Coconut Oil, The New Elixir of Life?
Considered as a "superfood"
It has intense positive effects on health including fat loss
It boosts immune system, proper digestion and regulated metabolism
As soon as we hear the mention of coconut oil, all that comes to mind is the blue plastic bottle of “parachute nariyal oil (hindi word for coconut) Tel sold in India!! (A Hindi word for oil).
However, the magical coconut in it’s non-hydrogenated or organic or cold-pressed version has come a long way from its hydrogenated counterpart.
Why does coconut oil have such a bad reputation? What is the difference between hydrogenated and organic versions? What are some of the lesser touted benefits of the organic version?
When taken in its natural state, coconut oil is very healthy but after going through manufacturing and processing, it turns into its evil twin!
In manufacturing units, it is first heated from five hundred to one thousand degrees under extreme atmospheric pressure.
Next, they inject a catalyst in the oil like nickel, platinum or even aluminum for several hours.
As a result, the molecular structure of the oil changes so that instead of being in a liquid state at room temperature, it turns to either semi-solid or solid oil. This version is called partially hydrogenated or fully hydrogenated oil.
This is the version that we have to avoid at all costs!!
The hydrogenated coconut oil is very unhealthy and if ingested, would raise our LDL or "lethal" cholesterol while lowering our HDL or "healthy" cholesterol.
When you are purchasing coconut oil, look for "virgin”, ‘extra-virgin”, ‘cold-pressed’, “organic” or even “expeller-pressed” and make sure it's not hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated and contains no Trans fats.
Even this healthier version does contain saturated fats-12 grams per tea spoon but the good news is that the majority of these 12 grams is in the form of Lauric acid.
Many studies have shown that Lauric acid can increase your HDL or "healthy" cholesterol and lower your LDL or "lethal" cholesterol. Hence, making organic coconut oil to be a healthier choice than let’s say vegetable oil or peanut oil.
The Lauric Acid is also believed to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi, helping to nip all infections in the bud.
Some even consider it a “superfood”. It’s unique combination of Medium-Chain-Fatty-Acids have intense positive effects on health including fat loss, boosted immune system, proper digestion and regulated metabolism.
When ingested, the fatty acids in the Coconut Oil are metabolized by our bodies into Ketones, which have shown through studies to not only greatly reduce our appetites but also the possibility of seizures.
Another lesser known use of coconut oil is using it like a mouthwash in a process called “Oil pulling”
“Oil Pulling” is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that in essence involves spooning a mouthful of coconut oil and swishing it around in the mouth as we would a mouthwash.
Just like a mouthwash, the coconut oil “pulls” the bacteria and toxins out of the mouth and, if taken over a period of time, can leave your teeth whiter and your gums healthier. It also kills some of the harmful bacteria in your mouth. This improves your dental health and reduces bad breath.
Regular use of Coconut oil benefits not only, the weight conscious and the health-conscious but also the elderly who wish to stave off the ill-effects of dementia.
Studies with the elderly subjects, have shown that the fatty acids in coconut oil can increase the levels of ketone bodies in the blood of the elderly, supplying energy for their brain cells and providing them some relief from Alzheimer- symptoms.
There are numerous benefits of coconut oil and in the next issue, I will touch on some more, lesser know benefits of this magical elixir!
Amrapali Sharma
Amrapali Sharma is an educator by profession and a health fanatic. She is based in Canada, with over 18 years of international teaching experience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vpatrika.com welcomes your suggestions. Please feel free to send your articles, pictures or videos.
The views expressed by the author are his own
-
अमर कवितायेँ
रामधारी सिंह दिनकर
रोटी और स्वाधीनता
आजादी तो मिल गई, मगर, यह गौरव कहाँ जुगाएगा ?
मरभुखे ! इसे घबराहट में तू बेच न तो खा जाएगा ?
आजादी रोटी नहीं, मगर, दोनों में कोई वैर नहीं,
पर कहीं भूख बेताब हुई तो आजादी की खैर नहीं।
(2)
हो रहे खड़े आजादी को हर ओर दगा देनेवाले,
पशुओं को रोटी दिखा उन्हें फिर साथ लगा लेनेवाले।
इनके जादू का जोर भला कब तक बुभुक्षु सह सकता है ?
है कौन, पेट की ज्वाला में पड़कर मनुष्य रह सकता है ?
(3)
झेलेगा यह बलिदान ? भूख की घनी चोट सह पाएगा ?
आ पड़ी विपद तो क्या प्रताप-सा घास चबा रह पाएगा ?
है बड़ी बात आजादी का पाना ही नहीं, जुगाना भी,
बलि एक बार ही नहीं, उसे पड़ता फिर-फिर दुहराना भी।
रामधारी सिंह दिनकर
Coconut Oil, The New Elixir of Life?
