Why is Virgin Coconut Oil the Healthiest oil on Earth?

Yes, you are finally convinced, virgin coconut oil is good for you. But the claim that Virgin coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth raises your eyebrows and makes you frown. There are so many vegetable oils to choose from, each of them equally beneficial. How can virgin coconut oil be the best when it used to be considered as the worst? Is virgin coconut oil being overrated or is it simply stating an accurate fact. Proofs: Dr. Bruce Fife, a naturopathic doctor and the author of books like “Coconut Cures” and “The Coconut Miracle” referred to coconut oil as the healthiest oil on earth. This is because of the wide range of diseases that it can heal and the numerous benefits it can do to our body. Results of many scientific studies prove this statement thereby destroying the notion that coconut oil increases cholesterol levels and is therefore unhealthy. Clinical studies have shown that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, giving hope even for AIDS patients. The bad reputation of coconut oil stems from the fact that it is full of saturated fat. But coconut oil contains a unique form of saturated fat that is different from those found in animal and some vegetable fats. Virgin coconut oil is the best source of medium and short chain fatty aids. Unlike other fats, it is not stored and become cellulite. Rather it is immediately converted to energy, speeds up metabolism, promote weight loss, and can heal diseases. Aside from its nutritional value, it can also be used for cosmetics and cooking purposes. It is not only good for the skin and hair. It can also be added to your favorite dish. Virgin coconut oil is pure so it is safe to use and contains no harmful food additives. The coconut oil contains a special group of fats similar from those found in human breast milk. This characteristic of virgin coconut oil will ease digestion problems, improve the immune system, and can be use to fight against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. "Never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize the value of Lauric Oils. The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother's milk and have similar nutriceutical effects.” Jon J. Kabara, Ph.D (Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University) said this about lauric oils. Coconut Oil Extra Virgin Fluid Ounces

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What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

Virgin Coconut oil is everywhere these days. From cosmetics to medicines to food supplements, it is definitely a phenomenon that is here to stay. It therefore pays to gain knowledge and be familiar with virgin coconut oil.

Definition: Virgin Coconut oil is oil extracted from fresh coconut (not copra) meat by mechanical or natural means. It can be obtained with or without using heat. To protect the oil’s essential properties, the production of virgin coconut oil does not undergo chemical refining, bleaching, or deodorizing. Said to be high in vitamins and minerals, it is fit for consumption without the need for further processing.

Physical Characteristics: Pale yellow to colorless oil with a distinct taste and scent. Depending on the method used in the drying and processing, some virgin coconut oil may have a smoky flavor and slight yellowish in color. High quality virgin coconut oil should be colorless and residue free.

According to the standards set by Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Product Standards of the Philippines (the worlds largest exporter of coconuts), virgin coconut oil must be colorless, sediment free with natural fresh coconut scent and free from rancid odors or tastes. It is required to have a maximum of .20% moisture and volatile content to prevent rancidity and should not contain food additives. -PNS/BAFPS 22:2004 with Amendment 1:2005.

Methods Used in the Manufacture of Virgin Coconut Oil

1. Drying-Fresh coconut meat is dried to produce the oil. Low heat is used to quick dry the coconut meat.

2. Wet-milling- In this method, fresh coconut meat is not dried. The coconut meat is squeezed out to produce the milk first. The oil produced is separated from the water and solid components (which is mostly protein). It is difficult to remove the oil and various methods like boiling, fermentation, refrigeration, enzymes and mechanical centrifuge are used.

3. Fermentation- This is the traditional method. Coconut milk extracted from the fresh coconuts is fermented for 1-3 days for the oil to separate from the water and solid contents (which are mostly protein). The oil is slightly heated to reduce moisture content and be filtered.

		VIRGIN COCONUT OIL

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Shatter Old Myths About Coconut Oil

“The philosophies of one age have become absurdities of the next, and the foolishness of yesterday has become the wisdom of tomorrow.”

-Sir William Osler, Aequanimitas and Other Addresses

For years, coconut oil has been wrongly judged and blamed as the cause of many diseases. This false belief makes us all losers as we fail to enjoy the countless benefits of coconut oil. It is high time that this unfair accusation be corrected and changed!

Wrong: Coconut oil is a dietary poison.

