Lube up... with coconut oil
by Meghan Telpner
Meghan Telpner is a Toronto-based nutritionist and holistic lifestyle consultant.
I love coconut. I love coconut water. I love coconut milk. I love coconut meat. Perhaps most of all, I love coconut oil. When I was down in the Caribbean for my little holiday, one of the things I loved most is getting fresh coconut right off the beautiful palms!
Coconut oil got a bad wrap back in the 80's with margarine marketing boards bad mouthing the tropical fats. Is it merely a coincidence that since tropical oils have become commonly regarded as dietary nightmares and heart attack inducers, essentially oils to avoid at all costs, obesity rates and cardiovascular disease continue to rise?
Cold pressed, extra virgin coconut oil is a miracle food. It is incredibly nourishing, healing, protective and delicious. When my friend Vanessa discovered its use as an underarm deodorant, I was again reminded of the dozens of ways I use coconut oil on a daily basis- in hot water as a tea, for cooking at high temperatures, in smoothies, as a moisturizer, in my hair, to balance my blood sugar when I feel an afternoon crash coming on. Coconut oil is amazing.
The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.
Coconut oil contains less calories than other oils, its fat content is easily converted into energy and it does not lead to accumulation of fat in the heart and arteries and helps in boost energy and endurance.
Add this oil into your diet. Replace vegetable oil, butter or margarine with coconut oil. Replace your fancy moisturizers with coconut oil. Replace your morning cup of tea with hot water and coconut oil. Get it in there. It is delicious and uber healthy!
Read more about the health benefits of coconut oil on Meghan's website
