COCONUT OILOffering a myriad of health benefits, coconut oil is affordable, readily available and completely natural.
Coconut Oil Is:
The Coconut Oil Miracle:
Where is the Evidence? Christine Tomlinson, MD, director of the National Candida Society, in the UK believes in the antibacterial properties of coconut oil, and advises candida sufferers (those with a yeast overgrowth) to include it in their diet. Mary Newport, MD, director of the neonatology unit at Spring Hill Regional Hospital in Florida, is a firm believer in the power of coconut for the treatment of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. She should, her husband suffered with Alzheimer’s for five years before she discovered coconut oil. With the aid of coconut oil he’s making a remarkable comeback. Others claim that it can help with diabetes, cancer, kidney and liver function, vitamin and mineral absorption, digestive problems, immune function, and weight loss. From all the glowing reports coconut oil appears to be a super food with a multitude of nutritional and medicinal uses. In recent years coconut oil has shot to superstardom in the world of health foods. Celebrities area using it, nutritionists are recommending it, and patients are extolling its many virtues. Yet, despite the growing popularity, some people are skeptical. How could one thing have so many health benefits? It sounds too good to be true. In addition, many doctors, dieticians, and other health care professionals have been reluctant to accept coconut oil as a health food. Coconut oil contains a high percentage of saturated fat. Saturated fats have been condemned for so many years, that they find it hard to change their opinions even when faced with evidence to the contrary. The objection they state is always the same: there is not enough evidence to prove that coconut oil is harmless or that it has any health benefits. “If it has any health benefits,” they bellow, “show me the evidence!” They demand peer-reviewed studies published in respected medical journals. By crying “show me the evidence” they are implying that there is little evidence and that there are no such studies available. In recent years doctors and editors of health journals are frequently being asked about coconut oil. Most don’t know anything about it and consider it just another passing fad. Their answers reflect this view. A letter sent to the editors of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association asks: “Is there science to support claims for coconut oil?” The editor’s reply begins by inferring that all the so-called health claims come from websites selling coconut oil and then states, “According to these sources, the health benefits of coconut oil help to prevent or mitigate a wide range of medical conditions. However…there is insufficient evidence to support the claims.”1 A similar question was posed to bestselling author Andrew Weil, MD. “We don’t have any evidence suggesting that coconut oil is better for you than other saturated fats,” he states on his website. “The benefits of coconut oil in the diet, if any, are likely to be minimal, and until we havemore and better evidence about coconut oil's effect…I do not recommend using it.2 Readers of Dr. John McDougall’s newsletter asked him the same question. “Coconut oil is the newest miracle food promoted on the Internet and at health food stores for rejuvenation and cure of ‘whatever ails you,’” responds Dr. McDougall. “Advocates of coconut oil claim this sensational food has anti-microbial, anti-heart disease, anti-cancer, and anti-obesity benefits. Furthermore, this fat is sold as a cure for low thyroid function (hypothyroidism). This is a huge turnaround for a substance that has traditionally been thought of as an artery-clogging saturated fat. Testimonials provide most of the evidence for the miraculous effects these oils have on people, rather than well thought out and carefully designed experiments [italics mine]. Thus, most of these claims are based on a little truth overblown into a sales pitch for sellers of coconut oil.”3 The answers are all the same; the health claims are attributed to people selling coconut oil and that there is little or no evidence to back up their claims. Obviously, these doctors did not bother to take the time to research the question but simply gave their uneducated, biased opinions. That’s the problem with those who refuse to acknowledge new advances in science and medicine. They don’t take the time to find out and belittle those who have. Celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz, MD, wrote an article a couple of years ago lambasting coconut oil in the same vein as those above. However, recently Dr. Oz reversed his stance and acknowledged that coconut oil is a healthy food and admitted that he himself now takes it every day. He even included several segments of his TV show to the benefits of coconut oil. (You can view them at http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/coconut-oil-super-powers-pt-1) If these other doctors were open minded enough and had taken the time to do just a little investigation, like Dr. Oz, they would have seen the overwhelming evidence and become believers too. "Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth." -Bruce Fife, N.D. "Coconut oil is the healthiest oil you can use. "-Joseph Mercola, D.O. Coconut oil is the world's only natural low-calorie fat. Why has coconut oil had a bad reputation in the past? It's not what you might think. The reason has nothing to do with science or with health. “Show me the evidence.” That’s the universal battle cry of the critics. Is there sufficient evidence to justify the safety and value of coconut oil? There is actually plenty of evidence, if you know where to look. On the Internet there is a website sponsored by U.S. National Institutes of Health called PubMed (www.pubmed.gov). This is a research tool that indexes nearly 6,000 medical and biological journals published around the word. If you key in the word “coconut oil” you get a listing of all the studies in the database that involve coconut oil. Currently there are 1,315 studies listed. Over thirteen hundred studies, that’s a lot of evidence! New studies are continually being added. We can say to the critics are these enough studies? They would probably say “no, we want more studies.” OK, well you can find additional studies by looking up similar