By Darren Craddock Ezine Articles
Many people who are looking into coconut oil may be asking does it really work when it comes to coconut oil and thyroid function but there are studies that show that coconut oil helps thyroid function. If you are unsure based on this, take a look at what coconut oil contains and what effect it has on the body. To do this you need to understand what the thyroid effects and what it does. The thyroid is what controls the metabolism of the body. It is what decides how fast energy and food are processed in the body. Healthy thyroid processes equal a metabolism that promotes body health. Environmental factors also have an effect on thyroid function so you need to take this into account as well.
Coconut oil helps to increase metabolism. This means it helps to increase the processed by which food is processed into energy and those things, which are considered waste products, are removed quickly from the body. This promotes over all health and well being. Many people do not have the energy to cook healthy meals and rely on frozen dinners or fast foods to get by. They do not have the energy even if they can find the time for exercise and as a result the functions of the body slow down including the thyroid. By adding coconut oil to the body you can get the benefits of it when it comes to thyroid function. It is true coconut oil helps thyroid function and there is a direct correlation between coconut oil and thyroid effectiveness.
If you could give your body the energy to exercise even after a long day at work, to cook a good healthy meal instead of having to rely on fast food you would surely see an increase in your health and well being and a decrease in the feeling of tiredness and a decrease in your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the essential things to having energy, feeling young and being able to do the things that you want to do when you want to do it.
The thyroid is an essential for the body to function correctly and the elements that are found within coconut oil, the MCTs or medium chain triglycerides, the omega-3 fatty acids, the various other nutrients creates the perfect balance needed for the body to reach its maximum potential. There are plenty of research studies and various findings that can tell you the mechanics of how the coconut oil chemically affects the body but the best way to tell if something works for you is to try it and talk to others who have tried it and hear first hand how it has helped them in their lives.
As well as see for yourself how coconut oil can help you in your life. You can cook with it, add it to just about any type of food and you can enjoy all the benefits that coconut oil can bring to your life. Luckily coconut oil has recently become readily available over the internet and you can have it shipped right to your door. It is not difficult to add this to your diet and see the benefits for yourself.
Strengthen your immune system and Improve Thyroid function with Coconut Milk Powder, a rich source of healthy Coconut Oil Darren Craddock shares his Secret to staying Energized for life in this Free http://www.enerhealthbotanicals.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Craddock
Sunday, 19 April 2009
How to lose weight with virgin coconut oil
by Kevin Lee SelfGrowth.com
Are you tired of endless fad diets that don't work? There are thousands of books and gadgets out there claiming to help you lose those unwanted pounds. One problem with a lot of diets is they're hard to stay on for long periods of time. We end up 'falling' off our diets and we gain back the weight we might have lost. Not only that, we feel frustrated and feel that we’ve failed when we can't 'stick' to a diet.
Low-fat diets have been around for years. Unfortunately, low-fat diets eliminate a very important nutrient that our bodies need...fats! Our bodies need fats to absorb certain minerals and vitamins. Fats are also used to make cellular membranes and important hormones. Cutting fats completely from your diet can really affect how well your body functions.
Introducing virgin coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil is gaining popularity as a healthy way to lose weight. Now before you jump the gun and say that coconut oil is bad for you, listen to this...What we're talking about is 'virgin' coconut oil. Regular coconut oil is highly refined and loaded with cholesterol. Virgin coconut oil is a completely different form of coconut oil by the way it's processed. It's one of the healthiest dietary oils on the planet.
Polynesian societies have been using virgin coconut oil for centuries. They've enjoyed excellent cardiovascular health and vitality by consuming coconut oil and coconut food products.
Here's why virgin coconut oil is so good for you:
1. Virgin coconut oil is not bleached, refined or deodorized
2. Virgin coconut oil is a stable, healthy saturated fat - completely free of dangerous trans-fatty acids.
3. Virgin coconut oil contains no cholesterol or hydrogenated fats
4. Virgin coconut oil is made up fats that are digested more efficiently than regular saturated fats
Virgin coconut oil is different than other fats. Traditional fats from butter, meats and whole milk are stored in your body cells; waiting to be burned for energy at a later time. This can lead to increased fat stores, increased body weight, and higher cholesterol levels.
Virgin coconut oil is made up of special fats called medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). When you eat MCFAs, they're immediately sent to your liver and converted into a rapid source of energy. This means more energy levels for you. Increased energy levels means you'll burn even more calories - leading to faster weight loss.
Another good thing about virgin coconut oil is that it reduces your food cravings. One problem with low-fat diets is they don't supply you with enough dietary fat for normal metabolic functions and growth. This makes your body crave fat....Did you ever notice how a low-fat diet always seems to leave you feeling hungry and unsatisfied? This is your body's way of telling you that it's missing something from your diet. These food cravings may cause you to snack throughout the day, leading to more weight gain and frustration. Adding virgin coconut oil to your diet may help reduce food cravings you might get with a low-fat diet. Eliminating food cravings means you won't be snacking as much during the day. This lowers your total calories which can lead to faster weight loss for you.
How much virgin coconut oil should you take to lose weight? Most literature suggests you start with 1 tablespoon per day and work your way up to 2 - 3 tablespoons per day. Since you're getting a healthy source of dietary fat in your diet, you need to cut back on all other saturated fats in your diet. Most of your healthy fat calories will be from the virgin coconut oil, which are digested and metabolized faster than traditional fats. A great way to take virgin coconut oil is by mixing it into fruit smoothies or protein shakes.
Virgin coconut oil is also one of the healthiest oils to use for frying foods in. Most vegetable oils can suffer heat damage when used during high heat frying. Oils such as olive oil make great salad dressings, but may suffer oxidative damage from high heat frying. Virgin coconut oil is not affected by high heat or experiences chemical changes during frying.
How much weight can you lose with virgin coconut oil? This is a good question and a hard one to answer. It will depend on your general level of health and your overall metabolism. Every body is a unique individual and will respond differently when they try to lose weight. I believe the key to successful weight loss is by eating a healthy diet, along with consistent moderate exercise. Please remember to consult your physician before beginning any weight loss/exercise regimen.
In conclusion, virgin coconut oil is a healthy alternative to traditional vegetable oils that can help you lose weight. Your body gets a great source of dietary fat for optimum health. This leaves you feeling full and satisfied after each meal, reducing food cravings. The medium chain fatty acids in virgin coconut oil are rapidly converted to energy. This speeds up your metabolism and you burn more calories.
Don't forget that virgin coconut oil isn't refined, bleached or deodorized. It's a healthy oil with no cholesterol or hydrogenated fats. What more could your body ask for?
Author's Bio
Kevin Lee is owner/operator of http://www.healthy-oil-planet.com a website dedicated to the health benefits of fish oils, emu
Are you tired of endless fad diets that don't work? There are thousands of books and gadgets out there claiming to help you lose those unwanted pounds. One problem with a lot of diets is they're hard to stay on for long periods of time. We end up 'falling' off our diets and we gain back the weight we might have lost. Not only that, we feel frustrated and feel that we’ve failed when we can't 'stick' to a diet.
Low-fat diets have been around for years. Unfortunately, low-fat diets eliminate a very important nutrient that our bodies need...fats! Our bodies need fats to absorb certain minerals and vitamins. Fats are also used to make cellular membranes and important hormones. Cutting fats completely from your diet can really affect how well your body functions.
