Coconut Oil: Properties and Benefits, How to take it and Use it

Today, I have decided to write an article about one of the most important sources of saturated fats with more benefits for our metabolism: Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been consumed for thousands of years in many countries and cultures. Although its oil is rich in saturated fats, it has many benefits for health. Moreover, it is very easy to digest, which will help to regulate the blood lipid levels.

Other properties of coconut oil are its anti-microbial (both internal and external) and anti-bacterial effects. On top of that, it also helps to lose weight and it tends to appear in beauty treatments to moisturize the hair and skin. Given this endless list of properties, it is hard to understand how there are still people who refuse using this natural oil.

Coconut Oil, one of the most Natural Oils

Coconut oil is one of the most natural oils that exist.

A 35 per cent of it is oil. You just have to open one coconut to see all the oil it has. There are other types of oil, like the one from rapeseed or soy. However, they must be obtained through a long industrial manipulation process.

On the other hand, coconut oil is completely natural product. In fact, it has protected the people of the South Pacific against diabetes, cholesterol, heart attacks and strokes for thousands of years.

Nevertheless, despite its undeniable benefits, there are people who are still reluctant to use coconut oil. This is mainly due to its high percentage of fatty oils, which can reach a 90 per cent of saturated fats. These are commonly associated with a high cholesterol and cardiovascular problems.

Its high content in saturated fats, almost 30g/100g of product, is different from what we usually see (like palmitic ones). These saturated fats have a high percentage of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which is why coconut is unique.

Currently, some experts still try to trick us saying that saturated fats are bad. But we are starting to witness how some of these experts are changing their minds about coconut.

Coconut oil is completely natural, with a high quality and many benefits for the body.

Still not convinced? Actually, you just need to have a look at the results of clinical studies that have tested the extraordinary properties of coconut oil. Therefore, including this oil in our daily diet will provide many benefits for our health.

We will study the composition of coconut oil in detail, specially focusing on its fatty acids.

Characteristics of Coconut Oil

Most of the fatty acids from coconut oil are medium chain fatty acids (lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid). As we can see in the following list, they make up more than a fifty per cent of the oil. But, why are medium chain fatty acids so important?

Composition of Coconut Oil Fatty Acids

Coconut oil is, among other things:

Lauric Acid fights against Bacteria, Herpes and Viruses

Between a 44 and 52% of coconut is made up of lauric acid. Once lauric acid enters the organism it becomes monolaurin. Some studies have proven that free lauric acid has even anti-microbial properties.

The main element that works against viruses and bacteria is monolaurin (a type of monoglyceride). This element protects the organism against certain viruses, like Herpes, the cytomegalovirus, and the flu. Basically, it locates the viruses and deactivates them.

On the other hand, around a 6-10% of fatty acids from coconut oil are made of capric acid. This one is another MCT with many benefits for our health, similar to the ones from lauric acid.

Capric Acid against Chlamydia and other Sexually Transmitted Viruses

This element becomes a monocaprin monoglyceride. Monocaprin has anti-viral properties against simple herpes viruses. Moreover, it produces an anti-bacterial effect against chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.

Clinical studies carried out in 1998 and 1999 showed how monocaprin inactivates sexually transmitted viruses (even HIV).

Medium chain fatty acids can deactivate the following viruses:

Apart from fighting against viruses and bacteria, the fatty acids from coconut oil also have the ability to deal with fungi.

Coconut oil is rich in medium chain fatty acids

Medium-chain fatty acids have a specific chain length. While a long chain fatty acid has 18 carbon atoms, like stearic acid, medium chain fatty acids are shorter.  For example: caprylic acid has 8 carbon atoms; capric acid has 10 carbon atoms; and lauric acid has 12 carbon atoms.

Medium chain triglycerides metabolized in a different way than the rest of fatty acids. First of all, they break down more quickly because they oxidize directly in the liver. This fact prevents their storage as body fat.

The chylomicrons will absorb the remaining fatty acids after transporting them through the lymphatic way to the peripheral tissues. Therefore, these ones ARE actually stored.

MCT go to the Portal vein, reaching the liver directly

The coconut fats increase the metabolic expenditure without negatively affecting the body fats. In fact, a study proved how those who consumed more calories (MCT) increased the dietary induced thermogenesis (DIT) in a 12%. Moreover, their expenditure doubled that of those who consumed other fats.

Other studies show how replacing LCT for those from coconut increases the energy expenditure in a 48% and 65% in thin and obese subjects respectively.

Calorie expenditure

Closed circles: Medium chain triglycerides (coconut). Open circles = Long chain triglycerides

Best source of MCT

These fatty acids provide many benefits when compared to other types of fat. This is mainly due to the fact that the body does not process them like long chain fatty acids (LCT).

The triglycerides from medium chain fatty acids provide a faster energy supply to the brain than any other type of fat.

A proper long chain fatty acids metabolism will depend on the bile salts from the biliary vesicle.

It is necessary to combine bile salts with other enzymes in a complex process to digest the LCT. Due to this, it will take a long time until these fatty acids provide energy to the cells.

Coconut Oil is rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are quite important in all neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer. For this reason, researchers have studied whether the MCT intake affects the production of omega-3 fatty acids in any way.