search terms like “virgin coconut oil,” “medium chain fatty acids,” “medium chain triglycerides,” “lauric acid,” “capric acid,” “caprylic acid,” and so forth. When you have done that, you will get a listing of over 17,000 studies! How’s that for evidence! This would blow their minds. Some of these studies, however, will be listed twice. So if we take into account some duplication, that still leaves about 10,000 studies on coconut oil. Ten thousand studies should be enough to convince any skeptic, especially when you consider that the FDA grants approval to new drugs if only two positive studies are published. The arthritis drug Vioxx, had only four published studies before it was approved. When new drugs are approved for distribution to the public, why don't doctors stand up and scream for more evidence? When Vioxx, Baycol, and Darvon were approved why didn't the medical community rise up in protest asking for more evidence for their efficiency and safety? They should have, since each of these drugs were later taken off the market because they were crippling and killing people When the Alzheimer’s drug, Apricept, was approved by the FDA in 1996 there were less than 10 studies available, not all of them positive. The effects of the drug have been less than impressive. A few of the studies suggested that some patients may benefit from taking the drug, while others failed to show any benefit. In general, less than half of those taking the drug demonstrate any benefit. When improvement does occur, it lasts only a few months and is not great enough to have any worthwhile effect on the patient’s symptoms or day-to-day functioning. The results have been generally disappointing, nevertheless, the drug was approved and is currently the most wildly used treatment for Alzheimer’s. What price does the patient pay for the possibility of a few months of minor improvement? The price can be measured in terms of the adverse reactions from taking the drug, which may include any number of the following: diarrhea, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, vomiting, weight loss, seizures, and death. Is it worth it? While the benefits are only expected to last a few months, patients often continue the drug for years. Where are the voices calling for more studies on Apricept? Where are the voices challenging its safety? Is it because it is a chemical created in a laboratory that gives it acceptance among the medical community, while coconut oil being a product of nature is looked upon with suspicion? Coconut oil has caused no deaths or harm of any type. It’s been used safely for thousands of years. There is no risk in using it. Thousands of studies have proven its therapeutic worth and tens of thousands satisfied users can attest to its health promoting properties. Coconut oil has proven to be far more effective at treating Alzheimer’s than Apricept.4 Yet, critics still call for more studies on coconut oil. Admittedly, not all of the 10,000 studies involving coconut oil are of equal value, some provide little or no useful information. However, the same is true for drug studies as well, not all of them are useful either. Nevertheless, there are ample studies on coconut oil to clearly demonstrate its many nutritional and medicinal properties. Let’s take a brief look at the evidence behind the modern medical uses for coconut oil. The basic chemistry of coconut oil was figured out back in the 1920s and 1930s. Back then it was discovered that coconut oil was distinctly different from other fats and oils. Coconut oil was found to be composed predominately of a unique family of fats called Death and Injury Caused by Drugs* VS Coconut Oil (US) Deaths/Year from Prescription Drugs** — 106,000 Deaths/Year from Coconut Oil — 0 Serious Injuries/Year from Prescription Drugs** — 2 million Serious Injuries/Year fromCoconut Oil — 0 *These figures are for prescription drugs only. They do not include over-the counter or street drugs. Over-the-counter drugs also cause many deaths. Every year, more than 15,000 people die in North America from ordinary aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). **These drugs have all been through the peer review process and have been evaluated and approved by the FDA. The number of studies that have involved coconut oil is far greater than the vast majority of prescription drugs currently on the market. Coconut oil has a long history of safe and effective use. It is ridiculous for people to cry out for more studies on the safety and effectiveness of coconut oil yet say nothing about investigating the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, which have the potential to do great harm as evidenced in the data above. Source:http://commonground.ca/2012/01/prescription-drug-deaths/ medium chain fatty acids. In coconut oil these fatty acids are in the form of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). In the 1930s and 1940s. It was discovered that when coconut oil was added into the diet it improved the absorption of various nutrients. For example, W.D. Salmon and J.G. Goodman at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) studied the effects of vitamin B-1 deficiency in animals given different types of fats. Vitamin B-1 deficiency leads to a fatal disease called beriberi. The fats and oils evaluated included olive oil, butter, beef fat, linseed oil (flaxseed), cottonseed oil, and other oils. When rats were given a vitamin B deficient diet, coconut oil was by far the most efficient in preventing the disease and extending lifespan. In fact, those receiving coconut oil actually gained weight, indicating continued growth even though the diet was nutritionally poor.5 None of the tested oils, including coconut oil, contains vitamin B-1. However, coconut oil makes what little of the vitamin that is in the diet more biologically available, thus preventing the deficiency disease. A number of studies over the years have found similar effects. Coconut oil improves the absorption of not only the B vitamins but also vitamins A, D, E, K, beta-carotene, CoQ10, and other fat soluble nutrients, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and some amino acids—the building block for protein.6 (Please note that for readability only a very few references will be included in this article. If all available references were listed, this article would swell to well over 30 pages in length.) The fact