There are many uses and benefits of coconut oil and there is good reason why it is labeled a superfood. As one of the world’s healthiest foods known to man, coconut oil’s properties make this food antifungal, antimicrobial and antiviral. It is rich in medium chain fatty acids such as Caprylic acid, Lauric acid, and Capric acid. Find it in your kitchen and your powder room multi-tasking daily to support good health.

 

 

Digestion and Inflammation

When ingested, coconut oil assists your body’s absorption of certain vitamins and minerals helping it to improve your body’s digestion. By inhibiting bad bacteria as well as candida, it helps to promote gut health. Candida, or systemic Candidiasis, is an uncontrolled growth of yeast that can cause inflammation and poor digestion. Coconut oil helps to decrease this inflammation as well as other digestive related intestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and even Crohn’s disease. Mix it with turmeric powder as the fats help release the curcumin goodness in the spice to squash inflammation.

 

Skin and Hair Health

The fatty acids in coconut oil called caprylic acid and lauric acid act as moisturizers making it an excellent facial cleanser, moisturizer. It even offers a little bit of sunscreen protection. These fatty acids help reduce skin inflammation and have antioxidant properties that help keep skin healthy and young. Unlike some other moisturizers and cleansers, coconut oil is safe to use on skin and hair. Coconut oil may also promote growth and renewal of the hair follicle.

 

Energy Booster

If you’re in need of an extra boost of energy you may want to add coconut oil to your daily regimen. Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that are unlike other saturated fats. These fatty acids metabolize differently, are easy to digest and are not stored in the body like other saturated fats but are converted into energy sources. Some triathletes even use coconut oil as a great addition to their diet to help burn fat, increase overall fitness and produce longer, sustained endurance.

 

Immunity

Studies have shown that coconut oil also helps fight urinary tract infections, kidney infections,  and may work as a natural antibiotic. The lauric and caprylic acids help to strengthen your immune system by working as antimicrobial agents. These also have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties as well, aiding your body’s ability to deal with viruses and bacteria that want to ruin your plans. Coconut oil also has powerful antioxidant effects that are known to promote heart health.

 

Here are some other ways you can consume coconut oil:

• For cooking and baking, you can use it as a replacement for butter and other oils as it takes high heat well
• Scramble your morning eggs in coconut oil
• Add it to soups or even blend it in your fruit or protein smoothies

 

For applying to hair and skin:

• Use as a massage oil with a couple drops lavender oil
• Remove make-up with it
• Pour it into a bathwater soak

 

What other ways do you use coconut oil?