The studies on this matter have proven that the regular consumption of MCT can increase the availability of omega-3 fatty acids for the brain.

A study carried out on dogs with “age-related mental degeneration” showed that using a treatment and daily consumption of MCT would produce a significant increase of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA LED) in certain areas of the brain.

However, coconut oil does not produce omega-3 fatty acids. Thus, the researchers of this study reached the conclusion that the MCT allowed the omega-3 fatty acids to detach themselves from the fat stores. In this way, they become available for the organism.

Can medium chain fatty acids from coconut oil destroy harmless intestinal bacteria?

MCTs and their monoglycerides do not have any harmful effect on the intestinal flora, since they only attack pathogen microorganism which are potentially dangerous.

Several clinical studies in 1990 and confirmed in 2016, proved how the microorganisms that tend to settle in the intestines are not attacked by monolaurin, as long as they are not dangerous.

However, when microbia cause any disease, like Haemophilus inflenzae, Staphyloccocus epidermidis and the B Streptococcus pathologies. Monolaurin acts immediately by deactivating the effects of the bacteria. The properties of medium chain fatty acids are excellent to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

But we should ask ourselves how do they act on our heart health, cholesterol, and the state of the blood vessels if we consume them more frequently?

The consistency of coconut oil

The oil has a solid consistency at a room temperature of 23 Celsius degrees. Between 24 and 30 degrees centigrade, the oil starts to liquify, and above 30 degrees it becomes completely liquid.

Properties of Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is Easy to Digest

Medium-chain fatty acids are very easy to digest, even without the help of bile acids. MTCs are water-soluble and they are easily transported to the liver through the bloodstream.

Medium-chain triglycerides have the ability to oxidize in the liver directly (which means they are not stored as body fat) without needing any kind of transformation, unlike long chain fatty acids.

Moreover, they are not stored in fat deposits since they are used as energy by the body. Medium chain fatty acids provide one less calorie per gram when compared to other fatty acids. Coconut oil not only supplies less fat to the body but also helps to lose weight due to these characteristics.

Coconut Oil can help with Weight Loss

Its particular way of metabolizing coconut fat increases the metabolic expenditure without producing negative effects on body fat.

How does coconut oil help to lose weight? Medium chain fatty acids from the oil and water are not stored as body fat, and therefore, we do not gain weight.

Ketones are similar to glucose (sugar). But, unlike glucose, ketones do not alter the sugar levels in the blood and, therefore, they do not trigger a sudden increase of insulin, which is more beneficial for our health.

Studies

Recent studies have shown how replacing long chain fatty acids with those found in coconuts increases energy expenditure by a 48% in thin people and a 65% in obese people.

We could define MCTs as a functional ingredient or food to treat obesity because they stimulate the thermogenesis, fat oxidation and metabolism.

A double-blind controlled study conducted in 2001 and published in “The Journal of Nutrition” showed the properties of coconut oil for weight loss. This study used 78 healthy but overweight individuals with a BMI (body mass index) over 23.

In said study, the participants followed the same diet for twelve weeks. However, one group (called M group) took 60 grams of medium chain fatty acids daily. The other group (called L group) took 60 grams of long chain fatty acids.

People from both groups lost weight, but those in M group lost much more weight than those from L group. In addition, people in group M also lost more body fat and subcutaneous tissue fat than those in L group.

Produces Satiety

Another reason why coconut oil is a great ally for weight loss diets is its role in helping to reduce the consumption of calories. In my opinion, diets that are high in fat help to control the feeling of hunger than those diets that are high in carbohydrates (if we take for granted that the proteins are the same).

There is not a clear explanation why this happens

Fat and hormonal effect

I personally thought that their effect was due to the hormones released in the gastrointestinal tract, specially cholecystokinin (CCK). This hormone increases its levels with meals high in fats, increasing the feeling of satiety. However, the studies show that said effect happens when the fatty acid chain is longer than 11 carbons⁶. This made me think that maybe it could act on other hormones like ghrelin or YY peptide, on which medium chain triglycerides act positively⁷.

Coconut oil is effective against viruses, bacteria, and fungi

The medium-chain fatty acids contained in coconut oil are anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal, both inside the organism and when they are topically administered, on the outside.

It can also be employed as a vaginal lubricant and for intimate female hygiene, since they prevent the onset of microbes and fungi as well as the annoying itch they cause.

Apart from these benefits, coconut oil can also be used as a beauty treatment, to improve the state of our hair and skin.

Coconut oil and digestive problems

Medium-chain triglycerides are more easily digested and absorbed than the oils and fat from most foods.

In fact, they are absorbed relatively well even when the biliary and pancreatic secretions are low.

People who suffer malnutrition, malabsorption syndrome, cystic fibrosis, short bowel syndrome, celiac disease, or liver diseases often take medium chain fatty acids.

Properties of coconut oil for the treatment of fungi

The medium chain fatty acids from coconut oil also reduce the activity of fungi, such as Candida albicans.

Several clinical studies have proven the effects of capric acid to combat fungal candidiasis and other types of fungi. Therefore, coconut oil can effectively support the treatment of infections caused by fungi.