that coconut oil improved absorption of a wide variety of nutrients led researchers to investigate its use in treating malnutrition and malabsorption syndrome in children and infants. Eventually it was included in hospital feeding formulas for the sick and in infant formulas, especially for premature and low birth weight babies. When compared to other dietary fats, coconut oil produced faster growth, weight gain, and improved nutritional status.7 Coconut oil became a standard ingredient in all commercial infant formulas and still is today. Coconut oil or MCTs are also still used in hospital IV and feeding formulas to treat sick patients of all ages. Adding the oil reduces the patients’ recovery time and improves nutritional status.8 In the 1950s researchers began investigating the nutritional and medicinal uses for MCTs. Harvard researcher Vigen K. Babayan, PhD is credited with developing the process of distilling coconut oil down into pure MCT oil. He called the purified oil fractionated coconut oil or MCT oil.9 A great deal of research followed and it was soon evident that MCTs possessed unique biological properties with a number of important nutritional and medical applications. It was soon discovered that MCTs digest differently than other fats. When swallowed, most fats travel down the esophagus (throat), through the stomach, and into the small intestine where they are broken down by digestive enzymes and bile into individual fatty acids (long chain fatty acids). These fatty acids are then absorbed into the intestinal wall where they are repackaged into bundles of fat, cholesterol, and protein called lipoproteins. These lipoproteins pass into the bloodstream. As they circulate in the bloodstream they release little particles of fat and cholesterol that are utilized by the cells or stored as body fat. The process is completely different with MCTs. When MCTs are consumed, they digest very rapidly and begin breaking down immediately. When they pass from the stomach into the small intestine, they are already completely separated into individual fatty acids (medium chain fatty acids) and, therefore, do not need pancreatic digestive enzymes or bile for digestion, thus relieving stress on the digestive system. Since they are already in the form of fatty acids when they enter the small intestine they are immediately absorbed into the portal vein and sent directly to the liver. In the liver they are metabolized into energy.10 The difference in the way MCTs are digested is very important because it provides a means to treat a number of medical conditions. Extensive research and clinical work in the 1960s and 1970s led to the use of MCTs for the treatment of a variety of malabsorption syndromes including obstructive jaundice11, cystic fibrosis12, tropical sprue13, a-beta-lipoprotenaemia14, intestinal lymphangiectasia15, pancreatic insufficiency16, and to speed recovery after intestinal surgery17. Because of the unique way in which MCTs are digested and metabolized they produce an increase in energy and boost metabolism. For this reason, MCTs are used by athletes to improve performance. MCTs or coconut oil are commonly found in commercially produced energy bars and sports drinks marketed to people with active lifestyles. This metabolic boosting effect diminishes fat deposition. This led researchers in the 1980s to begin investigating the use of MCTs as a means for weight management.18 Researchers from McGill University in Quebec, Canada and elsewhere are now recommending the use of MCTs as a means to treat obesity.19 In the 1960s Jon J. Kabara, PhD, a professor of pharmacology at Michigan State University, discovered that MCTs possess potent antimicrobial properties. In his search for a safe means to protect foods from fungal and bacterial contamination he found that MCTs fit the bill. Over the years he and other researchers found that MCTs can kill a wide variety of disease-causing bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.20 MCTs were not only useful in preserving foods, but could be used topically and internally as antimicrobial agents to prevent and fight off infectious disease. Many common disease-causing microbes as well as potentially deadly ones like HIV and drug-resistant bacteria are vulnerable to MCTs.21-22 This aspect of MCTs is extensively researched. There are literally hundreds of studies on this topic and even entire books describing the antimicrobial effects of MCTs. Because coconut oil is composed predominately MCTs, it possesses the same antimicrobial power, as evidenced in many clinical and laboratory studies.23 In the 1970s it was discovered that while the liver burns some MCTs immediately to produce energy, others are converted into ketones. Ketones are a super potent form of energy that are used specifically by the brain, but can be used by all the tissues in the body except the liver. Ketones not only provide a high quality source of energy for the brain but trigger the activation of special proteins that function in brain cell maintenance, repair, and growth, thus providing a therapeutic effect on the brain. Since the 1970s MCTs have been used in ketogenic diets to treat epilepsy. Today modified ketogenic diets, using MCTs, are the standard dietary treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy.24 Besides epilepsy, ketones have been successfully used to treat a number of other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, ALS, stroke, narcolepsy, brain trauma, and brain cancer. The consumption of coconut oil can increase blood ketone levels to therapeutic levels that can successfully treat all of these conditions. Many patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are currently being treated with coconut oil and are achieving far better results than the medications currently approved for these conditions. Studies show that MCTs can effectively mitigate the effects of Alzheimer’s and a dietary supplement designed for this purpose was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. Coconut oil is known to aid those with diabetes by balancing blood sugar levels. MCTs improve insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, thus reversing the underlying cause of diabetes.25 Coconut oil has very potent anti-cancer properties. When cancer is chemically induced in lab animals the addition of coconut oil into their diets can completely negate the carcinogenic