Coconut oil is increasingly popular as a health food today — and for very good reasons. It has a delicate flavour and offers many wonderful health benefits when consumed regularly:
- Quick energy source.
- Significantly improves blood sugar levels and reduces insulin resistance, thus lowering your risk of diabetes and greatly improves your chance of avoiding a heart attack.
- Increases metabolism.
- Reduces inflammation.
- Increases ‘good’ HDL cholesterol.
- May reduce belly fat.
- Decreases hunger and food intake.
- Improves wound healing.
- Boosts the immune system.
- Improves bone health – prevents osteoporosis and relieves symptoms of arthritis.
- Boosts brain function and beneficial for people with epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.
- Protects the liver.
- The safest cooking oil on earth. Coconut oil does not form harmful by-products when heated due to its very high saturated fat content, unlike vegetable oils. The polyunsaturated fatty acids in vegetable oils are converted into toxic compounds when heated. These may have harmful effects on your health.
The benefits list can go on and on.
Coconut oil is also extremely versatile for topical applications. Below are just some of the clever uses you may not be aware of:
- Detoxification
Coconut oil pulling once a day is highly recommended for detoxifying the body and improving health. Take 1 tbsp. of coconut oil in the mouth before breakfast. Move the oil slowly around the mouth through swishing and by pulling it through the teeth. Move around the mouth for 15-20 minutes or until the oil turns white. Keeping the oil moving for several minutes is important because it is the prolonged swishing that gives the oil enough time to react with the saliva so that its enzymes are released to pull or draw toxins from the body. Once the oil is expelled from the mouth, brush your teeth well to eliminate bacteria and other impurities from the body. Oil pulling also helps to prevent cavities, while improving dental and gum health.
- Natural Body Moisturizer
With its powerful moisturizing, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, coconut oil is widely used to treat skin problems such as dermatitis, eczema and stretch marks, while keeping skin moisturized and soft. It can also help to repair cracked heels.
- Gentle and Effective Makeup Remover
Apply with a cotton pad and wipe gently until all traces of makeup are gone.
- Ideal Natural Lip Balm
Coconut oil leaves your lips moist for hours, and even provides some protection from the sun. No more chapped lips and no worries about harmful chemicals.
- Excellent Hair Conditioner for All Types of Hair
According to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, coconut oil is the only oil that reduces protein loss. Protein loss in hair leads to dryness and breakage. Researchers concluded that the unique structure of lauric acid in coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft in a way that most other conditioners can’t. It restores dull, dry, or damaged hair and helps control frizzy hair and detangle knots.
- Hair Tonic
If you are troubled with thinning hair, coconut oil is a safe, effective and reasonably priced solution. Massage coconut oil onto the scalp with gentle pressure for 10 minutes, 3 or 4 times per week, as coconut oil helps improve blood circulation and promotes hair growth.
- Treat Dandruff
Coconut oil has strong antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal properties that kill fungus, viruses and bacteria that may be lurking on your scalp. Many prescription and over-the-counter dandruff shampoos do not fix the root cause and can actually make dandruff worse. Rich in vitamin K and vitamin E, coconut oil helps to make hair follicles healthy and reduce dandruff, be it caused by fungal or dryness. Dandruff may not go away overnight, but many see results in just a week or so.
- Treat Cradle Cap
Gently rub some coconut oil on it for a minute. When the cradle cap is softened, comb through the hair with a fine toothcomb from the scalp upwards.
- Heal Ragged Cuticles
Simply apply a small amount of coconut oil to your cuticles and massage for a few moments. Do this several times a week for best results.
- Shaving Cream
It ensures a smooth shave and leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
- Excellent Carrier Oil
Coconut oil is less prone to rancidity and that makes it an excellent carrier oil for other essential oils.
- Make Wood Furniture Shine
Coconut oil can help keep your furniture looking shiny and polished. It not only brings out the beauty in natural wood, but it also acts as a dust repellent. Plus, it has a pleasant, delicate aroma — unlike many commercial furniture polishes that contain strong artificial fragrances.
- Lice Treatment & Prevention
According to a study published in the European Journal of Paediatrics and another study published in the Israel Medical Association Journal, coconut oil is found to be more effective in repelling and killing lice than the commonly used prescription for lice treatment – permethrin.
When you are buying coconut oil, look for cold-pressed and organic extra virgin coconut oil (EVCO). EVCO is the first cold-pressing immediately upon opening of the coconut. EVCO must be clear as water and has a mild, sweet coconut aroma.
A study was done at the University of the Philippines in Manila comparing all the different methods of manufacturing extra virgin coconut oil. The doctor who led the study (Dr. Dayrit) came to the conclusion, after much analytical work, that cold-pressed oil has the most trace nutrients in it. He believes its quality surpasses that of the traditional fermentation and centrifuge processes.
NewLifeTM Guarantees You Pure, Unadulterated, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
Cold-pressed and naturally processed, under strict hygienic conditions set by international standards (ISO 22000 & ISO 9000), from freshly harvested organic, mature coconuts.
Not bleached, deodorized, or refined.
No chemical preservatives or additives.