Introducing virgin coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil is gaining popularity as a healthy way to lose weight. Now before you jump the gun and say that coconut oil is bad for you, listen to this...What we're talking about is 'virgin' coconut oil. Regular coconut oil is highly refined and loaded with cholesterol. Virgin coconut oil is a completely different form of coconut oil by the way it's processed. It's one of the healthiest dietary oils on the planet.
Polynesian societies have been using virgin coconut oil for centuries. They've enjoyed excellent cardiovascular health and vitality by consuming coconut oil and coconut food products.
Here's why virgin coconut oil is so good for you:
1. Virgin coconut oil is not bleached, refined or deodorized
2. Virgin coconut oil is a stable, healthy saturated fat - completely free of dangerous trans-fatty acids.
3. Virgin coconut oil contains no cholesterol or hydrogenated fats
4. Virgin coconut oil is made up fats that are digested more efficiently than regular saturated fats
Virgin coconut oil is different than other fats. Traditional fats from butter, meats and whole milk are stored in your body cells; waiting to be burned for energy at a later time. This can lead to increased fat stores, increased body weight, and higher cholesterol levels.
Virgin coconut oil is made up of special fats called medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). When you eat MCFAs, they're immediately sent to your liver and converted into a rapid source of energy. This means more energy levels for you. Increased energy levels means you'll burn even more calories - leading to faster weight loss.
Another good thing about virgin coconut oil is that it reduces your food cravings. One problem with low-fat diets is they don't supply you with enough dietary fat for normal metabolic functions and growth. This makes your body crave fat....Did you ever notice how a low-fat diet always seems to leave you feeling hungry and unsatisfied? This is your body's way of telling you that it's missing something from your diet. These food cravings may cause you to snack throughout the day, leading to more weight gain and frustration. Adding virgin coconut oil to your diet may help reduce food cravings you might get with a low-fat diet. Eliminating food cravings means you won't be snacking as much during the day. This lowers your total calories which can lead to faster weight loss for you.
How much virgin coconut oil should you take to lose weight? Most literature suggests you start with 1 tablespoon per day and work your way up to 2 - 3 tablespoons per day. Since you're getting a healthy source of dietary fat in your diet, you need to cut back on all other saturated fats in your diet. Most of your healthy fat calories will be from the virgin coconut oil, which are digested and metabolized faster than traditional fats. A great way to take virgin coconut oil is by mixing it into fruit smoothies or protein shakes.
Virgin coconut oil is also one of the healthiest oils to use for frying foods in. Most vegetable oils can suffer heat damage when used during high heat frying. Oils such as olive oil make great salad dressings, but may suffer oxidative damage from high heat frying. Virgin coconut oil is not affected by high heat or experiences chemical changes during frying.
How much weight can you lose with virgin coconut oil? This is a good question and a hard one to answer. It will depend on your general level of health and your overall metabolism. Every body is a unique individual and will respond differently when they try to lose weight. I believe the key to successful weight loss is by eating a healthy diet, along with consistent moderate exercise. Please remember to consult your physician before beginning any weight loss/exercise regimen.
In conclusion, virgin coconut oil is a healthy alternative to traditional vegetable oils that can help you lose weight. Your body gets a great source of dietary fat for optimum health. This leaves you feeling full and satisfied after each meal, reducing food cravings. The medium chain fatty acids in virgin coconut oil are rapidly converted to energy. This speeds up your metabolism and you burn more calories.
Don't forget that virgin coconut oil isn't refined, bleached or deodorized. It's a healthy oil with no cholesterol or hydrogenated fats. What more could your body ask for?
Author's Bio
Kevin Lee is owner/operator of http://www.healthy-oil-planet.com a website dedicated to the health benefits of fish oils, emu
Friday, 17 April 2009
7 Secrets to Speeding Up Your Metabolism
The key to speeding up your metabolism is to re-ignite the furnace inside of you through proper nutrition and exercising.
For many of us, busy and stressful lives have slowed down our metabolism, leading to sluggishness, weight gain, and a long list of health issues. In honor of National Nutrition Month, I’d like to remedy this situation by offering seven helpful tips.
The key to speeding up your metabolism is to re-ignite the furnace inside of you through proper nutrition and exercising. Eating is vital, a key to a healthy metabolism; it’s impossible to jumpstart your metabolism by not eating.
And it’s crucial to adapt a healthy eating style before beginning any exercise regimen, especially if you’ve been sedentary for a while. By improving your nutrition before incorporating any type of strenuous exercise (other than walking), you’ll ensure blood flow to the heart is smooth.
7 helpful tips to speed up your metabolism through good nutritional practices:
Eat protein at each meal to keep your body in calorie-burning mode and your glycemic index as low as possible. Protein helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Focus a little less on meat, and more on protein-containing vegetables, since meat is harder on the digestive system and non-organic meats may contain hormones, steroids, and other unwanted ingredients. Protein-containing foods include red meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and green vegetables such as spinach, romaine lettuce, kale, and green cabbage. Spirulina, or blue-green algae is an excellent source of plant protein.
Drink plenty of water. Half your body weight in ounces daily will help your body’s detoxification process. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, that would be 75 ounces of water each day (i.e. nine or ten 8 oz. glasses).
Eat at least two large servings of uncooked dark, leafy greens daily. Raw green vegetables clean and deodorize the blood, tissues, cells, and organs. In addition to fresh, uncooked, green vegetables, you can also buy green powdered drinks at the health food store and/or green tablets such as Perfect Food by Garden of Life.
Incorporate good fat at every meal. Contrary to what most people believe, good fats don’t make you fat; instead, they help burn fat. Good fats include extra virgin olive oil, nuts and seeds, and avocados. In addition, organic butter, extra virgin coconut oil for cooking and frying, and almond butter. Good fats can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar, ward off depression, and provide natural anti-inflammatories. Good fats also help to keep blood sugar in check. A small amount with each meal is all it takes.
Eat unprocessed, natural whole foods as much as possible. Processed foods sustain life, but do nothing to promote health. Eat as much living food – foods without labels – as possible: organic leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, seaweed, grasses and sprouts. These foods energize because they’re full of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes; they also help bring down inflammation, the root cause of every disease.
Eat organic foods whenever possible. They’re free of antibiotics and growth hormones, which is crucial to good health. Antibiotics push out the good bacteria in your body, and lower your line of defense against other toxic invaders like alcohol, tobacco, sugar, coffee, and products that contain chemicals, preservatives, pesticides, herbicides and the like. This, in turn, lowers your immune system, and the bad bacteria can begin to multiply causing a host of health problems such as chronic yeast overgrowth.
Avoid Shellfish. They’re called bottom feeders because they absorb all the sea’s pollutants, and are high in mercury and other contaminants. Shellfish have no excretory system, so by eating them, you’re ingesting all the nasty, dead, polluted things they’ve ever eaten.
These 7 ways to speed your metabolism can revolutionize your nutrition, and result in much improved health. Of course, there’s more to good health, including exercise, supplements, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and making sure you’re emotionally healthy. But as far as nutrition goes, simply implement the above tips, and you’ll be on your way to a much healthier you!
