Health Benefits of Coconuts

 

Index of Diseases / Health Conditions ... Medicinal Foods, Herbs, Spices & Household Items

The below provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. Any treatment protocol should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner ... Please refer to: Medical & Legal Disclaimer.

 

Coconut, meat, raw Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 350 kcal   1480 kJ
Carbohydrates     15.23 g - Sugars  6.23 g - Dietary fiber  9.0 g   Fat 33.49 g - saturated  29.70 g - monounsaturated  1.43 g   - polyunsaturated  0.37 g   Protein 3.3 g Thiamin (Vit. B1)  0.066 mg   5% Riboflavin (Vit. B2)  0.02 mg   1% Niacin (Vit. B3)  0.54 mg   4% Pantothenic acid (B5)  0.300 mg  6% Vitamin B6  0.054 mg 4% Folate (Vit. B9)  26 μg  7% Vitamin C  3.3 mg 6% Calcium  14 mg 1% Iron  2.43 mg 19% Magnesium  32 mg 9%  Phosphorus  113 mg 16% Potassium  356 mg   8% Zinc  1.1 mg 11%
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient database

Weight-Loss Benefits:

Coconut oil is nature’s richest source of MCTs.  Not only do MCTs raise the body’s metabolism leading to weight loss, but they have special health-giving properties as well. The most predominant MCT in coconut oil, for example, is lauric acid. Lipid researcher Dr. Jon Kabara states “Never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize the value of Lauric Oils. The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother’s milk and have similar nutriceutical effects. Modern research has now found a common link between these two natural health products----their fat or lipid content. The medium chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found primarily in coconut oil and mother’s milk have miraculous healing power.” Outside of a human mother’s breast milk, coconut oil is nature’s most abundant source of lauric acid and medium chain fatty acids.

Scientific studies have reported that the fatty acids from MCTs in coconut oil are not easily converted into stored triglycerides, and that MCTs cannot be readily used by the body to make larger fat molecules. One animal feeding study evaluated body weight and fat storage for three different diets--low-fat diet, high-fat diet containing long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), and a high-fat diet containing MCTs.  All animals were fed the selected diets for a period of 44 days.  At the end of that time, the low-fat diet group had stored an average of 0.47 grams of fat per day; the LCT group stored 0.48 grams/day, while the MCT group deposited only 0.19 grams of fat per day, a 60% reduction in the amount of fat stored.  The authors conclude that "the change from a low-fat diet to a MCT-diet is attended by a decrease in the body weight gain.”

This study points out two important facts: 

• First, when MCTs are substituted for LCTs in the diet, the body is much less inclined to store fat. 
• Second, when we eat sensibly, a diet containing MCTs is more effective than a low-fat diet at decreasing stored fat.

In a human study, researchers compared the metabolic effects of 400-calorie meals of MCTs and LCTs by measuring metabolic rates prior to and six hours following the test meals.  The results showed that the MCT-containing meals caused an average 12 percent increase in basal metabolic rate as compared with a 4 percent increase with the LCT-containing meal.  The authors concluded that replacing dietary fats with MCTs could "over long periods of time produce weight loss even in the absence of reduced intake."

More informaton on Weight Loss

Coconut Oil: A-Healthy Choice for the Thyroid

Coconut oil is a saturated fat made up primarily of medium chain fatty acids. Also known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), medium chain fatty acids are known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss.  Coconut oil can also raise basal body temperatures while increasing metabolism. This is good news for people who suffer with low thyroid function. 

 

Digestive Disorders

Patients suffering from Crohn's Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome reported relief after adding coconut oil into their diet.

 

Viruses:

Dr. Bruce Fife (author of the "Coconut Cures" book featured to the right - a valued reference book that I own) states that the coconut is one of the best natural defenses we have against the flu.

• Coconut oil possesses powerful antiviral properties that can kill viruses, including the flu virus.





 
•  
• Coconut oil is composed of a special group of fats known as medium-chain triglycerides. Our bodies convert these fats into medium-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides both of which have been shown to be effective in killing lipid coated viruses.





