September 2017 Newsletter
The September special is… a twenty-five percent discount off all nutritional supplements! There will be even steeper discounts on select products. Stock up today!
Coconut oil… who knew it could do so many things, and why do some say it is “controversial”? Coconut oil has no cholesterol and helps your body absorb fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. It has polyphenols with anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties, and it helps absorb minerals that promote bone health, like calcium and magnesium. Then, what could be controversial? I had to do some research in order to answer that question.
To explain the controversy, I must first explain the term “saturated fat”. The American Heart Association (AHA) has had a knee-jerk reaction to this term because it is associated with clogging arteries. The AHA likes the fatty acids that have two or more bonds between carbons, which are called polyunsaturated fats. All fats contain a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. A classic example of this is how we make margarine from vegetable oil. Plant oils are saturated with hydrogen to make them solid. The process is called hydrogenation because the oil is saturated with hydrogen. This unnatural process extends the shelf life of the oil; however, it also raises the serum cholesterol levels of the plant oil. The AHA won’t promote or advertise that. Recent reports from the AHA use outdated research from 1968-1970. More recent research has been done and they are not looking at the whole picture.
Next, I will describe chains of fatty acids. A long chain has 12 carbons or longer. A medium chain saturated fatty acid has 6-10 carbons. These are found in coconut oil and can be liquid at room temperature. A short chain fatty acid is 2 to 4 carbons and also can be liquid at room temperature. These are found in dairy fats. Longer chain fatty acids have to go through a very involved process of being broken up by bile, pulled across the small intestine wall, and reassembled for the body needs and use.
Oils can go rancid, that is a form of oxidization. Anti-oxidants such as vitamin E, C, and beta-carotene stop the oxidizing agents from breaking the carbon-carbon double bonds by lending electrons to keep the bonds patent. Knowing this helps you bypass the AHA fear of the words “saturated fat”. Also, I will be using the initials MCFA for medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), which are also called medium chain triglycerides (MCT).
Coconut oil is comprised of three main fatty acids. The first one, lauric acid (45-55%) is converted by the body into monolaurin, which aids immune function and helps us absorb nutrients. The only other food source with that much lauric acid is human breast milk. No wonder it gives babies some immune protection. The second fatty acid, caprylic acid is converted by the body into monooctanoin, which has both antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and dissolves gallstones. The third fatty acid, capric acid, converts to monocaprin in the body, which also has immune boosting and antimicrobial properties.
These short and medium chains (6-10 carbons) digest so easily, they are sent straight to the liver for immediate energy production. No bile or pancreatic enzymes are needed. Part of the food value is simply energy, but part of it is converted to ketones and phenolic compounds that are used in hormones. These ketones are great for your brain because they prevent aggregation of amyloid beta peptides that are suspected as a cause of memory loss and Alzheimer’s. Consumption of coconut oil seems to help children focus and reduces seizures (U. College, London). A recent Mayo Clinic study found that those participants who consumed the most fat were 42% less likely to have cognitive impairment. Did you know your brain is mostly made up of cholesterol and saturated fat? (Sorry AHA)
One study of Philippine women showed that non-hydrogenated coconut oil was beneficial to lipid profiles, actually lowering phospholipids and lipoproteins. Another study seemed to correlate healthy hormone levels with high levels of lipoproteins that helped both thyroid function and insulin production. A 2013 Iranloye Colleagues study showed that coconut oil is a highly insulintropic substance. It greatly stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, which helps maintain blood sugar levels and gets nutrients into the cells. What about fats in the blood? These particular fatty acids keep the arteries flexible, help lower blood pressure, and prevent atherosclerosis. A study that tested coconut oil’s protective effect on the liver and kidneys against intentional toxic drugs showed it did protect from incurring severe damage from the toxins. The MCFA converting to a monoglyceride called monooctanoin seemed to help the body dissolve kidney and gallstones. Consumption seems to help re-mineralize teeth, which can be done by ‘oil pulling’. To do this, place a teaspoon in the mouth and swish around for five minutes, then spit it out. Do this daily for two weeks to promote healing in the gums, decreased plaque formation, and decreased plaque induced gingivitis.
