There’s a great deal to be had right now at Amazon. They have reduced Zico Pure Premium Coconut Water to almost half price – including free delivery!

The standard price for this popular coconut water is $25 for a 12 pack, of 11.2 ounce cartons. This has now been reduced to $17.20.

But you can save an extra 15% and get it for just $14.62 when you choose the Subscribe and Save option from the right hand side.  This works out at less than $1.22 per carton!

This Zico coconut water is a delicious, refreshing drink that is perfect for instant hydration. It contains zero fat, zero added sugar and zero cholesterol and is low in acidity, Gluten Free, and Kosher Certified.

Coconut water contains more potassium than a banana and over 15 times more than most sports drinks – to prevent cramping and promote recovery. After a workout, coconut water helps to replenish and re-hydrate you, to speed recovery.

If you and/or your family love drinking coconut water this deal is a bargain! It has a shelf life of around 12 months so you can keep it in your cupboard to drink whenever you like.

Here’s how to get this deal:

• Click on this link to go to the Zico Pure Premium Coconut Water deal
• You will see them on sale for $17.20 for a pack of 12 (down from $25.00)
• Then choose the subscribe and save option in the top right corner which will take another 15% off and drop the price to $14.62 equivalent to $1.22/carton – shipped FREE

Please note: The 15% discount is for the Subscribe and Save option. Amazon states that you can cancel subscribe and save at any time, including right after the order.  So if you do not intend to continue having them automatically delivered, cancel the subscribe and save soon after so you do not forget (wait for your items to ship before canceling as it will cancel your current order)!

Currently there is no recognized cure for Alzheimer’s or even a way to prevent it. However there is a medical food called Axona that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is coconut based.

There has been much talk about the connection between coconut oil and Alzheimer’s disease, and I have found a growing number of cases where coconut oil has seemed to slow and/or reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s.

The cause of Alzheimer’s is still a mystery, although one theory has described it as a type of diabetes for the brain, in that you develop a problem with insulin. It is believed that the brain cells somehow become starved of glucose and start dying.

Research from the neonatal intensive care unit of Spring Hill Regional Hospital, Florida concludes with this theory and further suggests that compounds known as ketones are readily accepted by the brains cells, and can supply them with an alternative glucose energy source.

Ketones are metabolized in the liver after consuming medium-chain triglycerides (MCT’s) and are found in coconut oil. Notable, ketones are the active ingredient found in Axona.

One Woman’s Crusade

In conjunction with this research, Dr Mary Newport M.D. (seen here with her husband Steve) who heads the neonatal clinic in Florida embarked on a live experiment, with her husband as the patient.

She was determined to help her husband when classic tests for dementia showed he was at risk of developing severe Alzheimer’s disease.

She added coconut oil to his diet every day and within just 2 weeks there was a remarkable improvement in the same tests he took earlier.

It is important to add that the coconut oil she used was pure, non-hydrogenated coconut oil (hydrogenated is similar to dangerous trans-fat). The coconut oil I highly recommend on this site is the type of oil you should consider.

Over the following weeks and months her husband improved in all aspects of his life including emotionally and physically as well as intellectually.

Here’s the amazing video from that report:

Dr. Newport went on to write a book; ‘Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure?‘ and judging by the amount of thank you letters she received after publishing the book, it seems to have helped a lot of people.

Every customer review on the Amazon site is extremely positive and in some cases inspirational.

Obviously there will be sceptics about this theory, especially when a book is produced on the back of it. However, the science behind it seems very plausible, and the FDA has passed a medicine that contains ketones as a valid treatment for Alzheimer’s.

Hopefully more money will be made available to conduct wider research on the link between coconut oil and Alzheimer’s disease.

The cynic in me feels that ‘Big Pharma’ is reluctant to research the coconut oil theory further because if it does prove correct, they will lose a lot of revenue on expensive dementia drugs.

Dr. Newport may well have uncovered a wonderful, natural and cheap treatment for a terrible disease that affects so many people. I really hope it is the case.

Let me know what you think in the comments box below.


References:

• Alzheimer’s Association

• Psychology Today – Your Brain on Ketones

For many people, severe acne is a terribly debilitating condition that affects almost every aspect of their life.

For many years during my mid-teens and twenties, I suffered from acne. It wasn’t even that bad, but I can remember how low I used to feel and how self conscious I was when out in public.

