10 Reasons to be Loco for Coco(nut) Oil

If you’ve been with me for a while, you’ve no doubt seen a handful of ingredients that keep rearing their beautiful heads into recipes. Raw cacao, chia seeds, and Celtic sea salt, amongst others. Trust me when I say there is a method to my madness. And I mean madness.

Try living with me. Poor Darren.

One of my all-time favorites is coconut oil. I cannot say enough about the benefits of coconut oil, nor will I. There is simply not enough time for such things and you will be bored silly.

I will merely cover the highlights (believe it or not, based on the length of this novel) and why I <heart> coconut oil so very much.

Let’s start with a teeny bit of history. Coconuts are naturally occurring in the South Pacific, and being that these islanders are so resourceful, it’s a staple in their diet. Dr. Weston Price studied this in the 30s and found those with diets high in coconut to be lean and healthy, despite high dietary fat consumption, and heart disease was virtually non-existent. Similarly, in a survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute, the Phillipines, a country where coconut is consumed in mass quantities, was found to have the lowest rate of cancer among the 50 countries surveyed.

Now before I go any further, let’s talk a bit about fat. Saturated fat, in particular. Contrary to what the diet dictocrats have been saying for years, saturated fat is…wait for it…good for you! Real, naturally-occurring non-hydrogenated saturated fat (such as the kind found in coconut oil) is not the enemy. In fact, it has actually been linked to an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol. Read more about that here where I’m shedding light on the top 6 diet myths.  

Unfortunately, coconut oil got a bad rap many years ago due to one fluky study that mistakenly contributed the effects of its saturated fat content to heart disease. This was later cleared up by the smarty pants over at Harvard, but the results of that study did not have the public relations mojo of the former.

So back to reason we are here today. To talk about how amazing this stuff is. Let’s begin, shall we?

10 Reasons To LOVE Coconut Oil     

1.  Metabolism-boosting

Coconut oil is nature’s richest source of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs).  MCTs promote thermogenesis. Thermogenesis increases the body’s metabolism , producing energy. You see where I’m going with this?  More energy and faster metabolism? Where do I sign up?

2. Promotes weight loss

Due to the above, a higher metabolism supports weight loss and a leaner physique. Even people who have reported not losing any weight while incorporating coconut oil into their diet, have stated that clothes fit better and they are better able to build lean muscle mass. Remember the old adage, muscle weighs more than fat? Indeed it does.

3. Immune system enhancing

Lauric acid is the most predominant MCT found in coconut oil. This MCT has antiviral and antibacterial effects in the human body, destroying an array of disease-causing organisms. It’s also been shown to reduce the viral load in people with HIV-AIDS. Breast milk is the only other natural food source that is higher in lauric acid than coconut oil. This is nature’s way of giving vital immune-building properties to the wee ones in the early years. Breast is best.

4. Blood sugar stabilizing

Anecdotally speaking, many diabetics have reported coconut oil to have a direct effect on stabilizing blood sugar levels, as well as controlling hunger and cravings. Note: if you are a diabetic, please please please for the love of all that is sacred, DO NOT start taking coconut oil in lieu of your medication. That would just be silly. Work closely with your doctor on things of that nature.

5. Thyroid health

It seems everyone has thyroid issues these days, present company included. I’m a teeny bit on the low side. Lots of things can be attributed to this, including genetics, diet, and environmental stress. The thyroid gland controls metabolism and by stimulating the metabolism (as discussed above), coconut oil supports normal thyroid function.  This can also help those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, two ailments that some alternative practitioners believe are thyroid-related.

6. Gut-friendly

Many people suffer from some kind of digestive disorder (i.e., Crohn’s Disease, irritable bowel syndrome) that inhibits proper absorption of key vitamins and minerals that are essential for health.  Studies have shown that longer chain fatty acids, such as those found in polyunsaturated oils (corn, soy, canola, and other vegetable oils) are the most harmful for people with these afflictions, as they cause inflammation (read all about why inflammation is bad news here). MCTs (such as those found in coconut oil), on the other hand, are not only more easily absorbed in the digestive tract, they also help other nutrients to become absorbed as well.

7. Age Defying

Coconut oil has been shown to have anti-aging, regenerative effects when applied topically. Due to its rich antioxidant properties, it’s been shown to protect the skin from those pesky free radicals that make us old and crotchety. Some also claim that it works well as a sunscreen. Please use your discretion regarding this claim. I’ve tried it and burned a bit. Others however, have had good luck.

8. Moisturizing

It can literally be used as a moisturizer on your skin after bathing or as a deep conditioner for dry hair (split ends be gone!), without all of the harmful chemicals found in many bath and body products on the market.

9. Skin health

Coconut oil has been reported to clear up acne, yeast infections of the skin, eczema, and psoriasis, most likely due to its antimicrobial properties. Some also report using it exclusively as a deodorant and antiperspirant, with no stink factor. For the record, I have not tried this but certainly intend to, given the risks in commercial grade deodorants.

10. Safe for high heat cooking (and baking) 

Because it’s a saturated fat, it is stable at high temperatures. This is ideal for all kinds of cooking, roasting, sautéing, deep frying (liberating, isn’t it?!), and baking. Unsaturated fats, which are typically liquid at 68 degrees room temperature {olive oil, sesame oil, etc.} are easily oxidized (as in damaged) when heat is applied to them. Trust me when I say that you do not want to consume oxidized fats. Ever. This has been linked to higher LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, heart disease, amongst other things. The bonus – coconut oil tastes amazing in food.

Am I right? What’s not to love?

Incorporating coconut oil into your daily grind takes limited effort. Add a tablespoon to your smoothies (adds taste and a creamy texture), use it for all baking, deep frying (hallelujah!), sautéing, or roasting, as well as your bath and body routine.

A few things to note for the novices out there:

• Because it is an unsaturated fat (like butter and lard), it is solid at room temperature. Once it hits about 75 degrees, it becomes liquid. So in the summer months, it will be very runny and the winter, solid.
• Look for two main things when buying: 1. Organic – avoid harmful pesticides; 2. Virgin – don’t be fooled by “extra virgin” claims here (marketers trying to make an extra buck). Coconut oil is not like olive oil in that regard.  Virgin means virgin, period.

• Beware of refined coconut oil. Many manufacturers use chemical solvents to extract the oil and sometimes these can be hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated (trans fats). This is no good. If you do go with a less expensive coconut oil, I’d suggest expeller pressed. It is refined mechanically (the old-fashioned way). Another key difference between expeller pressed and virgin is the smell. Virgin has the coconut aroma and taste, expeller pressed does not. Both have a special place in my pantry. I use expeller pressed for dishes that will not be complemented by a coconut flavor (such as my precious eggies).

Where to Buy Good Quality Coconut Oil at the BEST Price

Word is getting out about coconut oil, so it’s become way more main stream than in years past. You can pick up a jar at any health food store, or online. My preference is the latter, as I am a working, time-constrained mama, and hate shopping. Buy it here and as a first time customer, you’ll be rewarded with a FREE book worth $25 about this glorious superfood.

As you can see, it’s a no brainer to run, not walk, to your nearest health food store or online merchant and pick up a jar today. Your life depends on it. Ok, not really.

What’s your favorite use for coconut oil? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear! 

Source: Shilhavy, B. & M. J., Virgin Coconut Oil, Sixth Printing, Aug 2010.