There was a lot of misunderstanding after 1950''s regarding coconut oil, that since it is a saturated fat it increases cholesterol and hence cause heart disease. The diet dictocrates also have demonized this nutritive oil for so long.Now researchers of modern medicine have finally recognised the health benefits. They now have realized that even though it is a saturated fat it contains lauric acids which are short chain fatty acids that have numerous health benefits for the body.( this lauric acid is same as present in the breast milk.)Evidence is now emerging to prove that coconut oil can be regarded as a functional food, meaning that it has numerous health benefits far beyond its nutritive contents.Pure virgin coconut oil is actually a healthy fat that ignites weight loss, banishes infections,and heads off heart disease,and a immune syrtem builder. (among other things).The therapeutic dose of virgin coconut oil daily is 3 and a half table spoon,.It is interesting to note that virgin coconut oil destroys CYTOMEGALO VIRUS AND CLAMIDEA PNEUMONIA which is now shown to initiate atheroscerosis.This means that taking virgin coconut oil regularly can actually prevent coronary heart disease !!Contrary to what has been taught in modern medicine till now that coconut and coconut oil increases cholesterol causing heart attacks!!According to Dr Mary Enig a renowned lipid biochemist and an authority on fats says that her research on virgin coconut oil shows that it stabilizes cholesterol in humans, meaning those with high cholesterol is brought down and those with low cholesterol is hiked up to an optimum value which the body needs.. Natural coconut oil, by increasing the good HDL cholesterol, may help prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease. Enig cited several other studies in her article that showed that natural coconut oil (not hydrogenated coconut oil, which is refined,bleached & deodourized by adding chemicals) had health benefits markers indicating that coconut oil was more beneficial in preventing heart disease than most vegetable oils.coconut oil contains lauric acids which is converted to monolaurin in the body, which has antifungal, antibacterial,antiviral and antiprotozoal properties.
Some of the pathogens reported by Enig to be inactivated by Monolaurin include HIV, measles, vercular stomatitis virus (VSV), herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), visna, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Influenza virus, Pneumonovirus, Syncytial virus and Rubeola. Some bacteria inactivated by Monolaurin include listeria, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Groups A, B, F and G streptococci, Gram-positive organisms; and gram-negative organismsEnig on a Therapeutic DoseBased on her calculations on the amount of lauric acid found in human Mother''s milk, Dr. Enig suggests a rich lauric acid diet would contain about 24 grams of lauric acid daily for the average adult. This amount could be found in about 3.5 tablespoons of coconut oil or 10 ounces of "Pure Coconut Milk.About 7 ounces of raw coconut daily would contain 24 grams of lauric acid. 24 grams of lauric acid is the therapeutic daily dose for adults suggested by Mary Enig based on her research of the lauric acid content of mother''s milk. I am summarizing some of the health benefits of coconut oil below. -Reducing your risk of heart disease ...-Promoting weight loss when and if you need it ..-Supporting your immune system health ...-Reducing your risk of cancer and degenerative diseases-Supporting a healthy metabolism-Providing an immediate energy source for you ...-Helping to keep your skin healthy and prevent age-related damage ...-Supporting the proper functioning of your thyroid gland-Preventing infections due to harmful bacteria, viruses, yeasts and other micro-organisms .