MY attention was returned to coconut oil and its benefits by watching a video on one doctor's husband (below), whose husband's Alzheimer's symptoms improved by taking a daily dose of simple coconut oil.
In this video, Dr Newport speaks about her husband's progress and it makes for compelling viewing.
Coconut oil has long been touted as a "super food", but so far hasn't made it on to the list of important foods by any health authorities.
It is a fatty food substance, which is probably the reason why. However, among the said health benefits of coconut oil are weight loss and improving the levels of HDL, or "good" cholesterol.
Other health benefits of coconut oil are many, including increased immunity, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength.
These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, whose properties are antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial.
The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, claimed to help in dealing with herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and other viruses.
Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, it has been extensively used in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicinal system.
Before we move on to the benefits of coconut oil in detail, let us understand its composition.
Coconut oil consists of more than 90 per cent of saturated fats, mainly Lauric Acid, also vitamin-E, vitamin K and iron.
The benefits listed are broad:
- Natural skin and hair conditioner: especially for dry scalp. It helps in treating psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, skin infections and premature aging.
- Heart: helps to prevent high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. (It does not lead to an increase in LDL levels and reduces the incidence of injury in arteries)
Weight Loss: increases the body metabolism.Immunity: strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Wounds and Infections: forms a chemical layer, which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Also said to be effective on bruises.Bones: improves the ability to absorb important minerals such as calcium and magnesium Nervous system disorders like Alzheimer's Disease: It is not generally accepted that coconut oil helps with nervous system and brain function, but Dr Newport has written a book What if there was a cure for Alzheimers? that includes lots of information about coconut oil. See coconutketones.com.
If you're interested in this topic you can see more information on The Coconut Research Center website
www.coconutresearchcenter.org, which has compiled various references on scientific research done on coconut oil.
It may take health authorities many years to fully examine coconut oil as a beneficial food to include on their "important foods" lists.
In the meantime, it is well worth having a look at these web links, or getting hold of Dr Newport's book.
In her case, it meant that her husband's Alzheimer's improved to the point where he could take more care of himself, easing the demands on her as his carer.
Coconut oil comes in jars as a solid white fatty looking substance. A good spoonful is added to breakfast cereal, every morning.
Dr Newport's husband started improving after just a few weeks.
When it is as simple and cheap as buying some coconut oil, and adding coconut cream to your diet, as in Thai food, it's certainly worth a try, with no harm done whatsoever.
If you or your loved one has Alzheimer's or other nervous system disease - why not take some and see?
Visit www.karunahealthcare.com.au to see more articles like this one.
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