effects of the chemicals.26 Coconut oil can prevent and even reverse liver disease caused by a variety of toxic agents such as alcohol, bacteria, drugs, and chemicals.27 It does the same for other organs in the body such as the intestines, colon, kidneys, and pancreas.28-30 Even heart health is improved with the use of coconut oil. While much criticism has been cast on coconut oil because of its saturated fat content, the evidence supports its heart friendly nature. MCTs are readily used by the heart as fuel. In fact, it uses MCTs in preference to glucose or polyunsaturated fatty acids as a source of energy. Ketones, as well, which are produced from MCTs act as a superfuel for the heart, increasing oxygen delivery by 39 percent and heart function by 28 percent. In fact, researchers at University François Rabelais in France are now recommending the use of MCTs for the treatment of heart diseases. They have shown that the diseased heart is energy deficient and by improving oxygen and fuel delivery, heart function and survival is dramatically improved.31 The fact that that coconut oil is not harmful to the heart and may even be therapeutic is substantiated by numerous studies on coconut eating populations where heart disease rates are among the lowest in the world.32 Many other degenerative diseases are also much lower in these populations such as cancer, diabetes, colitis, liver disease, gallbladder disease, and dementia. Could it be due to the coconut in their diets? Coconut oil has the potential to aid in the protection and treatment of a number of health problems due to its documented antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, antimutagenic, analgesic, and antipyretic activities.33-34 Scientists and pharmaceutical companies have recognized the importance of MCTs and have filed numerous patents for their therapeutic use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, dental caries, periodontal disease, skin diseases, and various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Apparently the researchers at these companies feel there is ample scientific evidence to invest their time and money in procuring the legal rights to use them therapeutically. The health benefits of MCTs are so well documented that the critics cannot argue against their nutritional and medicinal value or safety. However, some will argue that many of the studies were done using fractionated coconut oil or MCT oil, not coconut oil, and therefore, are not representative of the effects of coconut oil. This argument is just a smokescreen to justify the demand for “more evidence.” Since coconut oil is predominately a medium chain triglyceride oil (63%), “the biological effects of coconut oil are a consequence of the presence of these acids,” says Hans Kaunitz, MD, professor of pathology at Columbia University Medical School and long time MCT researcher.35Because coconut oil is composed predominately of MCTs, it influence on the body is characterized by theses fatty acids. While critics may question if coconut oil has the same therapeutic effects as MCT oil, they will acknowledge that soybean oil is characterized by linoleic acid because it contains 51 percent of this polyunsaturated fatty acid, or that olive oil is a monounsaturated oil because it is 77 percent oleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid), or that fish oil (salmon oil in this case) is characterized by omega-3s because it contains 38 percent omega-3 fatty acids, yet it also contains saturated fat (22 percent) and cholesterol (485 mg/100g). Likewise, soybean oil and olive oil also contain saturated fats, so they are not pure either, but their character is defined by their predominate fatty acids and their saturated fat content is ignored as inconsequential. Conclusion: coconut oil is an MCT oil and its effects on the body are characterized by these fatty acids. This has been observed time and time again in studies and in clinical settings. Some of the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of coconut oil come from the saturated fats in the oil, such as its resistance to oxidation, long shelf life, and superior cooking properties. Some come from MCTs such as the antimicrobial effects and its unique mode of digestion and nutrient delivery. However, most of its medicinal benefits undoubtedly come from the ketones produced from the MCTs. The protective effects on the heart, brain, kidneys, colon, pancreas, and other organs, its metabolic boosting and energizing effects, and its anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-Alzheimer’s and other effects come principally from ketones. If you do a search on PubMed for ketones, as they relate to MCTs and diet, you will find about 25,000 studies. Combining these studies with the 10,000 on coconut oil and MCTs, we have a total of over 35,000 studies describing the effects of coconut oil on health. Is that enough evidence? There is far more evidence demonstrating the safety and efficiency of coconut oil than there are for most FDA approved drugs. Of course, additional studies are welcomed and encouraged, but to state that there is little or no evidence demonstrating the safety and value of coconut oil is simply not true. Coconut oil has been used successfully in traditional medicine for thousands of years, and in western medicine for at least 60 years with no adverse effects. It’s been granted GRAS (i.e. generally recognized as safe) status by the FDA. Regardless of the number of studies available, the real test for the value of coconut oil is how it affects people’s lives. Coconut oil is helping thousands of people with various health problems. Here is a typical example. “I was once diagnosed with lupus, lichen planus (lost all 20 nails), ADD, depression, COPD, allergies, atherosclerosis with chest pain, metabolic syndrome, rapidly progressing to full blown diabetes, high CRP, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia,” says Peggy M. “I was living on inhalers, antibiotics, prednisone, antidepressants, sleeping pills, allergy meds and more…I began to try alternative things. I am sooooo thankful to say, I have been using organic coconut oil for several years…My thyroid meds continue to be decreased, and I no longer have to take any allergy meds besides shots. I’m afraid to quit them. My breathing problems are totally gone. I have healthy nails, no