Miraculous Coconut Oil

Himanshi Jain

People are discovering the miracles of coconut oil, and it is again achieving popularity throughout the world. This oil is used for skin care, hair care, weight loss, treating yeast infections, improving digestion and increasing immunity. But before buying this oil, you should know that there are different kind of coconut oil available in the market. Some coconut oil products are labelled "cold pressed." In cold pressing, the oil from the coconut kernel is mechanically pressed at temperatures not exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit, to reserve its nutritious benefits.

Pure cold-pressed coconut oil is also not refined, processed or deodorized. It contains antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It also contains substantial amounts of vitamin E and K and iron. This oil helps to boost the body’s immune system, it prevents and fights against diseases like Alzheimer's disease, HIV, cancer, diabetes, heart disease. The word that is used for the least refined coconut oils is “virgin coconut oil.” Virgin coconut oils are tested higher in antioxidants. You can find a virgin or extra virgin coconut oil easily in the market. Extra virgin coconut oil is free of hydrogenation, refinement or deodorization. It is good for your skin, hair, helps in healing wounds, reduces the stretch marks and is also beneficial for the digestive system. Liquid Coconut Oil: This is an edible oil and it is promoted as “coconut oil that stays liquid even in your refrigerator”.

Composition Of Coconut Oil

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database, one tablespoon, or 15 milliliters (ml) of coconut oil contains:

120 calories
0 g of protein
14 g of fat, of which 12 g is saturated, 1 g is monounsaturated, and 0.5 g is polyunsaturated
0 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol

Coconut oil is 100% fat, but a fat structure in coconut oil is different from saturated fats found in many animal products, which are mainly composed of long-chain fatty acids. Coconut oil has an unusually high amount of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These are harder for the body to convert into stored fat, and easier to burn off than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs).

Saturated fatty acids: Most of them are medium chain triglycerides, which are supposed to assimilate well in the body’s systems.

Lauric acid: It is the chief contributor, representing more than 40% of the total, followed by capric acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid and palmitic. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin. Lauric acid is helpful in dealing with viruses and diseases.

Capric acid: It reacts with certain enzymes secreted by other bacteria, which subsequently converts it into a powerful antimicrobial agent, monocaprin.

Caprylic acid, caproic acid, and myristic acid: They are rich in antimicrobial and antifungal properties

Unsaturated fatty acids: Polyunsaturated fatty acids- linoleic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids- oleic acid

Poly-phenols: Coconut contains Gallic acid, which is also known as phenolic acid. These polyphenols are responsible for the fragrance and the taste of coconut oil. Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in these polyphenols.

Derivatives of fatty acid: Betaines, ethanolamide, ethoxylates, fatty esters, fatty polysorbates, monoglycerides and polyol esters.

Derivatives of fatty alcohols: Fatty chlorides, fatty alcohol sulfate, and fatty alcohol ether sulfate

Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin E, vitamin K, and minerals such as iron.

Healthy benefits of coconut oil are:-

Coconut oil is an excellent massage oil that acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skin, including dry skin. It also helps in treating various skin problems, including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and other skin infections. For this exact reason, coconut oil forms the base ingredient of various body care products like soaps, lotions, and creams that are used for skin care.
Keeps your skin and scalp healthy and nourished for a long time.>
It is an excellent conditioner and helps the re-growth process of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing and healing damaged hair.
Coconut oil is often done by athletes, bodybuilders and those who are dieting. The reason behind this is that it has fewer calories than other oils, its fat content changes easily in energy, and does not accumulate fat in the heart and arteries. It helps in promoting energy and endurance, and generally increases the performance of athletes.
Helps lower bad cholesterol in your body.
When applied in infected areas, coconut oil creates a chemical layer, which protects the part of the infected body from external dust, air, fungus, bacteria and viruses. It is highly effective on injuries because it accelerates the treatment process of damaged tissues.
Reduced inflammation and treat arthritis.
Improves Memory and Brain Function.
Recovers Skin Issues like burns, eczema, dandruff, dermatitis and psoriasis.
Naturally, slow down the aging process.
It has antistress and antioxidant properties, which could make it useful as an antidepressant, according to research in rodents.
Coconut oil is also good for improving your immunity. It strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, which have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.
Extremely helpful in keeping diabetes under control.
The fatty acids in coconut oil can significantly reduce appetite, which may positively affect body weight over the long term.
As mentioned earlier, coconut oil improves the ability to absorb the vital minerals of our body. These include calcium and magnesium, which are essential for bone development. Thus, it is very useful for women who suffer from osteoporosis after middle age.