by Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D.
Coconut oil has been used throughout Asia and the Pacific for thousands of years as both a food and a medicine.
Even today it holds a highly respected position in the Ayurvedic medicine of India. Only recently has modern medical research confirmed the many health benefits traditionally attributed to this remarkable oil.
Once mistakenly thought to be bad because of its saturated fat content, coconut oil is now known to contain a unique form of saturated fat that actually helps prevent heart disease, stroke, and hardening of the arteries. The saturated fat in coconut oil is unlike the fat found in meat or other vegetable fats. It is identical to a special group of fats found in human breast milk which have been shown to improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and protect against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
These fats, derived from coconut oil, are now routinely used in hospital IV formulations and commercial baby formulas. They’re also used in sports drinks to boost energy and enhance athletic performance.
Coconut oil has been called the "healthiest dietary oil on earth." If you’re not using coconut oil for your daily cooking and body care needs you’re missing out on one of nature’s most amazing health products.
