Coconut oil

[Clmartin80]

I've just brought some coconut oil, how does everyone use it and how much?

What benefits have you noticed?

[shaws Administrator]

Virgin Coconut Oil is helpful at raising our metabolism. You can use it in cooking instead of other oils you would use. I put a teaspoon in my coffee. You can spread it on bread like butter (of course you have a coconut taste) but it's not unpleasant. This is an excerpt:

Dr. Ray Peat: An important function of coconut oil is that it supports mitochondrial respiration, increasing energy production that has been blocked by the unsaturated fatty acids. Since the polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit thyroid function at many levels, coconut oil can promote thyroid function simply by reducing those toxic effects. It allows normal mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, without producing the toxic lipid peroxidation that is promoted by unsaturated fats.

Mary Shomon: Do you have any thoughts for thyroid patients who are trying to do everything right, and yet still can't lose any weight?

Dr. Ray Peat: Coconut oil added to the diet can increase the metabolic rate. Small frequent feedings, each combining some carbohydrate and some protein, such as fruit and cheese, often help to keep the metabolic rate higher. Eating raw carrots can prevent the absorption of estrogen from the intestine, allowing the liver to more effectively regulate metabolism.

thyroid-info.com/articles/r...

[Clmartin80 in reply to shaws]

I've read it's good for thyroid function, coldsores, depression (my main symtom) and help relieve joint pain (nail other main symtom)

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to shaws]

I noticed one of our local health food shops promoting jars of coconut oil last time I was in. It looked solid to me but I didn't look all that closely.

I'm sure I read that you can stir cocoa powder into it and make a sort of chocolate pudding.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Yes, it is solid like lard. It melts easily Some people use it as a moisturiser but I haven't done that but I have used it on my hands and if you put a tiny piece in your hand it melts very quickly. It also has to be Virgin Coconut Oil. Not just Coconut Oil. I use a sharp knife and cut out the piece I need from the Jar. I have to keep jar in fridge.

I am sure if you google there must be lots of recipes.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to shaws]

Does it alter the tast of tea / coffee much? I take mine without milk and sugar. I googled and there are loads of recipes out there - for everything you can think of and a few more uses

[shaws Administrator in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Yes, it does alter the taste of tea/coffee but I like it in coffee. I suppose it would be good in milk shakes etc.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

It is solid in the cold and semi liquid when it's warm.

[ivy77 in reply to shaws]

That ray peat article is worth many books!! And he says OFTEN levythyroxin is prescribed wrongly!!

[Mrs_Somerset in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws,

thank-you for posting this - very interesting (16 years Hypo and never new that !)

carrots - love raw carrots - bonus!

[shaws Administrator in reply to Mrs_Somerset]

Carrots are rich in vitamin A, another vital vitamin for Thyroid gland.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

[Fruitandnutcase]

Just found this site - thyroid even gets a mention swansonvitamins.com/blog/na...

[ivy77]

I eat it like icecream, i just got addicted to it, then had to stop becasue i probably overdid it ....i think it really increases metabolism!

[pipes10]

I try to use coconut oil whenever I can, I haven't seen any difference to it, if you get the refined stuff it doesn't taste of coconut, the unrefined stuff will slightly, but I like that!

You can do oil pulling with coconut oil, it's meant to get toxins out of your body, if you want full info on that, it's best to look it up.

Coconut oil has a higher tolerance to heat so won't turn toxic as quickly as olive oil or other oils when heated (olive oil is only really good for using cold).

I love how diverse it is, you can use it instead of spread, as a cooking oil, on your hair, as a moisturiser and loads more! It's also a natural antiseptic too! Amazing stuff!

[ann_g_k]

You can obtain virgin coconut oil without the coconut taste:

highernature.co.uk/Products...

I'm not sure if my metabolism has been increased as a result of using it. I'm a little concerned that it is a saturated fat though the positives seem to outweigh the negatives.

[Angel_of_the_North]

I use it for anything where oil has to be heated as I don't eat animal products so can't use lard (which would be the best thing). Other vegetable oils are not stable when heated and shouldn't be used for cooking. Actually all polyunsaturated oils are bad for you as they increase inflammation and are implicated in various diseases including cancer. Monounsaturated oils lie olive oil are OK if not heated. Flax and Hemp oil are also OK not heated as they are high in omega 3s. All the others are high in inflammatory omega 6.

Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides, which are reported to have various good effects on health - easy to burn as energy (so good for metabolism) , anti-inflammatory (so good for arthritis and many others things).

[Fruitandnutcase]

Husband and I are definitely going to buy some and give it a try

[annapickle]

You need to buy the Cold Pressed Unrefined Raw oil as it keeps the most amount of best properties. I use it as a moisturiser and in cooking. I have heard that if you swill it around your mouth for 3 mins a day it help help bleeding gums and bad breath caused by gum disease but personally I haven't tried that yet.

I use it to treat my dogs ears when she gets a yeast infection and she loves to drink it everyday when I warm a spoonful up for her. Its amazing stuff

[debjs]

I melt a little in a roasting pan then roast butternut squash and sweet potato in it with salt and pepper. The coconut taste seems to work well with them. I have found the taste comes through in cooking which can be a bit strange. Didn't know you could get flavourless so will be looking out for that.

[hairyfairy]

I tried it for a while, it did nothing for me.

[Jillybean1]

Organic coconut oil is amazing for just about everything! I use it in my hair twice a month as a moisturizing mask. You can take a teaspoon and add a little baking soda and use it as a facial scrub, your skin will glow! Body moisturizer, great for eye lash growth, nails and cuticles. I eat one tablespoon twice daily for a boost in metabolism. You can melt the C oil and had coco powder and truvia sweetener and then place in the frig, it tastes like an almond joy candy bar when you have a sweet tooth!

at it to coffee, cook with it.....it is my favorite and most used product ever!!