Can we treat fungi with coconut oil?

Due to the powerful anti-microbial activity of coconut oil, we may wonder if its fatty acids can destroy other types of bacteria that are good for the body, such as the intestinal flora.

Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil and Diabetes

The lauric acid from this oil helps us to maintain low glucose levels in the blood in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Coconut Oil Against Cardiovascular Diseases

For more than four decades, the link between coconut oil and cardiovascular diseases has been studied in depth.

The results of this research have always been the same: Consuming this oil has many benefits for cardiovascular health and it helps to reduce risk of suffering heart diseases.

First Study

One of the most important studies on this subject was published in 1988 by Blackburn under the title “The effects of coconut oil on serum cholesterol and atherogenesis”. In this study it was concluded if we combined this oil with other fats such as linoleic acid, we can slow down the onset of atherosclerosis.

In the late 1990s, researchers Kurup and Rajmoran conducted a clinical study with 64 volunteers and found that the consumption of this oil “statistically and significantly changes all cholesterol values (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, etc.).

The results of this study have been confirmed in another clinical study conducted in 2016. Previously, in 1992, researchers Kaunitz and Dayrit reported on the epidemiological experimental data from the groups of people studied that had included coconut oil in their diet: “The population that includes coconut oil in their daily diet does not have high cholesterol levels nor do they suffer a high mortality rate or morbidity due to coronary heart disease.”

Second Study

On the other hand, Mendis, another researcher on this subject, discovered in 1989, after a study carried out on young adults in Sri Lanka, that those who switched their usual diet with coconut oil to another with corn oil suffered harmful changes on their lipids.

The participants from the study who replaced coconut oil with corn oil reduced their serum cholesterol by an 18.7% and LDL cholesterol by a 23.8%.

Finally in 1990, the researchers Menáis and Hurgamandera compared the different effects of coconut oil and soy oil on young men with normal lipid levels in blood, and again they concluded that the consumption of coconut oil produces an increase in HDL (good cholesterol) cholesterol levels, while the consumption of soy oil reduces the level of this desired lipoprotein.

Coconut Oil is good for the Heart and Blood Vessels

The inflammation processes can trigger the onset of atherosclerosis and it is also a risk factor for hypertension or strokes. Due to this, coconut oil can help to preserve cardiovascular health by preventing the onset of many diseases and also by helping to treat them. Moreover, multiple clinical studies performed in the 80s and 90s have proven that the saturated fatty acids found in coconut oil have positive effects to regulate the cholesterol and to lose weight.

Unlike corn or soy oil, coconut oil increases HDL or good cholesterol and reduces bad cholesterol or LDL. On the other hand, the anti-viral effects of medium chain fatty acids and lauric acid help to fight against certain viruses (herpes and citomegalovirus) that favor the formation of deposits in the blood vessels. Therefore, coconut oil indirectly keeps the blood vessels healthy and protected against cardiovascular problems as well as helping to lose weight.

Coconut oil prevents atherosclerosis

Clinical studies have shown that herpes and cytomegalovirus play a role in the formation of atheroma deposits in the blood vessels, and in the narrowing of arteries after angioplasty (New York Times, 1984).

What is interesting is that the anti-microbial monolaurin (as we have seen before) deactivates the effects of herpes and cytomegalovirus, in the cases where lauric acid (ingredient from coconut oil) is included in the daily diet.

Thus, it is a mistake to refuse using coconut oil due to its (supposedly dangerous) saturated fats since the ingredients from coconut oil do not only prevent coronary diseases, but also the onset of age-related degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and senile dementia.

Coconut Oil to treat Chronic Inflammation

If we increase the supply of coconut oil to our organism and reduce the amount of carbohydrates, we will be able to avoid the fluctuations in sugar levels and excessively high and uncontrolled insulin levels. High insulin levels are responsible for the obesity caused by unhealthy eating.

Coconut oil helps to treat Alzheimer and Senile Dementia

Coconut oil improves the brain function and it can relieve the symptoms of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer.

Science has been studying the effects of coconut oil on the brain in depth in recent years.

The main effects of coconut oil on Alzheimer come from a clinical study performed on a patient called Steve Newport, and the results of this study are now known in the whole world.

When Steve Newport developed Alzheimer, his wife Dr Mary Newport decided to use a curious treatment that consisted on using coconut oil in his diet regularly.

The tests that were performed later on confirmed that the treatment had activated the brain function of Steve Newport and it had managed to delay the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

The brain needs energy to function

The human brain needs energy constantly to be able to perform its complex tasks. If the energy supply is interrupted, the brain cells will start to die slowly which can result in serious health problems.

When the brain does not receive enough energy the most immediate symptoms are headaches, cognitive dysfunction, heaviness, and fatigue.

Glucose and energy

Generally, glucose will reach the brain through the blood flow and it is transported by a specific hormone which allows the mitochondria to finally transform glucose into energy.

However, there are sometimes many neurodegenerative problems that hinder this natural process and the nerve cells become resistant to insulin. The consequences will be that the brain cells will no longer be able to process the glucose, which means that the energy supply will be interrupted and the brain functions will start to deteriorate.