I’m not about to start telling you that coconut oil for acne is the solution, or a cure. Let’s be honest, if there was a complete cure for acne, the guy who discovered it would be the most famous and wealthiest person on the planet!

How the Properties of Coconut Oil May Help Treat Acne

The reason coconut oil might benefit some people in treating their acne may well be due to the coconut oil’s properties. It contains lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, which have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.

We also know that coconut oil, or the water derived from it, can be used as an emergency plasma replacement (as it was so successfully during world war 2 in the South Pacific). So the body readily accepts coconut internally and externally.

Does Coconut Oil Actually Work?

Applying coconut oil to your face, in order to help reduce acne, however, is another thing. I personally don’t suffer from acne anymore, so I haven’t tried to treat such a condition. But after extensive research on the internet it seems there is a divide between those that have seen clear benefits and those that have had more breakouts.

A very good website that contains predominantly visitors experiences – successes and failures with treating acne is: www.Acne.org. It has a section devoted purely to coconut oil as a treatment for acne.

Reading many of the comments, (87 and growing) it seems that coconut oil does indeed work for the majority. There are some that it hasn’t worked for and others that have made their condition worse.

Here’s just one of the many visitors comments:

Pros     Miraculous product. Initially terrified to put oil on my face for acne treatment. Cheap and EFFECTIVE (with the right amount) for acne and healthy hair.

Cons     If you use too much your face will be oily. The trick is to use a TINY amount.

Bottom line     I use virgin, cold-pressed, unrefined, organic coconut oil from Nutiva. All I did was replace my moisturizer with coconut oil.

Like any treatment, whether it is using natural products or over the counter creams and lotions, a negative reaction is always a possibility.

I suggest if you intend to try coconut oil to treat your acne, buy organic, extra virgin coconut oil. Start off by applying just a small amount to your skin once a day to see how you react. Increase the amount and apply twice a day once you are happy that you aren’t allergic to it, or have any obvious, negative reaction.

I use coconut oil on my skin every day. Not because I have acne but because I have dry skin and slightly ‘blemishy’ skin. Coconut oil moisturizes my skin and gives it a really healthy look.

Conclusion

If you suffer from acne, the chances are you will try almost anything to see if it works. Coconut oil may or may not work for you. But I can’t see the problem with giving it a go.

If you have skin that is like mine – dry, some blemishes, slightly red in places, then applying coconut oil might work really well for you.

In either case you can still consume coconut oil even if you don’t want to use it as a skin treatment.


If you have used coconut oil or about to, in order to treat your acne, I’d love to hear from you with your results. I’m sure visitors to this site would benefit too. Please drop your comments below.

In this article I will explain to you the different types of oil we are presented with in stores, what the nutritional profile is of these oils, and why you should now think about cooking with coconut oil.

Oil Facts

Cooking oil is fat. It is just fat in liquid form. You also get fat in solid form. Your body needs fat for normal, healthy functioning. Hormones and tissue are made from the fat you eat and it provides a source of energy. Every cell in the body needs fat.

The problem comes when we eat too much fat and too much of the unhealthy types of fat. The health implications of too much fat in our diet are well documented, and it is no coincidence why heart disease is still the Western world’s biggest killer.

Cooking Oils We Buy Everyday

Today we have a great choice of oils to cook with, including olive oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil, coconut oil, etc. But which ones should we be using?

Here’s the big misconception..

We are bombarded with advertising that suggests vegetable oil is the healthiest oil to cook with. It sounds like it should be, right? It is a ‘natural’ oil that comes from plants, so it must be healthy. Not a chance!

All of the vegetable oils we believe to be healthy cooking oils, are actually not, and they include:

• Sunflower oil

• Soybean oil

• Corn oil

• Canola oil

• Cottonseed oil

• Safflower oil

They all undergo a refinement process involving high heats, pressure and industrial solvents. This is needed to be done in order to extract the oil from the plants, but in doing so any nutrients are also removed.

Some oils are less heavily processed than others, but it just makes them a little less unhealthy.

The result is a processed polyunsaturated fat that contains mostly omega-6 fatty acids which we consume far too much of. The problem with processed polyunsaturated fat is it becomes easily oxidized when exposed to light and heat (i.e when cooked with).

The more oxidized food you eat, the more damaging free radicals the body produces. Free radicals are responsible for premature ageing, cancer and disease, as well as inflammation, which cause you to get fatter. This is why we are encouraged to eat foods and drinks that are rich in antioxidants, to help eliminate the free radicals.

