Coconut oil

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Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century by Mary G. Enig, Ph.D., F.A.C.N.http://www.mercola.com/2001/jul/28/coconut_health.htm (Extract from the long article)Coconuts play a unique role in the diets of mankind because they are the sourceof important physiologically functional components. These physiologicallyfunctional components are found in the fat part of whole coconut, in the fatpart of desiccated coconut, and in the extracted coconut oil. Lauric acid, the major fatty acid from the fat of the coconut, has long beenrecognized for the unique properties that it lends to nonfood uses in the soapsand cosmetics industry. More recently, lauric acid has been recognized for itsunique properties in food use, which are related to its antiviral,antibacterial, and antiprotozoal functions. Now, capric acid, another of coconut's

fatty acids has been added to the listof coconut's antimicrobial components. These fatty acids are found in thelargest amounts only in traditional lauric fats, especially from coconut. Also,recently published research has shown that natural coconut fat in the diet leadsto a normalization of body lipids, protects against alcohol damage to the liver,and improves the immune system's anti-inflammatory response. Some of the viruses inactivated by these lipids are HIVmeaslesherpes simplex (HSV-1)vesicular stomatitis virusvisna viruscytomegalovirus (CMV) Coconut oil is good for the heart and also helps in combating obesity. It canhelp in fighting diabetes, chronic fatigue and many immune system disorders.Being composed of saturated fatty acids, coconut oil is far safer than oilscomposed of trans fatty acids. In a test coconut oil performed better then oliveoil, corn oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil

and sunflower oil as a cooking medium. --\-------------- Another good analysis can be found here: http://members.efn.org/~raypeat/coconut.rtf Raymond Peat, Ph.D. Brief Summary. Coconut oil is an effective antioxidant, both in direct and indirect manners.Food cooked in this medium does not spoil easily. The oil has anti-agingproperties and helps fight menopausal difficulties in women. It has a goodeffect on brain development as well as there is a salutory effect on the thyroidgland. Switching over from oils containing trans fatty acids to coconut oil hasmany benefits as one can avoid the dangers of trans fatty acids as well as enjoythe benefits of coconut oil. Various fractions of coconut oil are coming into use as "drugs," meaning thatthey are advertised

as treatments for diseases. Butyric acid is used to treatcancer, lauric and myristic acids to treat virus infections, and mixtures ofmedium-chain fats are sold for weight loss. Purification undoubtedly increasescertain effects, and results in profitable products, but in the absence of moreprecise knowledge, I think the whole natural product, used as a regular food, isthe best way to protect health. ---------------------------- "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquestof life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo.