10 Great Ways to Use Coconut Oil
You may have heard of how good coconut oil is, but do you know the best ways to use coconut oil? Foods that have an incredible array of health benefits that go well beyond just their nutrient value are considered “superfoods.” Mothers’ milk is considered the most perfect food on the planet for human consumption due to its ideal nutritional content and immune boosting compounds. The closest match in nature to mothers’ milk is found within the coconut.
This tropical staple is loaded with many powerful fatty acids that give it a unique taste and an abundance of health enhancing benefits. This article goes over the health benefits of coconut oil and 10 great ways to use coconut oil.
Coconut and MCTs
Coconut Oil is rich in healthy small to medium chained saturated fats called medium chain triglycerides or MCT’s. Most common vegetable or seed oils consist of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs), also known as long-chain triglycerides or LCTs.
The LCT’s put more strain on the pancreas, liver, and GI tract (1). The body must package these LCT’s with carrier proteins that require special enzymes to effectively metabolize.
MCT’s Provide Powerful Health Benefits:
These MCT’s are smaller and permeate cell membranes easily without the need for carrier proteins and special enzymes. MCT’s are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into usable energy rather than being stored as fat.
In fact, MCT’s do not depend on bile or pancreatic enzymes to be effectively metabolized. This makes coconut oil fully digestible by those who have had their gallbladder removed.
Coconut oil is the most stable of all the commonly used fatty acid sources due to its high composition of saturated fats. This stability is very important because it reduces the free radical load on our bodies. Physiologist and biochemist Ray Peat, Ph.D. considers coconut fats to be an antioxidant due to its resistance to oxidation and free radical formation (2).
Coconut Oil is Great for Hormone Health:
Coconut oil helps to balance hormones, stabilize blood sugar levels and boost the cellular healing process (3, 4, 5, 8). It is also known to stimulate the thyroid and reduce stress on the liver and pancreas. This increases metabolism and helps us burn fat more effectively. Additionally, coconut oil increases our energy levels due to its very clean and easy digestive process.
Both mothers’ milk and coconut oil are rich in the immune boosting lauric acid which is converted in our body to monolaurin. Monolaurin contains extraordinarily powerful anti-biotic, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties.
Unlike man-made anti-biotics and anti-virals these fatty acids pose no danger within our bodies (6). They are completely harmless to us, yet powerful at destroying harmful microbes by damaging the cell membrane of these competing organisms. This makes coconut fats one of the best foods to eat during cold/flu season.
Coconut Oil Speeds Up Healing:
These MCT’s are also known for their ability to speed the healing process of cuts and bruises by destroying dangerous microbes and enhancing cellular metabolism and tissue repair (7). It is also very soothing and great at reducing stress when it is applied onto face, temples, and scalp.
Coconut oil is fantastic for keeping the skin and connective tissue strong & supple. It helps protect skin from the aging effects of free radicals and naturally reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It is also one of best nutritional moisturizers for our hair and scalp.
Applying coconut oil has been known to enhance texture and highlights in hair while eliminating dandruff and dry skin.
10 Ways to Use More Coconut Oil:
Always get virgin or extra virgin coconut oil. Hydrogenated coconut oils are harmful and cause adverse health effects.
- Rub into hair & onto skin as moisturizer after shower.
- Use as a natural deodorant by applying to underarms.
- Use it whenever you cook. Due to its incredible stability it can withstand high heat.
- Take an extra 1-2 tsp of the raw oil orally each day for improved energy and brain function.
- Practice oil pulling with coconut daily
- Put the oil in your morning coffee or tea
- Use coconut oil or coconut milk for shakes & creamy recipes
- Use it on steamed veggies to make them creamier and more satisfying.
- Snack on coconut flakes daily
- Combine with chocolate for some amazing recipes here
A Superior Choice:
There are so many products on the market that you may be confused about which one is the best. To experience the best caprylic acid benefits, I recommend Keto Brain. I personally use Keto Brain and recommend it to my patients and friends.
Keto Brain is a pure 8 carbon chain caprylic acid free of lauric and capric acid. It turns into ketones in your body very quickly, which means instant fuels for your brains. It also helps our body to make the switch from burning sugar to ketones as a primary fuel source simply and effectively.
Sources For This Article Include:
1. Foufelle F, Perdereau D, Gouhot B, Ferre P, Girard J. Effect of diets rich in medium-chain and long-chain triglycerides on lipogenic-enzyme gene expression in liver and adipose tissue of the weaned rat. Eur J Biochem. 1992 Sep 1;208(2):381-7. PMID: 1355731
2. NaturoDoc – Coconut Oil_and Its Virtues Link Here
3. Mercola – How to Help Your Thyroid With Virgin_Coconut Oil Link Here
4. Kochikuzhyil BM, Devi K, Fattepur SR. Effect of saturated fatty acid-rich dietary vegetable oils on lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes and glucose tolerance in diabetic rats. Indian J Pharmacol. 2010 Jun;42(3):142-5. PMID: 20871763
5. Garvan Institute – How Coconut Oil_Could Help Reduce The Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes Link Here
6. WebMD – MonoLaurin
7. Coconut Research Center – Coconut Oil and Medium-Chain Triglycerides Link Here
8. Feranil AB, Duazo PL, Kuzawa CW, Adair LS. Coconut oil is associated with a beneficial lipid profile in pre-menopausal women in the Philippines. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2011;20(2):190–195. PMCID: 3146349
How does this stop sugar cravings?
By providing an alternative energy source for the brain in ketones. The MCT’s in coconut oil convert to ketones and the brain senses it has the fuel it needs. This leads to less cravings!
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There is a big difference in taking coconut oil vs MCT oils. MCT oils do not have the Lauric acid and this is the most important MCT needed.
The lauric acid is also removed in coconut oil that has been deodorized.
Great points GC. Lauric acid though, does not act like an MCT and it takes bile to metabolize. But it is very powerful for the imnmune system.
Dear Dr Jockers
Can you reassure me that coconut oil is not high in phytoestrogens.
I am a breast cancer patient.
Many Thanks
Hey Fiona,
Coconut oil is DEFINITELY not high in phytoestrogens and is one of the best foods on the planet for someone trying to overcome breast cancer!
is coconut oil good for all skin type
and does coconut oil bleach the skin
Hey Olawale, Yes, coconut oil is a great source of nutrition for the skin! You can make a turmeric paste and it will stain the skin but I have never heard of coconut oil bleaching skin.