Coconut oil has been on my mind a lot lately since I've added it to my Hairlicious Humectante Conditioner. I've used it to seal in my moisturizer and it wonderful as a topical hair product. That got me thinking, "What would it be like if I took it internally?" I came across a thread in my favourite forum, Black Hair Media Forum, addressing the benefits of taking 1 tsp of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil daily.

There has been some misconceptions about Coconut Oil circulating prevent many people from indigesting what is actually good for them. The statement that Coconut Oil, a saturated fat, contributes to heart disease is a bad rap given to NATURAL saturated fats by big corps marketing their 'newer' liquid oils. It is the UNSATURATED fats and Hydrogenated oils that are primarily involved in heart disease, not the saturated fats, as you have been led to believe. There are loads of information pertaining to WHY Coconut Oil is The BEST Oil to consume.

Ok so theres no doubt that Coconut Oil is a Saturated Fat, however it is also a Medium Chain Fatty Acid (MCFAs). MCFAs are smaller. They permeate cell membranes easily, and do not require lipoproteins or special enzymes to be utilized effectively by your body. MCFAs are easily digested, thus putting less strain on your digestive system. This is especially important for those with digestive or metabolic concerns. MCFAs are sent directly to your liver, where they are immediately converted into energy rather than being stored as fat so this can actually help stimulate your body's metabolism, leading to weight loss!! In contrast, most common vegetable or seed oils are comprised of long chain fatty acids. Long-chain fatty acids are not as healthy for you as the MCFAs in coconut oil. LCFAs are difficult for the body to break down (they must be packaged with lipoproteins or carrier proteins and require special enzymes for digestion). LCFAs put more strain on the pancreas, the liver and the entire digestive system. LCFAs are predominantly stored in the body as fat (That's why most people buy into the myth that fats are "fattening".) LCFAs can be deposited within arteries in lipid forms such as cholesterol.

So enough of the "myths" lets get into the BENEFITS, which are second to none.
Benefits of Coconut Oil:

• Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.
• Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.
• Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.
• Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.
• Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
• Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
• Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
• Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
• Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.
• Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
• Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.
• Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
• Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.
• Helps protect against osteoporosis.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.
• Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
• Improves digestion and bowel function.
• Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Supports tissue healing and repair.
• Supports and aids immune system function.
• Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
• Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.
• Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.
• Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
• Functions as a protective antioxidant.
• Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.
• Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do.
• Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
• Reduces epileptic seizures.
• Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.
• Dissolves kidney stones.
• Helps prevent liver disease.
• Is lower in calories than all other fats.
• Supports thyroid function.
• Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.
• Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.
• Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
• Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.
• Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
• Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
• Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
• Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
• Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
• Provides protection form damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation form the sun.
• Helps control dandruff.
• Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.
• Has no harmful or discomforting side effects.
• Is completely non-toxic to humans.

Many ladies on the hair forum have seen amazing results, for example a better digestive system, better overall skin appearance, scars and pimples virtually gone!! and of course weight loss. If that isn't enough to try it I don't know what is =).