Coconut oil is often called a “super food” and is considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet with over 1,500 studies to back it up. Coconut oil is made up of healthy fats called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) which include caprylic acid, lauric acid, and capric acid. More than 60% of of coconut oil is composed of those three healthy fatty acids, and more than 90% of coconut oil is healthy saturated fat.
The issue with consuming a lot of fatty foods is most fats go through a 26 step process to be digested, and they break down as fats. Coconut oil only goes through a 3 stop process, and is turned into energy! The healthy fats in cocounut oil and its quick break-down into energy make it a choice ingredient for natural remedies, and even cooking!
Here are 10 ways you can use coconut oil to benefit yourself!
1) Boosts Immune System
Two of the three acids involved in coconut oil support healthy immune function because they have antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. Triple threat, woo!
2) Facilitates Healthy Hair
Coconut oil has been used for centuries in hair because of its moisturizing abilities. You can use the oil on your scalp to facilitate hair growth, stop the frizz on a humid day, or just add some to your shampoo and conditioner like me! Coconut oil is also great as a deep conditioning treatment, but you should leave on your hair it for at least an hour before washing it out.
3) Facilitates Healthy Skin
Coconut oils moisturizing properties make it effective as a lotion as well! It’s also an antioxidant, though, which means the oil can help lighten age spots and reduce skin irritation. It’s even SPF 4!
4) Balances Hormones
When consumed regularly, coconut oil can increase hormone production which can help with weight loss, but unbalanced hormones can effect a lot of different aspects of life, for both men and women.
5) Aids Digestion
Since coconut oil has a high concentration of beneficial fats, it is good for digestion. It helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins and magnesium, and fights off bad bacteria and candida— which decreases stomach acid, causing inflammation and overall bad digestion.
6) Improves Memory
Coconut oil can help boost recall ability, and MCFAs are pretty quickly absorbed by the body and sent to the brain. Studies have shown that this can boost brain function in Alzheimer’s patients, which helps (quickly) relieve memory loss symptoms.
7) Boosts Energy
Since coconut oil is easy to digest, and quickly broken down and converted energy, it can help produce a longer and sustained energy. It also increases your metabolism, making it a choice natural remedy for athletes during training!
**Combine with chia seeds for maximum effectiveness.
8) Cleans the Mouth
Coconut oil is great for ridding your mouth of bacteria. Since it’s an antibacterial, you can just swish it around in your mouth. This reduces risk of gum disease and tooth decay. For it to really be effective, I recommend using it daily.
9) Creates Healthy Bones
Since coconut oil has so many antioxidants, it’s a natural way to increase calcium absorption. This makes it a natural remedy for osteoporosis, but you can use it before that becomes an issue to help increase bone density.
10) Enables Weight Loss
Since coconut oil helps boost energy and metabolism, it makes plenty of sense that it can help with weight loss. The oil helps burn fat because the caprylic acid improves thyroid function and lowers your resting heart rate. Coconut oil can even help build muscle; the MCFAs in the oil are also found in commercial products like “Muscle Milk.”
By now you guys know I’m crazy for the natural remedies, and I like how easily coconut oil is incorporated into my daily routine. It can be used topically, making it a great addition to your beauty supplies and can cook at high temperatures without losing it’s structure (like olive oil) making it the smart and healthy choice for cooking as well. Any way you can work coconut oil into your daily life will help you start reaping the benefits! Are there any specials ways you use coconut oil? Share with me in the comments below 🙂
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