Opt for coconut oil when cooking and baking in place of butter. It is one of the few oils that remains ‘healthy’ and does not oxidise when heated.
Coconut oil is also rich in lauric acid, a saturated fat that enhances the immune system through its antiviral and antibacterial effects, so it can be used to ease skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis when applied directly. Those who suffer from yeast infections or thrush may benefit from a more coconut-rich diet because of its antibacterial qualities.
It is also a superfood for the brain, reducing inflammation and stimulating the growth of new brain cells.
Coconut oil is also proven to reduce cholesterol. Coconut oil has lauric acid, a type of MCT. It has been shown that lauric acid increases the good HDL cholesterol in the blood to help improve cholesterol ratio levels.
Coconut oil lowers cholesterol by promoting its conversion to pregnenolone, a molecule that is a precursor to many of the hormones our bodies need. Coconut can help restore normal thyroid function. When the thyroid does not function optimally, it can contribute to higher levels of bad cholesterol.
The oil when in a cold environment will harden and then turn into its clear liquid form when temperatures rise.
I recommend keeping half in the kitchen and the other half in the bathroom. “The oil is an amazing natural moisturiser for the skin (rub over body after a shower or bath when skin is still a little damp) and a fabulous hair treatment for the summer when we suffer with the drying effects from the sun and sea”.
By Andrea Evans
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Article submitted by Andrea Evans from healthfood store Mundo Saudável, Almancil
