For thousands of years, coconut oil has nourished millions of people in the tropics and Asia . The populations that consumed the coconut oil were generally in good health and did not suffer many of the modern diseases of western nations. Recent studies support the inclusion of coconut oil in the diet and determined that it should be utilized for its preventive and healing properties. For example, with the increase in antibiotic resistant infections, the medical world has become interested in the use of natural products. Research found that oils containing an ingredient known as Lauric Acid could inhibit the growth of many pathogenic microorganisms. Coconut oil is one of these natural products because it is one of the oils with a high concentration of Lauric Acid. This also helps to explain where coconut oil gets many of its healing properties.

Coconut oil was once used in the baking industry, but with the hype around the relationship of oils and the cholesterol count in the body, it was replaced by hydrogenated polyunsaturated oils that come from U.S. cash crops. These polyunsaturated oils now dominate the shelves of the food stores. However, coconut oil does not increase the cholesterol count; instead, it can reduce the cholesterol count by natural methods. Our bodies need the type of essential fatty acids (such as those found in coconut oil) mother nature has provided to form healthy normal cells.

Coconut oil can be used for cooking, taken internally or be used as a cream for the face and body to heal acne or other skin ailments and to help slow the aging of the skin. When stored as long as a year, it never gets rancid like many other oils. When it gets cold it solidifies and can be eaten just like a piece of candy. Research suggests that it can increase metabolism helping to control weight or even help in weight loss.

As you can see from this article, the benefits of including Virgin Coconut Oil in our diets as well as in our creams and skin applications are many, and we hope we have erased any doubts you might have about the uses for this exceptional oil.