AFTER YEARS of getting a bad press, coconut oil, a saturated fat, is finally starting to clear its name. Coconut oil has been around for centuries. Ancient Ayurvedic (Indian) literature says it was used for medical and cosmetic purposes. Half of the world's population uses coconut oil. Studies show that people in tropical countries using coconut oil have generally good health and register less incidence of heart disease, cancer, digestive, and prostate problems. A smear campaign against coconut oil that favored soy bean oil made it suspect. But now coconut oil is no longer considered a "dietary poison." The oil contains a medium-chain fat called monolaurin that is considered unique and remarkable. The fat (coco oil is called the low-fat oil because it promotes weight loss) is found only in mother's milk. Coconut oil, commercially available as "Monolaurin Lauricidin," is currently undergoing clinical trials as a treatment for genital herpes, hepatitis C and infections with the human immunodeficiency virus that causes the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Clinical results so far have been very promising. Dr. Bruce Fife, nutritionist and naturopathic physician, in his book "The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil," explains why we should welcome the return of coconut oil.
Ancient Food
The coconut and all its by-products--oil, milk, jam--have been used by millions for thousands of years in Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa and Central America. Ancient humans who depended on coconut for sustenance did not suffer from cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and other degenerative diseases. Lifestyle diseases were then unheard of. In Panama, coco oil is used as a health drink/tonic to help fight illness. Jamaicans believe the oil strengthens the heart. Generations of Filipinos have used it for cooking and treating baldness, dandruff, itchy scalp, and to nourish the hair and skin. The 2,500 residents of Pukapuka and Tokelau atolls in the northern Cook Islands have been closely observed since the early '60s. The people subsist on coconut, root crops, fish, chicken and pork. Coconut water, milk and meat are their staple. Test results show that, despite a high-fat diet, there are no cases of clogged arteries and other heart problems, colon cancer, ulcers and appendicitis on the atolls.
Heart-friendly
Although coco oil is considered saturated fat (known as the bad fat), so far no legitimate research has shown that it raises blood cholesterol levels when consumed. Perhaps it is because coco oil is a medium chain fat, which doesn't stay long in the body because it is used primarily for energy. It seems not to stay long enough to become body fat or cholesterol. "While coconut oil's direct effect on blood cholesterol [is] neutral, it may indirectly lower LDL [bad] cholesterol and increase HDL [good] cholesterol" because it stimulates the metabolism. Low metabolism reportedly increases bad blood cholesterol levels. Coco oil protects against high cholesterol by producing energy, not fat. The oil also fights infection and has anti-bacterial/anti-viral, anti-fungal properties.
AIDS Fighter
Dr. Fife tells the story of Chris Dafoe, an AIDS patient from Indiana, United States, who, in September 1996, decided to take one last trip. After making arrangements for his funeral, he left for Surinam off the coast of South America. There he lived with Indians and ate a diet consisting only of cooked coconut and coco milk. After six weeks, he regained the 32 pounds he originally lost and felt better. When he underwent new laboratory tests, his viral load was down to "undetectable levels." The amount of HIV in his system was no longer measurable. Today, he continues to eat coconut with his cereal at breakfast convinced it keeps his HIV under control.
Daily Dose
Dr. Fife says adults should take 3 1/2 tbsp of coconut oil daily. But there are more palatable ways to enjoy it.
Fruit smoothie: Mix 1 1/2 cups coconut milk (fresh is best) with any fruit like mango, papaya, peach, strawberries, etc. in a blender. This drink is enough for your daily dose.
Hot cereal: You can add a tablespoon of coco oil in your cereal and 1/4 cup of coco milk in your cereal or oatmeal.
Soupy delight:
2 14-oz cans of coco milk (or fresh if you wish)
1/4 c water
2 c asparagus/broccoli/cauliflower
4 tbsp coco oil 6 tbsp flour
1/4 c onion
1/2 c celery
1/2 tbsp marjoram
Salt and pepper
Heat the oil, add flour and stir till golden brown. Add onions, celery, veggie and sauté for 5 minutes. Add coco milk. Cook for 10 minutes. Add seasoning. Blend the ingredients to make a creamy soup.
Beauty rub After a warm bath, rub virgin coco oil all over your body. In 10 minutes, your skin (including your face) will feel smoother.
Love and light!
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