High sugar levels in blood can destroy the nerve cells

When the brain cells become resistant to insulin, glucose is deposited in the brain and the sugar levels in blood increase.

Is there an alternative source of energy for the brain?

If we could find an alternative supply we could manage to avoid the destruction of the brain cells or, at least, delay the development of the illness, depending on the stage it has reached.

In this case, we could save the brain cells, even if they are resistant to insulin. This alternative source of energy for the brain already exists and it is produced by certain fatty acids that can provide energy without depending on insulin receptors. These fatty acids are also found in coconut oil.

Coconut oil provides energy for the ketones

When the liver has spent the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) that it needs to produce energy, the rest are transformed into ketones. The ketones are transported directly to the brain and they fix the glucose deficiency in the blood.

Curiously, ketones produce a quarter more energy than glucose produces and they consume less energy. For this reason, coconut oil is a very effective alternative and it can be used as a treatment for the production of brain energy and to stay healthy.

Coconut oil against the atherosclerotic plaque

The theory that relates the atherosclerotic plaque and Alzheimer disease is a scientifically controversial issue. For a long time, clinical studies related the atherosclerotic plaque deposits with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain.

Later on, other studies were performed, and the results contradicted that theory, it was confirmed that the plaques only worked as a kind of shield for the nerve cells.

In any case, if the formation of the plaque and the hardening of the arteries had anything to do Alzheimer, a treatment with coconut oil could be extremely beneficial, since a study performed on dog showed that consuming MCT can activate a special protein that destroys the plaque. Moreover, the consumption of natural sources, like coconut oil, always provides benefit for health.

Coconut Oil and Cancer

Recent studies have studied the benefits and properties of coconut oil and they have found proabably the most important one: coconut oil can help to treat cancer.

There is even a specific ketogenic cleansing program that can be performed for a period of three to ten days, that helps to destroy cancer cells effectively and stimulate the production of healthy cells.

Coconut oil protects against cancer

How does coconut oil, water, and milk protect us against the onset of caner?

To understand how coconut oil can protect us against cancer, we have to explain how the cells from our organism work: A cell produces energy – mitochondria – by burning glucose with oxygen. This is called cell breathing. But the mitochondrias can be damaged by the action of the free radicals, environmental toxins, viruses, or chronic inflammation. When this happens, the mitochondria lose their ability to perform cell breathing.

Since they can no longer breathe, the cell changes its metabolic process and produces energy through fermentation processes. Therefore, glucose is no longer burnt with oxygen, but fermented.

This significantly increases the chances of the cell becoming a cancer cell, since its deterioration starts precisely now that oxygen does not intervene in this process. Even if the organism had enough oxygen, a cancer cell would not use it.

In fact, the energy performance during the fermentation is higher. This explains why metastasis grows so fast. Tumors can duplicate overnight. A famous cell biologist, Otto Warburg, discovered how cancer works in a clinical study. He found the typical metabolic changes of a cancer cell and he proved that they are not capable of carrying out cell breathing to produce enough energy and, therefore, they have to perform a fermentation process.

Cancer needs sugar to grow

Cancer cells have ten times more insulin receptors on their surface than healthy ones. The more insulin receptors they have, the more sugar they can absorb. Therefore, a cancer cell can devour glucose and other nutrients from the blood much faster than any other type of healthy cell, which also leaves less nutrients for healthy cells. The result is that the tumor keeps on growing, and the person is consumed by it.

Stop feeding cancer cells

But, how can we stop the harmful process that causes cancer? Since stop eating is not a viable option to stop cancer, we must find another remedy. The solution could be what is known as a ketogenic cleanse. The term “ketogenic” refers to the formation of ketones.

As it has been previously explained, the medium chain fatty acids from coconut oil are transformed into ketones in the liver and they are used as energy. With the contribution of ketones, the healthy cells no longer need glucose, since they can use ketones as fuel. A cancer cell does not have the ability to use ketones as energy, only glucose is capable of maintaining their energy use. When there are only ketones in the blood, the cancer cells starve and stop growing.

Ketogenic cleanse

Dr. Thomas Seyfried from Warburg carried out a study on the optimal levels of glucose in the blood that are necessary for the treatment of cancer. According to this study, the levels of glucose must be between 55 and 65 mg/dL. And the ketone levels must be around 3 mmol/L and below 7 mmol/L.

These are the concentrations that should be reached to carry out a ketogenic cleanse against cancer. But, how can we perform this ketogenic cleanse? This process is a type of fasting. During the fasting you have to consume natural coconut oil, water, special antioxidant additives, and the compounds of a colon cleansing program.

The ketogenic cleanse should be carried out in a period between three and ten days. In the case of cancer with metastasis, Dr. Seyfried advises carrying out this fasting program for ten complete days, if the physical condition of the person allows it.

Ketogenic cleanse with coconut oil

According to the advice and instructions of Dr. Seyfried, this ketogenic cleanse with coconut oil for treating cancer would consists of:

Effects of coconut oil

Coconut oil provides ketones for the healthy cells of the organism. The ketones can only be used as fuel by the healthy cells, since cancer cells cannot perform the fermentation with them.

The medium chain fatty acids that are found in coconut oil and lauric acid have an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal effect, which strengthens the immune system and regulates the intestinal flora.

