The Importance of Coconut Oil (Part 2)
Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil
By Debbie Wells
Offering a myriad of health benefits, coconut oil is affordable, readily available and completely natural. I use it for EVERYTHING. Literally. I buy it in 5 gallon increments and keep it all over my house. I even have some in the car. So here is a little information to inspire you to check out this amazing oil!
Coconut Oil Is:
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Anti-bacterial (kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum diseases, and other bacterial infections)
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Anti-carcinogenic (coconut oil has antimicrobial properties so it effectively prevents the spread of cancer cells and enhances the immune system)
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Anti-fungal (kills fungi and yeast that lead to infection)
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Anti-inflammatory (appears to have a direct effect in suppressing inflammation and repairing tissue, and it may also contribute by inhibiting harmful intestinal microorganisms that cause chronic inflammation.)
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Anti-microbial/Infection Fighting (the medium-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found in coconut oil are the same as those in human mother’s milk, and they have extraordinary antimicrobial properties. By disrupting the lipid structures of microbes, they inactivate them. About half of coconut oil consists of lauric acid. Lauric acid, its metabolite monolaurin and other fatty acids in coconut oil are known to protect against infection from bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi and parasites. While not having any negative effect on beneficial gut bacteria, coconut oil inactivates undesirable microbes.)
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An Antioxidant (protects against free-radical formation and damage)
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Anti-parasitic (fights to rid the body of tapeworms, lice and other parasites)
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Anti-protozoa (kills giardia, a common protozoan infection of the gut)
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Anti-retroviral (kills HIV and HLTV-1)
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Anti-viral (kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other viruses)
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Infection fighting
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Has no harmful for discomforting side effects
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Known to improve nutrient absorption (easily digestible; makes vitamins and minerals more available to the body)
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Nontoxic to humans and animals
Daily Dosage:
Here is a chart outlining the recommended daily dosage of virgin coconut oil for persons over the age of 12. Coconut oil may be consumed by children under 12 but it is advisable to check with a healthcare practitioner on the proper dosage. Any good naturopath will have the information at the ready. (Starting at 12 months of age, I gave my daughter one teaspoon per day and she weighed about 16 pounds at that time.)
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Weight in pounds/kilograms
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Number of tablespoons of coconut oil daily
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175+/79+
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4
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150+ /68+
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3 1/2
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125+ / 57+
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3
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100+/ 45+
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2 1/2
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75+ / 34+
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2
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50+ / 23+
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1 1/2
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25+ / 11+
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1
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Type of Coconut Oil to use:
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Expeller pressed (refined) coconut oil can be used for anything. It does not have a coconutty smell or taste.
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Virgin (unrefined) coconut oil tastes and smells coconutty and is great for cooking and baking where you want that flavor. You can use it for anything but it will impart a coconut taste (mild) and odor (pleasant in my book)!
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Food grade should always be used.
