Is there anything that coconut oil can’t do? Well, it may not rocket
you to the moon, or give you the ability to travel through time… but the
list is pretty short. It is becoming increasingly well known that raw
organic, extra-virgin coconut oil is one of the healthiest foods you can
add to your diet. There is no reason to fear the fact that it’s
composed of mainly saturated fats—these are healthy fats that support
the function of all of your body’s systems.
The benefits of coconut oil are so multifaceted that some of them
continue to surprise us. In particular, coconut oil is just darn good
for your skin. Cultures that have been using it for thousands of years
can testify to this. Their skin is beautiful, wrinkle-free and so
healthy. Many will tell you it’s because they use coconut oil on their
skin every day.
Here are just four reasons why we love coconut oil for our skin:
Keep your skin protected and hydrated—no matter what the season
You may have heard that coconut oil is the perfect light moisturizer,
but did you know that it can be used throughout the seasons? In the
summer, it’s great because it’s light and non-greasy, and blocks about
20 percent of the sun’s harmful rays.
In winter, applying a layer to your face and lips before you go
outside can protect you from nasty windburn… and also soothe those dry
spots when you get home.
Soothe minor wounds and irritations
Coconut oil has been found to have antiseptic, antibacterial,
antiviral, and antifungal properties. Applying a thin layer to canker
sores, acne, insect bites, minor burns, and other small wounds and skin
irritations may help to heal them up faster, naturally.
Fight skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and acne
Coconut oil is natural, and that means that not many people want to
conduct extensive research into its benefits. However, a study conducted
in 2008 at the Skin and Cancer Foundation in the Philippines, compared
virgin coconut oil and virgin olive oil in moisturizing dryness and
removing bacteria from colonized atopic dermatitis skin. The study, a
double-blind controlled trial, found that coconut oil was more effective
than olive oil in killing bacteria, mostly because of its lauric acid
content.
A 2009 study at the Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine,
University of California, San Diego, looked at the antimicrobial
properties of lauric acid and its potential to heal acne. The results
were favorable for using lauric acid in place of antibiotics for the
treatment of acne.
Reduce wrinkles
Not only is coconut oil an amazing moisturizer, but it can also help
keep free radicals at bay—you know, those nasty things that promote
wrinkles. Coconut oil could just be the perfect anti-aging serum you
have been searching for. The anti-inflammatory properties help reduce
puffiness while the antioxidants help you maintain that youthful glow
you have always wanted. For best results, rub a little bit of coconut
oil into the skin day and night.
Here are just a few other amazing things that this tropical delight can do…
Boost your healthy weight loss efforts
A saturated fat… to help you lose fat? Yup! While you may have heard
of this particular benefit of coconut oil before, it’s worth mentioning
again. When added to a healthy lifestyle that includes real, nutritious
foods and regular exercise, coconut oil can actually help you to lose
weight… even those dangerous pounds around your belly.
How does this work? Well, coconut oil is largely composed of
medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These types of fatty acids are not
stored as fat in the body. Rather, they are easily broken down by the
liver for energy. This not only gives you the energy you need to have a
great workout, it also keeps you feeling fuller for longer—and away from
those unhealthy snacks.
What about the belly fat? As you may know, belly fat is especially
dangerous because it coats vital organs, and has been linked to
inflammation, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. A 2009 study found
that women over 40 who ate 2 tablespoons of coconut oil each day for a
month showed decreases in belly fat—compared to women who ate 2
tablespoons of soybean oil, and gained belly fat.
Completely transform your meals
When
you replace all of the cooking oils in your kitchen with coconut oil,
you will not only enhance your nutritional quotient, you’ll also make
your meals taste simply delicious. Baked goods, such as your favorite
gluten-free breads, desserts made with honey instead of sugar, and
casseroles, will shine with the addition of coconut oil.
This oil has a high smoke point, and is also great for sautéing,
making organic popcorn, broiling. The light, tropical flavor will make
you appreciate your favorite dishes in a whole new way.
Unlock the powers of virtually any essential oil
Many essential oils are too potent to be applied to skin on their
own. Enter, coconut oil! Diluting your favorite essential oils in a base
of coconut oil is a great way to make them gentle enough for your
skin—for application to pressure points, joint and muscles, or for a
general massage.
Just make sure to ask a natural health professional you trust before
using a new essential oil for the first time—for tips on how much to
dilute, and safe ways to apply.
Did you know coconut oil could do all this stuff? Pretty amazing,
isn’t it? One thing—always get the real stuff: raw, organic,
extra-virgin coconut oil from a source you trust (a natural health
professional can help you find one if you’re unsure). Anything less than
quality is just selling yourself short.
-The Alternative Daily
No comments:
Post a Comment