Polyunsaturated fat which hasn’t been processed and exposed to heat is actually a healthy fat that we should be eating. Whole foods such as nuts and seeds are good sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats and contain a healthy balance of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids.

Any of the above oils have already been heated through processing and then you heat them again to cook with. This just compounds the oxidization problem.

Virgin Olive Oil

You were probably wandering whether the most popular oil was a safe oil to cook with. First of all, virgin olive oil is an excellent oil with significant health benefits if consumed in moderation. It’s still a fat at the end of the day with a lot of calories.

It is processed using a cold-press method and so not exposed to oxidization. However, olive oil has a fairly low smoke point at high temperatures and will produce harmful substances if heated too much.

Despite some labels suggesting cooking at certain temperatures may be fine, it is recommended not to use olive oil for cooking. Add it to salads as a delicious dressing or cooked foods like vegetables or soups.

Here’s a great, short video that actually shows you what happens to olive oil when heated:

So although virgin olive oil is a good source of fat, it should not be used for cooking.

The order in which oil or fat is best suited for cooking with (most stable under heat) is:

1. Saturated fat

2. Monounsaturated fat

3. Polyunsaturated fat

The Saturated Fat Myth

Up until recently we have been led to believe saturated fats are bad for us. However we actually need some saturated fat in our diets for optimal health. It is recommended we consume up to 10% of saturated fat as a proportion of daily fat intake.

Current research however has revealed that some forms of saturated fat (such as that found in tropical oils, particularly coconut oil) is actually beneficial to our health.

The saturated fat found in coconut oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). The body is able to process MCFA’s very easily and very quickly, providing the body with an immediately source of fuel, or energy.

Long chain fatty acids (LCFA) found in other saturated fats and processed vegetable oil, are not processed the same. LCFAs are absorbed into your body and transformed into low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol.

This is the fat that is stored in your body’s fat cells, making you fat. This is the source of the fat that stockpiles in artery walls, obstructing your arteries causing heart disease.

Most of the saturated and unsaturated fats found in our daily diet consist of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Most oils and processed foods we eat also contain these unhealthy fats.

Here’s a video by Dr. Mercola explaining why coconut oil for cooking is good for you:

The Healthiest Cooking Oils

So now you know what oils are not recommended to cook with, here are the oils that you should use (albeit sparingly, because all oils are fat, which are high in calories):

1. Coconut Oil

2. Advocado Oil

3. Grapeseed Oil

4. Virgin Olive Oil (if at low temperatures)

As well as the health benefits and delicious taste of coconut oil, its’ appeal also lies with how amazingly versatile it is. You can cook with it, spread it like a butter on bread or toast, use it as a skin and/or hair treatment product, add it to smoothies etc. etc. Check out the home page for more coconut oil benefits.

Coconut oil is also solid at room temperature so you don’t even need to store it in the refrigerator.

Selecting and Storing Coconut Oil

Choosing a good coconut oil is important and you should ensure it comes from a reputable source. At the very least the oil should be ‘virgin’ coconut oil.

I recommend Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. This coconut oil from the Philippines is so delicious and has been a staple food source in my house for some time.

I get a couple of pots delivered from Amazon every couple of months, although have been ordering more, as I use it for so many things – including my hair!


If you have any questions or comments about coconut oil for cooking, please drop them below.

I have decided to create this page showing just video recipes. I much prefer to watch how a recipe is created rather than read how to do it.

Here are some of my favorites that use coconut oil, flour and milk:

Coconut Oil Carrot Chips

Coconut Macaroons

Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Breakfast Cake: Oatmeal, fruit and coconut oil

Spicy Coconut Shrimp Bisque Recipe

Coconut Oil Carrot Chips

Now you can have healthy potato chips!!

Coconut Macaroons

Not very healthy but very delicious!

Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Delicious and healthy!

Breakfast Cake: Oatmeal, fruit and coconut oil

Now this really is a great way to start the day!

Spicy Coconut Shrimp Bisque Recipe

An exotic and indulgent soup that makes a beautiful dish for your guests.

Most people’s perception of coconut milk is that it is the clear liquid that comes from inside the coconut shell.

However, this liquid is actually coconut water, found in young coconuts, and has a very different consistency to that of coconut milk.

