Coconut Oil, Miracle Food!

[CavySpirit]

I came across this rather succinct article today and thought I'd share it, despite the ad at the end. I've been using coconut oil heavily for about 4-5 months now and it's helped me change my life around!

I've given up coffee, sugar, alcohol, wheat, processed foods, lost going on 25 pounds so far, rid myself of a constant depression, increased my metabolism and energy levels, improved my skin and I feel great. It's been a day at a time effort, but I couldn't have done it without coconut oil. I'm a huge, huge fan. I've bought books, done a ton of research, signed up for a yahoo group, etc.

Coconut Oil
by Raymond Francis

Unjustly maligned for decades, coconut oil is reemerging as a miracle
fat that boosts energy, burns fat, is antibiotic, and helps with
thyroid problems. In the past, poorly done, misleading studies were
used to discredit the saturated fats in coconut oil in order to
displace it in our diet with soybean oil. Now that soybean oil has
caused an epidemic of health problems, healthy coconut oil is being
reintroduced.

Coconut oil has been safely used for thousands of years. Natives in
tropical climates who consume lots of coconut oil don't suffer from
the heart disease, cancer, colon problems, and other health challenges
that we do. Because it is highly saturated, coconut oil is very
stable, stores well, and is suitable for cooking. But don't let the
saturation bother you. These saturated fats are different. The
medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are easy to absorb, digest,
transport, and metabolize in the body. Unlike other saturated fats,
the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil speed up the body's
metabolism and are used by the body to produce energy rather than
being stored as fat. Coconut oil does a body good. Let's have a look
at the reasons why:

Heart Healthy
Population studies show that coconut oil lowers cholesterol, and
reduces risk of heart disease. Americans consistently have higher
cholesterol levels than coconut eating cultures.

Weight Control
Coconut oil helps you to lose, maintain, or gain weight depending on
your body's need. It contributes to weight loss by speeding metabolism
and being used as fuel rather than stored as fat. For underweight
people, coconut oil helps to gain weight, especially useful to those
suffering from AIDS or cancer.

Infection Fighting
The medium-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found in coconut oil
are the same as those in human mother's milk, and they have
extraordinary antimicrobial properties. By disrupting the lipid
structures of microbes, they inactivate them. About half of coconut
oil consists of lauric acid. Lauric acid, its metabolite monolaurin,
and other fatty acids in coconut oil are known to protect against
infection from bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, and parasites. While
not having any negative effect on beneficial gut bacteria, coconut oil
inactivates undesirable microbes such as H-pylori, Candida albicans,
and Giardia. Natives in Southeast Asia who drink filthy water, loaded
with bacteria and parasites, are nonetheless healthy, mostly due to
the protective effect of the coconut oil in their diets.

Thyroid Support
Coconut oil helps people with low thyroid function. Regular oils such
as soybean, canola, safflower and corn suppress thyroid function. The
medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil stimulate metabolism, boost
energy, and promote weight loss. While not a cure, some people have
been able to reduce and even eliminate their thyroid medications.

Cancer Protective
Coconut oil appears to protect against cancer and not to promote
cancer. Animal studies have shown that when animals are fed
carcinogens and a variety of oils, the animals that do not develop
cancer are those on coconut oil.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Coconut oil appears to have anti-inflammatory effects. For the past 20
years it has been known that coconut oil has been beneficial to
patients with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease.
Coconut oil appears to have a direct effect in suppressing
inflammation and repairing tissue, and it may also contribute by
inhibiting harmful intestinal microorganisms that cause chronic
inflammation.

Good for the Skin
Coconut oil rejuvenates skin and wrinkles and slows the aging and
wrinkling of skin. Used as a lotion, it protects against sun
damage, and strengthens underlying tissues. It moisturizes, heals
sores and injuries, and prevents production of "liver spots,"
(oxidized oils). When liver spots occur, this same oxidative damage
is also happening in other tissues such as the brain, heart, eyes, and
blood vessels.

Among other properties, coconut oil:
• Does not require refrigeration, and is stable at room temperature
from one to five years.
• Increases lung function by increasing the fluidity of cell surfaces.
• Regulates blood sugar and prevents hypoglycemia by providing a
supply of fuel not affected by insulin.
• Boosts energy in chronic fatigue and suppresses herpes and
Epstein-Barr viruses.
• Doesn't oxidize easily, thereby protecting the body from lipid
peroxidation.

