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Why
is Coconut Oil Good For You?
Part II
Arthur
M. Echano, MD, ND, MACNEM
Contrary to popular belief, unsaturated
fats are the sort of oils that are hazardous to our health. Any
oil labelled as unsaturated or polyunsaturated should be avoided
like almond oil, canola oil, corn oil, safflower oil, sesame oil,
sunflower seed oil and palm oil.
Essential Fatty Acids Are Not
Really Essential
Sometimes called "essential fatty acids" or "vitamin
F," the concept of unsaturated oils being "essential"
and therefore have to be taken in the diet was disproved more than
half a century ago. This was highlighted in the Encyclopedia Britannica
Book of the Year, 1948, Biochemistry by M.E. Hanke.. Our body can
synthesize or make these "essential fatty acids" so the
term "essential" is a misnomer.
Damage Caused By Unsaturated Fats
American biochemist, Dr. Ray Peat, Ph.D. summarized the
damage caused by unsaturated oils into hormone imbalance, immune
system dysfunction and free radical damage. How do unsaturated oils
cause hormone imbalance? Unsaturated fats interfere with thyroid
hormone secretion, its transportation in our circulatory system
and sensitivity of tissues to it. Since thyroid hormone is needed
in making the hormones progesterone and pregnenolone, low thyroid
hormone levels may result in less than adequate amounts of these
protective hormones. Also, as thyroid hormone is required in normalizing
cholesterol level, a high cholesterol count may be expected.
Ever wonder why unsaturated fats
are used in formulations designed for organ transplant patients?
These oils are strong immune system suppressing agents. They can
knock the immune system down. Something that is desirable for organ
transplant patients to prevent rejection. But not for the rest of
us.
When exposed to air, unsaturated
fats are oxidized and become rancid. This leads to free radical
formation. Free radicals are highly reactive oxygen species that
can cause structural and functional damage to our cells, tissues
and organs. Accelerated aging is one of the undesirable effects
of excess free radicals in the body.
Some
Saturated Fats Are Good Fats
On the other hand, some saturated fats (e.g. coconut oil) have beneficial
health effects. They raise the good cholesterol (HDL), lowers the
atherogenic lipoprotein a, and conserve omega-3 fatty acids. Also,
some saturated fats (lauric acid and capric acid in coconut) have
anti-microbial, antifungal and antiviral effects. Some say that
coconut oil is an energizer and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
What are the other health benefits of the mainly saturated fats
in coconut? They
are good for weight control and in maintaining ideal weight. Coconut
oil increase our metabolic rate and normalizes thyroid function.
They help in the management of chronic fatigue, diabetes, irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease and other gastrointestinal
disorders. Coconut oil is also good for the skin, preventing wrinkles
and rejuvenating the skin.
World
Class Coconut Oil
Knowing that coconut oil is good for us is a fine start. Finding
a top grade brand is our next assignment. Freshly harvested coconuts
that are immediately processed using traditional methods ensures
high quality finished product. This is far more superior than the
coconut oil derived from dried coconut or "copra." Coconut
oil from "copra may have mycotoxins or aflatoxins, highly toxic
substances that can cause major health problems.
Virgin
Coconut oil From the Philippines
Among the coconut producing countries, the best source of coconut
is the Philippines. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, the superiority
of Philippine coconut is due to the fact that the Philippine Islands
"are made up of volcanoes that brought nutrient-rich soil beneath
the sea to form the islands." Coconut oil that is extracted
using the traditional method by farmers in the rural area of the
Philippines gives us virgin coconut oil that is unequalled in quality.
Dr. Mercola recommends a coconut
oil brand from a rural area in the Philippines. This brand is certified
organic with minimal heating to preserve vital nutrients. It is
not refined, non-bleached, non-deodorized, non-hydrogenated, non-GMO,
and no chemicals added. Only fresh coconuts, from non-hybrid varieties
are used. Copra or dried coconut is never used.
The
Undisputed Leader in the Oil Industry
It is about time that coconut oil is elevated to the high position
that it deserves in the oil industry. It is not the saturated fats
in coconut oil that causes heart disease but our high intake of
carbohydrates. On the contrary, these saturated fats have been found
to be very beneficial to our health.
Next time you fry your food, why
don't you use coconut oil? It is very stable and rancid-free. The
May 20, 2003 issue of the widely circulated Women's World magazine
in the U.S. referred to coconut oil as a "miracle food."
It highlighted coconut's major role in burning excess calories,
its powerful energizing effects and its role in normalizing thyroid
problems.
Coconut oil should be our first
choice in cooking. It is prime time now to return to the use of
coconut oil in cooking. And to enjoy its health-promoting effects.
Coconut oil, not the unsaturated oils should be vigorously promoted
for use. We could start this promotion now by starting to use virgin
coconut oil regularly.
Arthur M. Echano is a nutritional
medicine specialist in Australia. He is a medical doctor in the
Philippines and has a doctorate degree in naturopathy (ND) from
the U.S. A full member of the Australasian College of Nutritional
and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM), he may be reached on (02) 9834
4154 or email: amechano@acay.com.au.
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