20 Coconut Oil Benefits for Your Brain, Heart, Joints + More!
By Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS
To date, there are over 1,500 studies proving coconut oil to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Coconut oil uses and benefits go beyond what most people realize, as coconut oil, made from copra or fresh coconut flesh, is a true superfood. There’s no doubt that many people are confused about whether or not they should consume coconut oil regularly. Studies recommend using 30 grams per day or two tablespoons spread throughout the day, if healthy and more if not. We need saturated fats to enhance our immune function and protect the liver from toxins, as well as reduce inflammation naturally which is the root cause of heart disease and most other conditions.
What Is Coconut Oil? Coconut oil is made by pressing dried coconut meat, called copra, or fresh coconut meat. Coconut oil has a firm texture at cool or room temperatures. At temperatures about 78 degrees, coconut oil liquefies. It has a smoke point of about 350 degrees, making it a great oil option for sautéed dishes, sauces, baked goods and making popcorn.
Types of Coconut Oil
*Virgin coconut oil is the least refined and most beneficial. It’s made with copra, or dried coconut meat, that’s removed from the shell and pressed to extract the natural oils. Virgin coconut oil typically has a great nutty and sweet flavor.
*Refined coconut oil has gone through a refining process that involves bleaching and deodorizing the oil. Refined oils don’t have a noticeable coconut taste or aroma. Refined coconut oils are not recommended because many of them are made with high temperatures and harsh chemicals, both of which can destroy the oil’s beneficial antioxidants.
Coconut Oil Nutrition
Thousands of studies have been conducted to uncover the secrets of this amazing superfood. One tablespoon of coconut oil contains about 120 calories, 14 grams of fat, no fiber, no cholesterol and only trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. 91 percent of the fat in coconut oil is healthy saturated fat which makes it one of the most beneficial fats on the planet, according to the USDA nutrient database.
20 Evidence-Based Coconut Oil Benefits
1. Proven Alzheimer’s Disease Natural Treatment. Coconut oil repairs the brain in Alzheimer’s patients where cholesterol and glucose are insufficient. In part, this insufficiency causes Alzheimer’s.
2. Prevents Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure. Saturated fats not only increase the healthy cholesterol (known as HDL cholesterol) in your body, but also help convert the LDL “bad” cholesterol into good cholesterols. Coconut oil also lowers triglycerides with only two tablespoons per day.
3. Treats UTI and Kidney Infection and Protects the Liver. It works as a natural antibiotic by disrupting the lipid coating on bacteria and killing them. Research also shows that coconut oil directly protects the liver from damage. Doctors have even injected coconut water to clear up kidney stones.
4. Reduces Inflammation and Arthritis. Virgin coconut oil reduces inflammation and improves arthritis symptoms more effectively than leading medications. It works as both an analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
5. Cancer Prevention and Treatment. Coconut oil has ketones produced in the oil and medium-chained fatty acid (MCF). Both fight cancer.
6. Immune System Boost (Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiviral). Coconut oil fights candida, bad bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites in the body. It serves as a carrier liquid for essential oils that cure nail fungus. Sugar feeds the growth of bad bacteria and fungus, so avoid sugar whenever possible. When you’re sick, take one tablespoon of coconut oil three times daily and consume plenty of vegetables and bone broth as well.
7. Improves Memory and Brain Function. The MCFAs in coconut oil improves memory and recallability problems in older people.
8. Improves Energy and Endurance. Coconut oil is easy to digest and also produces a longer sustained energy. Today, many athletes use coconut oil as their source of fuel for long-distance events. You can make a homemade energy fuel by mixing one tablespoon each of coconut oil, raw honey and chia seeds and consume this mixture 30 minutes before exercising.
9. Improves Digestion and Reduces Stomach Ulcers and Ulcerative Colitis. Coconut also improves digestion and gut health.
10. Reduces Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease and Pancreatitis. Coconut oil reduces the strain on the pancreas and gall bladder.
11. Improves Skin Issues (Burns, Eczema, Dandruff, Dermatitis and Psoriasis). Coconut oil is wonderful as a face cleanser, moisturizer and sun screen, but also it can treat and heal many skin disorders while it protects the skin.
12. Prevents Gum Disease and Tooth Decay. Coconut oil pulling has beneficial effects on overall health. By swishing the oil in your mouth, the oil denatures the bacteria and sticks to it. Removing oral bacteria greatly reduces your risk of periodontal disease. If you want to heal your gums and repair your teeth, use coconut oil three times a week for 20 minutes a day.
13. Prevents Osteoporosis. Coconut oil has high levels of antioxidants which help fight free radicals, making it a leading natural treatment for osteoporosis. Another of the amazing coconut oil health benefits is that it increases calcium absorption in the gut. It also increases bone volume and structure while it decreases bone loss due to osteoporosis.
14. Improves Type II Diabetes. The MCFAs in coconut oil help balance the insulin reactions in the cells and promote healthy digestive processes. They decrease the strain on the pancreas and give the body a consistent energy source that is not dependent on glucose reactions which can prevent insulin resistance and type II diabetes.
