Wednesday, April 01, 2009
What a treat! Cononut oil makes a wonderful massage oil because:
- it smells amazing -- like you are in the tropics
- it moisturizes your skin long after the massage has stopped
- it works at removing toxins in your skin
- it is full of antioxidents
- it minimizes premature aging -- inside and out
- and it will heal any infections on your body (similar to the way that aloe does)
Coconut oil does all of this naturally with no harsh chemicals. How many other products can do so much naturally???
Labels: antioxidents, coconut oil, massage, toxins
Friday, February 13, 2009
I say no and here is why:
1) Coconut oil is made up of medium chained fatty acids. These MFCAs are very potent and they are known for their ability to kill off harmful parasites, bacteria and even viruses. Are MFCAs bad for you? If they are than mother's milk is not good for you and we know that is not true. Both mother's milk and coconut oil contain this type of fatty acid.
2) Coconut oil is not toxic to the human body. It is an edible fatty acid and these are typically the least likely to be toxic to us and our pets.
3) Coconut oil is like any other food. If you are someone who happens to be allergic to it, you shouldn't eat it. However, coconut oil is not on the list of foods people are often allergic to like nuts, wheat, eggs, dairy, etc.
4) Coconut oil does have one interesting side effect -- good or bad. If you eat a lot of it you may find that it loosens your bowels. This could be a great side effect if you have trouble regularly emptying your bowels. However, if you eat coconut oil with other foods and liquids, you will not experience that much of this positive side effect!
Labels: bowels, breast milk, coconut oil, toxins
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Recently I have started with my first dose of chemotherapy to fight the multiple sclerosis in my body. I am not so excited about the toxicity of the chemo but I am excited about the potential impact of the chemo on my MS.
One of the drawbacks of chemo is how it can dramatically lower your white blood cell counts and make you susceptible to colds, flu, etc. One benefit of coconut oil that I'd forgotten is that coconut oil boosts your immune system thereby minimizing sickness, cold and flu.
This really is refreshing and exciting news to chemotherapy patients. If they just all knew that taking regular doses of coconut oil would actually help them in the critical health time period between their chemo doses -- this would alleviate a lot of concern and worry.
It is really a challenge to stay out of stores, stay away from public places and keep away from sick people and still conduct your life. It is a real treasure to be able to take something like coconut oil as an extra layer of protection for this delicate health situation.
Labels: chemotherapy, coconut oil, colds, flu
Saturday, December 13, 2008
My Shih Tzu continues to have problems with his skin. He scratches and licks so much that he has bare patches where he has pulled all of the fur out. It is awful. I have known for a few years how great coconut oil is for people but I really want to do something else for my dog. I have finally got his hair (it is really hair and not fur) where it is soft but he is still itching. That tells me it is not a topical problem.
So, of course, I am turning to coconut oil in an attempt to give him some relief. What I found was that I am not the first to experiment with coconut oil and dogs. Countless people have tried this with their pooches and found relief from a number of canine problems. My one challenge was to put it on my dog's food and make sure he was eating up as he often eats a few bites and walks away. The nice side effect of feeding my dog coconut oil on his food is that it is very fragrant and my dog eats it up.
Thank goodness for coconut oil!
Labels: coconut oil, dogs, health benefits of coconut oil
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I am trying to better understand the impact of coconut oil on the body. I know that everything I read indicates that even though coconut oil is comprised of saturated fat (92%, in fact), the type of fat actually works different from its sinister counterparts. So, I started snooping around on coconut oil and heart disease...here is what I found.
- coconut oil is high in saturated fat and saturated fat is often connected to high blood pressure
- consuming coconut oil and coconut flesh are two very different things and vary greatly in how our bodies utilize coconut products
- eating coconut meat actually lowers blood pressure having a positive effect on heart-related activity
- even though consuming coconut oil increases cholesterol, there is little evidence indicating any negative effects of coconut oil (therein lies the dichotomy)
So while I have friends who would not touch coconut oil with a ten foot poll, I do believe that coconut oil is an anamoly and we should look into it and challenge everything about it but don't be surprised if all you can find is good information about this wonder product!
Labels: cholesterol, coconut oil, heart disease
Monday, October 13, 2008
I am constantly astounded by all of the cures coconut oil possesses. There are areas in the world where coconut is used daily as a source of food and a source of healing. Try using coconut oil for these things:
- minimize and stop wrinkles, dark spots and loose skin
- shiny, conditioned hair and with little or no dandruff
- not toxic in any way to the human body
- alleviates most skin issues including those that stem from dry, irritated skin (psoriasis, eczema, etc.)
- brings skin and hair back to nature's balance after all of the harsh chemicals we use
- minimizes effects and impact of sun damage on skin
- free of internal use and external use side effects
Can you believe how good it is for you? Even if you don't like to eat coconuts, you can still benefit from coconut oil's wonderful side effects by using it topically. It works great for pets, too!!
Labels: coconut oil, health, health benefits of coconut oil
Friday, September 19, 2008
Coconut oil is such an important health elixir for everything. It is the most natural and curative product on earth. Here is how it can help your bones and the common side effects of stress.
One of the challenges we have with our bones and as we age is the all-important absorption of minerals. If our bones do not absorb the appropriate levels of calcium and magnesium, they won't develop correctly and will become brittle and thus, break easier. This is a huge problem for women as they get older. Lack of mineral absorption causes osteoporosis. A simple thing like taking a few tablespoons of coconut oil can help tremendously with this -- and coconut oil is a lot cheaper (and more natural) than costly medical-related treatments.
Stress is also a huge problem for people today. Stress causes so many diseases yet we can not avoid it in our every day lives. One way to naturally alleviate stress and halt its side effects is to topically apply coconut oil. If you simply massage a little coconut oil into the top of your head, in a massage-like motion:
- it will soothe you gently from the scent and the massaging motion
- the gentle massage will relax you and take the focus away from the stress
- you'll minimize mental fatigue which only encourages stress
- you'll be doing something that helps you focus on you
It sounds flighty but it really works to reduce stress.
Start making a committment to integrate a little coconut oil into your life everyday. What do you have to lose???
Labels: bones, coconut oil, health benefits of coconut oil, stress
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Have you heard about Slim Shots to help you lose weight? I read an interesting article identifying that Slim Shots are nothing more than oil designed to help you get a handle on your hunger.
Slim Shots are single serving units containing a combination of palm oil with small amounts of flavoring and sweetener that kicks into gear the appetite control that we all carry with us naturally. The ileal brake lets your body know that it is no longer hungry, keeps it feeling satisfied for longer and therefore stops our cravings for more food.
The interesting thing about it is the primary ingredient - palm oil. Since it is so effective as claimed on the Slim Shot website at $40 for a 1 month supply, why wouldn't you just take 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil 1 or more times a day. Extra virgin coconut oil will run you about $6-$7 for about 16 ounces (32 tablespoons). This is the pure version with no added ingredients for a lot less, not to mention the much-more-healthy beneficial coconut oil.
I am just amazed that you can put a marketing spin on anything and it is the latest, greatest thing. You have to love the comercialism!
Try coconut oil -- it is cheaper and the medium chain fatty acids will do wonders for your weight, your health, your skin, etc.!
Labels: coconut oil, health, slim shots, weight loss
Sunday, August 03, 2008
I have multiple sclerosis and have been reading a lot of books targeting healthy lifestyles for people with chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis. It is very interesting to me how much food plays a role in your general functionality - your daily activities as well as your internal bodily functions and toxicity.
I am equally amazed at home much coconut oil has come up in my reading. I have read several books lately that deal with the impacts of multiple sclerosis on a holistic level and they all discuss coconut oil. It is great to be validated in your thinking -- especially when you believe something like coconut oil is a health elixir yet the general population and the medical community think of it as snake oil!!!
I appreciate a medical professional's opinion when they don't immediately try to solve all problems with a prescription. I really appreciate someone who wants use common things that don't cost much (foods, teas and yes, coconut oil) to treat health challenges.
I did something I have been meaning to do for a while. I bought coconut flour to bake with. It is a healthy flour that contains no wheat gluten (often a huge allergen for people) and is high in fiber. I am learning that when you bake and want to substitute regular flour in recipes, you have to combine alternative flours. I bought coconut flour and brown rice flour and I am going to see how it works in chocolate chip cookies, etc.
Labels: coconut oil, cooking with coconut oil, health, multiple sclerosis
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Here's a listing of reasons for a daily dose of coconut oil:
- it helps your body find its set body weight by normalizing your bodily systems
- you'll lose fat and get a needed boost to a slow metabolism
- it neutralizes and often kills bacteria, infections and viruses in the body
- it beautifies the skin boosting moisture and glow
- it helps minimize candida
- it boosts the immune system
- it neutralizes cholesterol levels -- raising or lowering as necessary
- it promotes healthy heart-related processes
- it improves the thyroid function
You can say coconut oil is going to repair and boost skin, hair and internal functions. There are very few things that do so much for less than $10 per jar.
Go get some coconut oil -- what do you have to lose!!
Labels: body, coconut oil, extra virgin coconut oil
Monday, May 05, 2008
I just read some great material talking about tolerating Coconut Oil. Some people have found that they don't tolerate it well and experience heart palpitations or maybe have some problems digesting coconut oil. I also read that sometimes this stems from having substantial toxic build up in the body (which causes all sorts of problems). For coconut oil to work effectively, you have to maximize absorption.
