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 COCONUT
- Coconut Nucifera
In Asia and the Pacific Islands coconut is
traditionally used as food - coconut juice, coconut milk,
coconut
oil - as well as medicine. It is called 'The Tree of Life'.
It has achieved a
title of
functional food for its various health promoting effects. Specifically
coconut oil has gained interest in research areas in western
countries.
Coconut has been traditionally used for various ailments such as:
asthma, influenza, cuts, weakness, gingivitis and tooth ache,
rash
and skin infections, baldness, tumors, jaundice, pneumonia, scurvy,
earache, syphilis, menstrual problems, fever, typhoid, kidney stones,
bruises, nausea, abscesses, burns, dysentery, scabies, gonorrhea,
tuberculosis, bloating, lice, constipation, malnutrition, stomach ulcer
and other stomach problems, dropsy, cold, cough. Science has already
verified some of these effects.
Coconut fat has had a bad reputation for a long time in western
countries. This probably has its origin in political and financial
reasons for promoting other vegetable oils in western countries -
coconut and other saturated fats were declared unhealthy. The bad
reputation has something to do also with wrongly interpreted research
results - many times these studies were done with hydrogenated fats,
not coconut oil or non-hydrogenated coconut fat.
Coconut nutrition
& skin care
Coconut oil is safe to use for humans
and animals. It is recommended
already
from
infancy. Pets love it too and can be added to pet food. It can be used
as a food supplement,
in cooking and in skin care.
Coconut oil supports weight
management. It is perfect
for cooking, since there are no harmful substances formed in high
temperatures - the smoking point is 177ºC
(350ºF). If
the temperature is kept at 150ºC (300ºF) for a while
the
aromatics evaporate and the smoking point raises to
over 200ºC (400ºF) - less coconut taste
remains. Guiding
principle in skin applications should be that you do not put
anything on your skin that you would not put in your mouth - substances
on
your skin absorb elsewhere to your body too.
According to one study
paraben chemicals used in personal hygiene, skin care and cosmetics
products were found almost
always in breast cancer tumors - Journal of Applied
Toxicology, Volume
24, Issue 1, 2004.
Recently,
a connection has been found between POPs (persistent organic pollutants
that accumulate in animal fatty tissue) and insulin resistance and type
2 diabetes. Obese people with high levels of POPs were more likely to
develop insulin resistance than thin people with POPs, but this
association dissapeared in obese people with no POPs - New Scientist, 12 April 2007.
People who are allergic to coconut can still use coconut oil, since it
does not have proteins that may trigger allergic reactions.
 COCONUT
OiL NUTRiTiON
New nutritional
recommendations approve 30% of total caloric intake from
beneficial fats, from which satured fat content can
be 7-10%. Do your own CHD risk assessment test. Coconut
oil
is a fast source of energy because of its medium chain triglycerides
MCT which are easily digested and they increase metabolism.
This improves stamina and physical performance -
it aids digestion and intestinal absorption of nutrients. It also
improves bowel function.
Coconut oil can be used to substitute other
frying oils and cold
pressed oils for soups, salads, shakes, dips, baking. It can be also
used with other oils.
CHOLESTEROL
Virgin coconut oil improves HDL cholesterol,
consequently improving
LDL/HDL ratio - this is better evaluation for cardiovascular health
than total cholesterol. LDL/HDL ratio should
be low, ideal for women <1.6 and for men <1.1. HDL/(Total
Cholesterol x 100) needs to be high 29% and over. Better HDL then
improves these ratios and reduces cardiovascular risk - Framingham Heart Study. According
to new studies coconut oil seems to lower LDL cholesterol - The Weston A. Price Foundation.
Moreover, viruses such as herpes and cytomegalovirus (and helicobacter)
has causative role with coronary heart diseases. Coconut oil inhibits
all of these!
WEiGHT
MANAGEMENT
Body utilises coconut oil by producing energy and not accumulating it
as fat. Coconut oil has an average of 55% medium chain glycerides -
lauric
acid content being on average 50%. Also, breast milk has an ample
amount of
lauric acid. It enhances the immune system.
