The Miraculous Fat That Nourishes The Brain and Heals The Body! Why Coconut Oil Is Good For You

What is this miraculous fat you ask? Coconut oil of course!  It is an incredibly healthy fat, no other oil is as versatile as the humble coconut oil. You can eat it, cook with it, apply on your skin, treat infections, nourish your brain, heal all sorts of illnesses and more. Coconut oil helps with oxidative stress, reacts against pathogens such as candida, viruses and microbes like H.Pylori, helps with seizures, neurotransmitter function and more. It’s also great for topical use for rashes, eczema, dry skin and skin fungal infections. Coconut oil is used in the treatment of autism, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, obesity and more. It’s incredibly healthy and versatile. I incorporate coconut oil into our daily lifestyle and as a nutritional supplement. The health benefits of coconut oil are endless.

How Does Coconut Oil Help with Autism? 

Coconut oil has high amounts of MCTs (Medium-Chain Triglycerides); it is rich in lauric acid and caprylic acid. Coconut oil reduces oxidative stress; it has powerful antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial and antiparasitic activity. It supports the immune system, is thyroid stimulating, controls blood sugar, improves cognition, repairs damaged tissues and supports healthy digestion. Coconut oil nourishes the brain; it helps with brain function, the repair and protection of the brain, facilitating proper functioning of neurotransmitters and more. As you can see, coconut oil can help with many of the underlying health conditions common in children with autism.

MCTs From Coconut Oil Passes Through The Blood Brain Barrier

“Unhydrogenated coconut oil is made up mostly of medium chain fatty triglyceride (MCT) fats, which the body metabolizes efficiently and converts into energy, rather than storing as fat. It consists of approximately 50% Lauric Acid which has potent anti-Candida (anti-yeast), anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties.  Human breast milk has much higher amounts of MCT fats than other mammals.  25% of the fuel for a breast fed infant’s brain comes from MCT fats.  MCT fats pass through the blood brain barrier and act as a neuroprotectant.  They also protect the digestive tract from infection.” ~ Robin Konie. For more, click here Coconut Oil For Autism And Then Some

Ketones from MCTs Stimulate the Growth of New Brain Cells

“Ketones are energy producing molecules made from fats.  Our bodies can make them from stored fat or from special fats known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) found in coconut oil. Ketones are produced specifically by the body to feed the brain… Ketones not only supply a superior source of energy to the brain but trigger the activation of specialized proteins called brain derived neurotrophic factors that function in brain cell maintenance, repair, and protection. They also stimulate the growth of new brain cells to take the place of dead or dying cells. This allows healing and repair to take place. Ketones are ordinarily produced when blood glucose levels become low. Since glucose is the body’s primary source of energy, when glucose levels fall, the body starts mobilizing stored fat to produce ketones to maintain adequate energy levels.” ~ For more, click here Rebalance Your Brain With Cold Pressed Coconut Oil.

Coconut Oil + Fish Oil = Slimmer, Smarter You!

Why do I think coconut oil is giving us these great benefits?  Medium-chain triglycerides are very important for proper functioning of neurotransmitters in the brain and coconut oil is full of them.  One particular thing I found out about MCTs is that they work synergistically with Omega-3 fatty acids liberating them from fat stores in the body and allowing them to be utilized by the brain more efficiently — definitely a winning 1-2 punch!! ~ Savage, The Thinking Moms’ Revolution. For more, click here I’m Cuckoo For Coconut Oil!

Coconut oil can make me lose weight? AND make me smarter too? You bet I’m wolfing down that coconut oil like there’s no tomorrow! However, too much coconut oil may not necessarily be better. For kids like my eldest daughter Mei, who is much too skinny, I have to be careful not to give her too much coconut oil lest she lose any more weight. And because of it’s powerful antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal properties, you may experience die-off when you first start eating coconut oil. So, start low and go slow.

Virgin or Extra Virgin? Up to You!

I choose cold-pressed, unrefined, organic coconut oil. I prefer extra virgin coconut oil (EVCO) though many people say that virgin coconut oil (VCO) is equally good. All I know is, I prefer the taste and smell of extra virgin coconut oil.  I love Country Farm Organic’s Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. It smells like sweet coconut and tastes really nice.

In Malaysia, coconut oil is sold in bottles. In hot, tropical climates, coconut oil turns liquid at room temperature (yes, it’s that hot here!), thus we need an easy-to-pour bottle.  In temperate countries, coconut oil solidifies at room temperature, thus it’s sold in jars for easy scooping. I love this beautifully-packaged  organic EVCO by Acclara Health I found in a little gourmet health food store in Sydney, Australia. When I was in Tokyo, Japan recently, I found a fabulous, organic shop which carries organic VCO by CocoWell. I like the tub which comes with a cute and convenient little scooper. Ok I confess, I’m a bit of a coconut oil collector.

My American friends choose coconut oil by Tropical Traditions, Trader Joe’s and Nutiva. There are many great brands of coconut oil available in the market. Just pop into your favourite health food store or organic grocers and pick up some yummy coconut oil today. Please read How To Buy Coconut Oil. A deeper look at the different labels, non-labels and processing methods

Pour It, Scoop It, Taste It!

My daughters and I eat extra virgin coconut oil by the tablespoonful every day. When eaten, coconut oil is very light. It is neither heavy nor viscous like you would expect with other types of vegetable oils. It does not leave a sticky, oily residue in your mouth, and, if you get the right brand, it smells like sweet coconut cookies and tastes pleasant. When I first introduced coconut oil as an oral supplement to my daughters Mei and Min Min, I scooped some solidified coconut oil that was kept in the fridge. I handed the spoon to my girls and told them it’s coconut ice cream. They started licking it and didn’t object to the taste. They were just thrilled they got to eat ‘ice cream!’