It is kind of similar to washing dishes in dirty water but expecting them to come out clean. You have to clean your body first for something as healing as coconut oil to work well. One way to clean out the toxins is to take 1/2 lemon + 1 T. sea salt + 8 oz of water daily. This will help to regularly rid the toxins so your body can absorb and utilize the coconut oil better.
I also just read a great idea: mix your coconut oil in with yogurt and berries and eat it for breakfast every morning. I don't like the slimy taste and feel of coconut oil so this is great for mr!
Labels: build up, coconut oil, healthy food, toxins
Monday, February 04, 2008
I don't think I fully understood how coconut oil works -- okay, it seemed like a fairy tale that this could really be a good fat and help me lose weight. Here's the scoop:
Many oils that we eat (most, in fact) are quickly stored in the body as fat (making weight loss more difficult). They are composed of Long Chain Triglycerides. There has been research done from a couple of sources to indicate that coconut oil acts different in the body. It is composed of Medium Chain Triglycerides which make it significantly different -- which greatly impacts weight loss. Here is how coconut oil is different:
- it revs up metabolism
- it makes you feel fuller, longer
- it is easily digested (which is great for people who have trouble digesting fat)
- it has a bonus of lauric acid and caprylic acid which has some wonderful health benefits (antiviral and antifungal properties plus support immune function)
Coconut oil is really a wonderful weight loss tool as well as a healthy way to incorporate good fat into your diet.
Labels: coconut oil, metabolism, weight loss
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
We all know the numerous health benefits of coconut oil. It really is a health food that probably has more positive functions for your body than we can envision. Coconut oil initially appears like it would be bad for you but there is overwhelming information available to support its health benefits.
Why then am I so horrified at the thought of sticking a spoon in a bottle of coconut oil and eating it straight out of the jar. I know how good coconut oil is for you internally and externally. I know it can often trump medicine. I just can't eat straight oil. It is like eating shortening out of a can. Yuck. My sister-in-law swears by the method of taking coconut oil and I swear by the merits of mixing it in other foods (have I mentioned the times I tried to mix it into non-sweet foods like hash browns -- it was an awful experiment). I just don't like my mouth to be slimy from oily food.
So, I will continue to look for other options to incorporate this ultra-healthy food into my diet!! My favorite, so far, is to put a heaping tablespoon of coconut oil into my morning protein shake. It is so fragrant and delicious...
Labels: coconut oil, healthy food, protein shake
Monday, August 27, 2007
Ever wonder how much coconut oil you should take every day? There seems to be a lot of differing information about how much coconut oil you should take. I have found the following:
- You can do as little is one teaspoon internally (especially if you are also rubbing it into your skin since it is highly absorbed into your blood stream when you rub it into your skin)
- Many believe you should take 3 tablespoons internally if you are taking coconut oil for a particular problem (don't fret, you can mix coconut oil into all sorts of things rather than just take it straight) -- this amount is comparable to the quantity of medium chain fatty acids in human breast milk
- OR you can look at the following chart below for your daily dose of coconut oil
babies and toddlers -- 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons
kids under 75 pounds -- 2 tablespoons
people 75-100 pounds -- 2 1/2 tablespoons
people 100-200 -- 3 tablespoons
over 200 pounds -- 4 tablespoons
I hope this helps you in knowing how much coconut oil will aid your health!
Labels: coconut oil, dose of coconut oil, how much coconut oil
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The next time you get bit by fire ants, mosquitos or just about any bug, you may consider rubbing coconut oil on the affected area of skin. Putting coconut oil on bug bites:
- lessens the overall skin irritation
- stops itching and burning
- reduces swelling immediately
- minmizes the bite and heals the skin in a lot less time
Coconut oil has a multitude of uses but is particularly great at calming but bites. Nothing else appears to work as quickly or as effectively as coconut oil.
Labels: bug bites, coconut oil, skin irritation, swelling
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Have you ever thought of taking coconut oil to help protect your body from viruses or to help get rid of a virus once you have one in your body???
Coconut oil in its abundant list of positive things it does, can also add curing viruses to the list. Coconut oil is naturally full of lauric acid. As it turns out, lauric acid has several properties that make it valuable in fighting all sorts of viruses and bacteria. Because coconut oil is antibacterial and antifungal in addition to being antiviral, you really can't go wrong taking it everyday. It also boosts the bodies immune system.
This is very important as you look at our recent history with antibiotics. The medical profession turns to antibiotics so often that we are quickly adapting to various strains. We are having to find different and more powerful antibiotics all of the time. Soon, we will be where we were before we had antibiotics as we will force our hand on the effectiveness of this treatment.
Coconut oil is the solution to this problem. Plus, it is plentiful and very inexpensive. So the next time you are get sick, reach for coconut oi.
Labels: coconut oil, viruses