Coconut milk is produced from the white meat of a more mature coconut. As the coconut ripens the meat or ‘flesh’ absorbs some of the watery liquid and forms within the walls of the coconut shell.

The coconut is then harvested and the white coconut meat is finely grated and soaked in warm/hot water for around 5 to 10 mins.

After it has cooled the pulp is pressed through a fine sieve or cheese cloth to produce coconut milk.

Here’s a great little video showing you how coconut milk is produced from start to finish:

Thick and Thin Coconut Milk

The process described above produces what is known as ‘thick’ coconut milk. This type of thick, creamy milk is used mainly for deserts and to make sauces.

Thin coconut milk is made from soaking and pressing the remaining grated coconut a second or third time. This thin coconut milk is more widely used for general cooking particularly in Thai dishes and other Southeast Asian countries, as well as West Africa, Hawaii and the West Indies.

The thick and thin methods of producing coconut milk require fresh coconuts and so it is usually only found in tropical countries where coconut trees are grown.

For the rest of us who live in western countries, coconut milk is almost solely available in cans, and is often a combination of thick and thin milk.

Canned Coconut Milk

There’s nothing wrong with buying canned coconut milk. It still retains its high, beneficial oil content, and much of the nutrients from the coconut flesh.

As I’ve said this milk is usually a combination of thick and thin coconut milk, and usually some water added.

Quite often a newly opened can of coconut milk will have the thicker milk at the surface. This is a natural occurrence and not a sign of spoilage. Shaking the can before opening or stirring with a spoon will evenly mix the milk.

However, this thicker, creamier milk can be skimmed off and used in recipes that require coconut cream rather than milk.

How Long Does Coconut Milk Keep For?

Canned coconut milk will spoil and turn rancid fairly quickly once the can is opened, and should be stored in the refrigerator. Just like cows milk, it will only stay fresh in the refrigerator for a few days. You will be able to tell when it ‘goes off’, simply by smelling it.

What Can I Use Coconut Milk For?

There are a number of reasons why people drink coconut milk instead of milk produced from cows. A lot of people are allergic to dairy products and have to find suitable alternatives. Vegans and other people who just prefer not to drink cow’s milk often turn to coconut milk.

Coconut milk is very similar to regular milk in taste and should have no, or a very faint, coconut smell.

Coconut milk can be drunk straight from the can or it can be used as milk substituted in tea, coffee and other hot drinks.

It is ideal for cooking with, and is used in lots of recipes. It is ideal make sauces or deserts. Thai food in particular makes excellent use of coconut milk in many of their dishes.

Coconut Milk Health Benefits

Just like coconut oil, coconut milk retains a large quantity of health promoting minerals and vitamins. The saturated fat in the milk is made up mostly of lauric acid, which has shown to benefit the cardiovascular system.

Here is a nutritional break-down of 100 grams of coconut milk (which is about a third of a cup):

• Calories – 230
• Proteins – 2 g
• Fat – 24g
• Saturated Fat – 21g
• Carbohydrates – 6 g
• Dietary fiber – 2 g
• Sugar – 3.35 g
• Vitamin C – 2.8 mg
• Vitamin E – 0.15 mg
• Vitamin B1 – 0.026 mg
• Vitamin B6 – 0.033 mg
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) – 0.183 mg
• Folate – 16 mcg
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin) – 0.76 mg
• Iron – 1.64 mg
• Selenium – 6.2 mcg
• Sodium – 15 mg
• Calcium – 16 mg
• Magnesium – 37 mg
• Phosphorus – 100 mg
• Potassium – 260 mg

While coconut milk is high in saturated fat, it is fat that the body can easily metabolize in the body and actually benefits the function of the heart.

It is mainly lauric acid, which is also found in mother’s milk, and is a complete food. Lauric acid has been shown to promote brain development and is good for keeping bones strong and healthy.

Coconut milk is also anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral.

Where Can I Buy Coconut Milk?

Most specialist health stores sell coconut milk. Also, it is easily stored and transported in bottles and cans and so can be purchased off the internet if you can’t find any locally.

More often than not, you will be able to get it from Amazon cheaper than anywhere else. Their most popular brand is Native Forest Organic Classic Coconut Milk. I have not tried this brand myself so cannot comment on it, but it has received some good reviews and is their No.1 seller.

If you have any questions or comments regarding coconut milk, please drop them below.