Later on, once they got used to the taste and texture of solidified, chilled coconut oil, I decided to introduce it in its liquid form. Since we live in a hot climate, coconut oil is usually in liquid form. There will be times when I won’t be able to put coconut oil in the fridge. I poured a little bit into a teaspoon and of course, they immediately rejected it. I told them it’s non-negotiable, they HAVE to take the coconut oil. Mei and Min Min reluctantly licked their spoons, and discovered it was not an objectionable texture (very important for Mei) and it tasted exactly like the coconut ‘ice cream.’ Now, they are used to taking EVCO by the tablespoon without complaint.

Apart from taking it straight, you can also use coconut oil as a replacement for your cooking oil, or as a butter substitute. You can also add it in a smoothie or milkshake too (dairy-free of course!).  However, it doesn’t matter how you take it. Just find what works for you. A parent asked whether she can mix coconut oil in fruit juice. She was concerned whether or not her son would like the taste of it. Another parent asked if it’s a good idea to add coconut oil to a cup of coffee. Ummm, wouldn’t that make the drink weird? Coffee with an oily residue, really?

Credits: www.matthewspuzzle.com

Bulletproof Coffee

However, my friend Maryann of Matthew’sPuzzle.com recently posted this intriguing photo of her coffee with butter and coconut oil. It’s a concoction called the Bulletproof Coffee. Coffee + coconut oil + grass-fed butter all blitzed into a smooth, creamy blend. Of course, I had to try it immediately. After all, I had all the ingredients in my kitchen. Verdict? The best coffee I’ve ever tasted! So yummy and healthy. Coffee will never be the same for me. Yet another delicious way to get my good fats and MCT oil on! For more info, please click here The Bulletproof Executive

Slather It On!

I also use coconut oil as a body lotion for dry skin and as a post-beach body butter, it leaves my skin incredibly smooth and moisturised. I apply it on the girls’ skin for rashes, eczema, fungal skin infections and as a treatment for all kinds of skin issues. I also use it as a hair and scalp mask, great for itchy or dry scalp. Apply a liberal amount on your scalp, comb it through, give yourself a quick, invigorating scalp massage and leave it on for 1-2 hours or longer, even overnight. You’ll be surprised how soothing it feels.  Shampoo and rinse your hair well and you’ll be amazed how soft your hair is.  Coconut oil also makes an effective, natural treatment for lice.

Oil Pulling 

Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and swish it around your mouth for 20 minutes. Oil pulling has a powerful and cleansing effect not just for the mouth but also for the body.

“Oil pulling has a very powerful detoxifying effect. Our mouths are the home to billions of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites and their toxins. Candida and Streptococcus are common residents in our mouths. It is these types of germs and their toxic waste products that cause gum disease and tooth decay and contribute to many other health problems including arthritis and heart disease. Our immune system is constantly fighting these troublemakers. If our immune system becomes overloaded or burdened by excessive stress, poor diet, environmental toxins and such, these organisms can spread throughout the body causing secondary infections and chronic inflammation, leading to any number of health problems.” ~ Bruce Fife, Oil Pulling For A Brighter Smile and Better Health.

My fellow Thinking Mom Snap wrote this about oil pulling – “While at the dentist we were discussing removing all my amalgams, you know, all my mercury fillings.  I chose this dentist because he is holistic, and would remove them the safe and correct way.   At the same time, I had a tooth that was causing me tremendous pain.  It was obvious I needed a root canal.  My dentist said, before we work on getting your amalgams out we need to fix this tooth.  I asked what he thought I should do in the meantime to reduce the sensitivity and pain.  He said, “Have you ever heard of Oil Pulling?”  Um no.  He said go home and Google it.  I did just that, and I was amazed at all the things oil pulling was used for and all the health benefits, click here to read more on oil pulling and you too will be amazed. So, oil up, fellow thinkers, it does a body good!” ~ Snap, The Thinking Moms’ Revolution

Coconut Oil Makes A Great Carrier Oil

I also use it as a massage oil and as a carrier oil when using essential oils. I always make sure there’s a small bottle of coconut oil in my essential oils case. As you know, some essential oils like Thieves and oregano are ‘hot’ oils. In case of skin irritation or burning, rub a generous amount of any carrier oil such as coconut oil. In case essential oils get into your eyes, NEVER rinse with water as water will only drive the oils deeper. Instead, smear some coconut oil around the eye area. Since I always bring a few EOs along with me wherever I go, I pop a little jar of extra virgin coconut oil in my handbag too. I just decant some coconut oil into one of those cute tiny little jam jars or honey pot that you can usually find at hotel breakfast buffets. I also use an old, empty essential oil bottle or small glass supplement jars. It’s a handy way to store my coconut oil for travelling or for popping into my handbag.

Coconut Oil IS A Miraculous Fat

Coconut oil has amazing health properties. Eat it, drink it, cook with it, slather it on your skin. The uses are endless. Don’t just think of coconut oil as a treatment for autism. Incorporate it into your lifestyle. Make it a part of your dietary nutrition as well as for treating other illnesses. Taken at the first sign of a cold or flu, it helps alleviate the symptoms and sometimes prevents it, too. It nourishes and protects the brain, reduces heart disease, helps with weight management and supports the immune system. Coconut oil is affordable and easy to incorporate into your daily life. It makes you fitter, healthier and smarter too. What’s not to love?

~ Dragon Slayer

About the author – Dragon Slayer is a mother of two children who are recovered from autism. She is the co-author of Autism Beyond the Spectrum, the vice-president of The Thinking Moms’ Revolution, and the co-founder of Brightstars – Life Skills For Exceptional Kids, a holistic school for children with autism, ADHD and learning challenges. She lives with her husband and children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For more blogs by Dragon Slayer, CLICK HERE.