My Top Reasons for taking Virgin Organic Coconut Oil

I absolutely love Virgin Organic Coconut oil. Rich tasting and creamy but most of all it is a wonderful superfood. Its unique combination of fatty acids have been shown to possess numerous health benefits. I’ve been experimenting with Lucy Bee Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil in a wealth of recipes as well as using it topically to nourish my skin. Visit their website for more information about their oil.

Here are my top reasons for making coconut oil a dietary staple

An Amazing Energy Source. Rich in healthy medium-chain-triglycerides (MCTs) our body metabolises these fats in the liver, immediately converting this into energy (fuel for the brain and the body) rather than it being stored as fat (1)

Ideal for Weight Management. Studies suggest coconut oil is easy to digest, reduces abdominal obesity and helps prevent insulin resistance which can lead to weight gain. The MCTs in coconut oil increase energy expenditure compared to the same amount of calories from longer chain fats helping you burn more fat! (2)

Supports Healthy Thyroid & Metabolism. Replacing processed oils with coconut oil improves metabolism and thyroid function. One study found that participants who consumed two tablespoons of coconut oil per day burned more kilojoules than those who consumed less. A healthy metabolism helps keep weight off too (3)

Aids Blood Sugar Control Research suggests that coconut oil protects against insulin resistance which may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Lauric acid present in Coconut Oil may also protect against diabetes-induced dyslipidemia (unhealthy levels of blood fats).(4) (5)

Curbs Hunger. Studies have shown eating coconut oil can significantly reduce appetite, which may help you maintain a healthy body weight long term.(6) (7) (8)

Great for Digestive Health. Easy to digest and rich in anti-microbial properties. The fatty acids and breakdown products (lauric acid, monolaurin and caprylic acid) in coconut oil can kill harmful pathogens, potentially helping to prevent infections associated with digestive disorders (9)

Heart Healthy. Cholesterol Free. Coconut oil can improve blood cholesterol levels and may lower your risk of heart disease (10)

Promotes Brain Health Studies show that the fatty acids in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketone bodies, supplying energy for the brain cells which may relieve symptoms in Alzheimer’s and improve cognitive function (11) (12)

Supports Immune Function Being rich in lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid coconut oil has antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral properties to support the immune system. For example it has been shown to be effective against Staphylococcus infections (13)

A Beauty Oil. Not just for cooking coconut oil is wonderfully nourishing for the skin and hair too. Apply coconut oil directly to your skin to soften the appearance of fine lines, moisturise the skin and alleviate dryness. Be sure you use virgin coconut oil with no additives (14)

Cooks In High Temperatures. One of the safest oils to cook with thanks to its high smoking temperature. It will not oxidise at high temperatures creating damaged fats

An Effective Mouthwash. Coconut oil is traditionally used in a process called oil pulling, which can kill some of the harmful bacteria in the mouth, improve dental health and reduce bad breath (15)

Want to use coconut oil in some healthy recipes?  Check out some of my recipes like my Chocolate Paleo Bread or my Paleo Chocolate Dough Balls

References

(1) Seaton TB, Welle SL, Warenko MK, Campbell RG. Thermic effect of medium-chain and long-chain triglycerides in man. Am J Clin Nutr. 1986 Nov;44(5):630-4.

(2) Scalfi L1, Coltorti A, Contaldo F. Postprandial thermogenesis in lean and obese subjects after meals supplemented with medium-chain and long-chain triglycerides. Am J Clin Nutr. 1991 May;53(5):1130-3.

(3) Dulloo AG1, Fathi M, Mensi N, Girardier L. Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure and urinary catecholamines of humans consuming low-to-moderate amounts of medium-chain triglycerides: a dose-response study in a human respiratory chamber. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1996 Mar;50(3):152-8.

(4) Turner et. al. Enhancement of muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity and alterations in insulin action are lipid species-dependent: Potent tissue-specific effects of medium chain fatty acids Diabetes August 31, 2009

(5) Assunção ML1, Ferreira HS, dos Santos AF, Cabral CR Jr, Florêncio TM.Effects of dietary coconut oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting abdominal obesity. Lipids. 2009 Jul;44(7):593-601. doi: 10.1007/s11745-009-3306-6. Epub 2009 May 13.

(6) McClernon FJ1, Yancy WS Jr, Eberstein JA, Atkins RC, Westman EC. The effects of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet and a low-fat diet on mood, hunger, and other self-reported symptoms. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2007 Jan;15(1):182-7.

(7) Stubbs RJ1, Harbron CG. Covert manipulation of the ratio of medium- to long-chain triglycerides in isoenergetically dense diets: effect on food intake in ad libitum feeding men. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1996 May;20(5):435-44.

(8) Van Wymelbeke et. al. Influence of medium-chain and long-chain triacylglycerols on the control of food intake in men. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998 Aug;68(2):226-34.

(9) Jon J. Kabara, Dennis M. Swieczkowski, Anthony J. Conley, and Joseph P. Truant

Fatty Acids and Derivatives as Antimicrobial Agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. Jul 1972; 2(1): 23–28.

(10) Ronald P Mensink et. al. Effects of dietary fatty acids and carbohydrates on the ratio of serum total to HDL cholesterol and on serum lipids and apolipoproteins: a meta-analysis of 60 controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr May 2003 vol. 77 no. 5 1146-1155

(11) Samuel T. Henderson,Ketone Bodies as a Therapeutic for Alzheimer’s Disease. Neurotherapeutics Volume 5, Issue 3, July 2008, Pages 470–480

(12) Reger MA1, Henderson ST, Hale C, Cholerton B, Baker LD, Watson GS, Hyde K, Chapman D, Craft S. Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate on cognition in memory-impaired adults. Neurobiol Aging. 2004 Mar;25(3):311-4.

(13) Ruzin A1, Novick RP. Equivalence of lauric acid and glycerol monolaurate as inhibitors of signal transduction in Staphylococcus aureus. J Bacteriol. 2000 May;182(9):2668-71.

(14) Agero AL1, Verallo-Rowell VM. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis. 2004 Sep;15(3):109-16.

(15) S Asokan et. al. (2008) Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind study Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventative Dentistry 26: 12-17