Medium chain fatty acids (MCFA or MCT) have a slimming effect. Also,
coconut oil may help activating the
thyroid and the daily amount can be even 5tbs starting 1tsp-1tbs and
increasing at a moderate rate. Also notice
that since
coconut oil may activate the thyroid, you may experience some heart
palpitations or tachycardia (rapid heart beat). However, if it
continues decrease the dosage until it settles. Hypothyroid
people feel
cold and hypothyroidism is associated with low body
temperature.
Coconut oil has a warming
effect on body temperature. Since coconut oil is probably not the only
oil and fat eaten on a daily basis, it is assumably not the optimal way
to balance the thyroid. Read about biomagnetic body balancing
that also has a comprehensive detox for all areas.
DOSAGE
Over 12 years of age as a food
supplement 1-4tbs/day,
for younger 1-2tl/pv - suitable for continuous use already
from infancy. It
is recommended to start with a
smaller amount, since coconut oil is antiviral, antibacterial,
antifungal, so it may trigger healing crisis - nausea, diarrhea, etc.
The correct amount is found by moderating the dosage, and
naturally babies and small
children should take smaller portions. Note: If taking bigger
amounts of coconut oil other oil intake should be reduced. Note however
that coconut oil does not have all fatty acids such as omega-series
fatty acids.
BLOOD PRESSURE
It is also good to
monitor
your blood pressure, if it tends to be too high, decrease the dosage.
On the other hand, blood pressure problems are linked with kidney
functions and coconut oil helps kidneys via myristic acid and also
enhances body's usage of omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fats are beneficial to
kidneys, read more The Weston A. Price Foundation.
Also, favoring slow carbohydrates in the diet and usage of coconut
oil lowers
blood pressure, read user experiences EarthClinic.com.
STORAGE
Coconut oil stays well in room temperature. It solidifies in cool
temperatures, but liquefies in about 24C° (76F°).
In a room temperature it is somewhat solid but more runny in warmer
climates. Storage: room temperature, not in direct sunlight. Storing in
cool temperature extends the shelf life.
 SKiN CARE
Coconut oil has many applications in skin care. It helps prevent
infections. According to research, it eases psoriasis, eczema and
dermatitis. It supports the skin's chemical balance. It has softening
and moisturising properties preventing wrinkles and skin sagging. It
aids skin health and prevents liver spots. It is safe to use with
babies and pets.
SCALP
Coconut oil prevents hair damage and protein loss. Use coconut oil for
scalp health and dandruff control. You can massage
coconut
oil to the dampened scalp, wrap a towel around the hair and let stand
for a
while
before shampooing normally.
SKiN
CREAM
Coconut oil can be used with your skin cream or combine with other skin
caressing oils such as black currant seed oil or buckthorn oil - try
also with aloe vera. You can also apply some warm water to your hands
prior to using the oil - this way you will get a thinner layer. If you
live in colder climates and going outdoors in winter
time, it is feasible to apply plain oil. Eye
make-up and other face make-up removes gently with coconut oil - just
apply to cottonpad and clean.
Coconut-Buckthorn-Evening Primrose-Lotion:
1 1/2 dl coconut oil
1 dl water
1 rkl buckthornoil or 5 buckthornoil capsules
(puncture and empty)
5 evening primrose oil capsules (puncture and empty) or calendula
extract
1/2 tl sea salt (unprosessed)
5 drops aromatherapy oils such as suitable to your skin type
Add all ingredients to a spray pump bottle and shake. Coconut oil might
need some warming to dissolve. Also, note that you might need some
warming under the tap water etc. before using this lotion. Therefore
store in a warm place to keep it running. It is suitable for children
and could be used for face and body care. Shake before use. It is also
excellent for make-up removal from eyes and face.
(Caution:
Please verify that the essential oil does not have undesired
effects especially if you use this lotion with babies and children!
Example: Tea tree and lavender oils could have hormonal effects on
teenage boys such as
gynecomastia, New England Journal of Medicine.)
Coconutoil-cocoa-facemask:
1 tbs coconutoil
1 tbs cocoa powder
1 tbs honey
Mix all ingredients and spread to face, neck and decoltee area. Let
stand for 5-10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Treatment
moisturises, nourishes and softens skin.
DEODORANT
Yes, coconut oil is also used underarms. Spread thin layer directly to
the skin, this is especially soothing and softening after hair removal.