fibromyalgia, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes.” You can access similar stories here. While testimonies like this may not provide “scientific” proof, tens of thousands of people can attest that coconut oil has changed their lives for the better. Medications may give good results in laboratory settings, yet in real life prove disastrous (i.e. Vioxx). Coconut oil has proven its worth in real life. Whenever someone says, “Show me the evidence,” give him a copy of this article and say “here is the evidence check it out if you want to learn the truth.” If they demand more evidence, refer them to books such as Coconut Cures or Stop Alzheimer’s Now. Every health claim made in regard to coconut is backed up by published research and historical facts. Each book includes hundreds of references to medical studies. You can also send them to www.coconutresearchcenter.org and have them look under the heading “Medical Studies” to access a 25 page listing of some of the 10,000 studies on coconut oil.■ References 1. Cunningham, E. Is there science to support claims for coconut oil? J Am Diet Assoc 2001;111:786. 2. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA316479 3. McDougall, J. The newest food-cure: coconut oil for health and vitality. The McDougall Newsletter2006;5:5. 4. Newport, M. Case study: dietary intervention using coconut oil to produce mild ketosis in a 58 year old APOE4+ male with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. 25th International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), March 10-13, 2010, Greece. 5. Salmon, W.D. and Goodman, J.G. Alleviation of vitamin B deficiency in the rat by certain natural fats and synthetic esters. Journal of Nutrition 1936;13:477-500. 6. Tantibhedhyangkul, P. and Hashim, S.A. Medium-chain triglyceride feeding in premature infants: effects on calcium and magnesium absorption. Pediatrics 1987;61:537-545. 7. Vaidya, U.V., et al. Vegetable oils fortified feeds in the nutrition of very low birthweight babies. Indian Pediatr 1992;29:1519-1527. 8. Wang, X, et al. Enteral nutrition improves clinical outcome and shortens hospital stay after cancer surgery. J Invest Surg 2010;23:309-313. 9. Kaunitz. H., et al. Nutritional properties of the triglycerides of medium chain-length. J Am Oil Chem Soc 1958;35:10-13. 10. Kiyasu, J.Y., et al. The portal transport of absorbed fatty acids. J Biol Chem 1952;199:415-419. 11. Burke, V. and Danks, D.M. Medium-chain triglyceride diet: its use in treatment of liver disease. Brit Med J 1966;2:1050-1051. 12. Kuo, P.T. and Huang, N.N. The effect of medium chain triglyceride upon fat absorption and plasma lipid and depot fat of children with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas. J Clin Invest 1965;44:1924-1933. 13. Cancio, M. and Menendez-Corrrada, R. Absorption of medium chain triglycerides in tropical sprue. Proc Soc Exp Biol (NY) 1964;117:182-185. 14. Isselbacher, K.J., et al. Congenital beta-lipoprotein deficiency: an hereditary disorder involving a defect in the absorption and transport of lipids. Medicine (Baltimore) 1964;43:347-361. 15. Holt, P.R. Dietary treatment of protein loss in intestinal lymphangiectasia. Pediatrics 1964;34:629-635. 16. Greenberger, N.J., et al. Use of medium chain triglycerides in malabsorption. Ann Internal Med 1967;66:727-734. 17. Zurier, R.B., et al. Use of medium-chain triglyceride in management of patients with massive resection of the small intestine. New Engl J Med 1966;274:490-493. 18. Baba, N., et al. Enhanced thermogenesis and diminished deposition of fat in response to overfeeding with diets containing medium chain triglycerides. Am J Clin Nutr 1982;35:678-682. 19. St-Onge, M.P. and Jones, P.J. Physiological effects of medium-chain triglycerides: potential agents in the prevention of obesity. J Nutr 2002;132:329-332. 20. Kabara, J.J., et al. Fatty acids and derivatives as antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1972;2:23-28. 21. Hilmarsson, H., et al. Virucidal effect of lipids on visna virus, a lentivirus related to HIV. Arch Virol2006;151:1217-1224. 22. Kitahara, T., et al. Antimicrobial activity of saturated fatty acids and fatty amines against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 2004;27:1321-1326. 23. Ogbolu, D.O., et al. In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria. J Med Food 2007;10:384-387. 24. Neal, E.G., et al. A randomized trial of classical and medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diets in the treatment of childhood epilepsy. Epilepsia 2009;50:1109-1117. 25. Eckel, R.H., et al. Dietary substitution of medium-chain triglycerides improves insulin-mediated glucose metabolism in NIDDM subjects. Diabetes 1992;41:641-647. 26. Kono, H., et al. Dietary medium-chain triglycerides prevent chemically induced experimental colitis in rats. Transl Res 2010;155:131-141. 27. Zakaria, A.A., et al. Hepatoprotective activity of dried- and fermented-processed virgin coconut oil.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2011;2011:142739. 28. Monserrat, A.J., et al. Protective effect of coconut oil on renal necrosis occurring in rats fed a methyl-deficient diet. Ren Fail 1995;17:525-537. 29. Mizushima, T., et al. Prevention of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis during pregnancy with medium-chain triglyceride nutritional support. Int J Pancreatol 1998;23:187-192. 30. Kono, H., et al. Medium-chain triglycerides enhance secretory IgA expression in rat intestine after administration of endotoxin. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2004;286:G1081-G1089. 31. Labarthe, F., et al. Medium-chain fatty acids as metabolic therapy in cardiac disease. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2008;22:97-106. 32. Prior, I.A., et al. Cholesterol, coconuts, and diet of Polynesian atolls: a natural experiment: the Pukapuka and Tokelau island studies. Am J Clin Nutr 1981;34:1552-1561. 33. Zakaria, A.A., et al. In vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of dried and fermented processed virgin coconut oil. Med Princ Pract 2011;20:231-236. 34. Intahphuak, S., et al. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil.Pharm Biol 2010;48:151-157. 35. Kaunitz, H. Nutritional properties of coconut oil. J Am Oil Chem Soc 1970;47:462A-466A. |
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Type of Coconut Oil to Use:
