Coconut Oil Helps Regulate Many Different Health Conditions

Coconut oil, which is a by-product of the coconut tree, has many different health benefits.

Coconut oil helps in regulating many different health conditions. It is a great way to improve dental hygiene. Oil massage is one natural method to strengthen and whiten teeth using coconut oil. This practice came from Ayurvedic medicine, which is considered as the traditional medical practice in India. The process involves swirling a tablespoon or two of coconut oil in the mouth and doing a soft massage to the teeth and gums for 15-20 minutes, then spitting it out. It is said that toxins, bacteria and other foreign substance is taken out along with the oil, resulting to stronger and whiter teeth, leaving behind fresher breath and stronger gums. 

Coconut oil may also be a cure for AIDS. Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an autoimmune disease caused by the human immunodeficiency (HIV) virus. This can be acquired through sexual contact or exchange of body fluids. Patients who have AIDS are immunocompromised, making them more susceptible to getting diseases. Over time, the condition worsens and leads to death. Studies have found a relationship between coconut oil consumption and the improvement of patients with AIDS. These researches have documented that patients who have taken coconut oil as part of their diet or medications had a significant reduction in their viral load. This is attributed to lauric acid that is found in coconut oil. Lauric acid gets converted in the body into monolaurin and is a potent antiviral and antibacterial agent. Monolaurin functions by destroying the lipid (fat) coat of the virus, preventing it from attaching to the healthy cells. 

Coconut oil also allows for easy absorption of nutrients. Because of the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil, it has been found that ingesting coconut oil may result to increased absorption of nutrients. A study comparing the sunflower and coconut oil’s ability to absorb carotenoids from tomatoes showed that coconut oil is superior to sunflower oil. Coconut oil is helpful for patients with osteoporosis. Because coconut oil is able to improve nutrient absorption, it follows that calcium and magnesium is well-absorbed too. Calcium is needed to strengthen the bones and teeth, while magnesium is needed for absorption of calcium. Without magnesium, calcium is not fully used by the body.

Coconut oil helps improve immune system of babies and infants, and adults as well. It is known that babies do not have a fully developed immune system when they are born. Hence, they are more susceptible to contracting infections and diseases. It is because of this that mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their babies because breast milk has been found to be effective in boosting the baby’s immune system. Breast milk contains lauric acid, the same lauric acid that is found in coconut. As discussed, lauric acid has antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that can easily heighten the baby’s still fragile immune system. 

Research shows that mothers who consume coconut oil are able to boost the amount of lauric acid in their breast milk. Likewise, an adult who consumes coconut oil gets the same benefit. These so great health benefits of coconut oil are a resultant of the coconut extracts only that come out of the coconut tree.

Author’s bio: Andaman Plantations is a company that grows coconut trees in its lands in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.