Posted on 22 October 2012 - 02:21pm
Steve Yap
lifestyle.steve@thesundaily.com
THE coconut tree is a large plant from pre-historic times capable of absorbing minerals from a wide ground area. Although it can survive in rather harsh conditions, our Malaysian weather is well-suited for its optimum growth.
Unlike long-chain saturated fatty acids from meat, poultry and milk, the medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) from coconut oil are more efficiently metabolised and converted to energy by our body. The water from young coconuts are also quite similar to human plasma, which forms some 50% of human blood. It’s a traditional drink for dehydration.
► Health benefits
Contrary to popular belief, virgin coconut oil (VCO) is virtually cholesterol free. There are no major studies implicating VCO in heart disease or other chronic health disorders. Its MCFAs raise metabolism and may induce satiety. Consequently, VCO promotes weight loss rather weight gain. Interestingly, the 60% composition of MCFAs in VCO is rather similar to that found in human breast milk.
VCO can also help neutralise adverse health effects of dietary hydrogenated and trans fats, which are implicated in numerous metabolic disorders including cancer, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and heart disease.
Currently, there is little or no evidence to link VCO consumption to cardiovascular disease. Research suggests VCO can improve one’s lipid (blood fat) or total cholesterol profile. MCFA does not even participate in the biosynthesis and transport of our blood cholesterol.
As part of its heart-protective properties, a coconut-based diet can lower lipoprotein(a), which is a crucial blood marker associated with elevated risks of heart attack. Furthermore, VCO raises the good high-density cholesterol levels leading to less-clogged heart arteries.
Malaysians’ fear of curry cooked with coconut cream is unjustifiable. Curry powder (mostly turmeric) and VCO are known to improve cardiovascular health, since both possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Unlike vegetable oils, VCO is a highly stable fat which can withstand high-temperature cooking. Indeed, VCO has been tested to be some 300 times more resistant to oxidation than most vegetable polyunsaturated fats. It requires no refrigeration at all.
Apparently, cooking oil or low density lipoprotein cholesterol that is oxidised, is more likely to stick to arteries and promotes atherosclerosis. Although cholesterol per se may be rather inert, VCO actually improves cholesterol profile.
Some parents avoid feeding their children coconut water for fear that it might promote coughing and/or cause a “too cooling” effect leading to increased cold susceptibility.
There however, seems to be no medical evidence to verify these claims.
On the contrary, coconut milk contains growth-promoting nutrients for children. Besides having traced amounts of protein and fat, young coconut water contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium along with that of folate, vitamin C, choline, niacin, iron, and selenium.
Excess sodium intake may, however, pose health problems to those suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure) or kidney disease. It may also be argued that its rich source of potassium is able to neutralise the negative health effects of sodium.
As an electrolyte replacement, ccoconut water may be an ideal drink to have after sports or exercises since it also contains less sugar and salt than bottled or canned sports drinks. It reduces dehydration after a physical workout. If you’re using food as adjunct therapy for your health conditions, you need to be guided by a licensed nutritional therapist. Never self-treat if you have hypertension.
Some people avoid eating nasi lemak because its rice contains santan (coconut milk). It’s generally true that the santan does the opposite of what many might believe about its ‘cholesterol’ content.
Saturated VCO raises the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin. The sugar in white rice is absorbed more slowly into our blood stream when it’s cooked with santan as compared to consuming plain white rice on an empty stomach.
Older people find VCO easier to digest without burdening their liver and this dietary fat is a more efficient source of energy source for their heart muscles, which prefer fat rather than sugar.
► Metabolism
While other plant-based cooking oils such as those from corn, sunflower, safflower and soy can suppress our metabolism leading to weight (fat) gain, VCO does the opposite since it accelerates our thyroid function. Additionally, taking coconut milk before a meal can help normalise appetite and blood glucose without promoting symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
► Skin disorders and wounds
Topical application of VCO on skin helps prevent or treat soreness and rashes. It’s especially helpful in the treatment of acne due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
In addition, as an effective antiseptic, VCO is traditional medicine for protecting open wounds.
A major component of VCO is lauric acid, which has strong anti-viral properties suitable for use during flu or hepatitis infection.
Studies show that lauric acid is also effective against Epstein-Barr virus which is linked to chronic fatigue, nasal (nose) and lymph node tumour/cancers.
VCO contains about 6% caprylic acid (C8), which is potent against yeast/fungi. In warm and humid Malaysia, many a skin disorder has been linked to fungal overgrowth.
When applied as lotion or cream, C8 penetrates our skin rapidly to destroy pathogens. Some of the more expensive cosmetics today contain this fat for toning the skin.
