A quick search on health benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil(VCO) will in a second present 1000 search results pages, many of those article/reports are based on personal experiences as well as myths regarding VCO. Very few of those articles or claims are based on scientific researches or validated by scientific evidence.
As a clinical dietitian I meet clients on a daily basis with numerous questions concerning the claims of virgin coconut oil: does it really burn fat? is it a super drug? will it help my skin glow? these and many more interesting questions led me on a journey to review articles and researches on VCO.
In this post, I highlight some evidence based benefits of virgin coconut oil- meaning these claims are as a result of laboratory test run on the highly acclaimed VCO. You need to be wary when shopping, read food labels to ensure you are going in for the best variety of VCO. This is a quick guide on how to select the best VCO variety on the shelve.
Below is a list of 5 incredible benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO):
- Get Candida in check: Yes indeed! A very interesting benefit. Virgin Coconut oil boasts of astounding anti fungal properties. It is known to clear oral Candida even in HIV patients within a matter of days. Evidence shows that caprylic acid in VCO targets the Candida yeast and prevents an overgrowth. So ladies don’t be shy to gently rub in some VCO into your lady parts for protection against bacterial overgrowth also known as “white”. It should be noted that candida may require medical check and this recommendation should not be a substitute to prescribed candida medication.
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Good for the skin: VCO is easily absorbed by the body and penetrates the skin pores with ease, this is good news since VCO is laden with nutrients and antioxidants which are excellent for skin care. Annually we unconsciously invest in skin care products and regimens artificially enriched with vitamin A, E, C, Zinc and so on in hopes of getting great, smooth baby skin devoid of wrinkles – yes! that’s the dream. FUN FACT! – VCO is a natural, potent and inexpensive substitute to most of these pricey skin care brands. Xerosis, a common skin condition characterized by dry, rough, scaly, and itchy skin was quickly reverted after 2 weeks of VCO use. Many individuals pride themselves with supple, soft and smooth skin as a result of daily moisturizing with VCO.
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Weight loss aid: VCO boasts of high levels Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA), this type of fat is not easily stored in the body but rather readily metabolized/ burned. This is good news for weight watchers who are trying to lose a few inches around the mid section. When compared with other fats, coconut oil contains 2.6% fewer calories but with this said, weight watchers should bear in mind that coconut Oil is still calorie dense as compared to other foods and a quantity abuse will result in weight gain. Always consult a Registered Dietitian (RD) for the right quantity of VCO to consume based on your body requirement.
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Boost Immune system: The immune system is our bodies sole defense against infections and diseases. Common cold,Cholera, Candida, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS are all as a result of a compromised or weak immune system. VCO is rich in phenolic substances which are known to have high antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are compounds that halt the action of substances known to kill cells and weaken the body’s immune system. thus continuous moderate intake of VCO will boost the bodies immunity against many bacteria and infections.
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Improve cardiovascular healthy: heart related conditions are on the rise in recent times, individuals are constantly getting diagnosed of cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, high blood cholesterol, strokes , heart attacks and so on. Most of these diagnosis are due to high levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) in the blood. It is therefore relieving to know that VCO aids in reducing the levels of cholesterol in the blood and protects the heart against such dire heart complications. Again one needs to be careful about the quantity of VCO being consumed, a Registered Dietitian (RD) is the best professional to guide you on that.
