6 Benefits of Using Coconut Oil

We’ve all heard of coconuts, but you may or may not have heard of coconut oil. Usually we get coconut dried, shaved, and thrown on a cream pie. But when we just eat the dried flesh of the coconut, we’re missing out on the best part. Coconut oil was once used regularly for cooking, but has now disappeared in favor of oils containing unsaturated fats.

Here are six benefits to consider when choosing to cook with coconut oil:

*It lowers cholesterol. We’ve always been told to avoid saturated fats because they raise your cholesterol. This is the primary reason coconut oil, which is mostly saturated fats, has been used less and less recently. However, coconut oil has been shown to help metabolize cholesterol faster, reducing overall levels. A study was done in a culture where coconut oil was used on a regular basis. When these people were moved to a different area and their coconut oil intake dropped, their cholesterol levels got much higher.

* It can keep you young. Coconut oil lowers cholesterol because it stimulates the thyroid gland. When the thyroid works properly, it uses cholesterol to make chemicals that are vital for preventing disease and keeping you from aging.

* It can help you lose weight. As I already mentioned, coconut oil helps improve thyroid functioning. Improper functioning of the thyroid is a major cause of obesity. Cultures that use more coconut oil have less incidence of obesity.

* It can prevent cancer. Increased thyroid function has also been shown to reduce the incidence of cancer. Studies have shown the occurrence of cancer to be lower, and in some cases nonexistent in areas that rely on saturated oils. They have also shown that the number of cancer cases increases with the addition of unsaturated oils to the diet.

* It can prevent infections. Coconut oil has been found to contain 40% lauric acid. This is a fatty acid that is found in breast milk. The body converts it into a substance that fights bacterial, viral, and protozoal infection in infants. When your body has these chemicals, your immune system does less work and you stay healthy.

* It can lead to fewer health problems. Coconut oil has been used in tropical areas and even modern cultures for many years. Only recently have people started switching to unsaturated oils for cooking. In areas that have made this switch, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, and other problems have increased. Cultures that still use coconut oil have fewer of these problems.

As you can see, switching to coconut oil for your cooking needs is a great decision. It can help you live longer, and look and feel better. So why not go buy some coconut oil today?

 

For years, we’ve been told that to lose weight, you should have a low calorie, low fat diet.  Low-fat foods have been proclaimed to help prevent problems from heart disease to cancer.  The truth is: little research can be cited to support these facts.  The key isn’t to eat less fats, it’s to eat good fats.  But how do we know which fats are bad and which are good?  Here’s the skinny on the different types of fats.

Good Fats

Monounsaturated Fats.  These are the best fats for you.  Replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated fats has been shown to lower bad cholesterol without lowering good cholesterol.  You can find these helpful fats in most nuts, canola, olive, and sesame oil, and in avocados.

Polyunstaurated Fats.  These fats are still unsaturated, but not as good for you as monounsaturated fats.  While they have been shown to lower bad cholesterol, they also tend to lower good cholesterol at the same time.  These fats can be found in mayonnaise, walnuts, corn and soybean oil, and in salad dressings.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids.  These are a special type of polyunsaturated fat found in high fat fish and other nuts.  They not only have anti-inflammatory effects; they have also been shown to lower triglyceride levels and help prevent you from dying of a heart attack.
Bad Fats

Trans Fats.  These fats, also known as hydrogenated fats, are man made fats.  These were created to prolong shelf life of some foods. When looking for foods low in trans fat, be sure to check the ingredients list, not just proclamations on the box.  When something says it has “no trans fat” that actually means it has less that .4 grams. 

Saturated Fats.  Even though they are natural fats, saturated fats have been linked to higher levels of bad cholesterol and certain types of cancer.  Foods that contain saturated fat include: high fat meat and poultry, milk products, cheese and some oils.  Check labels; companies are required to tell you how much saturated fat is in a product.

Fats aren’t all bad; they make food taste better, have a better texture, and can help us absorb certain vitamins.  So when you’re trying to cut fat out of your diet, be sure to be selective.  Choosing the right fats will not only help you lose weight, it can prevent certain diseases and cancers.