It has now been proven over and over again that coconut oil is a true miracle oil. Coconut oil is absolutely incredible and a very useful oil with numerous benefits.

It has had an undeservedly bad reputation for a long time thanks to the high content of saturated fat. Now we know that saturated fat of good quality is not at all bad for our health. The body needs saturated, unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in moderation. What the body does not like is processed and rancid fats. Coconut oil is 90% saturated fat but that’s no reason to think it is useless on the contrary this is evident in populations living in tropical climates where they eat a lot of coconut oil. They have as we know generally very good health.

Health benefits of coconut oil include:

Helps the immune system

Protects against bacterial, viral and fungal infections

Good for the heart

Helps weight loss

Strengthens metabolism

Provides quick energy

Good for thyroid

Brilliant for skin as it gives a nice and healthy complexion

The benefits of coconut oil are several and there is especially two components – Lauric acid and MCT fats that gives these magic effects.

Lauric acid: An acid that only exists in a significant amount in coconut oil and in human breast milk - nature's own perfect milk. It protects against viruses, kills bacteria and fungi and enhances the immune system. Used by some physicians in the treatment of Alzheimer's and HIV.

MCT: medium-chain fatty acids. These are easier to break down and they provide quick and stable energy to the body. MCT also increases the metabolism which is good for weight loss. It also has shown increased endurance in trials. Already in the 1940th farmers discovered that coconut oil was good for weight loss as they totally failed to make their animals fatter by providing them with extra coconut.

One of its greatest strengths is how well it resists heat without breaking down, which means it’s not forming dangerous substances. This makes it excellent to use for frying foods. In comparison with, for example, canola oil, corn oil and margarine (which incidentally are very bad for frying) it can withstand the very high temperatures. It also beats olive oil which is a fairly stable frying oil.

Coconut oil has many uses:

Skin cream: it gives the skin the oils it needs and helps to build collagen. It also keeps track of bacterial and fungal infections. It’s a natural SPF and works as a brilliant sun lotion and it’s also fantastic for treating sunburns (if you’re already burnt). In addition it’s much cheaper than expensive face creams. It is a brilliant shaving cream as it softens your hairs before shaving, keeps the skin soft whilst shaving and is a natural bacterial killer in case you cut yourself. As it helps to firm your skin and to break up fatty deposits in your body it is a brilliant anti cellulite treatment.

Weight loss: Breaks up fatty deposits in the body, regulates the thyroid. Gives us more energy.

Deodorant: works really well as a day to day deodorant.

Brain power: it has been proven that 3 tbsp. can help to revers Alzheimer’s. It provides our brain with the fatty acids it needs to work in its normal healthy state.

Organs: it keeps our organs healthy as it kills and removes bacteria and fungi.

Oral hygiene: it’s brilliant for oil pulling and to keep teeth white and clean.

Hair: the best hair treatment around it makes your hair thick, shiny and manageable plus it helps to keep your natural hair color for longer.

Frying: withstands high temperatures before it oxidizes and breaks down and is brilliant to use in food and pastries.

Essentials: it is an excellent lubricant for most things.

Quality

There are different types with different qualities to choose from. The absolute best is organic extra virgin. It is cold pressed and has all the above described qualities and the lovely natural smell and taste.

I use extra virgin coconut oil every day. My skin and hair is in fantastic shape and so are my teeth. This is the first summer ever that I’ve managed to be in the sun and not get burnt, I’ve gotten more of a tan actually. Not a miner thing being a redhead.

Another bonus, I’ve lots of space in my bathroom cabinets.