Coconut Oil is the Healthiest Oil on Earth!2005. Awaiting revision 2007 "Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth" says Dr. Bruce
Fife, a naturopathic doctor and the author of the book The Healing
Miracles of Coconut Oil.
Dr. Mary Enig, a Ph.D. nutritionist/biochemist and one of the world's leading authorities on fats and oils, goes on to say, "Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric acid." See Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century at www.apcc.org.sg/special.htm The Politics of Tropical Oils So why has coconut oil gotten such a bad rap in the recent past? After all, much of the research supporting coconut oil as a healthy fat has been around for some time. The answer is politics and economics. Coconut oil was heavily used in the US at one time, being used for baking, pastries, frying, and theater popcorn. But starting in the 1980s some very powerful groups in the US, including the American Soybean Association (ASA), the Corn Products Company (CPC International) and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), began to categorically condemn all saturated oils. Faulty science was used to convince the public that ALL saturated fats were unhealthy, when in fact saturated fats rich in the medium chain fatty acids, like lauric acid, are very healthy. These organizations were/are aided by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many of whose key personnel are recruited from and return to the vegetable oil industry. The result was that most people switched to vegetable oils, and the main source of lauric acid from tropical oils in the American diet was lost. The countries that these tropical oils came from, mainly the Philippines and Malaysia, were too poor to counter these untrue claims with advertising investments for the truth. It is only recently that the health benefits of these tropical oils are starting to become rediscovered. Much of the research can be found on the www.coconut-info.com website. Population Studies While some clinical studies have been conducted recently, like the study on AIDS patients in the Philippines (1999 - 2000), much of the studies have been done on tropical populations where coconut products are a main part of the diet.
While most people in western countries get 30-40 percent of their calories from fats, the people in these islands averaged between 50 and 60 percent of their calories from fat, most of that being saturated fat from coconuts. So what kind of health did these studies find among the populations in these two islands? Bruce Fife reports in his book: "The overall health of both groups was extremely good compared to Western standards. There were no signs of kidney disease or hypothyroidism that might influence fat levels. There was no hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol). All inhabitants were lean and healthy despite a very high saturated-fat diet. In fact, the populations as a whole had ideal weight-to-height ratios as compared to the Body Mass Index figures used by nutritionists. Digestive problems are rare. Constipation is uncommon. They average two or more bowel movements a day. Atherosclerosis, heart disease, colitis, colon cancer, hemorrhoids ulcers, diverticulosis, and appendicitis are conditions with which they are generally unfamiliar." (The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil) A fat that causes weight loss?? Another incredible fact about coconut oil is that even though it is a fat, it actually promotes weight loss!! The reason is again because of the healthy medium chain fatty acids. These fatty acids do not circulate in the bloodstream like other fats, but are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into energy, just like carbohydrates. So the body uses the fat in coconut oil to produce energy, rather than be stored as body fat. Medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil also speed up the body's metabolism burning more calories and promoting weight loss. The weight-loss effects of coconut oil have clearly been demonstrated by many researchers. (There are a list of references in Bruce Fife's book The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil.) Therapeutic Dosage So how much coconut oil should one consume? A good therapeutic dosage is 3 to 4 tablespoons a day. This provides enough lauric acid to build the immune system. Also, look for unrefined coconut oil. Stay away from all hydrogenated oils, whether it is coconut oil or vegetable oils. Hydrogenated oils are oils with trans fatty acids, which have been altered from their original chemical composition, and have been shown to raise serum cholesterol levels that can lead to heart disease. Also look for unrefined coconut oils, like Virgin Coconut Oil. Most commercial coconut oils are RBD (refined, bleached, and deodorized). While these RBD oils do maintain the beneficial chemical structures of the medium chain fatty acids, they also contain chemicals used in processing.
If you are interested in learning about all the other wonderful health benefits of coconut oil, go to the www.coconut-info.com website and read the research. There is also a discussion list you can join and interact with some of the world's best authorities on coconut oil, including Dr. Mary Enig, Dr. Bruce Fife, and many others who have done research or experienced first hand the wonderful healing properties of coconut oil so that we can say, "Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth!" About the author: Brian Shilhavy is a Certified Nutritional Counselor (CNC), is the president of Mt. Banahaw Health Products Corporation ( www.philippineherbs.com ), and is the owner of the coconut-info.com website and discussion list. ______________________ 4 Recommended Detox Methods Many approaches to detox can work. Often, it is just a case of which approach suits you - so you can follow it right through. Here are 4 approaches which have been carefully thought out. 1. Herbal 90-day Detox Diet Programme This programme consists of unique herbal products for the three main detox organs: the Colon, the Liver and the Kidneys, as well as a Detox Tea. The products for the 3 main detox organs are available either in Capsules or as Drops, as you prefer. (Both are just a good - Drops are cheaper.) This programme lasts 3 months, which is a good length of time. You also get unlimited free support by phone and email. You can choose to spread the cost over 3 months if you wish. This reputable company has been in business since 1982. ** UNLIMITED MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE WITH THIS PRODUCT ** 2. Dr Janet Hull's Detoxification Kit. A 'ten step detox programme'. Dr Janet Hull cured herself after being 'written off' by doctors. This comprehensive 6-week detox is the result of her experiences. There is a 90-day conditional money-back guarantee with this kit. 3. 12 Steps to a Complete Body Detox. A complete approach to detox, by Calvin Newstead. Calvin applied detox principles to himself with tremendous success, then left a 20-year career to promote his detox approach. You get the 12 steps book, and valuable information about acid/alkaline balance, candida, gluten, and other topics. You are entitled to free lifetime updates. There is an 8-week unconditional money back guarantee. This is a book detailing many well-established detox methods founded on naturopathic principles of old; including exercise, breathing, diet, skin brushing and 'water cure'. These have been used by successful naturopaths for centuries. There is a 60-day unconditional money-back guarantee. |