During this time I have received lots of questions that perhaps have not been fully explained in my articles.

I decided to create this page as a growing list of FAQ’s. As more questions come in I will add them here.

So if you have any questions regarding coconut oil benefits and its uses, please contact me or add them to the comments box below.

Coconut Oil FAQ’s

1. What’s the Difference Between Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk, and Coconut Water?
2. What Is Organic Coconut Oil?
3. How Much Coconut Oil Should I Take Daily To Receive Its Health Benefits?
4. What Are the Side Effects of Coconut Oil?
5. How Long Does Coconut Oil Last?
6. What Is The Best Way to Store Coconut Oil?
7. Is Coconut Oil Safe to Use in Cooking?
8. Is Coconut Oil Safe for Pregnant Women?
9. Is Coconut Oil Safe for Young Children and Toddlers?
10. How Can I add Coconut Oil to My Daily Diet?
11. Can You Get the Same Benefits by Eating Fresh (or Dried) Coconut?

What’s the Difference Between Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk, and Coconut Water? (Back to Top)

Coconut water is the clear liquid found in young, maturing coconuts. This water is sweet and can be drunk straight from the nut. It contains a lot of important nutrients and antioxidants especially potassium and magnesium, and is a stable source of drinking water in many parts of the world.

Coconut water is also fat-free and is very low in calories, about 50 calories for one cup. Most of the calories come from its natural sugars.

Coconut water can be bought in cartons from health stores and online. For more detailed information, read my article on Coconut Water Benefits.

As the coconut ripens, the water gradually turns into the white, fleshy meat inside the coconut wall.

Coconut milk is produced by grinding up the coconut meat and pressing out the creamy liquid. When the coconut milk settles, the thicker, creamy milk rises to the surface and can be easily removed. This method produces two types of coconut milk – thick and thin.

Coconut milk contains a lot of fat and calories, approx 550 calories per cup, most of them from fat.

Coconut oil is made using various extraction methods which produce 2 types of coconut oil: Refined coconut oil and ‘virgin’ coconut oil.

Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is the oil commonly bought in stores and is better for our health. The oil is extracted from the coconut milk of fresh coconuts without using heat, in order to preserve the health promoting nutrients and compounds.

Virgin coconut oil has a distinct, pleasant taste and smell of fresh coconuts, whereas ordinary refined or semi-refined coconut oil is largely tasteless.

What Is Organic Coconut Oil? (Back to Top)

Organic coconut oil means it is oil produced from coconut trees that are grown and harvested without the use of pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or hexane. Most of the top brands of virgin coconut oil are organically produced.

How Much Coconut Oil Should I Take Daily To Receive Its Health Benefits? (Back to Top)

Coconut oil benefits come mainly from the medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), otherwise known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs).

Dr Bruce Fife C.N.,N.D author of The Coconut Oil Miracle recommends taking “between 1 and 3 tablespoons a day, to enjoy the health benefits from the oil, but actually any amount is better than none at all.”

Incidentally, 3 tablespoons of coconut oil is roughly the same amount of MCFA’s a nursing child would drink each day from mother’s milk.

What Are the Side Effects of Coconut Oil?

Unless you are allergic to coconuts, then you are unlikely to experience any side effects from consuming coconut oil.

If anything you may experience some diarrhea when you first start consuming it. I recommend you start off by taking just 1 tablespoon per day and build up to 3 or 4. Spreading it throughout the day will also help.

If your skin is prone to rashes or is very sensitive, you might try applying some oil to a small area on your skin just to check you don’t react to it.

Other than these common sense approaches, you should not have any concerns with adding coconut oil to your diet or skin/hair.

How Long Does Coconut Oil Last? (Back to Top)

Coconut oil has the longest shelf life of any plant-based oils. Coconut oil products will normally carry a ‘use by’ date of around 2 years. However, you will probably still be able to use it much longer than this. If the oil doesn’t smell or taste rancid then you’re safe to eat it.

What Is The Best Way to Store Coconut Oil?(Back to Top)

The good thing about coconut oil is its natural resistance to heat. You don’t need to store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

It has a melting point of around 76 degrees F. so in warmer climates it will often be stored in cupboards in liquid form. In cooler climates or if stored in the refrigerator, coconut oil will turn to a solid.

The properties and compounds of the oil remain exactly the same whether as a solid or liquid.