Coconut Oil for Personal Hygiene/Body 1. Age Spots (also known as liver spots) – applying coconut oil directly to the age spot will help it fade. 2. After Shave – coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores. Great for razor burn! 3. Baldness – apply three times a day to affected area of hair loss. Coconut oil supports cell regeneration. 4. Birth Marks – can be used after a laser removal treatment to aid in healing. Can also be applied after an apple cider vinegar treatment to help support and aid the fading process. 5. Body Scrub – mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell. 6. Bruises – applied directly to the bruise, coconut oil enhances the healing process by reducing swelling and redness. 7. Bug Bites – when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process. 8. Burns – apply to burn site immediately and continue applying until healed. Will reduce the chances of permanent scarring and promotes healing. 9. Chapstick – just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection! 10. Cradle Cap – having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily. 11. Dandruff – coconut oil soaks into the scalp moisturizing dry skin and relieves symptoms of dandruff. It also helps to control oil secretion from the scalp, another leading cause of dandruff. 12. Deodorant – coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda! 13. Diaper Salve – very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers. 14. Exfoliator – coconut oil mixed with sugar or sea salt is a very nourishing and effective exfoliator and safe to use all over the body. 15. Eye cream – apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening. 16. Face Wash/ Soap – mix equal parts coconut oil with olive oil, almond oil, avocado oil and castor oil and use in place of soap when washing your face. Wet face, rub oil in and leave on for two minutes, rinse and pat dry. One teaspoon should be adequate. 17. Hair conditioner/ Deep Treatment – use as a leave-in hair conditioner by applying a teaspoon of coconut oil to your ends and then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest! For a deeper treatment, rub in a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your dry scalp and gently work through to the ends. Put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bed linens and leave on overnight. 18. Hair Gel/ Defrizzer – rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair). 19. Healing - when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy. 20. Lubricant – it is an all-natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant. Not compatible with latex! 21. Makeup Remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works! 22. Massage Oil – pretty simple; grab some and rub! 23. Moisturizer – simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face. 24. Mole Remover – when applied after an apple cider vinegar compress for several weeks, moles have been known to “slide off” or just disappear. 25. Nipple Cream – works great to nourish cracked, sore or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton ball and leave on your nipples between feedings. 26. Oily Skin Fix – prone to oily skin or an oily T-zone? Use a pea sized amount underneath makeup or alone to reduce the appearance of oil. 27. Pre Shampoo Treatment for Hair – rub a little into scalp and hair before shampooing. This is especially useful for those with course or frizzy hair. 28. Pre-Shave – coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving. 29. Skin Problems – coconut oil relieves skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. 30. Stretch Mark Cream – coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help. 31. Sun Burn Relief – rub liberal amounts of coconut oil into the affected area. 32. Sunscreen – see my post on natural sunscreen for more detailed information. 33. Swimmers Ear – mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days. 34. Tattoo Healing and Moisturizer – continued use of coconut oil on tattoos will help keep the pigment from fading. Used on new tattoos, coconut will hasten the healing process and decrease the chance of infection. 35. Toothpaste – there are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush. 36. Wrinkle Prevention and Wrinkle Reducer – rubbing coconut oil on winkles and sagging skin helps strengthen the connective tissues to bring back that youthful look! Coconut Oil for General Health and Wellness 37. Breastfeeding – for breastfeeding moms, consuming 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich the milk supply. 38. Bones and Teeth – coconut oil aids in the absorption of calcium and magnesium leading to better development of bones and teeth. 39. Digestion - the saturated fats in coconut oil help control parasites and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around. 40. Energy Boost – coconut oil boosts energy and endurance making it a great supplement for athletes as well as those needed a quick pick me up. 41. Fitness - coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat while increasing muscle. 42. Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose making it great for both diabetics and non-diabetic. 43. Lung Function – increases the fluidity of cell surfaces. 44. Nausea – rub some coconut oil on the inside for the wrist and forearm to calm an upset stomach. 45. Nose bleeds – coconut oil can prevent nose bleeding that is caused by sensitivity to weather such as extreme heat and extreme cold. This condition happens when the nasal passages become dry because of cold or dry air resulting to burns and cracks in the mucus membranes so bleeding happens. To prevent this just put coconut oil in you nostrils. Coat your finger with coconut oil and then lie down and coat your finger inside your nose. Doing this will strengthen and protect the capillaries in the nasal passages. A Vitamin C supplement will also help prevent nose bleeding. 46. Oil pulling with coconut oil offers a two for one health benefit! 47. Stress Relief – relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level. 