Those people who suffer from cancer very often suffer dysbiosis, and they have an intestinal flora imbalance, or they may have a fungal infection. Thus, coconut oil is beneficial at different levels, to reduce and stop the effects of cancer.

Coconut Oil to prevent Caries

We need to carry out a thorough and complete care as much as possible in order to reduce the bacteria that cause caries, which in most cases is a very hard task.

This is due to the fact that our diet is mostly based on processed foods with a high percentage of sugar and which are nutritionally poor. But, how does this affect our oral health?

This lowers our defenses. It creates the perfect environment for the proliferation of germs which reproduce quickly and destroy the dental enamel, which produces inflammation and caries.

A pioneering study on this subject revealed that coconut oil is the best natural remedy to fight against the bacteria that cause the caries.

But, how does coconut oil prevent and cure caries? We will explain that now.

How does coconut oil prevent and cure caries?

This is the reason why coconut oil provides multiple benefits for the whole organism that will also improve the state of our teeth.

The main component of coconut oil that favors oral health is lauric acid. It prevents the onset of caries in a natural way.

How does coconut oil work against germs?

What effect does coconut oil have on bacteria? The lauric acid from coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid that has important benefits for the organism, mainly fighting against pathogenic microbes in a natural way.

If we could see the cell membrane of bacteria we would notice that it consists on a very thin layer of fat that starts to break and dissolve when it enters in touch with lauric acid, which results in the destruction of the bacteria.

How does lauric acid work? Lauric acid binds to the pathogenic bacteria and destroys them.

To understand the properties of lauric acid, we must know that it is one of the elements from breast milk that contributes to strengthening the immune system of the babies that is still weak.

Coconut oil prevents the onset of dental caries

The scientists from the Technology Institute of Athlone in Ireland, carried out a clinical study on how coconut oil destroys the germs that cause caries and inflammation of the oral cavity. It this study, the researchers used coconut oil and other oils that mimicked the digestion of fat in the body.

What were the results of this study?

During this clinical study, it was possible to see how coconut oil was the only one that eliminated the pathogenic microbes and contributed to oral health in a natural way, avoiding the onset of caries. It was also proved that coconut oil works in a completely different way to an anti-biotic.

Dr. Brady, senior researcher, stated:

Fluoride does not protect teeth

Unlike fluoride, the effects of coconut oil to destroy germs and fungi have been proven in clinical studies. Until now, we have been told that the fluoride from tooth paste helps to protect our teeth, but there is no evidence that supports this argument.

How come fluoride does not protect teeth?

However, this is not a mere esthetic problem, since these stains can also cause other problems, such as the acceleration of caries or even more serious pathologies.

How can we solve this problem?

The answer is clear, we must use more coconut oil for our oral care and reduce the use of fluoride as much as possible.

How to use coconut oil for the teeth?

The innovative combination of coconut oil and digestive enzymes will change the field of dental care, and it would not be surprising if this product started to be sold in the market very soon. Nevertheless, we can enjoy the advantages of coconut oil and its anti-bacterial effects to improve health and particularly oral health. For this purpose, it will be enough to use coconut oil every day, since its ingredients favor health and destroy those pathogens that damage the oral cavity.

Coconut Oil for the Hair and Skin

Virgin coconut oil is very popular in those countries where coconut palm is cultivated, and it is used to cook on a daily basis, as well as for cosmetic purposes, like hair and skin care.

The cosmetic industry has started to use coconut oil even more for products that are specifically meant for the skin and hair. You can go shopping and buy products of this kind.

Coconut oil hydrates the skin of the whole body and keeps the skin nourished, soft, and flexible. Its use is advised specially for dry skin.

Properties of Coconut Oil for our Skin and Hair

One of the advantages of coconut oil consists on the fact that it is absorbed very quickly, leaving the skin hydrated and nourished. Moreover, coconut oil is the best hydrating ingredient for the hair, and it is specially useful for revitalizing dried and under nourished hair, and to give it more brightness and beauty.

Due to its special properties, coconut oil has many cosmetic uses apart from its benefits for health. This oil is completely natural, made only of organic coconut, and it can be used with better results than conventional body creams that tend to include many chemical products.

Organic coconut oil hydrates the skin of the whole body and keeps it nourished, soft, and flexible. Its use is specially useful for treating dry skin. If you want to get the best benefits, you can use some coconut oil after a hot shower, when the pores of the skin are still open. You just have to pour some of the oil in the palm of your hands and spread it on the whole body with smooth and soft motions.

Coconut oil also has other benefits and uses for our health, like its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, and its anti-fungal effects, which means that coconut oil can also be used to treat infections, eczema, and dermatitis. One of its most relevant uses consists on its properties to lose weight and to stay in shape, since this oil reduces the appetite and stimulates fat burning as a source of energy.

Virgin Coconut Oil to Get Rid of Dandruff

The ingredients from coconut oil are specially beneficial for the hair, since they encourage its hydration and brightness. Those shampoos that contain coconut oil are advised for those people who have a dry or very dry hair, since it hydrates the hair in depth.