Media ContactsKrystal CollazoWDC Media PR1-786-566-2452KCwdcmedia@gmail.comhttp://www.wdcmedia.comSusan M. ZahnWDC Media PRToll-Free: 1-877-862-3600E-Mail: office2@wdcmedia.comWebsite: www.wdcmedia.com
For many of us, busy and stressful lives have slowed down our metabolism, leading to sluggishness, weight gain, and a long list of health issues. In honor of National Nutrition Month, I’d like to remedy this situation by offering seven helpful tips.
The key to speeding up your metabolism is to re-ignite the furnace inside of you through proper nutrition and exercising. Eating is vital, a key to a healthy metabolism; it’s impossible to jumpstart your metabolism by not eating.
And it’s crucial to adapt a healthy eating style before beginning any exercise regimen, especially if you’ve been sedentary for a while. By improving your nutrition before incorporating any type of strenuous exercise (other than walking), you’ll ensure blood flow to the heart is smooth.
7 helpful tips to speed up your metabolism through good nutritional practices:
Eat protein at each meal to keep your body in calorie-burning mode and your glycemic index as low as possible. Protein helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Focus a little less on meat, and more on protein-containing vegetables, since meat is harder on the digestive system and non-organic meats may contain hormones, steroids, and other unwanted ingredients. Protein-containing foods include red meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and green vegetables such as spinach, romaine lettuce, kale, and green cabbage. Spirulina, or blue-green algae is an excellent source of plant protein.
Drink plenty of water. Half your body weight in ounces daily will help your body’s detoxification process. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, that would be 75 ounces of water each day (i.e. nine or ten 8 oz. glasses).
Eat at least two large servings of uncooked dark, leafy greens daily. Raw green vegetables clean and deodorize the blood, tissues, cells, and organs. In addition to fresh, uncooked, green vegetables, you can also buy green powdered drinks at the health food store and/or green tablets such as Perfect Food by Garden of Life.
Incorporate good fat at every meal. Contrary to what most people believe, good fats don’t make you fat; instead, they help burn fat. Good fats include extra virgin olive oil, nuts and seeds, and avocados. In addition, organic butter, extra virgin coconut oil for cooking and frying, and almond butter. Good fats can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar, ward off depression, and provide natural anti-inflammatories. Good fats also help to keep blood sugar in check. A small amount with each meal is all it takes.
Eat unprocessed, natural whole foods as much as possible. Processed foods sustain life, but do nothing to promote health. Eat as much living food – foods without labels – as possible: organic leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, seaweed, grasses and sprouts. These foods energize because they’re full of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes; they also help bring down inflammation, the root cause of every disease.
Eat organic foods whenever possible. They’re free of antibiotics and growth hormones, which is crucial to good health. Antibiotics push out the good bacteria in your body, and lower your line of defense against other toxic invaders like alcohol, tobacco, sugar, coffee, and products that contain chemicals, preservatives, pesticides, herbicides and the like. This, in turn, lowers your immune system, and the bad bacteria can begin to multiply causing a host of health problems such as chronic yeast overgrowth.
Avoid Shellfish. They’re called bottom feeders because they absorb all the sea’s pollutants, and are high in mercury and other contaminants. Shellfish have no excretory system, so by eating them, you’re ingesting all the nasty, dead, polluted things they’ve ever eaten.
These 7 ways to speed your metabolism can revolutionize your nutrition, and result in much improved health. Of course, there’s more to good health, including exercise, supplements, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and making sure you’re emotionally healthy. But as far as nutrition goes, simply implement the above tips, and you’ll be on your way to a much healthier you!
Media ContactsKrystal CollazoWDC Media PR1-786-566-2452KCwdcmedia@gmail.comhttp://www.wdcmedia.comSusan M. ZahnWDC Media PRToll-Free: 1-877-862-3600E-Mail: office2@wdcmedia.comWebsite: www.wdcmedia.com
Can The Recession Cause You to Pack on the Pounds?
7 Ways to Eat Healthily and Save During the Recession
This Op-ED Submission is ready to be published by the media in full.
Contact: Krystal Collazo, WDC Media PR, 786-566-2452, KC@wdcmedia.com, KCwdcmedia@gmail.com
OPINION, April 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Lisa Buldo:
Consumers are used to buying cheap cereals and processed foods in order to save money. And in the midst of a recession, this unhealthy habit may seem more crucial than it was before. But the reality is these are the very foods that are causing obesity, inflammation, and sickness.
According to some nutrition experts, a recession can make you fat...but if you get the junk out of your kitchen and start buying healthy food, any extra money spent will even itself out; you'll become healthier, too.
These tips can help you shed pounds quickly, easily, and safely, and -- as you will see -- the process doesn't have to be a pain in the pocketbook.
7 Tips to Eating Healthily and Economically
1. Buy vegetables and fruits from your local farmer's market. While they may not stock "certified organic" products because of the expense involved obtaining that label, they will have organically grown foods. Be sure to wash produce thoroughly with water and lemon juice.
2. Invest in a water filtration system for your home. In this way, you can drink as much pure water as possible without the expense of buying bottled water. Reverse osmosis water filtration systems eliminate the need for big, heavy plastic jugs, and it's a much healthier option for about the same price. Try adding a lemon or lime wedge to your water, or a splash of juice with no sugar added, for flavor.
3. Buy inexpensive sources of good protein. Since you should eat protein and good fat and fiber at every meal, try healthy, inexpensive sources such as organic canned beans; organic eggs; boneless, skinless salmon; sardines or mackerel in olive oil from the can; and perhaps organic chicken once or twice a week.
4. Do not cook with vegetable oils. They turn to transfat when they reach high temperatures; transfat can clog the arteries and cause plaque buildup. Extra virgin olive oil is wonderful for a quick sauté and on salads. Extra virgin coconut oil is the most stable at high temperatures and will not turn to transfat, which is why I recommend it for cooking and frying food.
5. Cut down on the caffeine. When you drink coffee by itself for energy, it's a false form of energy, a toxin, and it can raise your stress level by causing you to become excited and more anxious. To cope, your body releases a stress hormone called cortisol, which can cause you to gain weight and store belly fat. Opt for green tea instead, which has less caffeine and an abundance of antioxidants.
6. Make supper the smallest meal of the day. Supper is supposed to be the "supplemental" meal of the day. It should be eaten early in the evening to allow for digestion before going to bed. If you do, you'll wake up in the morning feeling small. Trust me -- it works.
7. Enjoy your treats once or twice a week. If you love pasta, eating it once a week is not going to thwart your weight loss efforts. Eat whole grain pasta such as Barilla Plus. You can make a great pasta dish with some broccoli, olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, and basil. It's yummy and healthy! If you have a social event to attend, go for it -- really enjoy yourself -- and don't beat yourself up. Just get back to eating healthy at your next meal.
There's more to good health including exercise, supplements, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and making sure you're emotionally healthy. But by incorporating these 7 tips, you can be sure that you will not gain weight during the recession. Instead, you can lose weight and improve your health tremendously.