48. Vitamin and nutrient absorption 49. Weight loss - the saturated fats contribute to weight loss and controlling cravings. Also increases metabolic rate. Coconut Oil for Health Problems (when taken internally it is known for aiding, preventing, relieving or even curing these health issues) 50. Acid reflux/indigestion aid if taken after a meal 51. Adrenal fatigue 52. Allergies (seasonal hay fever) 53. Alzheimer’s/Dementia 54. Asthma, even in children 55. Autism 56. Bowel function 57. Bronchial Infections 58. Cancer (has been shown to prevent colon and breast cancer in laboratory tests) 59. Candida Albicans 60. Cholesterol – improves HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) to LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) ratio in people with high cholesterol 61. Chronic Fatigue 62. Crohns Disease and resulting inflammation 63. Circulation/feeling cold all the time 64. Colds and Flus 65. Constipation 66. Cystic Fibrosis 67. Depression 68. Diabetes – helps keep blood sugar levels stable and/or helps with cravings 69. Dysentery 70. Eczema – in addition to taking it internally, many have success applying it externally, but some don’t 71. Edema 72. Energy boost 73. Epilepsy (known to reduce epileptic seizures) 74. Fever Support 75. Flaky, Dry Skin 76. Gallbladder disease and pain 77. Gas 78. H. pylori 79. Head Lice 80. Heart Disease (protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis) 81. Hemorrhoids (can applied externally or internally twice a day) 82. HIV 83. Hot Flashes 84. Hyperthyroidism 85. Immune System Builder 86. Irritable Bowel Syndrome 87. Jaundice 88. Kidney Disease 89. Kidney Stones (aids in dissolving them) 90. Liver Disease 91. Lung Disease 92. Malnutrition 93. Mental Clarity 94. Menstruation Relief regarding pain/cramps and heavy blood flow 95. Migraines (with regular use) 96. Mononucleosis 97. Osteoporosis 98. Pancreatitis 99. Parasites 100. Periodontal Disease and tooth decay 101. Prostate Enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) 102. Rickets 103. Skin problems 104. Scurvy 105. Stomach Ulcers 106. Toenail fungus 107. Thrush 108. Thyroid Function (regulates an overactive or underactive thyroid) 109. Ulcerative Colitis 110. Underactive thyroid gland – results have shown subsequent thyroid blood tests becoming normal after ingesting coconut oil daily 111. Urinary Tract Infections (Bladder Infections) Coconut Oil and Health Problems (when applied topically it is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing these health issues) 112. Acne 113. Allergies/Hay Fever – rub a little inside the nostrils for quick relief. The pollen will cling to the oil. 114. Athletes foot 115. Back pain/sore muscles 116. Boils and cysts 117. Canker sores 118. Cellulite 119. Circumcision healing – although I am personally against circumcision, I have read that coconut oil is a really great healer for this. 120. Decongestant – rub coconut oil on the chest and under the nose when congested from a cold or allergies 121. Ear infection – place a few drops inside the ear twice daily for relief from pain. Also fights the infection itself. 122. Genital Warts (through topical application over 6 weeks, and coconut oil enemas twice a day depending on the location of the warts) 123. Gum Disease and Gingivitis (use as a toothpaste or rub directly on gums) 124.Herpes (applied topically and taken internally) 125.Hives (reduces the itch and swelling 126. Pink eye (applied around and in the eye) 127. Ringworm 128. Toothache 129. Warts Coconut Oil and Cooking 130. Butter Substitute – use 1 cup to 1 cup ratio when replacing butter in recipes with coconut oil. 131. Nutritional Supplement – melt and add to smoothies. 132. Replacement for butter/lard/Crisco/PAM in its solid form for greasing pans, pie crusts, etc. 133. Replacement for various oils in liquid form – baking, cooking, sautéing, etc. Coconut Oil and Pets/Animals Check with your veterinarian but the recommended dosage for animals is 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight twice daily. 134. Aids healing of digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel syndrome and colitis 135. Aids in arthritis or ligament problems 136. Aids in elimination of hairballs and coughing 137. Applied topically, promotes the healing of cuts, wounds, hot spots, dry skin and hair, bites and stings 138. Clears up skin conditions such as eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis, and itchy skin 139. Disinfects cuts and promotes wound healing 140. Great for dogs and cats for general wellness. Just add a teaspoon to their water bowl daily. 141. Helps prevent or control diabetes 142. Helps sedentary dogs feel energetic 143. Helps reduce weight, increases energy 144. Improves digestion and nutrient absorption 145. Makes coats become sleek and glossy, and deodorizes doggy odor 146. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have been shown to improve brain energy metabolism and decrease the amyloid protein buildup that results in brain lesions in older dogs. 147. Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections, including candida 148. Reduces allergic reactions and improves skin health 149. Reduces or eliminates bad breath in dogs 150. Regulates and balance insulin and promotes normal thyroid function Other Uses for Coconut Oil 151. Chewing Gum in Hair Remover – just rub some coconut oil over the stuck chewing gum, leave in for about 30 minutes, then roll the gum between your fingertip. Voila! It’s out! 152. Goo Gone – just mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda into a paste. Apply to the “sticky” area and let it set for a minute. Then scrub off with an old toothbrush or the scrubby side of a sponge. 153. Insect repellent – mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it all over exposed skin. Keeps insects off better than anything with DEET! Tons safer too. 154. Moisturizing and cleaning leather products 155. Oiling wood cutting boards and wood bowls 156. Polishing Bronze – all you have to do is rub a little oil into a cotton towel and then wipe down the statue. It cleans and helps deepen the color of your bronze. 157. Polish Furniture – coconut oil with a little bit of lemon juice to polish wood furniture. However, I recommend you test it first on a very small, unobtrusive part of your furniture to make sure it works the way you’d like. 158. Seasoning animal hide drums 159. Seasoning cookware 160. Soap making – coconut oil can be used as one of the fats in soap. Did I miss any? Do you use coconut oil for something not on my list? Please add it in the comments. I am always excited to find new ways to implement coconut oil! I have also written several other posts about coconut oil that you may be interested in reading. A few are listed here but please check my Coconut Health page regularly as I update that with my twice monthly posts related to coconut oil: • Coconut Oil Unleashed – Reader Questions Answered • Coconut Oil for Digestive Disorders |
