In recent times there has been an appreciation of coconut as a source of ‘good’ saturated fat, it has been getting the recognition it deserves because of its amazing healthy properties.  Here are a few healing benefits:

• It burns fat – this is a saturated fat that helps burn the midsection fat which is known as the dangerous fat. In a study they state that using 2 tablespoons a day (30ml) will reduce body fat within 1-3 months.
• Brain development – in a study of 20 subjects with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment when administrating medium chain triglycerides found in coconut oil there was an increase in ketone bodies within 90 minutes of treatment which improved cognition in those with less severe cognitive dysfunction.
• Head lice – coconut oil combines with anise spray was more superior to the insecticide permethrin (.43%).
• Wound healing – coconut oil can heal wounds because it has the ability to accelerate re-epithelialization, improve antioxidant enzyme activity, and stimulate higher collagen cross-linking within the tissue being repaired.  It also has the ability to speed up burn wound recovery when used with silver sulphadizine.
• Anti-inflammatory properties – it can work as an analgesic and reduce fever as well as an anti-inflammatory.
• Anti-ulcer activity – coconut milk is just as effective as the drug sucralfate as an NSAID-associated anti-ulcer agent.
• Anti-fungal – in a study in 2004 researchers found that coconut oil could be used in fungal infections such as Candida.
• Testosterone booster – it can reduce oxidative stress in the testes of rats, increasing the levels of testosterone.
• Reducing swollen prostate – in a study on rat’s coconut oil was found to reduce testosterone- induced benign prostate growth in rats.
• Improves blood lipids – improves LDL: HDL ratio in the blood therefore is not a bad saturated fat that clogs the arteries.
• Fat-soluble nutrient absorption – it enhances tomato carotenoid absorption, being superior to safflower oil.
• Improves bone health – reduces oxidative stress within the bone helping to prevent damage in osteoporotic bone.
• Sunscreen – it can block out UV rays by 30%.

References:

1. Mark A Reger, Samuel T Henderson, Cathy Hale, Brenna Cholerton, Laura D Baker, G S Watson, Karen Hyde, Darla Chapman, Suzanne Craft . Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate on cognition in memory-impaired adults. Neurobiol Aging. 2004 Mar;25(3):311-4.