Lisa Buldo888-853-0333 New York City, NY info@LisaBuldo.com
Lisa Buldo is a holistic health counselor, biblical health and life coach, author, and speaker. She specializes in weight loss, type 2 diabetes, acne and digestive issues. Lisa also helps people who struggle with emotional issues such as fear, anger, and depression through the biblical principles of God’s word. She has been featured on national television and radio, and is the author of the brand new book, IT CAN BE DONE! You Can Live in Victory 24/7, which is helping to transform the relationships, health, and finances of people everywhere. Lisa also has a deep passion for the things of God. Her mission is to help people to know that God loves them, to bring understanding in the areas of health and total wellness, and to empower everyone to live in victory! For more information, visit www.LisaBuldo.com.
This Op-ED Submission is ready to be published by the media in full.
Contact: Krystal Collazo, WDC Media PR, 786-566-2452, KC@wdcmedia.com, KCwdcmedia@gmail.com
OPINION, April 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Lisa Buldo:
Consumers are used to buying cheap cereals and processed foods in order to save money. And in the midst of a recession, this unhealthy habit may seem more crucial than it was before. But the reality is these are the very foods that are causing obesity, inflammation, and sickness.
According to some nutrition experts, a recession can make you fat...but if you get the junk out of your kitchen and start buying healthy food, any extra money spent will even itself out; you'll become healthier, too.
These tips can help you shed pounds quickly, easily, and safely, and -- as you will see -- the process doesn't have to be a pain in the pocketbook.
7 Tips to Eating Healthily and Economically
1. Buy vegetables and fruits from your local farmer's market. While they may not stock "certified organic" products because of the expense involved obtaining that label, they will have organically grown foods. Be sure to wash produce thoroughly with water and lemon juice.
2. Invest in a water filtration system for your home. In this way, you can drink as much pure water as possible without the expense of buying bottled water. Reverse osmosis water filtration systems eliminate the need for big, heavy plastic jugs, and it's a much healthier option for about the same price. Try adding a lemon or lime wedge to your water, or a splash of juice with no sugar added, for flavor.
3. Buy inexpensive sources of good protein. Since you should eat protein and good fat and fiber at every meal, try healthy, inexpensive sources such as organic canned beans; organic eggs; boneless, skinless salmon; sardines or mackerel in olive oil from the can; and perhaps organic chicken once or twice a week.
4. Do not cook with vegetable oils. They turn to transfat when they reach high temperatures; transfat can clog the arteries and cause plaque buildup. Extra virgin olive oil is wonderful for a quick sauté and on salads. Extra virgin coconut oil is the most stable at high temperatures and will not turn to transfat, which is why I recommend it for cooking and frying food.
5. Cut down on the caffeine. When you drink coffee by itself for energy, it's a false form of energy, a toxin, and it can raise your stress level by causing you to become excited and more anxious. To cope, your body releases a stress hormone called cortisol, which can cause you to gain weight and store belly fat. Opt for green tea instead, which has less caffeine and an abundance of antioxidants.
6. Make supper the smallest meal of the day. Supper is supposed to be the "supplemental" meal of the day. It should be eaten early in the evening to allow for digestion before going to bed. If you do, you'll wake up in the morning feeling small. Trust me -- it works.
7. Enjoy your treats once or twice a week. If you love pasta, eating it once a week is not going to thwart your weight loss efforts. Eat whole grain pasta such as Barilla Plus. You can make a great pasta dish with some broccoli, olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, and basil. It's yummy and healthy! If you have a social event to attend, go for it -- really enjoy yourself -- and don't beat yourself up. Just get back to eating healthy at your next meal.
There's more to good health including exercise, supplements, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, and making sure you're emotionally healthy. But by incorporating these 7 tips, you can be sure that you will not gain weight during the recession. Instead, you can lose weight and improve your health tremendously.
Lisa Buldo888-853-0333 New York City, NY info@LisaBuldo.com
Lisa Buldo is a holistic health counselor, biblical health and life coach, author, and speaker. She specializes in weight loss, type 2 diabetes, acne and digestive issues. Lisa also helps people who struggle with emotional issues such as fear, anger, and depression through the biblical principles of God’s word. She has been featured on national television and radio, and is the author of the brand new book, IT CAN BE DONE! You Can Live in Victory 24/7, which is helping to transform the relationships, health, and finances of people everywhere. Lisa also has a deep passion for the things of God. Her mission is to help people to know that God loves them, to bring understanding in the areas of health and total wellness, and to empower everyone to live in victory! For more information, visit www.LisaBuldo.com.
Why Pacific Islanders don’t get heart disease - Part 1
By NELLY FAVIS-VILLAFUERTE
Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp
April 10, 2009, 6:03pm
With the permission of Bruce Fife, the author of the book titled “Coconut Cures” to reprint certain portions of his book, I am reproducing hereunder some interesting information about the healing power of virgin coconut oil.
“A century ago, heart disease was almost unheard. By 1950 it had become the leading cause of death in the United States as well as in many European countries. Like a plague it has spread to every corner on earth and is now the world’s number one killer. Traditionally, the islands of the Pacific have been relatively immune to this menace. Where people still depend on their traditional coconut-based diet, heart disease continues to be a rarity.
“Most medical professionals believe that heart disease is a consequence of diet and lifestyle. So, if you eat the right types of food, you can prevent a heart attack.
In this respect, coconut, and particularly coconut oil, appears to be an effective weapon against heart disease.
“Epidemiological (population) studies have shown that coconut-eating populations around the world have a remarkable immunity to heart disease. This immunity isn’t genetic but diet related. Shorlandand colleagues showed that Polynesian populations with high coconut consumption have lower blood cholesterol levels and lower incidence of atherosclerosis that Europeans and islanders who consume a Westernized diet.
“A major study was done on the populations of two remote Pacific Islands – Pukapuka and Tokelau. The entire populations of the islands took part in the study. The foods the people ate were carefully analyzed and their health evaluated. These people were chosen because they have remained relatively isolated from Western influences and maintained their traditional coconut-based diet. Coconut was their primary source of food and was eaten in one form or another at every meal and as a snack between meals.
The two populations derived 63 and 34 percent of their calories from coconut. The coconut oil they consumed in their diet amounted to over 100 grams a day, the equivalent to about half a cup. The researchers found that there was no evidence of coronary heart disease nor was there any evidence of diabetes, cancer, hypothyroidism or other health problems common in Western society.
“Despite the high amount of saturated fat in the islanders’ diet, their cholesterol levels were much lower than expected. Using the Key’s equation, which calculates cholesterol levels as a function of dietary fat intake, cholesterol levelswere predicted. The islander’s actual cholesterol levels, however, were on average 76 mg/dl lower than the predicted values - a huge difference.
“Coconut plays a central role in the diet of the people in the South Pacific island of Papua New Guinea. As with other island populations these people have been eating coconut for generations without a single reported case of a heart attack. If coconut oil contributes to heart disease, as many people have been led to believe, these people should be riddled with heart attacks and strokes, yet heart disease was completely unknown here until 1964 when the first case was reported. As the country has become more Westernized, coconut consumption has declined and heart disease cases have increased. All of these cases have been confined to major urban areas where dietary habits have become Westernized.
“A series of studies on relatively isolated populations in Papua New Guinea that have maintained their traditional coconut-based diets have found these people to be completely free from all signs of heart disease. For example, in one of the studies with 203 individuals, researchers reported the “nonexistence of stroke and ischemic heart disease” even in people as old as 86 years of age.