Moreover, coconut oil is effective to treat dandruff. Natural cosmetic products that are exclusively made with coconuts that are organically cultivated are excellent to hydrate the skin and hair and they also have a pleasant scent.

Coconut and ketogenic diets

Another important detail about this type of fats is their effect on ketogenic diets.
When we follow a diet that is very strict in terms of carbs (under 0.5g of carbs/kg of body weight in healthy people) a process called ketosis (which is explained in several articles from this blog). The purpose of these diets is to synthesize many ketonic bodies to be able to maintain the performance during the workout.

Increase the ketonic bodies

Here is when coconut comes into play. The medium chain triglycerides (that are directly metabolized in the liver) increase the levels of ketonic bodies, which means that the performance can be maintained and even increased, thanks to the fact that it allows us to increase the amount of carbs from the diet without losing the ketosis. A thing that called my attention was the fact that medium chain triglycerides reduced the glucose levels in plasma⁸, from which I draw two conclusions:

I confirmed both conclusions with the following study⁹, which concluded that women who followed a diet that was very low in carbs but which consumed medium chain triglycerides lost more fat and preserved more muscle mass.

An important detail that should be highlighted is that thin people enter in a state of ketosis more easily than obese people, which is why the amount of oxidized protein for the gluconeogenesis is much higher¹⁰. In theory, using coconut oil can help to reduce the use of protein as a source of energy by increasing the levels of ketones (this can be one of the reasons why the muscle mass is preserved).

How to take Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil has endless uses. You can use it in the kitchen to prepare any dish, make delicious popcorn, or to dress a healthy salad. Let’s not forget about the extraordinary properties of coconut oil to support any diet and weight loss.

Moreover, it is also a beauty treatment to hydrate and take care of the skin and hair and to make all kinds of cosmetic oils or deodorants.

Coconut oil for cooking

Cooking with virgin coconut oil (specially at temperatures that do not exceed 163ºC) is a great and tasty choice. It does not oxidize or become toxic like other oils do when they are cooked, which means that it will all its properties.

Under 25 degrees, you can use coconut oil as if it was butter. Spread it on toasts or melt it so that it is easier to blend it.

The best thing would be to warm it for a few minutes in a water bath. If you are going to use coconut oil in a grill or frying pan, it can be added directly, without melting and, as soon as it exceeds 25 degrees Celsius, it will become liquid. But if the temperature is above 25 degrees, you can use it like other types of oils.

Keep in mind that virgin coconut oil has a particular taste and smell. If you are going to use it in hot dishes, it will not be a problem because it does not provide enough aroma or flavor to mask the rest of the ingredients.

You can also use it in stews that require little oil since the taste of the final dish hardly varies. It is quite different to use it in meals with an oil base (main ingredient).

In these cases, the stew will obviously smell and taste of coconut, and depending on your personal taste, this may be good or not. Coconut oil matches with Asian dishes, rice, sautéed or woks.

Sweet recipes

Tropical gastronomy uses coconut oil in all its recipes. The coconut pulp has become an ingredient to make all types of dishes and appetizers, while coconut oil or water is meant for cooking, frying, and baking.

How much Coconut Oil should we Take?

We cannot provide a general recommendation as to how much coconut oil we have to include in our diet to maintain our health, since this will depend on individual factors. However, according to the results of clinical studies and from practical experience, we can give some guidelines

In general, coconut oil affects the functioning of the brain positively, as well as the immune system and many organic functions, like that of the digestive apparatus. Each person should adjust their consumption to the benefits they want to achieve from this valuable oil. To this date, there is not amount of coconut that has produced harmful effects on the organism, which means that there is no risk of suffering side effects if we include this ingredient in our diet, and we can try different doses until we find the one that is right for us.

Tips

1st tip

If you consume a lot of coconut oil, it is advisable to reduce the consumption of certain elements like: carbohydrates, sugar, foods and drinks that contain sugar, white bread, wheat pasta, and white rice. This has to be done to avoid an excess of glucose which would prevent a proper and optimal use of the ketones.

This gradual consumption will give your body the chance to get to know the fats from coconut oil and to benefit from its valuable components. If the consumption of coconut produces intestinal discomfort, it is advisable to reduce the amount and then increase it slowly, so that we are able to find the best dose that is tolerated by our organism.

This happens because both the body and brain need a supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids. For this reason, it is also advisable to take other types of high quality fat, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in flaxseed oil or hempseed oil.

The brain of those who suffer Alzheimer cannot use glucose properly as a source of energy.

Products from Coconut

Organic Coconut Oil

Organic coconut oil comes from the just harvested coconuts of Sri Lanka.

Organic coconut oil has the same quality than fresh foods, since it is produced through a soft cold-press system with a temperature that does not surpass 40 degrees Celsium.

Organic coconut oil has a high percentage of lauric acid, and its ingredients are mainly medium chain fatty acids, also called MCTs.

Lauric acid is very valuable since it is part of breast milk and it has many positive properties within a balanced diet.

These natural unsaturated fatty acids have a great percentage of nutrients with many benefits for health, and also for the beauty of the skin and hair.

It provides energy, helps to control the weight, regulates sugars in the blood, strengthens the immune system, and it is a great natural bactericide and anti-viral agent.