 
•  
• Coconut oil also helps boost the immune system enabling the body to fight off infections more efficiently.





 
•  
• By consuming a couple of spoonfuls of coconut oil daily you can develop an immunity of sorts to the flu. This is a safe and economical means to protect yourself from viruses. (Ref.: http://www.news.vu)

 

AIDS/HIV

Initial trials have confirmed that coconut oil does have an anti-viral effect and can beneficially reduce the viral load of HIV patients", University of the Philippines' Emeritus professor of pharmocology Dr. Conrato S. Dayrit said.

A minimum of 50 ml of coconut oil would contain 20 to 25 grams of lauric acid, which indicates that the oil is metabolized in the body to release monolaurin which is an antibiotic and an anti-viral agent. Among the saturated fatty acids, lauric acid has the maximum anti-viral activity, he said. Based on this research, the first clinical trial using monolaurin as monotherapy on some of the HIV patients was conducted recently. Dr. Dayrit's conclusions after the study: "This initial trial confirmed the anecdotal reports that coconut oil does have an anti-viral effect and can beneficially reduce the viral load of HIV patients. The positive anti-viral action was seen not only with the monoglyceride of lauric acid but with coconut oil itself. This indicates that coconut oil is metabolized to monoglyceride forms of C-8, C-10, C- 12 to which it must owe its anti-pathogenic activity."

On July 19, 1995, Dr. Mary Enig, noted biochemist and nutritionist, was quoted in an article published in The HINDU, India's National Newspaper as stating that coconut oil is converted by the body into "Monolaurin" a fatty acid with anti-viral properties that might be useful in the treatment of AIDS. The staff reporter for The HINDU wrote about Enig's presentation at a press conference in Kochi and wrote the following:

"There was an instance in the US in which an infant tested HIV positive had become HIV negative. That it was fed with an infant formula with a high coconut oil content gains significance in this context and at present an effort was on to find out how the 'viral load' of an HIV infected baby came down when fed a diet that helped in the generation of Monolaurin in the body."

 

Cholesterol:

New research suggests that virgin coconut oil may actually reduce harmful LDL cholesterol levels, despite its high saturated fat content.

 

Personal Care:

Hair Care:

The secret of many renowned hair dressers is coconut oil, and it is used in many commercial products -- however, the ingredients are likely to be inferior to the organic, expeller-expressed, extra virgin coconut oil that you can get at better health stores or online. However, Noel made this recommendation:

CHEAP COCONUT OIL SOURCES
Noel from Georgetown, Texas writes: "If you're on a budget (aren't we all) I have found a TWO POUND tub of Coconut Oil at WAL-MART for $2.82. The brand is LouAnn and it is in the aisle with baking supplies and oils. No need to buy that expensive stuff at the health food store."

The richness and highly moisturizing properties of coconut oil are said to promote shine, keep hair from turning gray and, believe it or not, are said to help sparse hair grow thicker and fuller - especially if a few drops of Rosemary Essential Oil are added, which increased blood flow in the scalp. The oil also helps repair damaged hair, offering essential proteins to strengthen and nourish it.

A hot coconut oil scalp massage once a week is rumored to be the secret of the luxurious hair of Indian women. Follow these steps to do your own treatment at home:

1. Heat coconut oil in a pan on the stove. DO NOT MICROWAVE.
2. Massage scalp.
3. Distribute oil throughout hair.
4. Place a clean towel over your pillow and leave oil on over night.
5. Rinse out in the morning.
6. Enjoy your lustrous look.

Dandruff

Lip Balm:

For a lip balm, use coconut butter on its own, or add peppermint or spearmint oil (organic Essential oils)

Dottie provided the following formulation: "1/3 Oil (i.e., Almond), 1/3 Beeswax, 1/3 Butter or Coconut Oil. You can desolve Stevia in the Coconut Oil for a "sweet taste". Do make sure that the Stevia is dissolved before adding it though, or you will get a 'grainy feeling'." My own tip: add a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil for a nice taste.

---

 

GreenAndHealthy.Info strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!!