(To be continued)
Have a joyful day!
Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp
April 10, 2009, 6:03pm
With the permission of Bruce Fife, the author of the book titled “Coconut Cures” to reprint certain portions of his book, I am reproducing hereunder some interesting information about the healing power of virgin coconut oil.
“A century ago, heart disease was almost unheard. By 1950 it had become the leading cause of death in the United States as well as in many European countries. Like a plague it has spread to every corner on earth and is now the world’s number one killer. Traditionally, the islands of the Pacific have been relatively immune to this menace. Where people still depend on their traditional coconut-based diet, heart disease continues to be a rarity.
“Most medical professionals believe that heart disease is a consequence of diet and lifestyle. So, if you eat the right types of food, you can prevent a heart attack.
In this respect, coconut, and particularly coconut oil, appears to be an effective weapon against heart disease.
“Epidemiological (population) studies have shown that coconut-eating populations around the world have a remarkable immunity to heart disease. This immunity isn’t genetic but diet related. Shorlandand colleagues showed that Polynesian populations with high coconut consumption have lower blood cholesterol levels and lower incidence of atherosclerosis that Europeans and islanders who consume a Westernized diet.
“A major study was done on the populations of two remote Pacific Islands – Pukapuka and Tokelau. The entire populations of the islands took part in the study. The foods the people ate were carefully analyzed and their health evaluated. These people were chosen because they have remained relatively isolated from Western influences and maintained their traditional coconut-based diet. Coconut was their primary source of food and was eaten in one form or another at every meal and as a snack between meals.
The two populations derived 63 and 34 percent of their calories from coconut. The coconut oil they consumed in their diet amounted to over 100 grams a day, the equivalent to about half a cup. The researchers found that there was no evidence of coronary heart disease nor was there any evidence of diabetes, cancer, hypothyroidism or other health problems common in Western society.
“Despite the high amount of saturated fat in the islanders’ diet, their cholesterol levels were much lower than expected. Using the Key’s equation, which calculates cholesterol levels as a function of dietary fat intake, cholesterol levelswere predicted. The islander’s actual cholesterol levels, however, were on average 76 mg/dl lower than the predicted values - a huge difference.
“Coconut plays a central role in the diet of the people in the South Pacific island of Papua New Guinea. As with other island populations these people have been eating coconut for generations without a single reported case of a heart attack. If coconut oil contributes to heart disease, as many people have been led to believe, these people should be riddled with heart attacks and strokes, yet heart disease was completely unknown here until 1964 when the first case was reported. As the country has become more Westernized, coconut consumption has declined and heart disease cases have increased. All of these cases have been confined to major urban areas where dietary habits have become Westernized.
“A series of studies on relatively isolated populations in Papua New Guinea that have maintained their traditional coconut-based diets have found these people to be completely free from all signs of heart disease. For example, in one of the studies with 203 individuals, researchers reported the “nonexistence of stroke and ischemic heart disease” even in people as old as 86 years of age.
(To be continued)
Have a joyful day!
Friday, 13 March 2009
Researchers validate coconut water as nature's 'energy' drink
COCONUT has been known for its essential oil and milk, but the water inside the seed could be the healthful sports/energy drink researchers have been looking for. CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes.
In recent times, the sports and energy drinks industry has been shrouded in a lot of hype and controversy. While the demand is soaring, medical experts warn that some of these drinks could be harmful because they contain abnormal quantities of sugar and caffeine, and could hasten the onset of type 2 diabetes, heart attacks and stroke.
However, researchers have discovered a natural alternative that does not just boost energy levels in joggers and athletes, but lowers blood sugar levels/diabetes risk.
Researchers, with support from the United Nation Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) have validated a natural and safe alternative to conventional sports and energy drinks: Coconut water.
Nigerian researchers have also confirmed the blood glucose lowering effects of coconut water, and have recommended it for the management of diabetes. They, however, say that coconut water does not actually have any protective effect on the liver against toxicity of paracetamol over-dosage.
Cocus nucifera (coconut) is traditionally recognised for its medicinal properties among several other uses. The use of coconut water to counteract poisons is a common practice in Africa as well as India. It has severally been used as an immediate remedy for drug overdosage.
Coconut water, the liquid endosperm of green coconuts abounds in essential nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, sugars, vitamins, minerals and growth factors, that support healthy cell growth and hydration, and finds versatile applications in cosmetics and nutricosmetics.
Until now, coconut water has been used for rehydration and as a health and beauty aide in tropical regions around the world for centuries.
A cup of coconut water from the young green coconut has been shown to be low in calories, has no fats or cholesterol, and has a natural balance of sodium, potassium (about 600 milligrams, that is more than a banana), calcium and magnesium- making it a healthy electrolyte drink. It has even been used intravenously, directly into the human blood stream, to stabilize electrolytes or treat people who were severely dehydrated.
In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941 to 45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from the nut - to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.
Studies have shown that coconuts are anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-microbial. It is recommended that mixing coconut water with other juices for a tasty blend, increases the health benefit and decreases the amount of calories and sugars in the drink.
Previous studies indicated that coconut water lowers arterial pressure, eliminates swelling in hands and feet, normalizes the intestinal function and raise metabolism, relieves spasms and stomach pain, eases burns, rehydrates naturally because it is free of added sugars or chemicals, and heals damage induced by antibiotics and toxins in the digestive tract.
Indeed, players in the world's $1 billion market for 'sports and energy beverages' may find themselves facing an unexpected new competitor in coconut water. FAO has taken out a patent - its first ever - on a new process that would allow manufacturers to bottle coconut water that is biologically pure, very tasty and full of the salts, sugars and vitamins demanded by both sweating urban joggers and serious athletes.
The process was invented by Morton Satin, Chief of AG's Agricultural Industries and Post-harvest Management Service (AGSI), whose previous food inventions include high-fibre white bread and wheatless bread.
"Fresh coconut water is already highly valued in tropical countries," he said. "A young coconut between six and nine months contains about 750 ml of water - really, its juice that eventually becomes the flesh.
"It is a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It is the fluid of life, so to speak."
Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment. But the production of coconut beverages, particularly as a byproduct of processing operations such as coconut cream processing and coconut dessication, has long interested food manufacturers.
Most commercial production today is carried out in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, using high-temperature/short-time pasteurization (the same technology used in UHT long-life milk). But thermal processing has a drawback - it eliminates not only the risk of bacteria, but some of coconut water's nutrients and almost all of its delicate flavour. This severely limits the product's marketability.
"The way we saw it, coconut water only had a future if we could invent a new cold sterilization process that retained its flavour and all its nutritional characteristics," Satin explained. "The answer was microfiltration technology: you filter the water through a medium - such as porcelain or a polyacrylic gel - that retains all microorganisms and spores and renders the permeate commercially sterile."
Drawing on his experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Satin conceived the new process "in about five minutes" and tested it on four coconut varieties with the help of an Italian consultant food technologist, Giuseppe Amoriggi. They also processed coconut water with added sucrose and L-absorbic acid, to approximate the vitamin and energy content of major sports drinks. When the inventors noticed some discoloration in the water of one coconut variety - albeit an "attractive pink" - they added lime juice to retain its original transparency. Finally, they called in a panel of tasters, who could detect no difference between fresh coconut water and what came out the other end of the FAO filtering laboratory.
