This post will be about how coconut oil is good for you.  I’ll explain the ingredients of this amazing tropical oil to help you better understand how and why it’s so healthy for you, inside and out.

Coconut Oil Ingredients: 

92% Saturated Fats: 

• 44.6% Lauric Acid – The Magic Ingredient
• 16.8% Myristic Acid
• 8.2% Palmitic Acid
• 8% Caprylic Acid

6% Monounsaturated Fatty Acids:

• Oleic Acid 

2% Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids:

• Linoleic Acid

Calorie & Fat Content:

1 tablespoon = around 120 calories
1 tablespoon  = 14 grams fat (12 g saturated fats)

What Is The Magic Ingredient?

This would be Lauric Acid.  Monolaurin is what lauric acid is converted into when it enters the human body. It’s also a fat found in human breast milk.

Lauric acid is the primary saturated fat in c.o. It’s a medium chain fatty acid giving it many anti-properties:  - bacterial, viral, microbial, fungal.  Because of these anti-properties, it has the following health benefits:

• Heart Healthy
• Enhances the Immune System
• Stimulates the Metabolism
• Metabolized by the liver – stored less as fat and more as energy

What’s The Difference Between Medium Chain Fatty Acids & Long Chain Fatty Acids?

First, medium chain fatty acids are rare.  The only other place they can be found in such a high percentage is in human breast milk.  The long chains are what you will find in other oils and they provide the opposite benefits.

Note:  The medium ones are good for you with health benefits, while the long ones are bad for you with negative health benefits

What About Myristic, Caprylic & Palmitic Acids, the other saturated fats? 

• Myristic Acid (16.8%) – An important fatty acid the body uses to stabilize many different proteins, including proteins used in the immune system.
• Caprylic Acid (8%) – Also found naturally in breast milk and has many health benefits.  The main benefit is it’s ability to treat the overgrowth of yeast like fungus (candida) which can live and grow in the intestines.  It has important anti-fungal properties.  Also works for treating different forms of yeast infections including:  ringworm, vaginal infection, thrush, and jock itch.
• Palmitic Acid (8.2%) - In moderation, this fat may display mild anti-atherosclerotic and anti-oxidant properties.  Though, not much research has been done to prove this.

 

About Oleic Acid which makes up 6% Monosaturated Fats:

This is an omega-9 fatty acid.  It has bigger molecules that don’t stick to each other helping with blood flow.  Also helps to raise the good cholesterol (HDL) while lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL).  With this, it helps lower your risk of heart disease.

Oleic Acid may have benefits for the skin and hair.  It’s great for moisturizing the skin and also helps your hair grow stronger.

It also has the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, especially for breast cancer.

About Linoleic Acid which makes up 2% Polyunsaturated Fats:

This omega 6 essential fatty acid, along with omega 3, is vital for a healthy and lean body.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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