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Yes, Coconut Oil is STILL Healthy for You and 10 Ways to Use it for Health & Beauty
Health | September 03, 2017
Back in June (of 2017) the American Heart Association (AHA) released a report which linked saturated-fat consumption to heart disease. This study analyzed years-worth of data from various studies and began to question just how good adding coconut oil to your diet/lifestyle could be. In one of AHA’s studies, they found that by decreasing someone’s saturated fat intake with non-saturated fat by 30% and replacing it with unsaturated fat, they were able to greatly decrease the chances of heart attacks.
According to the AHA, coconut oil is 82% saturated fat, and therefore they “-advise against the use of coconut oil.”
But fear not!
Coconut oil isn’t going to kill you!
Despite these claims, there is still over twenty years of research which have proven coconut oil’s worth; it is still a powerful antifungal and antibacterial which aides in weight loss, and even protects your brain and immune system, by combating against diseases and slowing down aging!
Despite what you may have heard in recent media claims, coconut oil is STILL good for you and has some amazing (and healthy) benefits and uses!
Coconut oil isn’t just for cooking anymore! It’s now known as a beauty multi-tasker that can be used to hydrate your skin, fight frizzy hair, and even reduce premature signs of aging.
Now, when you think about coconut oil, the last thing you’re probably thinking about doing is applying this edible plant grease all over your face and body. But countless research claims and experts, as well as an army of natural-beauty devotees all continue to swear by the stuff for just about everything.
Below are some health and beauty uses that you may not know you can use this miracle oil for:
- Makeup Remover: Even your “super” waterproof mascara doesn’t stand a chance against coconut oil. Carefully apply it directly to the face as an oil cleanser, or gently dab it against your skin cotton pad, the makeup will just melt away.
- Body Lotion: This versatile oil works great as a body moisturizer or substitute for your favorite lotion. And it smells great!
- A Lice Remedy: When used with a rinse of apple cider vinegar, this super combo makes for a great all-natural lice treatment. Apply the vinegar to the head/hair and allow to dry before applying coconut oil to the entire head. Let this sit 12 to 24 hours. Brush through hair with a fine comb and then rinse before shampooing.
- Use as an Alternative Cuticle Oil: Help to heal that pesky peeling skin along your nail bed with a coconut oil balm right at the base of your nails. This can also help your manicure last longer!
- All-Natural Frizz Tamer: Split ends and fly-a-ways can sometimes be annoying and hard to tame but say goodbye to those with this smoothing treatment. Just rub a dime-size amount in your hands and smooth from the base of the roots to the ends to eliminate frizz.
- Dandruff Treatment: Often a dry scalp means dandruff. To moisturize any dry areas, lightly apply the oil to the roots and rub in as a nighttime treatment. This will also help to stimulate hair growth. Or make yourself a hair mask by melting the oil before showering and applying to hair after shampooing. Allow the oil to sit for at least 5 minutes before rinsing to ensure moisture and shine back into limp locks.
- Itch Relief: Fight back at burns and bug bites! Even some bruises can be soothed with a topical balm of coconut oil. Coconut oil is also a safe topical to use on your pets!
- Body Oil: Did you know that coconut oil is a natural SPF 4? Use as an alternative body oil by applying to wet skin after your shower. Pat dry and go about your day!
- Breath Freshener: Coconut oil has some amazing antifungal and antibacterial properties. 20 minutes of oil pulling can help to clear up any germs which may be lurking in your mouth. This, later on, leads to whiter teeth, fresher breath, and even healthier gums. Or maybe you just realized you ran out of toothpaste. Don’t worry! Take a little coconut oil and add some baking soda for a quick fix.
- Deodorant: Make yourself an all-natural deodorant that works right at home! Mix a little arrowroot powder along with some cornstarch, baking soda, and your favorite scented essential oil along with the coconut oil for a DIY odor fix.
Private Member |
caseyville, illinois
i use coconut oil every single day after my shower and it is all i use on my skin. when i do wear mascara, it is what i use to take it off. i oil swish every morning with it (the liquid kind). Teeth are healthy. i use mct oil in my coffee though.
