Have you jumped on the coconut oil bandwagon yet? Are you waiting to see if this is just going to be a fad? My belief, the coconut oil craze is here to stay. Coconut Oil is quite possibly one of nature’s best foods. I’ve summarized my favorite health benefits for you here. Look for the additional 2 parts to come.

1.  Supercharge Your Ability to Burn Fat

Coconut oil is a saturated fat that has been proven many times in research to reduce abdominal fat (the most dangerous kind). Kind of backward to what we’ve been taught right? Fat to burn fat? Cool! Human studies have shown just 2 tablespoons per day, in both men and women, is capable of reducing belly fat within 1-3 months.[1] Obesity is one of the biggest health issues in the world. Most people believe this is just related to calorie consumption. Myself, along with many other healthcare professionals, believe it’s more about the sources of where your calories are coming from. The types of foods you put in your body have different influences over your hormones and how your body functions. As a result, it’s not simply calorie for calorie. Coconut oil is rich in Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), which increase your energy use compared to the same amount of calories from longer chain fats.[2,3] One study showed 15-30 grams of MCTs per day increased 24-hour energy usage by 5%, totaling about 120 extra calories burned per day.[4]

2. Enhance Your Brain Function

Did you know that 70% of your brain is made up of fat? Americans have been being told for decades not to eat saturated fats, yet these are the very building blocks of our brains and nervous system! Alzheimer’s is one of the most common causes of memory loss worldwide. These patients have a reduced ability to utilize glucose as a fuel source in certain areas of the brain. Ketone bodies can supply energy for the brain and can be used as an alternative energy source, which can reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s.[5] A famous study published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging showed the administration of MCTs to Alzheimer’s patients resulted in significant increases in ketone bodies associated with measurable cognitive improvement.[6] It has been proven that coconut oil not only supports optimal brain function but can also reverse memory loss from Alzheimer’s and Dementia sufferers.[7] The key, you need to start feeding your brain the correct nutrition NOW. What you do every day in your life is going to dictate how your future will look. Eating plenty of coconut oil, in addition to grass-fed butter, ghee, tallow, avocado oil, macadamia nut oil and olive oil (never heat), along with plenty of clean proteins and vegetables is just the start to feeding your brain and your body the ideal nutrition. People suffering from ADD/ADHD, MS, or any other neurological disorder could really benefit from consuming more of these healthy fats. Anyone under the age of 23 really should be consuming adequate amounts of these fats as their nervous systems are still developing. As Dr. David Perlmutter, Neurologist and author of The Grain Brain and The Brain Maker, “Alzheimer’s is a preventable disease.”[8]

Looking to optimize your brain health? Here is a FREE 7-Day Brain Health Meal Plan for you to help jumpstart you on your journey to better brain health.

3. Healing Wounds & Skin Benefits

Coconut oil has been used for wound healing for a very long time. It helps increase the production of new skin cells, improves antioxidant activity and stimulates higher collagen cross-linking within the tissue being repaired.[9] Next time you get an abrasion, cut or burn, smooth some coconut oil on to help soothe and heal the area quickly. It also can be used as a natural sunblock. One study shows coconut oil can block about 20% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.[10] Being a very fair-skinned individual, burning is always something I have to be careful about. My personal experience, coconut oil has worked far better and is much safer than the other sunblock alternatives for myself. It has also proven to be a great skin moisturizer. Studies have shown that using coconut oil for a moisturizer can improve moisture and lipid content of the skin.[11]

If you’re ready to jump on this bandwagon for life, look for organic, cold-pressed coconut oil. It is the mildest in flavor and contains all of the original nutrients. Don’t like the taste of coconut oil? No worries, we have coconut oil concentrate in our office that are tasteless with all the same health benefits.

Not convinced yet that you should start consuming coconut oil? Look for parts 2 and 3 for further reasons as to why this is such a good idea, a necessity for helping you achieve optimal wellness.

References:

  1. www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/13-evidence-based-medicinal-properties-coconut-oil?page=1
  2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3532757
  3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2021124
  4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8654328
  5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2604900/
  6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15123336
  7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4221920/
  8. http://www.drperlmutter.com/brain-choice/
  9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20523108
  10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22279374
  11. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15724344