IN FRATERNAM MEAM: WHAT IS VIRGIN COCONUT OIL?

IN FRATERNAM MEAM

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

WHAT IS VIRGIN COCONUT OIL?

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL or VCD in short, is coconut oil processed from fresh coconuts. This is in contrast to the common way of processing coconut oil from crudely dried, long stored and aged coconut meat called "Copra". Copra in storage accumulates two harmful elements; mold (therefore Aflatoxin) and rancidity (free fatty acids). Oil extracted from Copra has to be treated with caustic soda; thus refined, bleached and deodorized at 400 degrees F to become edible.

A continous extracting process starting with fresh coconuts, results in oil that does not have Aflatoxin, free fatty acids and caustic soda residues. The VCO is extracted either by fermentation of freshly extracted coconut milk or two (2) hours of drying and mechanical separation. The fermentation system can yiled VCO that is absolutely cold processed whereas the mechanical or expeller method requires the coconut meat to be quick-dried first at 80degrees C temperature.

Answers to the Negative Information on Coconut Oil.
Coconut Oil is 92percent saturated fat and for this reason, coconut oil was considered "bad oil". Doctors and nutritionists have generally taken the position that mono-saturated fats and poly-unsaturated fats are the good fats and saturated fats are the bad fats. The distinction between saturated fats from animal and from coconuts and palm oil was lost. Furthermore, most of the research on coconut oil was done on hydrogenated coconut oil, which has been transformed to produce trans fatty acids. Transfats from even on mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated oils.

Recent research has shown that not all saturated fats are alike and that the fatty acids in coconut oil are medium-chain fats which can be metabolized by the liver into energy and donot reach the blood vessels to raise serum cholesterol or contribute to heart disease.

The other properties of coconut oil, particularly its lauric acid content, were ignored. The anti-bacterial effect of lauric acid is of recent findings. Coconut oil is becoming recognized as a "functional food" that is powerful tool against immune disease.

Health Functions of VCO.
* Anti viral/anti-bacterial function
Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral and antibacterial. Studies have been done on its effectiveness in "lowering the viral load of HIC/AIDS patient." Most bacteria and viruses are encased in a coat of lipids. Lipid-coated viruses and bacteria are easily killed by MCFA,(Medium Chain Fatty Acids) which primarily destroy these organisms by disrupting their lipid membranes. Medium-chain fatty acids, being similar to those in the microorganism's membrane, are easily attracted to and absorbed into it. The membrane literally slits open, spilling its insides and killing the organism. Our white blood cells quickly clean up and dispose of the cellular debris. MCFA kill invading organisms without casuing any known harm to human tissues.

* Increase Body Metabolism
Coconut Oil is also being used by Thyroid sufferers to increase body metabolism and to lose weight. Coconut oil and palm oil are the only plant oils that are medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) Even the "good oils" such as soya oil, corn oil, etc. are long chain fatty adics. MCFA are digested and utilized differently. They are not packaged into lipoproteins and donot circulate in the bloodstream like other fats, but are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into energy. As a consequense you can eat much more coconut oil than you can other oils before the excess is converted into fat. Replacing LCFA with MCFA results in a decrease in body weight gain and a reduction in fat deposition. MCFA also shift the body's metabolism into hgiher gear, so that you burn more calories. MCFA are dietary fats that can actually promote weight loss.

* Promotes Healthy Skin
Virgin Coconut Oil is also used for making natural soaps andotehr health products, as it is one of the healthiest things one can put on their skin. The surface of the skin consists of a layer of dead cells. As these dead cells fall off, new cells take their place. As we age, this process slows down and dead cells need to accumulate, giving the skin rough, flaky texture. Coconut oil aids in removing dead cells on the outer surface of the skin, making the skin, smoother, creating a helathier, more youthful appearance. The removal of excessive dead skin and the strengthening of underlying tissues are two of the key advantage of using Virgin Coconut Oil.

(Source: Carica Health Products/caricaphil@yahoo.com)

posted by infraternam meam @ 2:23 PM

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