Late in 1997, FAO officially submitted the new process to patent offices in Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom patent was granted in May 2000. The Organization is developing a licensing policy so that the process can be made freely available to a wide range of manufacturers. The main beneficiaries - apart from sportspeople - will be tropical countries that process or export coconuts, and small farmers who grow them.
Morton Satin sees coconut water as a natural contender in the sports drink market. "Just think of it," he said. "What could be better than a natural beverage product with the delicate aroma, taste, drinking characteristics and nutritional value of pure, fresh, tender coconut water, plus all the functional characteristics required of a sports drink?"
The new process was conceived and tested on four coconut varieties with the help of a consulting Italian food technologist, Giuseppe Amoriggi. They also processed coconut water with added sucrose and L-absorbic acid, to approximate the vitamin and energy content of major sports drinks. When the inventors noticed some discoloration in the water of one coconut variety - albeit an "attractive pink" - they added lime juice to retain its original transparency. Finally, they called in a panel of tasters, who could detect no difference between fresh coconut water and what came out the other end of the laboratory.
Miracle Group has developed coconut water-based sports drink for the global market.
Nigerian researchers have examined the blood sugar lowering effect of coconut water. The researchers include: Salihu M. Ajao, O. J. Oshiba, Rabiu O. Jimoh, Sikiru A. Jimoh, Ayokunle Olawepo and Adesola I. R. Abioye of the Department of Anatomy; and Luqman A. Olayaki of the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State.
The study is titled "Comparative study of the hypoglycemic effects of coconut water extract of Picralima nitida seeds (Apocynaceae) and Daonil in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats."
The study compared the hypoglycemic (blood glucose lowering) effects of coconut water extract of Picralima nitida seeds to that of Daonil in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats.
According to the study published in African Journal of Biotechnology, 25 albino rats weighing between 170 - 200 g were randomly divided into five groups after allowing the rats to acclimatize for seven days and were made diabetic by intraperitoneal administration of 150 mg/kg of alloxan.
The rats were giving different volumes of the extract and Daonil as per their groupings. All the substances were given for five days by oro-gastric tube. The blood glucose level were measured daily in the rats. There was an initial inactivity in the rats following administration of the extract mixture and their appetite was low except for the control group.
The researchers concluded: "Therefore, coconut water extract of P. nitida seeds have a significant hypoglycemic (lowers blood sugar) effects in alloxan-induced diabetes comparable to that of the Daonil, hence, it could be an effective adjunct in the management of diabetes mellitus."
In another study, Nigerian researchers have established that the common use of coconut water as a palliative for drug over-dosage is contraindicated.
The new study provided a scientific basis with which to validate the claims of this practice. It also investigated the safety of this practice by testing the effect of coconut water on the liver of patients who have taken overdose of paracetamol.
Harrison U. Nwanjo and Emma A. Nwokoro of the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Imo State University Owerri; and Okey A. Ojiako of the Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, have investigated for its possible effect on the acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdosage-induced hepatotoxicity (damaging to the liver) in three groups of albino Wistar rats.
The study is titled "Enhancement of acetaminophen overdosage-induced hepatotoxicity by coconut water."
The study was published in the journal of the Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology, Biokemistri.
The researchers wrote: "In concluding therefore, we posit that coconut water does not actually have any protective effect on the liver against toxicity of paracetamol overdosage. Rather, it could enhance the hepatotoxic effect of paracetamol overdosage. The practice of administering coconut water immediately following known or accidental poisoning by paracetamol may therefore be said to be an erroneous practice which should be discouraged.
"We recommend that more verification be done and the results of such findings be given wider publicity in order to educate people on the potential dangers of such improper therapeutic practice. This is particularly important in the rural areas of Nigeria where this practice is rampant. It is hoped that the findings of this study would pave way for further research possibilities on the therapeutic uses of coconut water owing to its availability."
Before now, researchers have found that virgin coconut oil, added to antibiotic therapy, may help relieve the symptoms of community-acquired pneumonia in kids faster than antibiotic therapy alone. The study's findings were reported in the Journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.
In another study, D. O. Ogbolu, A. A. Oni, O. A. Daini, A. P. Oloko of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, discovered that coconut oil at 100 per cent concentration was more active than conventional anti-fungal drug, fluconazole, against Candida albicans. The researchers in the study published in Phytotherapy Research recommended that coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species.
Nigerian researchers have also found that coconut milk offered stronger protection on indomethacin-induced ulceration than coconut water in rats. The study titled "Antiulcerogenic effects of coconut extract in rats" is published in Phytotherapy Research by R. O. Nneli , O. A. Woyike of the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University.
Traditionally, a decoction of the bark of Coconut is taken orally in Nigeria for scabies, while a decoction of the root is taken orally for uterine diseases, urethritis, bronchitis, liver ailment and dysentery.
Folkloric writings are replete with accounts of the efficacy of the coconut for many ailments -from the cure of wounds, bums, ulcers, lice infestations to dissolution of kidney stones and treatment of choleraic dysenteries.
Researchers have now confirmed some of these claims opening new frontiers in the management of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Specifically, they have demonstrated in research spanning over a decade, the efficacy of the coconut oil as a natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial agent.
THE GUARDIAN - Natural Health, Nigera
In recent times, the sports and energy drinks industry has been shrouded in a lot of hype and controversy. While the demand is soaring, medical experts warn that some of these drinks could be harmful because they contain abnormal quantities of sugar and caffeine, and could hasten the onset of type 2 diabetes, heart attacks and stroke.
However, researchers have discovered a natural alternative that does not just boost energy levels in joggers and athletes, but lowers blood sugar levels/diabetes risk.
Researchers, with support from the United Nation Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) have validated a natural and safe alternative to conventional sports and energy drinks: Coconut water.
Nigerian researchers have also confirmed the blood glucose lowering effects of coconut water, and have recommended it for the management of diabetes. They, however, say that coconut water does not actually have any protective effect on the liver against toxicity of paracetamol over-dosage.
Cocus nucifera (coconut) is traditionally recognised for its medicinal properties among several other uses. The use of coconut water to counteract poisons is a common practice in Africa as well as India. It has severally been used as an immediate remedy for drug overdosage.
Coconut water, the liquid endosperm of green coconuts abounds in essential nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, sugars, vitamins, minerals and growth factors, that support healthy cell growth and hydration, and finds versatile applications in cosmetics and nutricosmetics.
Until now, coconut water has been used for rehydration and as a health and beauty aide in tropical regions around the world for centuries.
A cup of coconut water from the young green coconut has been shown to be low in calories, has no fats or cholesterol, and has a natural balance of sodium, potassium (about 600 milligrams, that is more than a banana), calcium and magnesium- making it a healthy electrolyte drink. It has even been used intravenously, directly into the human blood stream, to stabilize electrolytes or treat people who were severely dehydrated.
In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941 to 45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from the nut - to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.
Studies have shown that coconuts are anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-microbial. It is recommended that mixing coconut water with other juices for a tasty blend, increases the health benefit and decreases the amount of calories and sugars in the drink.
