Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Fats and Oils : Coconut oil, a smart alternative to other oils


"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.

The many benefits of coconut oil are finally reaching the mainstream.

Benefits like:

* Promoting your heart health
* Promoting weight loss when and if you need it
* Supporting your immune system health
* Supporting a healthy metabolism
* Providing you with an immediate energy source
* Helping to keep your skin and hair healthy and youthful looking
* Supporting the proper functioning of your thyroid gland


Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid(MCFA) 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 mothers milk.The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother's milk and have similar nutriceutical effects. MCFAs are smaller. They permeate cell membranes easily, and do not require lipoproteins or special enzymes to be utilized effectively by your body. MCFAs are easily digested, thus putting less strain on your
digestive system. This is especially important for those of you with digestive or metabolic concerns. MCFAs are sent directly to your liver, where they are immediately converted into energy rather than being stored as fat. MCFAs in coconut oil can actually help stimulate your body's metabolism, leading to weight loss.

There are number of good sources of organic coconut oil available online. I personally use, tropical traditions coconut oil. I liberally use the oil, in cooking, frying, salads etc. No guilt. No cholesterol. No trans-fats. No downside. Only your peace of mind.


Be Nourished!!!

30 comments:

bee said...

the main objection to coconut oil is the amount of saturated fat it contains. it is good in other respects, but we try to use it in small doses.

Pravs said...

Absolutely love to cook with coconut oil and nothing like it to enhance taste of the food i cook.

Rachel said...

I love the taste coconut oil lends to the dishes it is added...it is a healthy oil!

KF said...

Malayalee always prefer to cook with coconut oil...Thanks for visiting my blog

Uma said...

Really good information, Swaroopa. I use coconut oil only for the hair. I will try in dishes too. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Happy V'day to you too!

Dhivya said...

hey first time here..nice blog dear..thanks for ur comment on my blog which leads me to ur blog..Happy V day

Unknown said...

hi swaroopa..thanx for leaving aline in my blog.i am so happy to find your blog...such different recipes and healthy and natural.i am already subscribing and adding you in my favs.:))

Archana Doshi said...

yea i always wondered, why kerelites dont end up with any problem. But Coconut oil may be used for a lot of medical uses. Although, for people with heart problems, tri-glycerides they ask you to avoid this oil completely. As this highly saturated oil blocks arteries... well research goes on and takes about 20 years to get validated!

FH said...

Great info Swaroopa. We always applied coconut oil in our hair hrs before washing it off every Sunday back in India. Love the smell of cocnut oil too, but don't like using it in cooking.

Meera said...

Loved your blog, Swaroopa.
I love the flavor of coconut oil. There are some family recipes that need coconut oil, so i use canola/olive oil and small amount of coconut oil. Thanks for this informative post.
Also, thanks for visiting my blog.

Seena said...

Appropriate! Swaroopa, hope you have seen my coconut oil blog, :)
If don't pls check, http://coconutoilforhealth.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Wow....thats a very informative article about coconut oil.In Mangalore everything is cooked in coconut oil.It gives a different flavour altogether.

Cynthia said...

I think that in some of the rural parts of Guyana, coconut oil is still made and used.

Like Bee, I'm concerned about the saturated fat.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed this post. I think I will try c'nut oil.

Jolly Roger said...

Hi Swaroopa,

Thanks for making people aware of all the good foods that have been maligned by "modern" science.

coconut oil is the best and it's ironic that people are scared of saturated fats when it is evident (as Dr. Weston A. Price proved) that people were more healthy when they consumed more saturated fats in the form of good quality butter and ghee.

Keep your posts coming. we love them.

Mallika said...

I too have concerns abut the saturated fat content. But this is a very interesting and informative post.

Rosalyn said...

Hi, it was great to find another Indian cooking the NT way. Way to go! Look forward to more recipes from you. Good health and nourishment to you.

septemberose said...

Finally I find a desi with identical views on food - on coconut oil, parboiled rice and ghee from cultured butter. Wonderful, wonderful blog. Do keep posting. I found a parboiled rice that is actually almost red by the way.

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

First time to your space lovely and inspiring posts though... Loved reading this amzing post...

Anonymous said...

We use coconut oil in Sri Lanka too.

Sanctified Spaces said...

So true. I also read about the health benefits. Must switch to this oil.

Usha said...

First time here you have a wonderful space. A very informative post. I have read other articles that suggest coconut oil is not as bad as it is made out to be too, I think even if I start to use it again I may use it in very moderate quantities probably :-)

Den said...

im not sure about the udo erasmus books about fats. but all in all i read the weston a price books and it sounds more then logical that saturated fats are healthy for us in combination with low levels of essential fatty acids.

you guys definately need to read his books and researches.

i just came from australia and all the health centres teach in this traditional way and not a specific diet.

but to come to the topic i just bought some expeller pressed virgin coconut oil in australia for very cheap. its nearly impossible to get it at a fair price here in germany.

i think thats the important think. if you use the processes hydrogenated coconut oil you get here in germany it has same bad effect... see the difference

cheers

Unknown said...

I enjoyed reading the different posts here. I have few questions for for Swaroopa. Appriciate if you could contact me.

Thanks,

satish rai said...

HI.i am satish. Can u tell me the use of olive oil in indian food,especially in north indian dish

naveen said...

nice blog

Anonymous said...

It was very interesting for me to read the blog. Thanks the author for it. I like such topics and everything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read a bit more soon.

Anete Simpson

Anonymous said...

This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.

Knorr Soup said...

Although we were aware that coconut oil contains a whole lot of healthy vitamins and minerals, but we did not know that it was considered the best oil on earth! Today, with more and more lifestyle related diseases like obesity and diabetes plaguing us Indians, using coconut oil would do us a world of good, not to mention cater to our taste buds! For some expert tips on healthy eating habits check out our blog at http://knorratseven.blogspot.com/

cafe lover said...

Frabjous day..