► Osteoporosis
Limited studies show that VCO helps to maintain our bone structure and prevents accelerated bone loss in postmenopausal or estrogen-deficient women due to its high polyphenol content.
► Hyperthyroidism
Those suffering from Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism should avoid VCO since this oil may further raise their metabolism.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/521754
lifestyle.steve@thesundaily.com
► Health benefits
Contrary to popular belief, virgin coconut oil (VCO) is virtually cholesterol free. There are no major studies implicating VCO in heart disease or other chronic health disorders. Its MCFAs raise metabolism and may induce satiety. Consequently, VCO promotes weight loss rather weight gain. Interestingly, the 60% composition of MCFAs in VCO is rather similar to that found in human breast milk. VCO can also help neutralise adverse health effects of dietary hydrogenated and trans fats, which are implicated in numerous metabolic disorders including cancer, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and heart disease.
Currently, there is little or no evidence to link VCO consumption to cardiovascular disease. Research suggests VCO can improve one’s lipid (blood fat) or total cholesterol profile. MCFA does not even participate in the biosynthesis and transport of our blood cholesterol.
As part of its heart-protective properties, a coconut-based diet can lower lipoprotein(a), which is a crucial blood marker associated with elevated risks of heart attack. Furthermore, VCO raises the good high-density cholesterol levels leading to less-clogged heart arteries.
Malaysians’ fear of curry cooked with coconut cream is unjustifiable. Curry powder (mostly turmeric) and VCO are known to improve cardiovascular health, since both possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Unlike vegetable oils, VCO is a highly stable fat which can withstand high-temperature cooking. Indeed, VCO has been tested to be some 300 times more resistant to oxidation than most vegetable polyunsaturated fats. It requires no refrigeration at all.
Some parents avoid feeding their children coconut water for fear that it might promote coughing and/or cause a “too cooling” effect leading to increased cold susceptibility.
There however, seems to be no medical evidence to verify these claims.
On the contrary, coconut milk contains growth-promoting nutrients for children. Besides having traced amounts of protein and fat, young coconut water contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium along with that of folate, vitamin C, choline, niacin, iron, and selenium.
Excess sodium intake may, however, pose health problems to those suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure) or kidney disease. It may also be argued that its rich source of potassium is able to neutralise the negative health effects of sodium.
As an electrolyte replacement, ccoconut water may be an ideal drink to have after sports or exercises since it also contains less sugar and salt than bottled or canned sports drinks. It reduces dehydration after a physical workout. If you’re using food as adjunct therapy for your health conditions, you need to be guided by a licensed nutritional therapist. Never self-treat if you have hypertension.
Some people avoid eating nasi lemak because its rice contains santan (coconut milk). It’s generally true that the santan does the opposite of what many might believe about its ‘cholesterol’ content.
Saturated VCO raises the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin. The sugar in white rice is absorbed more slowly into our blood stream when it’s cooked with santan as compared to consuming plain white rice on an empty stomach.
Older people find VCO easier to digest without burdening their liver and this dietary fat is a more efficient source of energy source for their heart muscles, which prefer fat rather than sugar.
► Metabolism
While other plant-based cooking oils such as those from corn, sunflower, safflower and soy can suppress our metabolism leading to weight (fat) gain, VCO does the opposite since it accelerates our thyroid function. Additionally, taking coconut milk before a meal can help normalise appetite and blood glucose without promoting symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
► Skin disorders and wounds
Topical application of VCO on skin helps prevent or treat soreness and rashes. It’s especially helpful in the treatment of acne due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
In addition, as an effective antiseptic, VCO is traditional medicine for protecting open wounds.
A major component of VCO is lauric acid, which has strong anti-viral properties suitable for use during flu or hepatitis infection.
Studies show that lauric acid is also effective against Epstein-Barr virus which is linked to chronic fatigue, nasal (nose) and lymph node tumour/cancers.
VCO contains about 6% caprylic acid (C8), which is potent against yeast/fungi. In warm and humid Malaysia, many a skin disorder has been linked to fungal overgrowth.
When applied as lotion or cream, C8 penetrates our skin rapidly to destroy pathogens. Some of the more expensive cosmetics today contain this fat for toning the skin.
► Osteoporosis
Limited studies show that VCO helps to maintain our bone structure and prevents accelerated bone loss in postmenopausal or estrogen-deficient women due to its high polyphenol content.
► Hyperthyroidism
Those suffering from Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism should avoid VCO since this oil may further raise their metabolism.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/521754