I like to keep a jar semi-cold, (in the cupboard) so that it turns into a buttery type of thickness. This makes it easy to scoop out and use how you like. I like it this way to spread on toast – Delicious!

Is Coconut Oil Safe to Use in Cooking? (Back to Top)

Yes it is, and I highly recommend it. Coconut oil will quickly turn to liquid when used to cook with. However the healthy properties of the oil, (primarily the medium chain fatty acids) are not destroyed when heated to very high temperatures.

Is Coconut Oil Safe for Pregnant Women? (Back to Top)

Coconut oil is a natural food source that contains lauric acid – which is also present in breast milk. If you have already been drinking coconut oil before becoming pregnant, and have had no adverse reactions to it, then there’s no reason not to continue.

However, a lot of Western diets are now low-fat, and so it’s probably not a good idea to start consuming coconut oil while pregnant if your body is not used to it.

Is Coconut Oil Safe for Young Children and Toddlers? (Back to Top)

Yes, coconut oil is perfectly safe to give to young children and toddlers. The only reaction they may have to too much oil, is diarrhea.

The best thing to do is slowly add coconut oil to their diets, starting off with just a small teaspoon a day. After a month or 2 you can build up to a tablespoon a day and should not expect any problems.

Kids actually love the taste of coconut oil and it’s so easy to add to food. My kids just lick it straight off the spoon!

How Can I add Coconut Oil to My Daily Diet? (Back to Top)

Coconut oil is such a versatile oil. You can add it to your diet in a whole manner of ways including:

Replace your regular (unhealthy) cooking oil with coconut oil as a 1 for 1 replacement.

Substitute butter or margarine with coconut oil for spreading on bread or toast – or for baking.

Add coconut oil to smoothies. Many sports drinks already incorporate coconut oil into their products to give an extra energy boost.

Use coconut oil as a natural sweetener to hot drinks or to add to cereals.

Eat it as is! Hardened coconut oil tastes like candy or white chocolate. Delicious!

Can You Get the Same Benefits by Eating Fresh (or Dried) coconut? (Back to Top)

Whole coconut contains little oil and you would not get the same long chain fatty acid benefits from the meat of coconut.

Fresh coconut does provide plenty of nutrients though, especially minerals such as manganese, copper, selium and iron. It also has a good protein value, all of which is not present in coconut oil.

The problem is, to enjoy these health promoting nutrients, you need to eat the coconut meat fresh, and unless you are in a tropical country, coconuts will certainly not be fresh by the time they reach stores and markets around the world.

Those outside the tropics – dried coconut is probably the best option. It is still a healthy option, containing all the valuable nutrients. Dried coconut can be bought as shredded coconut, coconut flakes, coconut cream concentrate or coconut flour.

Just be careful where you purchase your dried coconut and investigate thoroughly to be sure it was processed according to industry standards to avoid potential contamination.

You’re about to discover why coconut oil is actually a ‘healthy’ fat your body needs for optimal health and energy. It is also a different type of fat to that of your regular cooking oil which actually works to burn calories rather than store food as fat deposits.

Let me explain the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of the magic behind coconut oil and weight loss..

First of all, please don’t be confused about weight loss and diets. I am totally against anyone starting a diet to lose weight. Diets work purely for the short-term and virtually everyone who goes on a diet regains their original weight and more, once they come off them. Simply because once they lose the weight they wanted to through dieting, they go back to the way they used to eat that made them fat in the first place!

Losing weight through a change in lifestyle however, is what will ultimately create a healthier, happier and slimmer person.

This article will explain quite clearly why traditional methods of losing weight through food choices (in particular the fats we eat), fail more often than they succeed, and why eating coconut oil might just be the answer.

Eat Less Fat and You Lose More Weight, Right?

Wrong! Established teachings and methods of losing weight, taught and preached by so many ‘health’ gurus, books and mainstream magazines, tell us that in order to lose weight we must eat less fat. They say that fat is bad for you and the reason why you gain weight. Unfortunately this could be the most fundamental reasons why it is so difficult for most people to reduce their weight.

We need fat! Our bodies need a certain amount of fat in order for us to have energy and stay healthy. Fat is used to absorb and transport essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients throughout our body. We also need fat to produce hormones and cellular membranes.

So if we need fat in our body, but it contains calories that causes us to gain weight, what is the solution? I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that the answer may lie with coconut oil! And there are 3 compelling reasons why this is true..