Private Member |
michigan, usa
Love coconut oil. Use it in my morning bullet proof coffee. haven’t used body lotion in years. (Saves $$) Used it through my last pregnancy and had great skin. I’ll try it for make up removal and hair frizz now.
Private Member |
I have a few baking recipes that include coconut oil. Is it unsafe to use?
Private Member |
ellijay, ga, united states
I remember when that study came out…and ALSO hearing that it was funded by a group who would benefit from a result saying it’s unhealthy…and that a lot of the research wasn’t thorough. Ugh, it’s so hard to know these days when research on both sides are for pushing an agenda, rather than genuinely wanting to learn from the studies. And with so much of that out there, how do we know when a study IS genuine? Grr! Because of that, I’m a bit skeptical both of studies that basically say “It’s a miracle cure and all your troubles will be solved” AND those that say “It will kill you: stay miles away from it!!” My guess is that it’s somewhere in between. It has a lot of super uses! And, in moderation, it sounds like it has good benefits… depending on the individual, as each of us are different. (I mean, really, if you’ve been using it for a long time ALREADY and you’re in peak health…and none of your doctor visits are revealing anything wrong…that should say something!)
Private Member |
santa cruz, ca
exactly! On point response, Christin.
Private Member |
uk
It would be helpful if they told us how many people with heart diseases used coconut oil regularly. Most of them probably never even heard of it never mind eating eat. I use olive oil for cooking and coconut oil too. Vegetable oils give me really really bad skin and hair. Also I have heard margarine sales are down, people switching back to butter so this study might have something to do with it. Lots of shady business going on with telling people what to eat.
Private Member |
medicine hat, alberta, canada
Shady indeed. I will continue to eat it too.
Private Member |
medicine hat, alberta, canada
I like it too, and find its uses amazing. I will continue to use it as I have been and ask the Lord to bless it to the health of my body in Jesus Name. I believe all things can kill and help us live too
too much of a good thing they say lol. Thanks for the information about the lice, my granddaughter got some from a Community horseback ride with their headgear, my Daughter spent a ton on pharmacy crap, boy I was mad…at the cost and knew there was a household way but couldn’t find it before the spending grrr
I use evo for most cooking and butter and for flavor etc sesame oil and or tahini paste same thing really lol …ok not really but its helpful and very nutritious.
thanks Zuzka
Private Member |
santa cruz, ca
Thank you for defending coconut oil, Z! When I saw the report put out by the AHA, I immediately was skeptical. They are VERY influenced and biased by corporations and donors. I looked at the report myself and it is VERY long and basically hogwash. It is so easy to manipulate science to demonstrate the findings that would support one’s greed-driven agenda.
I will continue to use coconut oil for most of my cooking.
I CAN’T BELIEVE that the AHA is STILL trying to convince the public that natural saturated fats are bad for us!!!!! Insanity!! Man, the grain and sugar industry is powerful! Big agro and big pharma to the max!
Private Member |
los angeles, ca, usa
Pretty sure my body is 90% coconut oil by now – haha.
Private Member |
santa cruz, ca
lol
Private Member |
Sorry but this article doesn’t make any sense.
You critizice the findings of the AHA about too much saturated fats *ingestion*, you say there is plenty of researching backing its properties, but you provide none (yeah I guess it’s up to the reader to search it himself?)
Then you list other uses of coconut oil that, as amazing as they might be, have nothing to do with eating it :/
Of course coconut oil is not going to kill you, but most things wont unless you ingest too much of it. The key word is balance, and coconut oil has a place in a healthy diet (and other uses) when used in moderation. But it’s definetly not a miracle (sorry, but I don’t believe in miracles!).
Private Member |
I bake often with coconut oil, and also use to make great fried (yikes) okra and potatoes. I just melt it in a pan and use same measurements. Microwaving coconut oil will kill the beneficial components, fyi. Love the stuff!! So many great uses.