There are very few oils that have as many health benefits as organic virgin coconut oil does. Whether promoting weight loss, lowering bad cholesterol levels, stimulating thyroid function, making teeth and hair healthier, or clearing the skin, virgin coconut oil is the solution to a number of common health problems. Virgin coconut oil is extracted naturally from the meat of freshly harvested coconuts, which enables it to retain all its enzymes and nutritional values. The oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids, which basically means that it contains smaller, shorter chains of fats, due to which it is broken down and absorbed more easily by the body. Virgin coconut oil does not stay in the body too long, is very easily digestible, contains fewer calories, and is less likely to get converted into fatty tissue than other oils. All these factors make virgin coconut oil an important dietary element in any weight loss program. Other than that, it effectively reduces bad cholesterol levels and raises good cholesterol levels. This property makes it useful in preventing arterial build-up and free-radical damage that can lead to heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and strokes.
Another health benefit that virgin coconut oil has is promotion of thyroid function because of its lauric acid content. Other oils tend to make the metabolism slow, leading to excessive weight gain. In addition, because virgin coconut oil is absorbed so easily, it helps the body to process and retain other nutrient more effectively, like calcium and magnesium, which are essential for healthy and strong bones. Virgin coconut oil can thus effectively prevent and reverse osteoporosis, as it slows down degenerative diseases and premature aging processes. Other diseases that virgin coconut oil may prevent or cure are colitis, stomach ulcers, breast, colon and other cancers, liver disorders, and kidney and bladder infections. It also seems to help relieve the symptoms of pancreatic diseases and Crohn’s disease.
Virgin coconut oil has antioxidant and skin moisturizing properties that make it excellent for external application too. This property makes it effective in preventing and curing skin disorders like psoriasis, eczema, acne, wrinkles, and dry and aging skin. Virgin coconut oil is also an excellent hair and scalp conditioner that can prevent a condition like cradle cap or dandruff. It can also be used to protect the skin from overexposure to the sun. Virgin coconut oil also inhibits the growth of bacteria and viruses that cause the flu, measles, herpes simplex 1 and 2, STD and HIV, to some extent.