COCONUT OIL; IT’S INFLUENCE ON HEALTH
Coconut oil is extracted from coconut flesh, leaving behind the fibre, carbohydrate and protein, the extracted oil is pure fat. As we know, there are many different types of fats. The two major kinds are saturated fats (unhealthy fats that can promote heart disease) and unsaturated fats (healthy fats that can reduce your risk of heart disease). Saturated fats make up 92% of coconut oil – a higher percentage than butter. Saturated fats tend to increase Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL, which are unhealthy) cholesterol in the blood and should be eaten sparingly to minimise risk of developing heart disease. Coconut oil is very energy dense! It provides 505kJ in just one tablespoon, 92% of which is made up of saturated fatty acids. Despite this, thc amazing thing is that the saturated fat in coconut oil behaves differently to typical saturated fats, preventing any negative effects on health. Coconut oil is particularly high in one type of saturated fatty acid (the building blocks of fats) called lauric acid. This type of fatty acid tends to mimic healthy unsaturated fats by boosting High Density Lipoprotein (HDL, which are good) cholesterol. This makes it less bad than other saturated fats.
Coconut oil has a multitude of health benefits, which include but are not limited to skin care, hair care, improving digestion and immunity against a host of infections and diseases.
There is a misconception spreading among many people that coconut oil is not good for heart health. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. In reality, it is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in actively preventing various heart problems like high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Coconut oil does not lead to increase in LDL levels, and it reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis. Also, Coconut oil is very useful for weight loss. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and endocrine system. Furthermore, it increases the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, thereby burning more energy and helping obese and overweight people lose the weight.
When it comes to immunity, coconut oil strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which research has supported as an effective way to deal with viruses and bacteria that cause diseases like herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, etc. Coconut oil helps in fighting harmful bacteria like listeria monocytogenes and helicobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.
The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids in this coconut oil helps in preventing liver diseases because those substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing the work load of the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat. Also, Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also promotes the effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes. Coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium, which are necessary for the development of bones. Thus, it is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.
Coconut oil isn’t particularly rich in any micronutrients, although it does have trace amounts of a few. The only mineral you’ll get from coconut oil is iron, which is a nutrient that helps with oxygen transportation. Coconut oil contains a miniscule amount of vitamin K, which is a vitamin that helps your blood to clot. You’ll even get a little vitamin E, which is an antioxidant vitamin that nixes damaging free radicals and shields all cells.
So, why not start using coconut oil as from today!!!
REFERENCES
Australian Dietary Guidelines, 2013
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010
Coconut oil has a multitude of health benefits, which include but are not limited to skin care, hair care, improving digestion and immunity against a host of infections and diseases.
There is a misconception spreading among many people that coconut oil is not good for heart health. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. In reality, it is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in actively preventing various heart problems like high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Coconut oil does not lead to increase in LDL levels, and it reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis. Also, Coconut oil is very useful for weight loss. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and endocrine system. Furthermore, it increases the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, thereby burning more energy and helping obese and overweight people lose the weight.
When it comes to immunity, coconut oil strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which research has supported as an effective way to deal with viruses and bacteria that cause diseases like herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, etc. Coconut oil helps in fighting harmful bacteria like listeria monocytogenes and helicobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.
The presence of medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids in this coconut oil helps in preventing liver diseases because those substances are easily converted into energy when they reach the liver, thus reducing the work load of the liver and also preventing accumulation of fat. Also, Coconut oil helps in controlling blood sugar, and improves the secretion of insulin. It also promotes the effective utilization of blood glucose, thereby preventing and treating diabetes. Coconut oil improves the ability of our body to absorb important minerals. These include calcium and magnesium, which are necessary for the development of bones. Thus, it is very useful to women who are prone to osteoporosis after middle age.
Coconut oil isn’t particularly rich in any micronutrients, although it does have trace amounts of a few. The only mineral you’ll get from coconut oil is iron, which is a nutrient that helps with oxygen transportation. Coconut oil contains a miniscule amount of vitamin K, which is a vitamin that helps your blood to clot. You’ll even get a little vitamin E, which is an antioxidant vitamin that nixes damaging free radicals and shields all cells.
So, why not start using coconut oil as from today!!!
REFERENCES
Australian Dietary Guidelines, 2013
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010
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