Considered as a "superfood"
It has intense positive effects on health including fat loss
It boosts immune system, proper digestion and regulated metabolism
As soon as we hear the mention of coconut oil, all that comes to mind is the blue plastic bottle of “parachute nariyal oil (hindi word for coconut) Tel sold in India!! (A Hindi word for oil).
However, the magical coconut in it’s non-hydrogenated or organic or cold-pressed version has come a long way from its hydrogenated counterpart.
Why does coconut oil have such a bad reputation? What is the difference between hydrogenated and organic versions? What are some of the lesser touted benefits of the organic version?
When taken in its natural state, coconut oil is very healthy but after going through manufacturing and processing, it turns into its evil twin!
In manufacturing units, it is first heated from five hundred to one thousand degrees under extreme atmospheric pressure.
Next, they inject a catalyst in the oil like nickel, platinum or even aluminum for several hours.
As a result, the molecular structure of the oil changes so that instead of being in a liquid state at room temperature, it turns to either semi-solid or solid oil. This version is called partially hydrogenated or fully hydrogenated oil.
This is the version that we have to avoid at all costs!!
The hydrogenated coconut oil is very unhealthy and if ingested, would raise our LDL or "lethal" cholesterol while lowering our HDL or "healthy" cholesterol.
When you are purchasing coconut oil, look for "virgin”, ‘extra-virgin”, ‘cold-pressed’, “organic” or even “expeller-pressed” and make sure it's not hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated and contains no Trans fats.
Even this healthier version does contain saturated fats-12 grams per tea spoon but the good news is that the majority of these 12 grams is in the form of Lauric acid.
Many studies have shown that Lauric acid can increase your HDL or "healthy" cholesterol and lower your LDL or "lethal" cholesterol. Hence, making organic coconut oil to be a healthier choice than let’s say vegetable oil or peanut oil.
The Lauric Acid is also believed to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi, helping to nip all infections in the bud.
Some even consider it a “superfood”. It’s unique combination of Medium-Chain-Fatty-Acids have intense positive effects on health including fat loss, boosted immune system, proper digestion and regulated metabolism.
When ingested, the fatty acids in the Coconut Oil are metabolized by our bodies into Ketones, which have shown through studies to not only greatly reduce our appetites but also the possibility of seizures.
Another lesser known use of coconut oil is using it like a mouthwash in a process called “Oil pulling”
“Oil Pulling” is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that in essence involves spooning a mouthful of coconut oil and swishing it around in the mouth as we would a mouthwash.
Just like a mouthwash, the coconut oil “pulls” the bacteria and toxins out of the mouth and, if taken over a period of time, can leave your teeth whiter and your gums healthier. It also kills some of the harmful bacteria in your mouth. This improves your dental health and reduces bad breath.
Regular use of Coconut oil benefits not only, the weight conscious and the health-conscious but also the elderly who wish to stave off the ill-effects of dementia.
Studies with the elderly subjects, have shown that the fatty acids in coconut oil can increase the levels of ketone bodies in the blood of the elderly, supplying energy for their brain cells and providing them some relief from Alzheimer- symptoms.
There are numerous benefits of coconut oil and in the next issue, I will touch on some more, lesser know benefits of this magical elixir!
Amrapali Sharma is an educator by profession and a health fanatic. She is based in Canada, with over 18 years of international teaching experience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vpatrika.com welcomes your suggestions. Please feel free to send your articles, pictures or videos.
The views expressed by the author are his own
अमर कवितायेँ
रामधारी सिंह दिनकर
रोटी और स्वाधीनता
आजादी तो मिल गई, मगर, यह गौरव कहाँ जुगाएगा ?
मरभुखे ! इसे घबराहट में तू बेच न तो खा जाएगा ?
आजादी रोटी नहीं, मगर, दोनों में कोई वैर नहीं,
पर कहीं भूख बेताब हुई तो आजादी की खैर नहीं।
(2)
हो रहे खड़े आजादी को हर ओर दगा देनेवाले,
पशुओं को रोटी दिखा उन्हें फिर साथ लगा लेनेवाले।
इनके जादू का जोर भला कब तक बुभुक्षु सह सकता है ?
है कौन, पेट की ज्वाला में पड़कर मनुष्य रह सकता है ?
(3)
झेलेगा यह बलिदान ? भूख की घनी चोट सह पाएगा ?
आ पड़ी विपद तो क्या प्रताप-सा घास चबा रह पाएगा ?
है बड़ी बात आजादी का पाना ही नहीं, जुगाना भी,
बलि एक बार ही नहीं, उसे पड़ता फिर-फिर दुहराना भी।
रामधारी सिंह दिनकर
अंतरजाल से पत्रिका पाएँ !
कृपया नाम एवं विद्युत्पत्र पता दें
पत्रिका न पाने के लिये यहाँ जाएँ»