2. For dry scalp
Healthy scalp would mean healthy hair. Lauric acid converted into monolaurin is one of the antimicrobial properties of coconut oil. This acid is also found as ingredient in soaps and shampoo. By applying coco oil, your scalp is kept moisturized and protected from fungi that cause dandruff.
3. Coconut oil for hair
Healthier and shinier hair is also one of the coconut oil benefits. To keep your hair from being dry and unmanageable, spread an ample amount of coco oil from the roots to the tip of damp hair. Do not put too much or your hair might get greasy.
4. For skin
Many people experience dry skin. Untreated dry skin can cause premature wrinkling and ageing in the long run.
A solution to this is applying extra virgin coconut oil as alternative to your other body lotions. The usual lotion that you use primarily contains water that easily evaporates, thus, drying your skin. Coconut oil prolongs the moisture on your skin making it smooth and soft the whole day.
To add to that, coconut oil also strengthens by holding your skin tissues together and protects the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. The antiseptic composition of coconut oil kills fungi and yeast that cause athlete’s foot, diaper rash, and candidiasis
Eczema
Coconut oil cure can also be true to eczema. Eczema, an inflammation of the epidermis, is caused by hereditary factors, allergens like dust, pets, or plant pollens, and irritants like smoke or solvents. As a result, a person experiences itching, flaking, dryness, or even bleeding of the skin. Moisturizers are very important treatment for eczema and coconut oil is best for lasting moisture for the skin. This same effect of coco oil also treats psoriasis.
Benefits of coconut oil for internal/systemic health
Maintaining a coconut oil diet is beneficial for your internal body system. Coconut oil diet is done by changing your usual cooking oil with refined coconut oil and taking three to three and a half tablespoons of virgin coconut oil as supplement everyday.
The medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in coconut oil greatly contributes in boosting the digestive system that improve the performance of cells and hormonal secretion of glands. Also, coconut oil contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid, and butyric acid that are helpful in fighting infections, yeast growth, and killing disease-causing bacteria.
In effect are the following coconut oil health benefits:
1. Coconut oil and thyroid
Coconut oil and thyroid, Hypothyroidism is a state when the thyroid glands are not producing sufficient thyroid hormones. Coconut oil plays a major role in improving thyroid function.
2. Coconut oil and diabetes
Diabetes is a syndrome of a metabolism disorder resulting to high blood sugar levels in the body. Insulin is a hormone that assists the blood sugar to enter the cell and be converted as heat and energy. There is better production of insulin with the help of MCFAs present in coco oil.
3. For heart disease
Common fats are not easily absorbed by the cells as nutrients. Instead they are stored as body fat until they get clogged in the arteries and blood vessels. This clogging disrupts blood circulation and leads to heart ailments.
MCFAs in coconut oil, being more soluble, are easily converted into nutrients in the metabolic process. So, if you use coconut oil, you would lessen the fear the risk of heart disease.
4. Weight Loss
The medium chain fatty acids also aid in the calorie-burning activity when your system is digesting food. This means you can lose weight in using or ingesting coconut oil.
Note: Since coconut oil enhances the digestive system, it is advised that taking and using coconut oil is done gradually to give the system time to adjust. Ingesting big amounts of coconut oil immediately may cause diarrhea, so small amounts at a time will do until you are ready for a regular dosage.
5. Coconut oil and candida
Candidiasis happens when Candida species grow uncontrollably in the small intestine, vaginal canal, or the mouth until it affects many parts of the body including the intestinal tract.
These fungi can grow in years causing inflammations and discomforts in humans like respiratory infection, painful urination, chronic rashes, oral yeast infection, vaginal discharge, impotency, among many others.
MCFAs in coconut oil have antifungal properties (like lauric acid) killing bad bacteria, fungi, and yeast like Candida.
6. For Bones and teeth (and osteoporosis)
Since MCFAs present in coconut oil facilitate better absorption of nutrients from the food to the body, thus, there is also faster absorption of calcium for the teeth and bones. Because of calcium absorption, coco oil helps prevent osteoporosis – a disease of bone that can cause fractures.
7. For Cancer
Other than lauric acid and medium chain fatty acids, coconut oil also contains butyric acid which is said to be an anti-cancer agent.
8. HIV, AIDS, and the Immune System
Coconut oil can also benefit the HIV and AIDS patients. A nutritionist and coconut oil advocate Dr. Bruce Fife, once shared about a story of an HIV patient. This man stayed in a rural place where he maintained a coconut diet and an organic lifestyle. His viral count decreased and he became more energetic.
The first clinical study about coconut oil being effective treatment for HIV was reported by a Filipino pharmacology professor, Dr. Conrado Dayrit. This study has confirmed that coco oil can reduce the viral load of an HIV patient.
There are actually antiviral drugs used to fight HIV but they give a lot of bad side effects like vomiting, hemorrhaging, fatigue, and altered mental function. Coconut oil, on the other hand, does not give these side effects to patients.
More so, the lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid boost the immune system. As such, coconut oil helps in dealing with virus and bacteria that may cause herpes, influenza, and cytomegalovirus.
9. For Stress
The soothing effect of coconut oil releases stress. Applying coconut oil on your head is helpful in eliminating mental fatigue.
The good fatty acids are key components that make coco oil beneficial to your health, nutrition, and beauty. Now that you know these facts, buy coconut oil and use it to gain all the coconut oil benefits.
