There is no escaping the popularity of coconut oil. There are bakers using coconut oil. They’re also cooking using it. They’re putting it in their coffees and spreading it onto toast. They’re even smoothing it on their skin and hair, and so on. It appears that there’s nothing coconut oil isn’t capable of doing!
However, just because keto-lovers are awed by coconut oil doesn’t suggest that it’s healthier than other types. The most important thing to remember when cooking or eating coconut oil is the saturated fat content. Like other fats that remain solid at room temperature, coconut oil is rich in saturated fats, which experts suggest restricting in your diet. The majority, 90 percent of the coconut oil’s fat oil comes from saturated fat, a study shows.
Although there has been a debate over the dangers of saturated fats and its harmful, a systematic review released at the end of 2020 of 16 clinical studies concluded that coconut oil leads to greater LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels than nontropical vegetable oils. It raises heart-protective cholesterol, like HDL and LDL cholesterol, associated with heart risk.
To prevent this, for this reason, the American Heart Association recommends that you limit your intake of saturated fat to 13 grams daily. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a spoonful of coconut oil is around eleven grams of saturated fat. It’s not difficult to meet or exceed this limit if you use coconut oil frequently. In addition, it leaves a lot of space to include other saturated fats in the diet.
Be aware that if you’re eating coconut oil, then it must be among the fats that you consume, according to the integrative medical expert and women’s health specialist Tieraona Low Dog, MD, in her book Fortify Your Lifestyle: A Guide to Minerals, Vitamins, as well as More. There’s no need to pile it over every food item (it has about 121 calories in a teaspoon, roughly the same amount as the other oil types). She suggests it is best to add it to a rotation with extra-virgin olive oils, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, and ghee.
Coconut oil is loaded with numerous other benefits that, even if you’re using it in moderation, a container might not last long! Check out how you can use coconut oil from head to foot.
1. As a Natural Treatment to Soothe Eczema
If you’re trying to manage an eczema outbreak, you could consider giving coconut oil a go, as suggested by the doctor. Low Dog. Because of the itchy skin, scratching could be a way to bring about the growth of the staph bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, which needs antibiotics). However, ” Research showed that applying [coconut oil] daily on your skin for a month led to a 95 percent reduction in staph on the skin,” she claims. Coconut oil is loaded with lauric acid. It has antifungal and antibacterial activity, which fights harmful bacteria. It’s a great moisturizer. It can also aid in repairing the skin’s barrier. This is the body’s primary line of defense against infections.
2. As a Treatment for Acne
In addition to the numerous advantages coconut oil offers, its antifungal, antimicrobial, and other properties, preliminary research suggests it could be “a suitable option for patients suffering from moderate to mild dermal inflammation, particularly pimples caused by the P.P. acnes.” Although coconut oil, just liP.P.ther, is a comedogenic substance that can block pores, Research has discovered that it has anti-inflammatory properties and can help protect surfaces from UV ultraviolet radiation. It also can improve the skin’s function as a shield against environmental toxins. If you suffer from an irritable skin type or are predisposed to acne, see an experienced dermatologist who is board-certified before using the oil.
3. As a Moisturizer
The place where coconut oil shines is when it’s applied to your skin. Coconut oil is an excellent natural moisturizer that has no fragrance added and other components that may irritate. “I’m very enthralled by applying the oil topically. The coconut oil’s compounds are highly effective and safe in restoring skin moisture,” says Low Dog. The Research has shown that applying coconut oil on the skin every day for two weeks significantly increased the skin’s hydration and was just as secure as other oils. Coconut oil is a great option to reduce inflammation and irritation and reduce the chance of developing infections caused by bacteria, Low Dog adds. After you have left the shower, warm some of it in your hands and rub it onto your legs or the backs of your hands and other rough, dry areas.
4. For Better Oral Health
A method known as oil-pulling (involving the swishing of oil inside the mouth) is usually done using olive oil. This has been beneficial to patients of Low Dog who suffer from gum issues or plaque growth. However, you might want to try it using coconut oil, too.
“There’s some reason to believe that coconut oil would probably benefit the oral microbiome and oral health in general,” she explains. This could be due to lauric acid found in coconut oil, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent cavities in teeth, as per a review published in 2017. The study was published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. The study concluded that oil pulling isn’t a replacement for regular dental hygiene but could improve oral hygiene when performed properly and regularly.
5. For Vaginal Health
While there isn’t a lot of Research conducted on the scientific basis for coconut oil to be a natural lubricant, it is often used as a lubricant, says Low Dog. Suppose you’re using coconut oil to lubricate your body during sexual encounters. In that case, you should be aware of the fact that studies have shown that it may destroy condoms made of latex, and therefore, it is recommended to choose a water-based lubricant in such a scenario.
A few women apply coconut oil to reduce the mess in the vagina b using only a tiny amount of coconut oil made from refined organic sources onto a small pad before bed. “It’s very moisturizing to the vagina,” Low Dog says. Also, there’s not much Research about the application, so talk to your doctor before attempting it. Also, conduct a patch test in the event of an adverse reaction.
There is also evidence that coconut oil’s medium-chain fats could aid in eliminating Candida, a fungus that causes yeast-related infections. A recent experiment in vitro discovered that coconut oil might be equally effective as an antifungal medicine widely used; however, further human studies are required. The Research is in its initial stages, and it is recommended to consult a physician before trying any home remedy.
6. To Prevent Athlete’s Foot
The antifungal ingredients in coconut oil, specifically caprylic acid and lauric, could help prevent other fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Initial Research has revealed promising antifungal effects in these substances. However, further Research is required to determine the degree of safety and effectiveness they could be for humans. However, if you go to the gym often and are concerned about developing foot fungus, Low Dog recommends rubbing coconut oil onto your feet before bed. (Cover your feet with socks, as it’s likely oily.) Also, applying your feet with coconut oil can help hydrate the skin, and heels suffer from dry and cracked skin. Remember that the best way to combat fungal infections in the gym is to wear slippers or shoes while showering. Also, thoroughly dry the skin before applying your shoes and socks.
7. As a Hair Treatment
According to studies, coconut oil can reduce the chance of injury from combing your hair if applied before or after shampooing. In the study that included three different oils, coconut oil is the sole one to be found to decrease the loss of protein for damaged and undamaged hair when applied before and after washing your hair. One explanation could be that the lauric acid found in coconut oil can get into hair protein to help protect hair’s locks. Make sure to use it only sparingly, or you’ll look greasy (even though your hair will be moisturized).
More studies suggest coconut oil can aid in the fight against the dandruff problem. A research study published in 2021 by Scientific Reports discovered that coconut oil can enhance the quality of hair’s microbiome (possibly due to its antifungal and antibiotic properties). When coconut oil was applied to the scalp hair, women susceptible to dandruff experienced increased levels of microbes negatively associated with the dandruff. Further Research is required; however, a few times a week of coconut oil hair treatment will not hurt.