In strong perspiration it is recommended to add few drops of
aromatherapy oils such as rosmarin to control the odor.
SUNSCREEN
Coconut
oil protects from ultraviolet rays. You can add some sesame oil, aloe
vera or olive oil - perhaps some combination of those. Note that
swimming is cool water somewhat solidifies the coconut oil and
therefore does not totally dissolve in water.
BABY
CARE
Research suggests that diaper rash eases with coconut
oil. Apply
directly to the problem area.
PET
CARE
Apply coconut oil directly to the problem area.
MASSAGE
OiL
Coconut oil is excellent massage oil, it is light and after the massage
when rinsed/washed leaves skin soft but not greasy.
Coconut oil
manufacture
 ViRGiN
COCONUT OiL MANUFACTURiNG
Virgin coconut oil is manufactured by extraction. Extra virgin and
virgin means the same process in the coconut oil manufacturing
business. Extra label has probably been taken from olive oil industry
as a marketing tool. Virgin coconut oil is extracted from partly dried
or fresh coconut
meat. Virgin coconut oil has a mild coconut flavor
where deodorized oil does not have any flavor left.
There are few methods to manufacture virgin coconut oil.
One starts with finely shredded coconut that is dried from the
original 50% moisture to 12% in a mild temperature. Immediately after
the drying a weak press is
applied to separate the oil
from the coconut meat. Pressing -wet milling in this case- can
also be done from freshly shredded coconut, when maximum natural
vitamin E and antioxidant contents are preserved. Another way to go is
ferment the
coconut
milk to separate the oil. Fermentation lasts usually for 12-36 (even up
to 48) hours after
which oil is poured or skimmed off. Mild temperature
evaporates rest of the moisture - virgin coconut oil moisture
level cannot exceed 0.1%. This is the traditional coconut
oil
preparation method. These methods entitle the 'virgin coconut oil'
label usage. In many times they also entitle the 'organic' label if
chemicals are not used in the coconut groves.
NON-ViRGiN
COCONUT OiL MANUFACTURiNG
In addition to mechanical
pressing and fermentation methods the oil can
be separated by cooking, refrigeration and with
enzymatic
processes. So-called expeller pressed coconut oil may be of
organic quality, although it has already been somewhat refined in a
form of deodorization, so there is no more coconut flavor
left in
it. Therefore, it can be no longer called 'virgin' oil. Today, also
new methods with solvents are used widely to get
volume,
lower prices and faster processes. Needless to say
quality suffers
in these processes.
COPRA
Many commercial oils and fats are prepared
with dried coconut meat, copra, which is unsuitable for consumption and
therefore must go through sanitization and refining. Copra may also be
dried outdoors, where it is exposed to mold and insects. RBD (refined,
bleached, deodorized) is a standard for coconut oil made from copra -
high temperatures and chemicals are used in these processes. Copra is
dried to 5-6% moisture and then heated in a high temperature. Also, the
oil separation needs greater press. In
many times it is also hydrogenated, which is shown to raise the harmful
cholesterol. Virgin coconut oil does not contain hydrogenated
fats.
 Cocowel EXTRA ViRGiN COCONUT OiL
MANUFACTURiNG
The meat from
coconuts arrive to the
factory every morning. It is more
convenient to have somebody outside the factory to make this
process. The meat is poured in a vessel with sterile cold
water
made from a cross flow filtration system. The clean fresh meat
is then shredded very fine. Then the meat enters a
screw
press and all the coconut milk is squeezed out of the
meat. This
process could add some heat to the product, so the coconut milk
temperature is
monitored closely and never
exceeds 35C°. Then
the
coconut milk is
filtered in a screen filter in order to remove solid particles before
it enters the centrifuge. The centrifuge is in a separate
sound-insulated room. It runs 17000 revolutions per minute, so
it
sounds like a jet engine. Here the oil
is separated from the water and it
is put through
the centrifuge three times in order to get the final
product. Then the oil enters a closed tank where the rest of
the
moisture is evaporated in the air. Instead
of heating, a high vacuum is used to evaporate residual water.
The
water boils at ambient temperature if there is
sufficient vacuum. This is a new mechanical engineering
construction. This high vacuum can be followed through a plexi glass
window. This method is unique and used only in this factory.