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS – THE SILENT STALKER OF YOUR HEALTH FREEDOM NEVER HEARD OF CODEX? THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT CODEX AGENDA: Only low-potency, “me too” supplements available that will do nothing for your health All or most foods genetically-modified and no way to know Beneficial supplements unavailable or sold by prescription only All Coming to You in the Future, if Codex Has its Way
EDUCATE & EMPOWER YOURSELF ABOUT CODEX – PROTECT YOUR HEALTH AND THAT OF YOUR LOVED ONES WHAT IS CODEX? Codex Alimentarius is Latin for ‘Food Code.’ The Codex Alimentarius Commission, based in Rome, Italy, and created in 1963, is an international organization jointly run by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations. One of its 27 committees, the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Use (CCNFSDU) is responsible for Dietary Supplements and Special Foods. The CCNFSDU meets once yearly in Germany (its host country) and the National Health Federation is the only health-freedom group that is a Codexrecognized organization with the right to attend, submit documents, interact in real time with other Codex delegates, and speak out at these meetings. Codex’s published goals are to develop and adopt uniform food standards for its member countries and to promote the free and unhindered international flow of food goods, thereby eliminating trade barriers to food and providing food safety. HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE HEALTH OF U.K. & OTHER CITIZENS? Unfortunately, implementation of this goal has headed in the WRONG DIRECTION.WHY? Because, among other reasons: · The delegates to the committees are regulatory bureaucrats, largely out of touch with consumers and influenced by commercial interests adverse to true health. As a result, they are establishing unhealthy guidelines. · The U.K. delegate at Codex is no friend to health freedom, rarely speaks out at the meetings because he/she is subordinate to the European Commission representative, and generally is friendly to the controlling, antihealth-freedom position that Brussels has adopted. · The U.S. delegate – another bureaucrat but with the American Food and Drug Administration – is no friend of health freedom either. The U.S. FDA has announced its intention to harmonize U.S. food regulations to international standards, a position it also took in an October 11, 1995 Federal Register pronouncement. · In 1994, Codex began the process of establishing “guidelines” to govern international trade in food supplements. This will be used to exclude high-potency British, Canadian, and American supplements and move towards harmonization of the more-liberal U.K. and U.S. food regulatory regime with the harsh Napoleonic-law-oriented European regulatory model that only allows ridiculously low-potency and expensive supplements to be marketed. · Other Codex-harmonization issues concern food additives, GM (genetically-modified) foods, food labeling, infant formulas, risk assessment of food supplements, and other related issues. WHY IS THE U.K. CODEX DELEGATE NOT FIGHTING FOR YOUR HEALTH RIGHTS AT CODEX? In bed with the pharmaceutical industry for years, the U.K. FSA despises any reins on its arbitrary enforcement powers over food supplements. Unfortunately, as a cozy friend of the drug companies and with an anti-supplement mentality, the FSA has actedto suppress supplements in favor of drugs instead. The FSA knows that it is politically difficult, indeed impossible, to thwart EU Directives coming out of Brussels, so even if it had the inclination to do so, it takes the easier path of just accepting the EU Food Supplement Directive and the EU’s intention to mold Codex Alimentarius standards and guidelines after the EU Food Supplement Directive, which treats food supplements as toxic drugs. The FSA does not mind applying a drug-like toxicological model to natural, healthy foods and supplements. Using harsh and restrictive Codex guidelines and other international, anti-health harmonization rules and regulations is one way for the FSA to undermine liberal British food law that has, to this date, permitted natural health products to flourish in a way long absent from Continental Europe. The NHF has been monitoring Codex meetings since the mid-1990s and actually present at these meetings since 2000. Having recognized the threat early on, the NHF obtained official Codex-recognized status as an INGO (International non-governmental organization), which allows the NHF the right to speak out for health-freedom at these Codex meetings and against this UK/EU Codex agenda. No other health-freedom organization has such status, so the NHF is unique in this respect and the lone nongovernmental voice at Codex for health freedom. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP FIGHT FOR OUR HEALTH FREEDOMS? Be persistently vocal and contact your Members of Parliament to complain about the lack of representation by the FSA and U.K. representatives at Codex meetings. Remember, politicians do not see the light, they feel the heat. Write your clearlystated concerns, then call, e-mail, and also fax. Use every approach and do not flag. If you reside in their district, they will listen to you, as they want your vote and your money. Write letters to the editor, educate friends and co-workers. It must be a grass-roots effort to save our health freedoms as history has shown that we cannot expect politicians and bureaucrats to do it for us. To further educate yourself on Codex: Visit www.thenhf.com (Codex page) Go to our website for our Codex book, which unmasks the true Codex agenda in a reader-friendly form. Join the NHF and support our decade long struggle against the Codex threat. HELP THE NHF CONQUER THE CODEX GRIP DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE KNOW YOUR ENEMY AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FIGHT BACK ******************************* Join the NHF-UK by contacting [email protected] ******************************* P.O. Box 688, Monrovia, CA 91017 USA ~ +1 (626) 357-2181 ~ Fax +1 (626) 303-0642 Website: www.thenhf.com E-mail: [email protected]
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