Coconut oil is used in a number of ways to create a healthier body. It is used in soaps, lotions and for cooking. The benefits of coconut have been discussed and debated with the results being highly controversial. It is claimed to be a weight loss miracle, a cure for hypothyroidism which is a deficiency in the production of thyroid hormones or to put it even more simply, a slow metabolism. The experts all agree it does have definite benefits for the body when used as a food for consumption or as a skin curative. It really depends on how much you use and how you use it. To reap the full benefits of the coconut you need to ingest organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil.
Why does the oil have to be organic, unrefined and virgin?
Here is the deal. When any food product is refined it loses its nutritional benefits to a large degree. Any food product that is grown with the use of pesticides and chemicals in the soil will contain some of these harmful agents because it draws these from the soil in which it is grown. When ingested these chemicals will end up in your body. Chemicals in your body make the food you ingest hard to digest and introduce toxins that are harmful and prevent your body from absorbing the food properly. Toxins prevent the body from being able to heal itself as it was intended.
Organic
Look for a high-grade Virgin Coconut Oil which is usually indicated by a Gold Label. The purer the food product, the longer its shelf life and the more antioxidants it will contain. Refined coconut oils lose their natural flavor and scent in the refining process. Virgin Coconut Oils are able to keep their coconut fresh taste and smell. Refined coconut oils are frequently labeled as having a coconut flavor but the flavor is not of coconut but more of a burned and bitter taste and not coconut as it is naturally.
What are the benefits of organic virgin coconut oil?
The benefits are actually a long list of truly outstanding claims both for disease prevention and curative and as a weight loss product. The experts all seem to agree to disagree but they all have to admit that coconuts have antibiotic properties, can easily be digested so that the oil is not stored as fat but burned off by the body and thereby help with metabolism and thyroid issues, and because of this is great for weight loss. Other claims are that it will help with mood swings, depression, cure constipation, correct circulation problems, decrease acid reflux and heartburn, lower high blood pressure if not normalize it completely, and attribute to quick weight loss. The weight loss claim is at least ten pounds lost in one month. Here is the list of potential benefits:
-High blood pressure can be corrected.
-Circulation problems vanished.
-Mood swings gone.
-Depression lifted.
-Arthritis pain either reduced or eliminated.
-Constipation cured.
-Cancer put into remission.
-Cholesterol normalized.
-Acid reflux and heartburn diminished or gone for life.
-Weight loss for the obese individual.
-Chronic Fatigue
-Facial and skin care, skin tonic and astringent
-Psoriasis
-Anti-fungal
-Antibacterial
-Emollient
Actually the list goes on. Virtually anything that has to do with the digestive system, the heart, disease prevention and curative qualities, skin care, weight loss, the immune system, dental issues, and more. Basically because the virgin oil breaks down so quickly in the system and digests so easily it is an extremely effective agent in promoting health because it allows the body to absorb all the wonderful nutrients that are contained in the foods you ingest.
How much organic virgin coconut oil should I ingest each day?
The recommendation from the experts is to take one tablespoonful the morning and then one in the late afternoon. Do this for a thirty day period and see how it impacts your overall health. Use the oil for cooking instead of other oils. Other recommendations are for three and a half tablespoons per day so it is up to you. Everyone's body is just a little different. Coconut oil can withstand a very high heat when used as cooking oil and is great for using on your steamed vegetables or wheat pasta dishes in place of butter. It also is a wonderful replacement for the shortening needed for baking.
Realistically what can I expect and will there be harmful side effects?
How much weight you lose or how quickly health issues are corrected will depend on the other foods and health habits that you have on a daily basis. No food will on its own cure all diseases and cause weight to fall off with no other efforts involved. Wellness is about balance and healthy attitudes. Organic Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil is very stable oil unlike other oils you may choose to use. Overuse of any substance or food product can cause problems because it is not in balance with the rest of your life. However, when you consider that it breaks down differently than other oils you might use and is not a medicine but a food it does not appear to have any real harmful side effects.
As far the benefits, it may be dependent on the lifestyle of the person using the oil. Some people may experience diarrhea and the way to counteract this is to take less of the oil per day to begin and then increase over time so your body can adjust. It is possible to have a food allergy but this is pretty rare as most allergic reactions to foods are connected to foods with protein or dairy products.
Weight Loss Superhero - Organic, Unrefined, Virgin Coconut Oil
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