Because of this state-of-the-art method, the company believes Cocowel
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil truly deserves to be called 'extra virgin'.
Next phase
is packaging the product in jars and bottles. Cocowel Extra Virgin
Coconut Oil is also 100% organic. Cocowel manufacturing facility
operates under European management and has GMP and organic
certificates. Product can be labeled also as 'Fair
Trade' produced, since it comes directly from a small
manufacturer
to retail sale.
Quality
virgin coconut oil is clear in liquid state and white in solid
state and has a mild coconut odor. It should not have any other tastes
like smoke or color-shades like yellow.
Cocowel coconut oil is not: refined,
bleached, heated, deodorized!
Cocowel coconut oil does
not have chemicals, preservatives, extenders, stabilizers!
Cocowel
fatty acid analysis
(Bureau of
Quality and Safety of
Food,Department of Medical Sciences, Thailand):
Caprylic Acid 6.3%
Capric Acid 5.6%
Lauric Acid
52.0%
Myristic Acid 18.0%
Palmitic Acid 7.7%
Stearic Acid 2.4%
Oleic Acid 6.1%
Linoleic Acid 1.1%
Coconut
Research
Exhaustive coconut fact pack:
The Coconut Odyssey, Mike Foale (134 pages)
 RESEARCH
Coconut oil fatty acids has been researched widely.
List propose some
studied
positive effects.
Sars, aids, influenza, measles, herpes, hepatitis
C, staphylococcus aureus - staph aureus MRSA
Stomach ulcer, throat infections,
urinary infections, gingivitis and tooth decay
Pneumonia, gonorrhea, candidiasis, diaper rash, athlete's foot
Tapeworm, lice, giardia
Insulin excretion, blood sugar, spleen, entzymes,
pancreatitis, diabetes, malabsorption
Cystic fibrosis (CF), calcium and magnesium absorption
Bones and teeth, osteoporosis, gall bladder, Crohn's disease
Colon ulcer, digestion, bowel function, hemorrhoids
Infections,
tissues, immune system
Breast cancer, colon cancer, other cancers
Cholesterol, arteries, atherosclerosis, periodontal disease,
caries
Antioxidant, fatty acid absorption, chronic fatigue syndrome
Prostathic hyperplasia, epilepsy,
kidney diseases, kidney stones
Liver diseases, metabolism
Sports endurance
Research links fatty acids/coconut oil:
Note: Research made with
hydrogenated coconut oil is not comparable with research made
with non-hydrogenated or virgin coconut
oil (VCO) studies!
CoconutResearchCenter
PubMed: VCO lowers total cholesterol,
triglycerides, phospholipids, LDL, VLDL and rises HDL
TheWestonAPriceFoundation, A New Look at
Coconut Oil
TheWestonAPriceFoundation, More Good News on
Coconut Oil
A.P. John Institute of Cancer Research
recommends coconut oil for cancer patients
Coconut Oil prevents hair damage and protein
loss
 LAURiC
ACiD
One of the important substance in coconut is lauric acid. Coconut oil
has approximately 50-60% medium chain
glycerides from which lauric acid content is about
40-66%. Lauric acid is important immunity builder. Breast milk
is rich in lauric acid.
Also, in nature lauric acid content in cinnamon oil
is 80-90%. Moreover, laurus nobilis perenneal and
cuphea
species has high lauric acid contents - especially c.epilobiifolia
has 68% lauric acid. Lauric acid is also manufactured in
synthetic
form, which presumably cannot be compared to natural form that is
present in coconut oil.
MONOLAURiN
Lauric acid is converted into monolaurin in digestive processes.
Monolaurin is antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoal monoglycerin,
which destroys lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes,
cytomegalovirus, influenzavirus, many pathogenic bacteria such as
listeria monocytogenes, helicobacter pylori, and protozoans such as
giardia lamblia. Some studies support also free
lauric acid's antimicrobial
effects.
Lauric
acid used in cosmetics industry, food-items and animal feed is in many
times changed considerably in various processes, where it changes from
a benefial substance into a possible carcinogen.
Lauric acid in virgin coconut oil is in natural form part of wholesome
nutrition.
Read more about lauric acid:
Lauric.org
MicroscopicResourceCenter:Lauric Acid
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