It is advisable as a cosmetic treatment, specially to nourish the skin and to revitalize dry and under nourished hair.

Properties of Organic Coconut Oil:

Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is a completely natural product that is obtained from ecological coconuts which are manually harvested. It is a very tasty and healthy oil, and it has a lot of uses.

Although coconut oil is rich in fats, these are healthy and necessary for the body, as it has been proven in different clinical studies, such as the extensive study carried out in Sumatra in 2004.

The extraordinary properties of coconut oil are somehow still unknown in Europe. This is due to the fact that many of the coconut oils that are sold in superstores are highly processed and lose a great part of the valuable ingredients and aromatic flavor that only belong to organic virgin coconut oil.

If we want to take advantage of the properties of coconut oil, we have to buy completely natural virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil is very healthy, it has a delicious flavor which has many uses in the for cooking both hot and cold dishes, for dressings and to be served with all types of foods.

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

It is completely natural and different from other coconut oils that are industrially produced. There are basically two methods to extract the fats from coconut, either through industrial procedures or through completely organic and natural procedures. The second one will result in a delicious, virgin, aromatic, and soft coconut oil that will preserve all of its properties for our organism intact.

It is obtained from manually harvested coconuts that have been cultivated in a completely ecological way. After being harvested, the coconuts are dried and ground softly. From there, the grated coconut is cold-pressed.

Other stages of the process are the artisan filtering and bottling of the virgin coconut oil. Naturally, no artificial colors nor flavorings are added and there is no refining process either.

Thanks to this natural production process, virgin coconut oil preserves all of its valuable ingredients, and it will add the typical touch of coconut flavor to your dishes.

Coconut Flour

Coconut Flour is Gluten-free

Coconut flour is gluten-free. Many people are allergic to wheat, rye, spelt, and barley. Celiac people cannot consume whole grains, because it triggers allergic reactions.

The flour that is obtained from coconuts that are organically cultivated and carefully processed is a great alternative for allergic people.

Coconut Flour in Low-Carbs Diets

One of the most popular diets consists on reducing the consumption of carbohydrates. It is called a low-carbs diet and it was developed in the U.S.A. This diet cuts the carbohydrates supply from sugars and starch, while the carbohydrates from vegetables and fruit are accepted.

In this way, those carbohydrates that are not going to be spent by the body are avoided. Coconut oil is perfectly suitable for cooking desserts and sweet recipes, which will help us to avoid sugar.

A low carbohydrate diet has positive effects on our health, since it lowers the sugar levels, it regulates the lipids, and prevents obesity. For all this, coconut flour is an excellent food for those who are following a low-carbs diet.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a delicious and healthy drink. It is made with the coconut pulp in a completely natural way.

Its main ingredients are medium chain fatty acids. Theses fatty acids provide energy that will be immediately available for the organism.

Unlike other fats, the fatty acids from coconut milk are not stored as body fat. Instead, they are directly burned to produce energy. Therefore, including them in our diet can be a great way of supporting weight loss.

MCT vs Coconut Oil

This product has become a really popular in terms of health and well-being. But there is a trick for all the so-called benefits.

Coconut oil has different fat strains and not all of them are as effective for fat loss.

The reviewed studies show that we cannot get enough useful MCT just by eating coconut oil. This is due to the fact that it is combined with lauric acid, a useful but cheap element that is sold as MCT oil.

Some of the main benefits of MCT are:

Types and Functions of MCT

There are four MCT strains:

The first three strains go straight to the liver (without going through the digestive tract). They are broken down into ketones that are filled with energy. Then, they are sent to the rest of the body through the bloodstream.

The fast transformation from fat to ketones to obtain energy is the main reason why people purchase MCTs.

Frequently asked questions about Coconut Oil

The role of fats in nutrition, are they good?

Until fairly recently, it was thought that a healthy diet had to be low in calories and fat. It was thought that this was a way of preventing obesity and metabolic disorders, as well as strokes and heart attacks. Moreover, it was thought that fat, regardless of the type, increased the cholesterol.

The consumption of fat and calories has to adjust to the energy use of each person. If a person performs intense physical activity, he or she will not suffer obesity. On the other hand, it does not matter if the fat come from fats, proteins, or carbs.

This is something that is widely known by farmers, since the use carbohydrates to increase the weight of their animals.

Is it good to Take Coconut Oil?

Healthy fats are indispensable for the organism. Nowadays, we know more about their effects on cholesterol and triglycerides, since we know that there are two types of cholesterol (LDL and HDL).

Is it good to Fry Coconut Oil?

Saturated fatty acids (like the ones from coconut oil) are better than the unsaturated ones to fry and they are much healthier since they resist high temperatures, while unsaturated fatty acids oxidize really easily.

This is the reason why many vegetable oils are only suitable for cold dishes, but not for cooking, frying, or baking. Normally, when we talk about saturated fatty acids, we only think about those ones that come from animals, but we forget that coconut oil, being a vegetable oil, has a high percentage of saturated fatty acids.

Virgin, organic, and natural coconut oil has very valuable ingredients for the organism, and it is healthier than industrially processed oils.

