Coconut Oil Part #2 - Page 2

Immunity:

Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Healing and Infections

When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from externaldust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.

Infections: Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.

Other:

Coconut oil is strongly recommended for other benefits which are given below. Usage of coconut oils mildly helps for the following:

Liver: The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids helps in preventing liver diseases as they substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing work load on the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat.

Kidney: Coconut oil helps in preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases. It also helps in dissolving kidney stones.

Pancreatitis: Coconut oil is also believed to be useful in treating pancreatitis.

Stress Relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.

Diabetes: Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also helps in effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes.

Bones: As mentioned earlier, coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium andmagnesium which are necessary for development of bones. Thus coconut oil is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.

Dental Care: Calcium is an important element present in teeth. Since coconut oil facilitates absorption of calcium by the body, it helps in getting strong teeth. Coconut oil also stops tooth decay.

HIV and Cancer: It is believed that coconut oil plays an instrumental role in reducing viral susceptibility of HIV and cancerpatients. Preliminary research has shown indications of the effect of coconut oil on reducing the viral load of HIV patients (Reference).

Finally, coconut oil is often preferred by athletes and body builders and by those who are dieting. The reason behind this being that coconut oil contains lesser calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries. Coconut oil helps in boosting energy and endurance, and enhances the performance of athletes.

Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's Disease: There are reports of  research conducted by Dr. Newport stating that coconut oil is useful for treating Alzheimer's disease. Apart from this there is no scientific evidence or traditional knowledge or coconut oil being used for treating Alzheimer's. It was also not known traditionally that coconut oil helps in the brain function. 

Why is Coconut Oil Solid?: Unlike most other oils, coconut oil has a high melting point - about 24 to 25 degress Celcius or 76-78 Farenheit. Therefore it is solid at room temperature and melts only when the temperatures go high. Hence, if you buy a bottle of coconut oil and find it solid, don't think that there is some problem with it. Coconut oil is like this only. And of course, don't keep it in your refrigerator.

How to Use Coconut Oil?: If you are using coconut oil for topical purposes, especially hair care, just melt the oil (if it is solid) by keeping the bottle in the sun or warm water. You can also take some coconut oil out and put it in a small bowl and heat the bowl over a flame (do not use microwave). Then take the oil on your palm and apply it to your hair. If you want to use it for internal consumption, simply replace butter or vegetable oils with coconut oil in your recipes. Remember, you need not switch to coconut oil completely, as you will miss the benefits of other oils and dairy products.

Can I Use Coconut Oil for Cooking?: Yes, in most of the tropical coastal regions, people use coconut oil for coooking.  

I Don't Like the Taste of Coconut Oil. What Should I do?: Try using coconut oil in some different recipe. That may help. If you get nauseated after eating coconut oil, don't force yourself. As it happens with any otherfood item, your body may be allergic to coconut oil and it is best not to consume it.

This article is written by Kiran Patil

Visit the website of Coconut Research Center to get a list of the scientific literature on coconut oil

Sources of photos: Coconut oil: SXC.hu; woman combing hair, measuring waist, healthy kid, middle aged woman: PhotoXpress

My dad has Parkinsons and he raves about how coconut oil has helped him, especially with the shakes.  

Too bad I don't like coconut... yuck! It sounds like it does the trick though.

clc29;  that is one handsome boy.  I have to agree with your vet;  such a beautiful shiny coat.  And being black you can really see if you have any flakes or etc.  Thx for sharing  Nan

Clc,,Awesome coat!!,,

MCox,,I feed about 1table spoon once or twice a day..I melt it in a small bit of hot water and poor it on his kibble,,He loves it!!..Start with a small amount in the beginning..

AbbyN..Great about the elbows!!,,thanks for sharing that..

Ibrahim,,Thanks for the information page!..

Can someone explain to me how to use coconut oil? I've never heard of this before and would like to try it. Thank you in advance for the info.

Mirasmom....Abby Normal....Nans GSD...and Ruger.....Thank  you for the complements.....

Wow...Ibrahim.....I did not know about all of those benefits....Thanks for sharing the information.

I started out with 1 teaspoon once a day for a week.......then gradually increased it to 3 tablespoons once a day..........which is what I've been feeding for the last several months.

I microwave mine so it's in liquid form when I feed it..........Since my jar is so big (54oz), I scoop enough out for a feeding (plus a little extra) and put it in an old jelly jar for heating.

My GSD gets about 3-4 Tablespoons a day right now (it's cold/dry here).

Coconut oil melts at 76 degrees, so right now in my house (60-68 degrees with winter heat) it is "solid" in the jar, but it's soft.  It's sort of like a greasy, soft candle wax.  I just scrape it out with a fork.  I float my dogs' food with water anyway, so I just put a quick shot of warm water on it and it mostly melts.  They love it so they'll eat any chunks.

For myself I put it directly on my hair.  It's greasy so I use it like a treatment that I wash out.  Right now I'm working out at home in the evenings so I'll massage it into my hair while I work out, then wash out afterward when I shower.  When I was younger my friend's mom would put it in our hair for sleepovers and we'd sleep with a towel on our head.

Here's a short video clip from Dr. Karen Becker on adding coconut oil to your pet's diet.
She recommends 1 teaspoon of coconut oil for every 10 to 20 lb body weight.

(1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons)