Coconut Oil Penny's favourite oil - Jennie

[Guest guest]

Dear Jennie,

I was first subjected to being slathered with Coconut OIl as a wee

child whilst my Parents were sailing the carribean

I leant then of it's properties for the skin,cooking etc. I use it

whenever I can.

check out the net for it's properties.

I do use Olive OIl is some cases (like salad dressings as coconut

oil tends to harden at low temps) and make infused olive oils but I

prefer the feel of coconut oil.............Love Penny

 

Here is an article on coconut oil that you might find

interesting..........

" Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth " says Dr. Bruce Fife, a

naturopathic doctor and the author of

the book The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil. Modern research seems to

back up this bold

statement. Once wrongly accused of increasing cholesterol levels,

coconut oil is now actually being

used by doctors in the treatment of a variety of disorders. Clinical

studies have shown that coconut oil

has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, and is now even being used

in treating AIDS patients.

Studies conducted in the Philippines last year showed that coconut oil

does indeed reduce the viral load

in AIDS patients.

 

 

 

Lauric Acid a Key Component to Health

 

Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid which is abundant in coconut

oil, and considered responsible

for many of its health benefits. Coconut oil is about 50% lauric acid.

The only other abundant source

found in nature is in human breast milk. Dr. Jon J. Kabara, PhD and

Professor Emeritus of Michigan

State University says, “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. " See: HEALTH OILS FROM THE TREE OF LIFE

(NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH

ASPECTS OF COCONUT OIL) at http://www.apcc.org.sg/John.PDF

 

 

 

Dr. Mary Enig, a Ph.D. nutritionist/biochemist and one of the world’s

leading authorities on fats and oils,

goes on to say, “Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are

lauric acid. Lauric acid is a

medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of

being formed into monolaurin in

the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial,

and antiprotozoal monoglyceride

used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV,

herpes, cytomegalovirus,

influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes

and heliobacter pylori, and

protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some

antimicrobial effects of the free

lauric acid. " See Coconut: In Support of Good Health in the 21st Century

at

http://www.apcc.org.sg/special.htm

 

 

 

The Politics of Tropical Oils

 

So why has coconut oil gotten such a bad rap in the recent past? After

all, much of the research

supporting coconut oil as a healthy fat has been around for some time.

The answer is politics and

economics. Coconut oil was heavily used in the US at one time, being

used for baking, pastries, frying,

and theater popcorn. But starting in the 1980s some very powerful groups

in the US, including the

American Soybean Association (ASA), the Corn Products Company (CPC

International) and the Center

for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), began to categorically

condemn all saturated oils. Faulty

science was used to convince the public that ALL saturated fats were

unhealthy, when in fact saturated

fats rich in the medium chain fatty acids, like lauric acid, are very

healthy. These organizations were are

aided by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many of

whose key personnel are

recruited from and return to the vegetable oil industry. The result was

that most people switched to

vegetable oils, and the main source of lauric acid from tropical oils in

the American diet was lost. The

countries that these tropical oils came from, mainly the Philippines and

Malaysia, were too poor to

counter these untrue claims with advertising investments for the truth.

It is only recently that the health

benefits of these tropical oils are starting to become rediscovered.

Much of the research can be found on

the www.coconut-info.com website.

 

 

 

Population Studies

 

While some clinical studies have been conducted recently, like the study

on AIDS patients in the

Philippines (1999 – 2000), much of the studies have been done on

tropical populations where coconut

products are a main part of the diet. One such study was done in the

South Pacific islands of Pukapuka

and Tokelau near New Zealand. The studies were started in the 1960s

before either island was exposed

to Western refined food. These populations ate only natural foods, and

coconut foods were the most

prevalent, being consumed at each meal in one form or another. While

most people in western countries

get 30-40 percent of their calories from fats, the people in these

islands averaged between 50 and 60

percent of their calories from fat, most of that being saturated fat

from coconuts. So what kind of health

did these studies find among the populations in these two islands? Bruce

Fife reports in his book: “The

overall health of both groups was extremely good compared to Western

standards. There were no signs

of kidney disease or hypothyroidism that might influence fat levels.

There was no hypercholesterolemia

(high blood cholesterol). All inhabitants were lean and healthy despite

a very high saturated-fat diet. In

fact, the populations as a whole had ideal weight-to-height ratios as

compared to the Body Mass Index

figures used by nutritionists. Digestive problems are rare. Constipation

is uncommon. They average two

or more bowel movements a day. Atherosclerosis, heart disease, colitis,

colon cancer, hemorrhoids

ulcers, diverticulosis, and appendicitis are conditions with which they

are generally unfamiliar.” (The

Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil)

 

 

 

A fat that causes weight loss??

 

Another incredible fact about coconut oil is that even though it is a

fat, it actually promotes weight loss!!

The reason is again because of the healthy medium chain fatty acids.

These fatty acids do not circulate

in the bloodstream like other fats, but are sent directly to the liver

where they are immediately converted

into energy, just like carbohydrates. So the body uses the fat in

coconut oil to produce energy, rather

than be stored as body fat. Medium chain fatty acids found in coconut

oil also speed up the body’s

metabolism burning more calories and promoting weight loss. The

weight-loss effects of coconut oil have

clearly been demonstrated by many researchers. (There are a list of

references in Bruce Fife’s book The

Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil.)

 

 

 

Therapeutic Dosage

 

So how much coconut oil should one consume? A good therapeutic dosage is

3 to 4 tablespoons a day.

This provides enough lauric acid to build the immune system. Also, look

for unrefined coconut oil. Stay

away from all hydrogenated oils, whether it is coconut oil or vegetable

oils. Hydrogenated oils are oils

with trans fatty acids, which have been altered from their original

chemical composition, and have been

shown to raise serum cholesterol levels that can lead to heart disease.

Also look for unrefined coconut

oils, like Virgin Coconut Oil. Most commercial coconut oils are RBD

(refined, bleached, and deodorized).

While these RBD oils do maintain the beneficial chemical structures of

the medium chain fatty acids,

they also contain chemicals used in processing.

 

 

 

Summary

 

If you are interested in learning about all the other wonderful health

benefits of coconut oil, go to the

www.coconut-info.com website and read the research. There is also a

discussion list you can join and

interact with some of the world’s best authorities on coconut oil,

including Dr. Mary Enig, Dr. Bruce Fife,

and many others who have done research or experienced first hand the

wonderful healing properties of

coconut oil so that we can say, “Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on

earth!”

 

About the author: Brian Shilhavy is a Certified Nutritional Counselor

(CNC), is the president of Mt.

Banahaw Health Products Corporation (www.philippineherbs.com),

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that info, Penny. I use coconut oil in soaps because it makes nice

lather and helps make a hard

soap, and I use it as about 1/3 of the total of oils and beeswax in my balms,

but most of my infusions are made

with olive oil for it's " carrier " properties.

Most of the sites I've searched for coconut oil have been associated with soap

and toiletries so I've not run

across the nutritional value of coconut oil.

I think all solid oils get a bum rap because they are automatically linked with

the damage hydrogenated oils can

do without anyone realizing that hydrogentated oils *aren't* all natural and

there is where the harm comes in.

This definitely has to go in my " keep " file. Thanks again.

Jennie

 

Penny Khaled wrote:

 

> Dear Jennie,

> I was first subjected to being slathered with Coconut OIl as a wee

> child whilst my Parents were sailing the carribean

> I leant then of it's properties for the skin,cooking etc. I use it

> whenever I can.

> check out the net for it's properties.

> I do use Olive OIl is some cases (like salad dressings as coconut

> oil tends to harden at low temps) and make infused olive oils but I

> prefer the feel of coconut oil.............Love Penny

>

> Here is an article on coconut oil that you might find

> interesting..........

> " Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth " says Dr. Bruce Fife, a

[Guest guest]

Wow -- this is great information! When i saw all that stuff against coconut

oil in the press several years ago, i kind of wondered if there was

something wrong. From Anthropology studies, i knew that the Polynesians ate

lots of coconut and yet were relatively healthy. Accidents and wars seemed

to take a much greater toll on the traditional population than any

degenerative diseases. So what you put out here is very sensible and in

line with other data available.

 

While on the subject of oils, i've found several things about other popular

oils. Here's a brief rundown:

 

Cottonseed oil: Used to be a primary ingredient of paint. No traditional

society ever ate this stuff.

 

Canola oil: Bred from a plant known appropriately as " rapeseed " . The

original plant was never used for human consumption. The oil was sometimes

used as an insecticide before DDT was available. It also was used as an

industrial lubricant in some areas. The only difference between Canola and

rapeseed is that Canola can be grown in colder climates, which is a boon to

Canadian farmers who might not survive without the market for this stuff.

 

Palm Kernal oil: Often mixed with coconut oil in processed food. This

stuff is industrial grade, and probably should not be eaten by humans. I

don't think any tropical people ever ate it, despite the nutrient value.

Takes a lot of processing just to get it out.

 

Soy oil: Depends entirely on how it's processed. The Chinese have been

using it for a long time, but prefer other oils when available.

 

Corn oil: Not too bad. The processing leaves something to be desired, but

at least it doesn't seem to do any great harm if used in moderation. I

always hate to see it listed as a " natural " ingredient. Makes me think of

Indians sitting by the fireside late at night beating the oil out of corn ears.

 

Peanut oil: Some people are violently allergic to this. However, it is

pretty much the best oil for cooking at high temperatures. Just don't use

this in any dish intended for the general public. It's partly why the

Frontier Days Chili Cook-Off contestants are prohibited from sharing their

food with the general public.

 

Sesame oil: Great flavor, and very useful for massage too.

 

Olive oil: Probably the most highly recommended oil of all. It has been

proven to lower cholesterol, and may even clean out the arteries. 4,000

years of Greek cooking can't be wrong!

 

At 10:42 AM 8/22/01 -0400, you wrote:

>Dear Jennie,

> I was first subjected to being slathered with Coconut OIl as a wee

>child whilst my Parents were sailing the carribean

> I leant then of it's properties for the skin,cooking etc. I use it

>whenever I can.

> check out the net for it's properties.

> I do use Olive OIl is some cases (like salad dressings as coconut

>oil tends to harden at low temps) and make infused olive oils but I

>prefer the feel of coconut oil.............Love Penny

>

>Here is an article on coconut oil that you might find

>interesting..........

-- Michael Riversong **

Professional Harpist, Educator, and Writer **

RivEdu ** Phone: (307)635-0900 FAX (413)691-0399

http://home.earthlink.net/~mriversong

[Guest guest]

>Canola oil: Bred from a plant known appropriately as >"rapeseed". Theoriginal plant was never used for human consumption. The oil was sometimesused as an insecticide before DDT was available. It also was used as anindustrial lubricant in some areas. The only difference between Canola andrapeseed is that Canola can be grown in colder climates, which is a boon toCanadian farmers who might not survive without the market for this stuff.

this isn't quite true. Canola also differs from rapeseed in that canola was selectively bred (using traditional selection breeding) to remove harmful components.

 

Now, whether this has actually removed enough of the bad factors is debatable. Also, most of the canola now grown (55%) is GMO; a good reason to avoid it!

~~Cheers, Perchta~~~~*~~*~~http://www.geocities.com/perchta~~*~~*~~