Previous studies indicated that coconut water lowers arterial pressure, eliminates swelling in hands and feet, normalizes the intestinal function and raise metabolism, relieves spasms and stomach pain, eases burns, rehydrates naturally because it is free of added sugars or chemicals, and heals damage induced by antibiotics and toxins in the digestive tract.
Indeed, players in the world's $1 billion market for 'sports and energy beverages' may find themselves facing an unexpected new competitor in coconut water. FAO has taken out a patent - its first ever - on a new process that would allow manufacturers to bottle coconut water that is biologically pure, very tasty and full of the salts, sugars and vitamins demanded by both sweating urban joggers and serious athletes.
The process was invented by Morton Satin, Chief of AG's Agricultural Industries and Post-harvest Management Service (AGSI), whose previous food inventions include high-fibre white bread and wheatless bread.
"Fresh coconut water is already highly valued in tropical countries," he said. "A young coconut between six and nine months contains about 750 ml of water - really, its juice that eventually becomes the flesh.
"It is a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It is the fluid of life, so to speak."
Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment. But the production of coconut beverages, particularly as a byproduct of processing operations such as coconut cream processing and coconut dessication, has long interested food manufacturers.
Most commercial production today is carried out in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, using high-temperature/short-time pasteurization (the same technology used in UHT long-life milk). But thermal processing has a drawback - it eliminates not only the risk of bacteria, but some of coconut water's nutrients and almost all of its delicate flavour. This severely limits the product's marketability.
"The way we saw it, coconut water only had a future if we could invent a new cold sterilization process that retained its flavour and all its nutritional characteristics," Satin explained. "The answer was microfiltration technology: you filter the water through a medium - such as porcelain or a polyacrylic gel - that retains all microorganisms and spores and renders the permeate commercially sterile."
Drawing on his experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Satin conceived the new process "in about five minutes" and tested it on four coconut varieties with the help of an Italian consultant food technologist, Giuseppe Amoriggi. They also processed coconut water with added sucrose and L-absorbic acid, to approximate the vitamin and energy content of major sports drinks. When the inventors noticed some discoloration in the water of one coconut variety - albeit an "attractive pink" - they added lime juice to retain its original transparency. Finally, they called in a panel of tasters, who could detect no difference between fresh coconut water and what came out the other end of the FAO filtering laboratory.
Late in 1997, FAO officially submitted the new process to patent offices in Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom patent was granted in May 2000. The Organization is developing a licensing policy so that the process can be made freely available to a wide range of manufacturers. The main beneficiaries - apart from sportspeople - will be tropical countries that process or export coconuts, and small farmers who grow them.
Morton Satin sees coconut water as a natural contender in the sports drink market. "Just think of it," he said. "What could be better than a natural beverage product with the delicate aroma, taste, drinking characteristics and nutritional value of pure, fresh, tender coconut water, plus all the functional characteristics required of a sports drink?"
The new process was conceived and tested on four coconut varieties with the help of a consulting Italian food technologist, Giuseppe Amoriggi. They also processed coconut water with added sucrose and L-absorbic acid, to approximate the vitamin and energy content of major sports drinks. When the inventors noticed some discoloration in the water of one coconut variety - albeit an "attractive pink" - they added lime juice to retain its original transparency. Finally, they called in a panel of tasters, who could detect no difference between fresh coconut water and what came out the other end of the laboratory.
Miracle Group has developed coconut water-based sports drink for the global market.
Nigerian researchers have examined the blood sugar lowering effect of coconut water. The researchers include: Salihu M. Ajao, O. J. Oshiba, Rabiu O. Jimoh, Sikiru A. Jimoh, Ayokunle Olawepo and Adesola I. R. Abioye of the Department of Anatomy; and Luqman A. Olayaki of the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State.
The study is titled "Comparative study of the hypoglycemic effects of coconut water extract of Picralima nitida seeds (Apocynaceae) and Daonil in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats."
The study compared the hypoglycemic (blood glucose lowering) effects of coconut water extract of Picralima nitida seeds to that of Daonil in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats.
According to the study published in African Journal of Biotechnology, 25 albino rats weighing between 170 - 200 g were randomly divided into five groups after allowing the rats to acclimatize for seven days and were made diabetic by intraperitoneal administration of 150 mg/kg of alloxan.
The rats were giving different volumes of the extract and Daonil as per their groupings. All the substances were given for five days by oro-gastric tube. The blood glucose level were measured daily in the rats. There was an initial inactivity in the rats following administration of the extract mixture and their appetite was low except for the control group.
The researchers concluded: "Therefore, coconut water extract of P. nitida seeds have a significant hypoglycemic (lowers blood sugar) effects in alloxan-induced diabetes comparable to that of the Daonil, hence, it could be an effective adjunct in the management of diabetes mellitus."
In another study, Nigerian researchers have established that the common use of coconut water as a palliative for drug over-dosage is contraindicated.
The new study provided a scientific basis with which to validate the claims of this practice. It also investigated the safety of this practice by testing the effect of coconut water on the liver of patients who have taken overdose of paracetamol.
Harrison U. Nwanjo and Emma A. Nwokoro of the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Imo State University Owerri; and Okey A. Ojiako of the Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, have investigated for its possible effect on the acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdosage-induced hepatotoxicity (damaging to the liver) in three groups of albino Wistar rats.
The study is titled "Enhancement of acetaminophen overdosage-induced hepatotoxicity by coconut water."
The study was published in the journal of the Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology, Biokemistri.
The researchers wrote: "In concluding therefore, we posit that coconut water does not actually have any protective effect on the liver against toxicity of paracetamol overdosage. Rather, it could enhance the hepatotoxic effect of paracetamol overdosage. The practice of administering coconut water immediately following known or accidental poisoning by paracetamol may therefore be said to be an erroneous practice which should be discouraged.
"We recommend that more verification be done and the results of such findings be given wider publicity in order to educate people on the potential dangers of such improper therapeutic practice. This is particularly important in the rural areas of Nigeria where this practice is rampant. It is hoped that the findings of this study would pave way for further research possibilities on the therapeutic uses of coconut water owing to its availability."
Before now, researchers have found that virgin coconut oil, added to antibiotic therapy, may help relieve the symptoms of community-acquired pneumonia in kids faster than antibiotic therapy alone. The study's findings were reported in the Journal of the American College of Chest Physicians.
In another study, D. O. Ogbolu, A. A. Oni, O. A. Daini, A. P. Oloko of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, discovered that coconut oil at 100 per cent concentration was more active than conventional anti-fungal drug, fluconazole, against Candida albicans. The researchers in the study published in Phytotherapy Research recommended that coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species.
Nigerian researchers have also found that coconut milk offered stronger protection on indomethacin-induced ulceration than coconut water in rats. The study titled "Antiulcerogenic effects of coconut extract in rats" is published in Phytotherapy Research by R. O. Nneli , O. A. Woyike of the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University.
Traditionally, a decoction of the bark of Coconut is taken orally in Nigeria for scabies, while a decoction of the root is taken orally for uterine diseases, urethritis, bronchitis, liver ailment and dysentery.
Folkloric writings are replete with accounts of the efficacy of the coconut for many ailments -from the cure of wounds, bums, ulcers, lice infestations to dissolution of kidney stones and treatment of choleraic dysenteries.