Coconut oil is said to speed up weight loss because it gives energy without raising blood sugar levels and improves the feeling of satiety (feeling full). Randomized control trials tested three groups trying to lose weight. All three groups were placed on a diet of reduced calories, increased fiber, and exercise. One group also received daily supplements of coconut oil, one received a supplement of soy bean oil, and one group received a placebo. The coconut oil group exhibited a significant decrease in waist circumference compared to the other two groups. Belly fat reduction was reported in three other similar studies.
Consumption of coconut oil helps our skin and is even protective against sunburn. A tablespoon in a cup of tea can speed recovery from a cold or flu and help soothe a sore throat. Used topically, it is said to block 20% of UV rays, is a natural moisturizer, an excellent eye make-up remover, it decreases wrinkles, lightens age spots, is anti-microbial to fight infection, and even helps skin heal faster. As a hot oil treatment, it bonds with the hair proteins better than sunflower or mineral oil.
Still concerned that coconut oil will raise your cholesterol? Coconut oil is a staple for 1/3 of the world’s population. The medical establishment really hasn’t figured out the whole cholesterol and heart disease connection. What they do know is how to lower it with profitable drugs. I’ve said it before; there really is barely any connection between high cholesterol and heart disease. Half the people in the ER with a heart attack have normal cholesterol. We need cholesterol for our hormones and our brain cells. A study conducted in New York City including 1,130 elderly people showed that those who had higher cholesterol levels of HDL were actually associated with a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The study was even adjusted for factors like vascular disease, age, sex, education levels and genetic pre-disposition. Another study, published in The Lancet (a medical journal), measured lipid and serum cholesterol levels in 3,572 men, ages 71 to 93, This study showed that those with the lowest cholesterol levels were more likely to die from any cause. Is lowering your cholesterol really so important? As long as you’re not allergic to it, with all these benefits and more, I think you should give coconut oil, coconut milk, and maybe even coconut water a try.
There when you need them...Teller County Search and Rescue will receive the proceeds from this month’s fundraiser on Saturday, September 30th, from 9am to 1pm. Stop by for an adjustment or a meridian balancing (acu-stim) treatment in exchange for a donation in the amount of your choice.
Coconut oil… who knew it could do so many things, and why do some say it is “controversial”? Coconut oil has no cholesterol and helps your body absorb fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. It has polyphenols with anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties, and it helps absorb minerals that promote bone health, like calcium and magnesium. Then, what could be controversial? I had to do some research in order to answer that question.
To explain the controversy, I must first explain the term “saturated fat”. The American Heart Association (AHA) has had a knee-jerk reaction to this term because it is associated with clogging arteries. The AHA likes the fatty acids that have two or more bonds between carbons, which are called polyunsaturated fats. All fats contain a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. A classic example of this is how we make margarine from vegetable oil. Plant oils are saturated with hydrogen to make them solid. The process is called hydrogenation because the oil is saturated with hydrogen. This unnatural process extends the shelf life of the oil; however, it also raises the serum cholesterol levels of the plant oil. The AHA won’t promote or advertise that. Recent reports from the AHA use outdated research from 1968-1970. More recent research has been done and they are not looking at the whole picture.
Next, I will describe chains of fatty acids. A long chain has 12 carbons or longer. A medium chain saturated fatty acid has 6-10 carbons. These are found in coconut oil and can be liquid at room temperature. A short chain fatty acid is 2 to 4 carbons and also can be liquid at room temperature. These are found in dairy fats. Longer chain fatty acids have to go through a very involved process of being broken up by bile, pulled across the small intestine wall, and reassembled for the body needs and use.
Oils can go rancid, that is a form of oxidization. Anti-oxidants such as vitamin E, C, and beta-carotene stop the oxidizing agents from breaking the carbon-carbon double bonds by lending electrons to keep the bonds patent. Knowing this helps you bypass the AHA fear of the words “saturated fat”. Also, I will be using the initials MCFA for medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), which are also called medium chain triglycerides (MCT).
