A humble plant based edible oil

 

Coconut Oil is extracted after processing the sun-dried coconut kernels. It has received a lot of attention recently for its various health benefits / uses. It is used by many around the world either by applying to the hair and face, used for cooking or consumed orally. Coconut oil has a very high percentage of more easily digestible medium chain fatty acid (MCFA) such as lauric acid compared to other animal-based fats that contain more long-saturated saturated fat. The use of coconut oil with high levels of MCFA has been shown to be associated with an increase in good cholesterol (high levels of lipoprotein-HDL) in the body. The following are some of the health benefits of including coconut oil in our dietary needs.

Recent clinical trials indicate that the use of coconut oil in combination with chemotherapy treatment can improve the quality of life of women with breast cancer. Various preclinical / animal studies have also shown that coconut oil may have the potential to reduce toxicity such as kidney damage and damage to the nervous system (neurotoxicity) caused by cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents.

Coconut oil is known for its many uses and health benefits. It is good for the heart and has a promise to reduce cardiovascular disease. Coconut oil helps maintain a healthy microbiome. Your gut microbiome weighs more than your brain, as such use of coconut oil retains the necessary nutrients and catalysts for the proper functioning of our microbiome.

The use of coconut oil in the diets of cancer patients not only improves their quality of life but also directly affects the efficiency of cancer cells. The research on the use of coconut oil in cancer and whether it may be a possible ingredient in the diet of cancer patients has had a beneficial outcome. In a recent study, researchers evaluated the effect of coconut oil on renal toxicity caused by chemotherapy in rat models. Based on measuring different levels of toxicity to the kidneys, they found that the use of coconut oil was protective and caused lower kidney damage to chemotherapy patients.

Including coconut oil in the diet has shown improvement in cognitive ability in Alzheimer's patients. It can help with satiety, weight loss and reduce inflammation in the body.

As an antioxidant, it can play a role in cell defense. One of the coconut oil benefits is that it contains healthy fatty acids. It is rich in lauric acid thereby showing its efficacy of anti-microbial property. Coconut oil helps the body absorb fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E and K. It also helps in improving gut health by strengthening gut bacteria.

In addition to being a rich source of saturated fatty acids such as lauric acid, coconut oil is also a good source of minerals such as manganese, copper, iron and selenium. These are key elements for various functions in the body, including bone health, aids in the digestion of food, the formation of red blood cells and antioxidants mediated by selenium.