Coconut oil Health Benefits, Medicinal Properties, Various Uses, Possible Side Effects, Precautions, Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is very popular and beneficial in improving the health of the entire body along with hair and skin. Coconut oil is made from the coconut fruit.
It contains medium chain fatty acids, including capric acid, caprylic acid, and lauric acid etc. Coconut and especially coconut oil have gained popularity worldwide for its amazing health beneficial properties.
Coconut oil helps in weight loss, skincare, hair care, appetite control, treatment of yeast infections, strengthening the immune system, preventing heart disease, improving digestion, and preventing dysentery and Alzheimer’s disease. Its helps in relieving dry mouth and itching neck and improves oral health. It helps in preventing neurodegenerative disorders and increases memory.
Many manufacturers have started using coconut oil in packaged products, and many people use it for cooking. There are various food and cosmetic items available in markets that contain coconut oil.
The following article discusses the health benefits of coconut oil and related things.
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Health Benefits of Coconut oil
- Good for Alzheimer’s disease
‘Ketones’ provides energy to the brain and helps cure Alzheimer’s disease. Ketones in coconut oil are thus useful for treating mental illness.
- Aids in Weight Loss
Coconut oil is also beneficial for weight loss. It contains a short and medium series of fatty acids that help in losing too much weight. Coconut oil helps in reducing obesity in women’s stomach. It helps in healthy functioning of thyroid and endocrine systems and increases the metabolic rate of the body by removing pressure on the pancreas. It also consumes more energy and helps obese and overweight people lose weight.
- Prevents Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure
Lauric acid in coconut oil helps in effectively preventing various heart problems like high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Coconut oil contains natural saturated fats that not only increase healthy cholesterol (HDL) in our body but also help convert (LDL) “bad” cholesterol into good cholesterol.
By increasing the amount of H.D.L in the body, coconut oil helps in boosting heart health and reducing the risk of related heart diseases. It also benefits the heart by reducing high triglycerides.
- Treats Urinary Tract Infections
Coconut oil is an effective natural antibiotic that helps in the treatment and healing of urinary tract infections. It MCFAs act as natural antibiotics by disrupting, dissolving, and destroying lipid membranes into the cellular walls of harmful bacteria.
- for Immune System
Coconut oil is very beneficial for improving immunity. It strengthens the immune system as it has a high proportion of antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, Capric acid, and caprylic acid, which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Lauric acid in coconut oil is known to reduce candida, fight bacteria and create a hostile environment for viruses.
- Improves Memory and Brain Function
Coconut oil is good for digestive problems. Regular use of coconut oil in our diet improves our memory efficiently. This is because of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) that form more than half of the essential fatty acids of coconut oil. MCTs provide easily available energy to the brain and fuels brain cells more effectively.
- Boost Digestion
The use of coconut oil is beneficial as it improves digestion. It helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins, calcium and magnesium and prevents various stomach and digestive problems including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Coconut oil is an antimicrobial quality in bloody properties.
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- Gallbladder Stones and Pancreatitis
Coconut oil prevents gallbladder and other related problems. It does not put pressure on the pancreas and thus protects the body from its adverse effects.
- Prevents Candida Growth & Yeast Infection
Candida- also known as ‘Systemic Candidiasis’ is caused by the abundant and uncontrolled growth of ‘Candida albicans’ in the stomach. Capric acid found in coconut oil, caprylic acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid and lauric acid help in removing ‘Candida albicans’.
- For Skin Health
Studies have shown that coconut oil increases moisture content in dry skin, and can even improve skin function by helping to prevent water loss and protecting skin from outdoor chemicals and allergens. It can also reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis – a chronic skin disease in which skin swells due to defects in the skin’s immune function. Coconut oil works amazingly for all skin types. It is versatile which has antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Coconut oil is a nutritious oil as it is nutrient-rich and gives proper moisture to the skin. It creates a barrier on your skin and does not allow water to release, thus giving you long hydration and moisture in your skin. It has a lot of fatty acids that penetrate your skin and repair your skin. Local application of oil can improve your skin obstruction function and provide UV protection.
- For Hair Health
Coconut oil makes hair stronger and more flexible which can prevent split ends. A study has found that oil actually nourishes hair. Coconut oil is the best oil for all hair types. This oil helps your hair and scalp regain the moisture often lost during dry and cold seasons. For best results, heat coconut oil before using and gently massage your scalp. Coconut oil helps in protecting your hair.
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Uses of Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is used while making different types of food items. Various cosmetic products (such as- face cream, Face mask, face wash, shampoo, conditioner etc.) use coconut oil to solve skin and hair problems.
Side Effects of Coconut Oil
There are also potential negative side effects of using coconut oil as it has benefits. Consuming coconut oil in large quantities can cause diarrhea, allergies, cramps, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Coconut oil can increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which can increase your cardiovascular risk. If you have high cholesterol, talk to your doctor before using coconut oil.
Coconut oil should be used in the right quantity keeping in view its benefits and disadvantages as excessive use of any product can harm our health. The above-mentioned information is provided only for general knowledge based on the information. It is advisable to consult a doctor before using coconut oil in medicinal fields.
Conclusion
The information included above about the benefits of using Coconut oil are only for knowledge purposes and is based on trusted sources and studies. Please approach a doctor or specialist if you face any side effects from using it.
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FAQ
1. Is coconut oil good for preventing wrinkles?
Ans: Regular use of coconut oil can help in producing collagen in the body and thus reduce wrinkles. Research has shown that coconut oil contains positive antioxidants that can help prevent wrinkles and delay the aging process.
2. Is coconut oil good for the immune system?
Ans: Coconut oil is very beneficial for boosting immunity. It strengthens the immune system as it has a high proportion of antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, Capric acid, caprylic acid.
3. Why is coconut oil bad for your health?
Ans: Excessive coconut oil use increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Excessive saturated fats can lead to high cholesterol, increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
4. Is coconut oil good for stress?
Answer: Coconut oil helps to reduce pressure. Applying coconut oil on your forehead and gently massages will help relieve mental fatigue.
5. Can coconut oil help prevent coughing?
Ans: Adding in tea or curry, coconut oil can gently soothe neck pain and reduce cough along with boosting immunity and fighting the virus directly.