15. Coconut Oil for Weight loss. It helps burn fat and calories, decreases appetite and helps to lose belly fat. Coconut oil contains caprylic acid that produces significant improvements in thyroid function, helps lower resting heart rate and assists the body in burning fat for energy.
16. Building Muscle and Losing Body Fat. The MCFAs in coconut oil are great for building muscle. It’s best to use real coconut oil or unsweetened coconut itself instead of supplements to get the full benefits. add two tablespoons of coconut oil to a muscle-building shake daily for better performance.
17. Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair Care. If you have dandruff or dry hair, coconut oil has the perfect fatty acids to help improve these conditions. You can use straight coconut oil as an all-natural hair conditioner. To get rid of dandruff and thicken hair, massage one tablespoon of coconut oil mixed with 10 drops of rosemary essential oil into your scalp for 3 minutes. Then shower 30 minutes later.
18. Candida and Yeast Infections. The capric acid and lauric acid in coconut oil serve as an effective natural treatment for candida albicans and yeast infections. To effectively kill candida and treat yeast infections, remove processed sugar and refined grains from your diet. Consume plenty of healthy fats. Take one tablespoon of coconut oil three times daily as a supplement.
19. Coconut Oil for Anti-Aging. Coconut oil improves antioxidant levels and can slow aging. Coconut oil works by reducing stress on the liver and lowering oxidative stress. Coconut oil also supports detoxification because of its interaction with the liver. To naturally slow aging, take one tablespoon of coconut oil with antioxidant-rich berries for breakfast. You can also apply it directly to skin for additional health benefits and smoothing.
20. Coconut Oil for Hormone Balance. Coconut oil helps to naturally balance hormones because it’s a great source of saturated fat, including lauric acid. Coconut oil can be an excellent fat to consume during menopause and also may have positive effects on estrogen levels. In order to naturally balance hormones, load up on healthy fats from coconut, avocado, flax seeds, ghee, coconut butter and coconut water.
Coconut oil is known for reducing side effects of many medications, such as those used in cancer treatment. It can also prevent cancer from occurring. Research shows that coconut oil can reduce symptoms of inflammation and arthritis. Avoid hydrogenated oils whenever possible and choose extra virgin coconut oil instead. The best form is virgin, wet milled, unrefined, organic coconut oil. Refined versions are not as beneficial.
How to Use Coconut Oil
1. Cooking and Baking. It’s easier to digest than other types of oils. Use it for: sautéing veggies and meats, adding a creaminess to your coffee, making delicious popcorn, adding nutrients to your smoothie and replacing unhealthy fats in baked goods.
2. Skin and Hair Health. You can apply coconut oil topically directly to your skin or as a carrier for essential oils or blends. Rubbing it into your skin right after you shower is especially beneficial. Coconut oil works as a great moisturizer and it has antimicrobial properties that will boost skin and hair health. Some ways to use coconut oil for your skin and hair include: a natural skin moisturizer, to fight pre-mature aging, to create a natural wound salve, to make an anti-fungal cream, to make a natural hair conditioner, to treat dandruff and detangling hair.
3. Mouth and Teeth Health. Coconut oil can be used for oil pulling, which is an Ayurvedic practice that works to detoxify the mouth, remove plaque and bacteria, and freshen breath. Swish one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 10-20 minutes and then dump the oil into the trash.
4. DIY (Do It Yourself) Natural Remedy Recipes. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, making it an excellent ingredient in DIY natural remedy recipes that are used to fight infections and boost immunity. Some recipes that can be made with coconut oil include: lip balms, homemade toothpaste, natural deodorants, shaving cream and massage oils.
5. Household Cleanser. Coconut oil works as a natural dust preventer, laundry detergent, furniture polish and homemade hand soap. It kills bacteria and fungus that may be growing in your house and it keeps surfaces looking shiny.
Using coconut oil to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease is not yet overwhelmingly promoted by the medical profession, but its worth trying and often successful. Start with small quantities. Mix one tablespoon into each meal and increase the amount daily, one tablespoon morning, afternoon and night. Work towards a proper dosage. The most common recommendation is three tablespoons per meal and two more before going to sleep. Distribute it throughout the day. Its peak effect is 2 hours after eating. Be sure to consult your health professional or homeopathic practitioner for their advice, if you are going to try this regiment.
Final Thoughts on Coconut Oil Benefits
Yes, consuming coconut oil is very good for everyone. In appropriate amounts (about 2 tablespoons per day, if not sick), pure coconut oil benefits are immense, and they don’t stop with these 20 benefits. Coconut oil helps the body in so many ways which is due, in large part, to their medium-chained fatty acid content. Remember to always opt for a pure, unrefined organic version to get the best coconut oil benefits.
Source: Dr. Josh Axe
Liuda’s Note:
Since the brains of TIs are constantly being attacked and altered, it makes only wise sense to use coconut oil whenever possible, in my opinion. My favorite oils of choice are unrefined, organic coconut oil and Greek organic olive oil.