Reason #1 – Not All Fats are Created Equal

Now here’s the science bit, so pay attention! You might be surprised to know that all fats contain the same amount of calories. No matter if they are from plants such as corn or wheat, or from animal products such as cows. These traditional oils all contain long chain fatty acids (LCFA).

Coconut oil however is made up of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) which is actually less and smaller in size than other fats and subsequently contain fewer calories.

More importantly, the medium chain fatty acids are digested and used by the body differently than long chain fatty acids. Basically the fat from LCFA is broken down and stored directly into or fat cells.

When we exercise for example, the body immediately calls upon nutrients like protein and carbohydrates for immediate energy. It won’t touch these fat reserves unless our physical activity demands greater energy reserves, in which case fat is removed from these fat cells and burned for fuel.

As long as we eat just enough food to satisfy us the body will use the majority if it up converting it into energy.

Unfortunately, if we eat too much, especially too much LCFA and/or don’t exercise enough,the body will store the excess as fat deposits and we will gain weight as a consequence.

Now here’s why coconut oil is so much better for us – The MCFA found in coconut oil is utilized differently by the body. Instead of sending the excess food to be stored to our fat cells, the body sends it directly to the liver where it is immediately converted into energy – the same way a carbohydrate works.

So by eating coconut oil, the body immediately uses it to make energy rather than store it as body fat. Consequently, you can eat much more coconut oil than you can other oils before the excess is converted into fat.

There have been several studies confirming these findings using humans and animals to demonstrate how a reduction in body weight and fat deposits occurred when LCFA were replaced with MCFA.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that not only did patients lose weight when they included MCFA’s in their diet, but actually lost more weight than compared to a diet with olive oil.

These findings alone would be a good enough reason to replace traditional oils with coconut oils. But the magic doesn’t stop there!

Reason #2 – Coconut Oil and Metabolism

Certain foods are better at increasing our body’s metabolism than others. Protein rich foods for example are effective in stimulating our metabolism. Without going into too much detail, a higher or faster metabolism burns more fat, which helps in weight loss. You can learn more about how metabolism works here.

The MFCA contained in coconut oil is the most concentrated natural source available and makes is even more effective than protein. As previously mentioned the MCFA are immediately burned as fuel, thus increasing the body’s metabolic activity. Not only are medium-chain fatty acids burned for energy use, but they encourage the burning of LCFA as well.

Not only does regular vegetable oil promote weight gain, it also suppresses thyroid activity. The thyroid gland controls our metabolism and so by consuming LCFA we depress out thyroid activity and lower our metabolic rate. Coconut oil however, has the opposite effect! It stimulates the thyroid and speeds up our metabolism.

Still need convincing?

Reason #3 – Coconut Oil Suppresses Food Cravings

One of the biggest culprits for putting on weight is due to food cravings. We’ve all been in a situation where we feel hungry and our bodies start to crave unhealthy food. Fast food, sweet snacks like chips and cookies and chocolate being the main demons. (well they are for me anyway!)

Unfortunately, low-fat diets can exasperate the problem as you are merely depriving the body of the fats it needs. The solution is to consume healthy fats as part of a healthy daily diet including coconut oil, flaxseed oil and fish oils. These fats will help you to feel fuller for longer and keep those hunger pangs at bay.

Conclusion

I’ve no doubt that coconut oil benefits and the effect it has on our bodies will continue to gain greater media exposure. There are some compelling reasons why coconut oil can help prevent weight gain and even promote weight loss.

When combined with a high-fibre diet, using coconut oil and coconut products can have a remarkable effect on your weight and your health.

Incorporating coconut oil into your diet is as easy as replacing your current cooking oil with coconut oil. For an excellent source of coconut oil for cooking, I highly recommend Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Try it once, and you’ll never want to go back to regular cooking oil again!


If you would like to discuss coconut oil and weight loss further, please drop your comments below.

Coconut water has been used for several years as a refreshing and healthy drink and is still drunk today straight from the nut.

It was effectively used during the second world war in the Pacific as an emergency plazma replacement. Coconut water is naturally sterile, (the water permeates though the filtering husk) it does not produce heat or destroys red blood cells and is readily accepted by the body. It has virtually the same level of electrolytes as human blood plasma and so it was often used as an alternative during emergency plasma transfusions.

Coconuts are found growing all over the world in warm climates. The water from Indian and Bangladeshi coconuts are generally sweeter than Thai and Brazilian coconuts.

