Here’s an article I wrote back in 2005 on benefits of Coconut Oil which has gained more interest in recent years.
Coconut Oil is getting more positive press now as people have finally switched on! Being of Indian Decent, my family have a life long history being indigenously connected to the ancient wisdom of such oils, yet the debate continues of whether it is good or bad fat which has certainly been true for western cultures until now.
For many years coconut oil has had a bad press because of its high fat content. Yet it has been used for cooking, frying and baking for thousands of years in tropical and asian countries. Here in the West we are at last beginning to understand why it has withstood the test of time in these regions.
Coconut oil comes from the fruit of the coconut palm tree. It is a very stable oil as it does not become rancid even when stored for long periods. Its stability and low melting point make it one of the best oils to cook with (although it should still be used in small amounts for this purpose). Most coconut oil is naturally organic as the process of extraction is undisturbed. Studies carried out on native diets with a high coconut consumption demonstrate that these populations are generally in good health and don’t suffer from many of the modern diseases of western nations.
It is the high saturated fat content (almost 30%) of coconut oil that has made it unpopular here in the West. However, it actually has a lower calorific value than all other vegetable and animal oils except butter. It also contains no cholesterol and has even been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that heart disease rates in communities who eat a large amount of coconut oil are considerably lower than the average. It has powerful anti-aging properties as well as being anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitical. It can protect against alcohol damage to the liver and can improve the anti-inflammatory response of the immune system. It is regarded by some as the best source of fat for individuals with cancer, hormone imbalances, hypoglycaemia or a weakened liver. It is also absorbed better by the body than other oils. Coconut oil is available from Asian food stores , health food shops And available to order from the internet. I use KTC’s Coconut oil and this has been used in my family for decades.
Randhiraj Bilan March 2005