective layer of oil and acid off our skin. Often afterwards the skin becomes tight and dry. Adding moisturizers helps the skin feel better, but it does not replace the acid or the protective medium chain fatty acid layers that was removed. Your skin is vulnerable to infection at this time. You would think that your body would be clean and germ-free after a bath. But germs are everywhere, floating in the air, on our clothes and everything we touch. Many germs survive washing by hiding in cracks and folds of the skin. Before long your skin is again teaming with microorganisms, both good and bad. Until sweat and oils return to reestablish the body's chemical barrier your skin is vulnerable to infection. If you have a cut or cracked skin, this can allow streptococcus, staphylococcus and other harmful germs entry into the body. By using a coconut oil cream, lotion or just pure coconut oil you can quickly help reestablish the skin's natural antimicrobial and acid barrier. Many people use coconut oil on their skin after every bath.

Coconut oil will absorb easily, keep the skin soft, and yet without feeling greasy. It is not like other oils used to soften rough, dry skin. It will help to reduce chronic skin inflammation within days and be soothing and healing to wounds, blood blisters, rashes, etc. It is an excellent ingredient to use in healing salves and ointments. People have used a coconut oil/crushed garlic mixture at night to eliminate plantar warts and athlete's foot with excellent results.

* Your favorite fruit like banana, strawberries, or a combination
* Water
* Honey or Agave to sweeten
* 2 Tbs Raw Virgin Coconut Oil

Mix in blender.
Serve with ice.

It is wonderful to use as a hair conditioner. Beauticians who are familiar with coconut swear by it. It softens the hair and conditions the scalp. Using the coconut oil as a pre-wash conditioner can rid a person of dandruff better than a medicated shampoo.

Fruit is pureed in a blender and poured into a popsicle mold.
Once frozen, this toddler snack is sooo good.

Ingredients:

* grapes
* strawberries
* blueberries
* banana bites
* cherries (without pits)
* or any other favorite fruit
* 1 Tbs raw virgin coconut oil

You'll also need popsicle molds and popsicle sticks.

Preparation:
Use a blender to puree your favorite fruit or fruits. Add the coconut oil, blend to mix into he puree. Pour into your mold and press in the popsicle sticks. Or fill an ice cube tray and place the fruit in the center of each cube.