Right: Coconut oil is not dangerous. In fact, it is a main ingredient in commercial baby formulas and nutritional products. It is also added to foods to prevent spoilage. In hospitals, it is used in feeding tubes and IV solutions for patients.

Wrong: Coconut oil is bad for the health.

Right: This is probably the biggest misconception of all. Coconut oil has nutritional and medicinal benefits and can do wonders to your body. Its unique properties will not only protect you from disease-causing organisms but is also an effective cure to heal a lot of ailments.

Wrong: Coconut oil is loaded with artery clogging fats.

Right: Coconut oil is mainly composed of saturated fat. But not all saturated fat is harmful. The saturated fat in coconut is different from those found in animals. Coconut oil comes from a plant and has no cholesterol.

Wrong: Coconut contains huge amount of cholesterol.

Right: Of all vegetable oils, coconut oil contains the least amount of cholesterol (from 0-14 ppm). A lot of medical studies prove that coconut oil intake does not raise blood cholesterol level.

Wrong: Coconut oil increases the risk of heart disease.

Right: Coconut oil helps prevent heart ailments as it has antiviral and antimicrobial properties. People who regularly consume coconut oil (those from tropical regions like Polynesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, etc.) have the lowest incidence of coronary heart disease. Because it is cholesterol free, coconut oil is good for the heart.

Wrong: Coconut oil is fattening.

Right: Contrary to popular belief, coconut oil can aid weight loss. It has fewer calories than other fats but has more carbohydrates and proteins. The carbohydrates and proteins will satisfy hunger faster. It also speeds up metabolism.

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Fatty Acids Composition of Virgin Coconut Oil

Whenever we hear the word fat something negative always comes to mind. Eating fatty foods will cause heart problems, obesity, etc. The cliché has been repeated time and again that it became a constant, indisputable truth. The fact that coconut oil is predominantly saturated fat earned it a bad reputation. But we need to be informed that not all fats are evil. There are different types of fats and some of them are actually good for you. Fats are essential substance as it is the body’s main source of energy. Consuming the right fat in the right amount can be beneficial. How much fat should one take in a day differ individually because it depends on a persons’ metabolism. The most important thing to keep in mind is to replace the bad fats in your diet with the good fats. Getting to Know the Good Fats Coconut oil that is primarily saturated and contains medium chain fatty acids is definitely one of the good fats. Its 92% saturated fat content raises concern over the adverse effects it may cause on one’s health. Recent discoveries however prove that coconut oil has a 62% concentration of Medium Chain Fatty acids (MCFAs). This is coconut oils’ unique characteristic that is not present in other saturated fat. It may even be healthier than most saturated oils. Unsaturated fat have a high concentration of long chain fatty acids unlike MCFAs which are easily absorbed by the body as it require less energy and fewer enzymes, thereby improving digestion. Short and medium chain fatty acids are transported directly to the liver where they are immediately converted to energy. Modern researches also discovered that MCFA can prevent and heal a lot of sickness because of its antimicrobial properties. Aside from its ability to improve the immune system, MCFA also aids in the absorption and retention of magnesium, calcium and some amino acids. Beneficial MCFAs that are present in virgin coconut oil include Caproic Acid, Caprylic Acid, Capric Acid and Lauric Acid and Myristic Acid. Consuming MCFAs has shown no negative toxicological or pharmacological side effects. Virgin coconut oil and human breast milk are the richest source of medium chain fatty acids. Below is a table of the fatty acid composition of virgin coconut oil (ND means non-detectable). Common Name Composition Percentage (%) Composition Percentage (%) Caproic acid Caprylic acid Capric acid Lauric acid Myristic acid Palmitic acid Palmitoleic acid Stearic acid Oleic acid Linoleic acid Linolenic acid C 6:0 C 8:0 C 10:0 C 12:0 C 14:0 C 16:0 C 16.1 C 18:0 C 18:1 C 18:2 C 18:3 C 24: ND - 0.7 4.6 - 10.0 5.0 - 8.0 45.1- 53.2 16.8 - 21 7.5 - 10.2 ND 2.0 - 4.0 5.0 - 10.0 1.0 - 2.5 ND - 0.2 ND EfaGold Coconut Oil

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