Coconut oil has been a controversial supplement for many years. Since it is high in saturated fat, it has been seen as an unhealthy oil. On the other hand, Coconut oil is rich in Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs) - and these are seen as very healthy fats. So, do the health benefits of coconut oil outweigh the dangers and is coconut oil good for you? That’s the question we need to answer.
The Old View of Coconut Oil
People today often ask that what is coconut oil good for actually? well, years ago consumers were urged to switch to Olive Oil, which is very low in saturated fats. While it is true that Coconut Oil is high in saturated fats - it is not true that all saturated fats are the same. Animal fat has saturated long-chain fatty acids. Long-chain fatty acids are very hard for the body to digest and absorb and most people would agree that too much animal fat is not healthy.
Coconut Oil on the other hand is made up of mostly Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs). MCFAs can be absorbed by our mitochondria and can be converted into energy. Lauric Acid - an MCFA is a very healthy and only found in two places - Coconut Oil and Breast Milk!
In the end, there is a big difference when it comes to saturated fats and any health benefits or health risks. MCFAs have strong potential health benefits while Long Chain Fatty Acids, are more harmful fats and should not be consumed in large quantities.
Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil
Today you can purchase Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil and this is the best way to receive the health benefits from the nutrients that are in coconuts. Consumers must use only unrefined, cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil - as this has not been exposed to the high heat of chemicals. High heat and chemicals can destroy the MCFAs and Lauric Acid in the coconut oil and therefore greatly decrease any potential health benefits.
Coconut Oil for Weight Loss?
It may seem strange to think of a fatty oil as a weight loss aide - but studies show it is possible. Coconut oil can increase energy levels and decrease our appetite. If we can burn more calories than we take in, we can see real weight loss. It is important to note that this is not a magic weight loss supplement - rather, it is a food that can help you achieve your weight loss goals when used in combination with diet and exercise. It is also extremely helpful for women shedding that extra post-pregnancy pounds they've put on. We recommend them to use coconut oil for stretch marks as well.
A Word About Eating Healthy
There are many different theories on what type of diet is the healthiest. There are thousands of books that have been written on eating healthy and diet. It is well beyond the scope of this article to come up with a specific eating plan consumers should follow, but we can offer this advice - there is no one right answer to what you should eat.
There is a great deal of debate and controversy when it comes to what foods are healthy and what is not. For years, alcohol was seen as unhealthy, now it is considered by many to be unhealthy NOT to drink a glass of red wine per day. This is due to the discovery of resveratrol in red grapes and their health benefits. Yes, there is a negative to wine, but in moderation, the positives of the resveratrol in red wine outweigh the negatives.
It is a very similar story when we look at oils and fatty acids. It is not black and white in terms of something being either healthy or unhealthy. When it comes to diet and health, there are many shades of grey and the more you know, the better the decision you can make.
We firmly believe that consumers who do extensive research and read the latest medical findings are in the best position to make informed health decisions. When our mom said "You are what you eat" she was right. So much of our health is determined by what we eat, so we must know the potential health benefits, side effects and health risks of everything we eat.
A Word About Exercise
It is important to understand that healthy eating is just one part of the equation. In addition to having a healthy diet, you also want to make sure you exercise. Exercise has many important health benefits. Of course, there is the physical aspect to exercise, but there is also a very strong mental aspect. Study after study has shown that regular exercise can increase spirit, mood and general happiness. If you want to look great and feel great, your best bet is to have a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Finding the Best Coconut Oil
If you want to add a pure coconut oil supplement to your diet, then NaturesBlends Coconut Oil is an excellent choice. The best coconut oil is made with extra virgin organic coconut oil which is cold-pressed. Coconut oil benefits such as increased energy and weight loss are most likely with completely unprocessed and pure oil.