The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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Fitness Fridays: Coo-coo for coconut oil

Coconut+oil%3A+Coconut+meat+is+pressed+to+produce+the+fat.+Good+for+frying%2C+sauteing%3B+Coconut+spreads+use+coconut+oil+as+the+primary+ingredient%3B+may+contain+other+oils.+%28Bill+Hogan%2FChicago+Tribune%2FMCT%29
Coconut oil: Coconut meat is pressed to produce the fat. Good for frying, sauteing; Coconut spreads use coconut oil as the primary ingredient; may contain other oils. (Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

Coconut oil contains a distinct recipe of fatty acids that have powerful restorative properties. These acids include lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.

The lauric acid in coconut oil is converted by the body into something called monolaurin, which helps fight viruses and bacteria present in herpes, influenza and even HIV. Lauric acid is also good at preventing heart problems such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Coconut oil is also packed with essential proteins that promote healthy hair growth by nourishing the hair and scalp, helping them stay hydrated and dandruff-free. It keeps skin moist, and can help prevent skin issues such as dermatitis and eczema. This is why coconut oil is one of the main ingredients used in skin and hair care products.

Coconut oil is also beneficial as an anti-aging treatment and weight loss stimulant. It promotes digestion and increases metabolic rate by removing excess stress on the pancreas, allowing people to burn off excess weight. This is an excellent alternative to anyone that uses vegetable oil when cooking!

It is also useful in healing damaged tissues. This is a good solution for making bruises heal faster.

It has powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties, which makes coconut oil an effective treatment for throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea, yeast infections, athlete’s foot and diaper rashes.

On top of coconut oil’s proven benefits, it has also shown to mildly help the following:

  • Accumulation of fat on the liver.
  • Dissolving kidney stones.
  • Treating pancreatitis.
  • Soothing mental fatigue and stress.
  • Controlling blood sugar, secretion of insulin, utilization of blood glucose (all of which help prevent diabetes).
  • Absorption of minerals into bones.

What people once considered as something to put in smoothies can be used for so many different things that promote a healthier lifestyle.

It’s also cheap! It can be found at local groceries at anywhere from $6 – $13 dollars for a 14-ounce mason jar. Instead of buying hair products, skin products, cooking oil, medicine and other common household items, a jar of coconut oil will take the place of all of that for less than half the price of the regularly bought products!

Talk about healthy alternatives!

Visit here for more details about the benefits of coconut oil.

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