Selecting a healthy, high-quality coconut oil was no easy task.
Obtaining reliable information about production techniques and quality
was difficult. These products come from far away third-world
countries, and from small producers who may speak poor English and
have difficulty answering technical questions. I found that even some
usually reliable sources in the U.S. were not offering the best oil
because they ran up against the same problems, didn't do their
homework, and made poor choices.

The virgin coconut oil I have approved is the least processed oil on
the market. This extraordinary oil is not heated above normal air
temperature, and it is made form freshly harvested coconuts. Most oils
are made from copra (dried coconut), which can be contaminated with
mold. A therapeutic dose is three tablespoons a day.

Raymond Francis is an M.I.T.-trained scientist, a registered nutrition
consultant, author of Never Be Sick Again, Never Be Fat Again, host of
the Beyond Health Show and an internationally recognized leader in the
emerging field of optimal health maintenance. For more information
call 800-250-3063 or email info@beyondhealth. com.

Just FYI, you need to buy Virgin, Cold-Pressed, Organic Coconut Oil. I also buy the Coconut Creme for my herbal teas. I buy organic coconut milk for cooking. It makes an incredibly easy and delicious soup base. I've special ordered coconut flour from Whole Foods. I buy fresh coconuts at the Asian market or Whole Foods for the water and meat.

Also, there are a number of applications of coconut oil for guinea pigs and pets.

[Emmett]

How do you use it? I bought a jar over a year ago and have no idea if it's used for frying or what. Could I use it in my bread machine instead of oil?

[Res Judicata]

Wow, I never knew coconut oil did so much for you. I'm going to have to look into it. I could stand to lose weight. I have never thought of coconut milk for cooking before. Does it work in baking as well? I can never get an animal product free cake to work out. It's always dry or tastes just a bit off.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

I'm sold. I also was wondering how you use it. Do you just use it in place of olive oil and vegetable oil, or just drink your 3 tablespoons like medicine? And can you find it in a regular grocery store? Your second paragraph testimony was enough for me to give it a whirl.

[VoodooJoint]

It's also the #1 recommended oil to use on GPs that suffer from dry skin so that's another reason to keep it in the house.

[CavySpirit]

My first experience with VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil) was with the Tropical Traditions brand. I found a local supplier of the oil and coconut creme concentrate.

Virgin Coconut Oil - Certified Organic from Tropical Traditions

Here's a finder for their retail outlets which is a little hard to find on the site: Retail Outlets - Tropical Traditions

Weight loss: Weight Loss - The Coconut Diet™

Pets: Pet Nutrition - The Coconut Diet™

The Coconut Diet™

I highly recommend the books by Fife.

Once you start reading and researching, you'll be hooked. Really.

I use the oil for all cooking.

[CavySpirit]

Originally Posted by PiggieMamaKelly

I'm sold. I also was wondering how you use it. Do you just use it in place of olive oil and vegetable oil, or just drink your 3 tablespoons like medicine? And can you find it in a regular grocery store? Your second paragraph testimony was enough for me to give it a whirl.

I AVOID all other oils now, big time. 3 straight tablespoons is a little hard to take. You have to get creative--tea, juice, food, etc.

[kathrynj]

I have experimented with coconut oil on my cat, heating her prescription weight loss food (that she gains weight on!!) and stirring through some organic cold pressed coconut oil through. Although I have no scales to weigh her, I definately noticed a huge difference when I did this.

I am now encouraged and reminded to start doing this again with her! I am trying her on the vegan cat food at present.

Perhaps I can put some in my empty capsules and take it myself!

[Ly&Pigs]

I ordered 2 jars last Friday and can't wait to try it out. I am so hoping it will help with all my health problems and hoping that I may be able to lose a little weight.

[kathrynj]

Hmmm I started taking some, but I have stopped and think I will go on some kind of liver cleanse first, from what I am reading. Did you do that first Theresa or just started it? How did it go in the beginning?

[CavySpirit]

I don't honestly think I could have done any cleanse without first being on coconut oil and very healthy eating for a while.