Coconut oil is comprised of three main fatty acids. The first one, lauric acid (45-55%) is converted by the body into monolaurin, which aids immune function and helps us absorb nutrients. The only other food source with that much lauric acid is human breast milk. No wonder it gives babies some immune protection. The second fatty acid, caprylic acid is converted by the body into monooctanoin, which has both antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and dissolves gallstones. The third fatty acid, capric acid, converts to monocaprin in the body, which also has immune boosting and antimicrobial properties.
These short and medium chains (6-10 carbons) digest so easily, they are sent straight to the liver for immediate energy production. No bile or pancreatic enzymes are needed. Part of the food value is simply energy, but part of it is converted to ketones and phenolic compounds that are used in hormones. These ketones are great for your brain because they prevent aggregation of amyloid beta peptides that are suspected as a cause of memory loss and Alzheimer’s. Consumption of coconut oil seems to help children focus and reduces seizures (U. College, London). A recent Mayo Clinic study found that those participants who consumed the most fat were 42% less likely to have cognitive impairment. Did you know your brain is mostly made up of cholesterol and saturated fat? (Sorry AHA)
One study of Philippine women showed that non-hydrogenated coconut oil was beneficial to lipid profiles, actually lowering phospholipids and lipoproteins. Another study seemed to correlate healthy hormone levels with high levels of lipoproteins that helped both thyroid function and insulin production. A 2013 Iranloye Colleagues study showed that coconut oil is a highly insulintropic substance. It greatly stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, which helps maintain blood sugar levels and gets nutrients into the cells. What about fats in the blood? These particular fatty acids keep the arteries flexible, help lower blood pressure, and prevent atherosclerosis. A study that tested coconut oil’s protective effect on the liver and kidneys against intentional toxic drugs showed it did protect from incurring severe damage from the toxins. The MCFA converting to a monoglyceride called monooctanoin seemed to help the body dissolve kidney and gallstones. Consumption seems to help re-mineralize teeth, which can be done by ‘oil pulling’. To do this, place a teaspoon in the mouth and swish around for five minutes, then spit it out. Do this daily for two weeks to promote healing in the gums, decreased plaque formation, and decreased plaque induced gingivitis.
Coconut oil is said to speed up weight loss because it gives energy without raising blood sugar levels and improves the feeling of satiety (feeling full). Randomized control trials tested three groups trying to lose weight. All three groups were placed on a diet of reduced calories, increased fiber, and exercise. One group also received daily supplements of coconut oil, one received a supplement of soy bean oil, and one group received a placebo. The coconut oil group exhibited a significant decrease in waist circumference compared to the other two groups. Belly fat reduction was reported in three other similar studies.
Consumption of coconut oil helps our skin and is even protective against sunburn. A tablespoon in a cup of tea can speed recovery from a cold or flu and help soothe a sore throat. Used topically, it is said to block 20% of UV rays, is a natural moisturizer, an excellent eye make-up remover, it decreases wrinkles, lightens age spots, is anti-microbial to fight infection, and even helps skin heal faster. As a hot oil treatment, it bonds with the hair proteins better than sunflower or mineral oil.
Still concerned that coconut oil will raise your cholesterol? Coconut oil is a staple for 1/3 of the world’s population. The medical establishment really hasn’t figured out the whole cholesterol and heart disease connection. What they do know is how to lower it with profitable drugs. I’ve said it before; there really is barely any connection between high cholesterol and heart disease. Half the people in the ER with a heart attack have normal cholesterol. We need cholesterol for our hormones and our brain cells. A study conducted in New York City including 1,130 elderly people showed that those who had higher cholesterol levels of HDL were actually associated with a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The study was even adjusted for factors like vascular disease, age, sex, education levels and genetic pre-disposition. Another study, published in The Lancet (a medical journal), measured lipid and serum cholesterol levels in 3,572 men, ages 71 to 93, This study showed that those with the lowest cholesterol levels were more likely to die from any cause. Is lowering your cholesterol really so important? As long as you’re not allergic to it, with all these benefits and more, I think you should give coconut oil, coconut milk, and maybe even coconut water a try.
There when you need them...Teller County Search and Rescue will receive the proceeds from this month’s fundraiser on Saturday, September 30th, from 9am to 1pm. Stop by for an adjustment or a meridian balancing (acu-stim) treatment in exchange for a donation in the amount of your choice.