Researchers have now confirmed some of these claims opening new frontiers in the management of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Specifically, they have demonstrated in research spanning over a decade, the efficacy of the coconut oil as a natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial agent.
THE GUARDIAN - Natural Health, Nigera
Friday, 6 March 2009
Treat eczema with coconut oil
Eczema is a dermatological term for extra dry or inflamed skin. Its also known as: atopic eczema, atopic dermatitis and infantile eczema. Eczema is a chronic skin disorder characterized by itching rashes, which may be red, scaly, dry, or leathery.
Eczema is usually a persistent, itchy skin condition consisting of skin dryness and inflammation (manifested by redness of the skin, crusting and thickening of the skin). Eczema is an inflammation of the skin and may be associated with an allergic reaction, although the cause is often unknown. Eczema is a commonly inherited condition; it often affects people with a family history of allergies, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Research into the cause of eczema is still in the beginning stages.Many people do not realize that eczema is not contagious and a child might be unnecessarily sent home from school. Atopic eczema is a chronic, recurring condition with flares (which are active or new patches of eczema) and remissions (when eczema is not as active). An attack of eczema is usually described as acute or chronic, but the only distinction lies in the greater or less intensity of the inflammation at the time of description.
It doesnt have anything to do with the length of time that the disease has lasted. A severe attack of eczema is usually accompanied by some slight constitutional disturbance, but the general health seldom suffers appreciably, unless, as occasionally, the itching is so bad as to make sleep impossible. However, eczema is actually dermatitis that is in advanced, more serious stages.Childhood eczema is sometimes found behind the knee or in the bend of an elbow and will often completely clear up by the time the child reaches puberty. Irritant Contact Eczema is caused by contact with a substance that could be encountered daily, such as soaps, certain chemicals, and detergents. Varicose Eczema is a condition found in the lower leg.
In adults, eczema is commonly located on the inner elbow or behind the knee. Other more serious types of eczema include nummular, discoid and dyshidrotic.The use of coconut oil is found beneficial for healing eczema or dermatitis. Unprocessed organic virgin coconut oil soothes immediately and goes to work on healing eczema, dermatitis or just about any skin condition.
Coconut oil is composed predominately of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). It is the MCFA that give coconut oil its healing benefits. The majority of fats and oils in our diets, whether they are saturated or unsaturated or come from animals or plants, are composed of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Some 98 to 100% of all the fatty acids you consume are LCFA.MCFA are very different from LCFA. They do not have any negative effect on cholesterol and hence, protect the body against from any form of heart disease. MCFA help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. There are only a very few good dietary sources of MCFA. By far the best sources are from coconut and palm kernel oils.Lauric acid, known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, contributes about 50% of the fatty acid in coconut fat. Lauric acid, which is also contained in mothers milk, is the most essential fatty acid for the building of an immune system.
In the body, it is converted to monolaurin, a powerful monoglyceride that destroys lipid-coated viruses (such as cytomegalovirus, HIV, herpes, and influenza) as well as pathogenic bacteria.Coconut Oil To Heal Eczema Skin The MCFA help restore damaged skin, by penetrating into the cell structures of the connective tissues. Hence, it is excellent as a natural eczema treatment, for other skin disorders as well as for anti-ageing purposes. It also helps prevent the skin from developing liver spots, by destroying free radical formation.MCFA in coconut oil help to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in the skin. At least one type of bacterium feeds on the sebum of our skin, breaking down the tryglycerides of the coconut oil into free fatty acids. When they are broken apart into free fatty acids, they become powerful antimicrobials, killing disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
The combination of the slightly acid pH of the skin and the MCFA provides a protective chemical layer on the skin that prevents infection from disease-causing organisms. When you bathe or shower, ordinary soap tends to wash off the acid mantle of your skin. Applying coconut oil helps to restore the protective layer of your skin. It helps to reduce any inflammation and is healing to wounds, blood blisters and rashes.
(Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX)
Karachi, Mar 04, 2009
Eczema is usually a persistent, itchy skin condition consisting of skin dryness and inflammation (manifested by redness of the skin, crusting and thickening of the skin). Eczema is an inflammation of the skin and may be associated with an allergic reaction, although the cause is often unknown. Eczema is a commonly inherited condition; it often affects people with a family history of allergies, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Research into the cause of eczema is still in the beginning stages.Many people do not realize that eczema is not contagious and a child might be unnecessarily sent home from school. Atopic eczema is a chronic, recurring condition with flares (which are active or new patches of eczema) and remissions (when eczema is not as active). An attack of eczema is usually described as acute or chronic, but the only distinction lies in the greater or less intensity of the inflammation at the time of description.
It doesnt have anything to do with the length of time that the disease has lasted. A severe attack of eczema is usually accompanied by some slight constitutional disturbance, but the general health seldom suffers appreciably, unless, as occasionally, the itching is so bad as to make sleep impossible. However, eczema is actually dermatitis that is in advanced, more serious stages.Childhood eczema is sometimes found behind the knee or in the bend of an elbow and will often completely clear up by the time the child reaches puberty. Irritant Contact Eczema is caused by contact with a substance that could be encountered daily, such as soaps, certain chemicals, and detergents. Varicose Eczema is a condition found in the lower leg.
In adults, eczema is commonly located on the inner elbow or behind the knee. Other more serious types of eczema include nummular, discoid and dyshidrotic.The use of coconut oil is found beneficial for healing eczema or dermatitis. Unprocessed organic virgin coconut oil soothes immediately and goes to work on healing eczema, dermatitis or just about any skin condition.
Coconut oil is composed predominately of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). It is the MCFA that give coconut oil its healing benefits. The majority of fats and oils in our diets, whether they are saturated or unsaturated or come from animals or plants, are composed of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Some 98 to 100% of all the fatty acids you consume are LCFA.MCFA are very different from LCFA. They do not have any negative effect on cholesterol and hence, protect the body against from any form of heart disease. MCFA help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. There are only a very few good dietary sources of MCFA. By far the best sources are from coconut and palm kernel oils.Lauric acid, known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, contributes about 50% of the fatty acid in coconut fat. Lauric acid, which is also contained in mothers milk, is the most essential fatty acid for the building of an immune system.
In the body, it is converted to monolaurin, a powerful monoglyceride that destroys lipid-coated viruses (such as cytomegalovirus, HIV, herpes, and influenza) as well as pathogenic bacteria.Coconut Oil To Heal Eczema Skin The MCFA help restore damaged skin, by penetrating into the cell structures of the connective tissues. Hence, it is excellent as a natural eczema treatment, for other skin disorders as well as for anti-ageing purposes. It also helps prevent the skin from developing liver spots, by destroying free radical formation.MCFA in coconut oil help to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in the skin. At least one type of bacterium feeds on the sebum of our skin, breaking down the tryglycerides of the coconut oil into free fatty acids. When they are broken apart into free fatty acids, they become powerful antimicrobials, killing disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
The combination of the slightly acid pH of the skin and the MCFA provides a protective chemical layer on the skin that prevents infection from disease-causing organisms. When you bathe or shower, ordinary soap tends to wash off the acid mantle of your skin. Applying coconut oil helps to restore the protective layer of your skin. It helps to reduce any inflammation and is healing to wounds, blood blisters and rashes.
(Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX)
Karachi, Mar 04, 2009
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