After already starting to lose weight and get healthier, including kicking coffee, sugar, etc., it was only through additional healthy reading and research that I discovered the lemonade diet--a 10-day cleanse/fast program. I was so motivated to start that. But I had just had my breast surgery, so still need to wait until I am fully recovered from this first. HOWEVER, I was so motivated to do it, that I decided to do it halfway. I do the laxative tea at night, a pint of the salt water (instead of a quart) in the morning, and just the lemon juice or other juice in the morning. Then after noon, I have a very light lunch and a very light dinner. Sometimes I skip dinner. My meals always have coconut something in them. I've been doing this for about 3 weeks now. I feel great. I'm losing at least a pound a week, which is great. Of course, I'm exercising as well. I walk agressively for about an hour and a half around 4 times a week and dance at night almost every night either a little or a lot. You would think with that level of activity I could have lost weight in the past, but not. When you are post menopause, your body just slows down as your hormones whack out.

In February, I had actually hit 175. Today, I'm at 150. My new goal on this program is to hit 139 so that I can safely bounce around between 140 and 145. I'm 5' 8". I'm tall, so I can carry the weight pretty well anyway, but I sure look a heck of lot better at a thinner weight. I plan to hit my goal by mid-November if not sooner.

I have a post-surgery check up this Thursday. I'm still a little bit sore, but recovery is going well.

I HIGHLY recommend the Lemonade Diet as a cleanse and weightloss diet, but it's more than a diet, it's a basically a 10-day fast. There is lots of info available on it on the net. I bought the books as well.

[CavySpirit]

Also, I HIGHLY recommend buying/ordering this Coconut Creme Concentrate: Coconut Cream Concentrate - Tropical Traditions

It's what I use in my tea throughout the day. It's a good source of the oil that tastes good. If I'm on the road or working, I would fill up a small jar of this and keep it on hand with my favorite herbal tea bags. Especially great for de-stressing! Probably part pyscho-somatic for me, but if I had a particularly stressful meeting coming up or just ending, I'd calm myself with a cup of tea and coconut creme concentrate.

With my small jar of coconut creme concentrate and herbal tea bags and a plastic spoon in my purse. All I need is a cup of hot water to have a nice enjoying cup of tea while others are eating or having their desserts or having their lattes. I don't feel deprived anymore. (Well, not much anyway.)

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Is the upset stomach a temporary normal reaction? I just feel a little sick after a good dose of it. Last night, for example, I put two tbsp in a smoothie and it just didn't sit well. I have also been putting some in my own herbal teas (the oil, not cream) and it just seems to make me feel sick. Any thoughts?

[avcavies]

Wow, sounds like a great product. I still can't figure out exactly what you use it for. In other words, how does it replace wheat and those other foods?

[CCcages]

Teresa - glad you're feeling so wonderful, my very best to you.

So I bought some of the VCO and the cream concentrate a couple weeks ago. I love everything coconut anyway, so I thought I'd give it a try. Last couple weeks were hectic and I hadn't tried it until today. I mixed a teaspoon of the oil in my tea, but I guess I was supposed to use the cream concentrate, but it was actually pretty good.

I have terrible eating habits and I feel like crap. But when I get on a roll of eating healthy, I feel so much better - it's just getting to that point. I'm hoping this can motivate me.

So, I'm not into cooking (in fact, I hate it). So what's something really easy to put the cream concentrate in other than tea? And do you have to stir up the cream concentrate everytime you use it? (Seems to get separated in the jar).

[CavySpirit]

Originally Posted by PiggieMamaKelly

Is the upset stomach a temporary normal reaction? I just feel a little sick after a good dose of it. Last night, for example, I put two tbsp in a smoothie and it just didn't sit well. I have also been putting some in my own herbal teas (the oil, not cream) and it just seems to make me feel sick. Any thoughts?

I'm not sure what to tell you about that. I know that a few years ago, when I started juicing, I thought, 'I'm making myself sick. I can't do this.' Turns out, my body just wasn't used to it and needed to go through that to get 'clean' so to speak. I gave up too soon. Personally, I wouldn't give up yet if you can tolerate it. But, I would also say that, you need to also focus on healthier eating in general. I don't know what your diet is, but doing coconut alone isn't going to solve everything. You have to take a multi-prong approach.