Coconut oil has the highest proportion of saturated fatty acids (90%) and it has a very valuable ingredient, lauric acid. When it comes to using it in the kitchen, virgin coconut oil is excellent for cooking, and it can be used at high temperatures without worrying about its deterioration or oxidation (like it happens with other types of oil).

Does taking Coconut Oil increase Cholesterol?

HDL cholesterol, also called good cholesterol, is necessary for the cells, muscles, and heart. We can find this type of cholesterol in coconut oil. There is no way coconut oil can produce LDL or bad cholesterol, which is related to the risk of suffering cardiovascular diseases.

On the other hand, the cholesterol levels do not only depend on our diet, but they can also be altered by other factors, like smoking, stress, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Is it true that trans fats hinder the growth of children?

Trans fatty acids have negative effects on the growth of children and they also hinder the proper functioning of the memory. Margarine has a high percentage of trans fatty acids. On the contrary, the saturated fatty acids (like the ones from coconut oil) are not harmful for our health. Let’s not forget that breast milk has a 50% of saturated fat approximately and there is no doubt that it is a natural and harmless food.

The unfounded rumors about coconut oil

The lies about coconut oil have survived until the present, since there are still a lot of people and even doctors and nutritionists who have manifested their distrust toward coconut oil due to the saturated fatty acids from its composition.

All in all, this people have fallen into the trap of soy, sunflower, or colza oil producers, who do not want people to discover a much healthier product than the ones they are producing, since they run the risk of losing customers.

However, both soy, colza, or sunflower oil are industrially processed and they dangerous and unhealthy, just the opposite of coconut oil, which is completely natural and healthy, as we have previously explained.

The truth is that customers are being distracted from the truth, and the truth is that soy, colza, or sunflower oil have unsaturated fatty acids, hydrogenated and trans fats which have undergone an industrial processing, which entails a real risk for the health of their consumers.

Unfounded rumors by advertising campaigns against coconut oil

In reality, only virgin coconut oil can produce an increase of good cholesterol or HDL. This effect is due to the high proportion of lauric acid from coconut oil, which is a 50% approximately.

An excess of unsaturated fatty acids can cause the onset of free radicals which are harmful for the organism. Furthermore, an excessive consumption of unsaturated fats can result in the onset of trans fatty acids, which are truly harmful for our health.

On the other hand, the saturated fatty acids from coconut oil will never become trans fats. Margarine is one of the products that most trans fatty acids can produce. These trans fatty acids can also produce bad cholesterol and free radicals.

Can coconut oil form fatty tumors?

An atheroma or sebaceous cyst is a benign nodule of fat that mainly appears in the scalp, behind the ears, or in the belly. This cyst is full of fat and they are benign. We could think that a cyst is formed by “bad” saturated fat that is deposited in some part of the body.

But this is fat from truth. The chemical analysis of an atheroma has proven that is made of a 40% of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and more than a 30% of monounsaturated fatty acids.

Overall, a 70% are unsaturated fatty acids, and only a 25% is made of saturated fat.

On the contrary, coconut oil has endless cosmetic uses. It improves the state of the hair and the skin. It keeps the skin hydrating and the hair nourished, since it helps repair lackluster and dry hair.

The interests of the food industry to try and hide the benefits of coconut oil

Most of the properties of coconut oil that we have listed here have been known for decades, which can be proven by the clinical studies we have been quoting in this article.

However, if people knew this it would result in a loss of customers for the food industry and the producers of partially genetically modified industrial oils like colza or soy oil.

The producers of this type of less healthy and more expensive oils, spread all kinds of unfounded rumors about coconut oil, in order to make sure that they do not lose customers.

For more than three decades, coconut oils has suffered all kinds of defamations which originate in soy and colza monopolies from the U.S.A. which do not want to lose their position in the market.

But, how did all of this begin?

Coconut oil: victim of unfounded rumors and misinformation

At the end of the 1950s, a researcher from Minnesota claimed that hydrogenated vegetable fats were to blame for the increase of cardiovascular diseases. Fearing their own demise, the producers of oil defended themselves by putting the blame on hydrogenated fats from saturated fatty acids.

At the same time, another researcher from Philadelphia published that the consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids reduced the cholesterol levels. Once again, to counter this publication, the producers from the oil industry drew the attention to the “saturated fats”.

However, the industrial process that unsaturated fats is much more dangerous since, due to their volatility, there is a huge chance that the products will degrade and become harmful substances which can trigger dangerous trans fats.

However, this was not known at that time. They unfairly discredited saturated fats (including coconut oil, palm oil, and almond oil).

Coconut oil, target of the soy oil industry

The soy oil producers also orchestrated a disinformation campaign against coconut oil and other tropical oils, which only obeyed their pure economic interests.

The clinical studies that have been performed until 2016 have proven that coconut oil is much better than other types of oil, like the ones from soil, colza, or sunflower.

Conclusions

To sum up, medium chain triglycerides supplementation can be very useful for those who have been following a hypocaloric diet for some time without REFEEDs (slower metabolism) but specially those who are in a state of ketosis and who want to increase their performance or ketoadaptation.

I hope this article will encourage you to have a more optimistic stance about saturated fats and their functions on a physical level. Cheers.

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