A coconut has more water content when it is young and green, and is harvested earlier to extract the maximum amount of water. At this stage the water is clear and dense, with a sweet taste. Once it begins to mature, much of the water is absorbed into the flesh of the nut, giving it that moist white texture.  A single coconut usually provides approximately an 11 ounce serving of water.

Health Benefits of Coconut Water

As soon as coconut water is exposed to air some of the nutrients will begins to dissipate and the water will start to ferment. Therefore it is important to drink the water as soon as possible or vacuum seal it to preserve much of the health properties.

The important nutrients found in coconut water include lauric acid, chloride, and iron, as well as essential electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium and calcium. A healthy balance of electrolytes is important for the optimal health of our muscular, cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems. They also contribute to the effective absorption and balance of the body’s internal fluids.

As well as containing a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and other healthy nutrients, coconut water is naturally low in carbohydrates and sugars, and is virtually fat-free.

Coconut Water As An Energy Drink

Coconut water benefits are particularly significant when used as an energy drink after any form of physical activity. Most people turn to the normal energy drinks after a workout, and whilst they are fairly effective at rehydrating the body and replenishing lost nutrients, they just don’t compare to the benefits of coconut water.

Coconut water contains much more vitamins and minerals, as well as a quarter less sugar and salt. It also has approximately double to three times The amount of potassium, calcium and chloride compared to most sports drinks.

This makes coconut water perfect for rapid hydration and to replenish the body’s energy levels and depleted nutrients after a vigorous workout. It’s a natural isotonic beverage and not artificially produced.

Age Spots, Wrinkles, and Other Skin Problems

Oddly enough, coconut water is believed to help various skin conditions such as age spots, wrinkles and even acne. Coconut water contains traces of Cytokinins and lauric acid which research has found can help lessen the  effects of aging skin, balance PH levels and keep tissues in the skin firm and hydrated.

Applying coconut water to the face at night, before going to bed, may help with age spots, wrinkles, cellulite, acne and eczema. I’m not sure how effective or practical this is, and further research is needed to confirm these claims.

Coconut Water and Weight Loss

Coconut water is a natural electrolyte and isotonic beverage which help increase the body’s metabolism. An increased metabolism can benefit people who want to lose weight as the body will naturally burn off more calories.

Digestive Problems

Lauric acid, found in coconut water is converted into monolaurin which has anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-microbia properties.

Drinking coconut water can help treat various gastrointestinal tract infections such as parasites, intestinal worms and lipid-coated viruses. More common digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea or Leaky Gut Syndrome can also benefit from a daily cup of coconut water.

To treat intestinal worms, it is recommended you mix 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil into a cup of coconut oil and drink daily for 3 days.

Dehydration

Dehydration can occur through rigorous exercise, illness or simply not drinking enough water. Coconut water is rich in potassium and other minerals which help regulate our internal fluids – replenishing and rehydrating the body. A cup of coconut water actually contains close to twice the amount  of potassium found in a banana.

The electrolyte balance and plasma in coconut water is almost identical to that of human blood. Without going into too much detail, the body can quickly and effectively absorb the rich levels of potassium and minerals found in coconut water. Rehydration occurs much more quickly and often used to treat illness such as dysentery, cholera, diarrhea and stomach flu.

Treatment for High Blood Pressure

More often than not, people who suffer from high blood pressure also have lower levels of potassium in their body. Coconut water is particularly rich in potassium and therefore drinking it on a regular basis can help regulate and stabilize blood pressure levels.

Any Side Effects to Drinking Coconut Oil?

Fortunately coconut water is one of the healthiest, natural drinks there is. The bodily readily accepts it and there are no known side effects. It is also deemed safe for children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women.

Where and How to Buy Coconut Water

Apart from buying fresh coconuts, which just isn’t very practical, you can buy pure coconut oil from health stores or online (see below).

They are all pretty much taste the same  to me and are similarly priced. I have tried all 3 and have eventually stuck with Vita. At the time of writing this, they also have it reduced in price.

Conclusion

Many people already know about coconut oil benefits and how it can improve our health,both internally an externally. Now it is clear that coconut water benefits also contain a ton of healthy vitamins and minerals that can keep us fit and well. A daily cup may be all you need to keep you fit and healthy.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the coconut water benefits, please drop them below.

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