Also, instead of a smoothie, perhaps try it in a more traditional place, such as frying something--potatoes absorb a lot of fat. I use a combination of coconut oil for frying mostly, coconut milk for cooking, and coconut creme for tea.

Currently, my main meal is a very late breakfast of a couple of free-range eggs, some coconut flour, coconut milk, all stirred together and fried up in coconut oil. Sometimes I 'onion it up' with other veggies and whatnot. Sometimes I fruit it up.

I highly recommend buying a couple of books: The Coconut Oil Miracle and Coconut Cures by Bruce Fife.

Also check out the coconut oil yahoo group for more support and questions.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Thanks for your thoughts. The upset stomach is getting slightly better as time goes on. If it is not a "normal" reaction, I am thinking it is due to taking in so much fat at once. I am typically a very healthy eater and do not eat a lot of fat in one sitting. Even though coconut oil may be a "healthy fat", eating almost 30 grams at once might be a lot for my system to handle. Ideally I'd like to spread the 3 tbsp out a bit more throughout the day, but I'm not really keen on all my meals tasting like coconut.

I'm not trying to lose or gain any weight, I was just hoping to get all that energy you mentioned. Still waiting for that But I generally feel pretty good as it is. I have been very fascinated with the research I've done so far.

[CavySpirit]

Originally Posted by PiggieMamaKelly

I have been very fascinated with the research I've done so far.

It's pretty amazing isn't? I really recommend getting a couple of the books. Just don't take the oil close to bedtime. A number of people say it keeps them awake at night.

And for the people that have coconut oil, don't forget to use it morning and evening as a facial moisturizer. Helps all kinds of skin things, including wrinkles.

[kathrynj]

That is very interesting about the juice, as when I have fresh veggie juice that I LOVE YUMMMMMO I always feel very sick afterwards! I can tolerate the V8 veggie juice, not the tomato based one though ewwww, and feel fine.

What is weird about that is I eat so much veggies and fruit already, so I would think I was 'used' to it, so to speak, maybe it has to do with the concentration of it though.

I use the coconut oil I have at the moment mostly topically, as I have extrodinarily dry skin, it is wonderful for it, and is absorbed in very quickly.

*toddles off to try some more coconut oil *

I read somewhere, can't think where, about the use of coconut oil on fungal conditions partricularly of animals. Very interesting stuff indeed!

[CavySpirit]

Just saw this on my yahoo group. Thought I'd share:

You do not need to take it straight - if you don't like the "oily" mix it with some butter and use in place of - mix it with maple syrup - and I do mean a lot of it and use on pancakes etc. not too mention I cook the
pancakes in the VCO also!!!

Make nut butter - you again can put a ton of the oil in and it will take on the flavor of whatever you are mixing it with, and because it gets solid as soon as you put it in the fridge...

I personally love using the oil on veggies - especially corn on the cob - to DIE for!!!! It is way better than butter. Then add sea salt and I am in heaven!!!

I also make popcorn with the oil and then put a little more on when cooked - again you could mix with butter if you want that flavor....

Use on toast - then cinnamon and or P. Butter or homemade nut butter - use in place of all other oils/shortening/ butter in all recipes - I make brownies and cake using it - NO ONE has ever known - cannot taste it.

Melt dark chocolate, add tons of the oil, nuts coconut flakes and if you need it some sweetner...put in fridge - Yummo!!!!! Tastes like a wonderful grownup Mounds Bar!!!!

Pick up a fresh coconut when you do your food shopping - it does not stay long after opened even in the fridge - so split it up and everyone can have some.

You just have to get creative and then you will start seeing hundreds of ways to use the oil that make it wonderfully pleasant and not something you have to force because it is good for you!!!

Enjoy!!!

Here is my recipe:

Coconut/Carob Madeleines (2 a day!)

2T Coconut Oil (softened)
1T Raw Carob Powder
a little pinch of Stevia powder if you need it sweeter.

Carob powder is naturally sweet. Mix it together. Pour into a non-stick Madeleine pan. Freeze for 10 minutes. Makes 1 Madeleine. Yummy!