Life Enhancing Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil: How Myths and Politics Deprived You of A Healthful Product
Coconut oil has been one of the more maligned foods of recent times. Why? The obvious answer is that people just don't know how healthy it is, but it didn't just pass into disfavor, it was demonized. I remember Ralph Nader's campaign against palm oil (coconut oil's cousin) and movie theater popcorn. At the time that is what they used for popping. He was told that that it was unhealthy and got rid of it. Now, when he tried to get rid of hot dogs at the baseball park, the public outrage stopped that nonsense. But no one fought to keep palm oil, because, well, who knew or cared what it was cooked in anyway? So today, for your health, you can't get palm oil, but you can get some chemical glop that passes itself off as butter. Go figure.
It started, however, in the 50's during the Korean War it was noted that soldiers were having more heart problems. In fact, heart disease was responsible for no more than 10% of deaths, but it was something new to worry about and a scape goat was soon found. Cholesterol was the culprit. Now, it exists only in animals (including us) and their products so butter etc were suddenly off the menus of 'healthy' households. Vegetable oils were put in the place of butter. Of course, since vegetable oil (any kind) isn't any healthier (more about that later) it didn't really help, but the die were cast.
Coconut and palm oil were still used in snack foods, but there was enormous pressure put on that industry by such people as Nebraska millionaire Phil Sokolof and in the 90's it was over.
One thing to remember is that many of those who have fought to get rid of coconut oil had heavy investments in the vegetable oil industry. Now, I am not saying that this was totally or even at all cynical, people can believe things that are both wrong and profitable, but the reality is that as coconut oil was banned so many places, people are really getting unhealthier.
Don't make the same mistake that the anti-cholesterol people first made. I am not saying that people are unhealthier because they don't have the benefits of coconut. I am saying that the American public in general is missing out on a great boon to health and much of the reason was hysteria and politics.
Fortunately you can still keep it in your diet.
The Science of Coconut Oil in a Nutshell
Yes, there is a lot more written and a lot more to know. However, if you are someone who just wants the basics, this is the best thing I have found.
Amazon Spotlight Personal Review
Disclaimer. The people who wrote this book are the founders of Tropical Traditions, where I buy my virgin coconut oil However, everything I have read in there is backed by what I have read elsewhere. If you find anything incorrect in here, please tell me.
Oh, and the recipes are great!
Don't Be Fooled by the Signs That Promise "No Trans Fat" It Is a Lie
This is important. ALL vegetable oils have transfat? I repeat ALL VEGETABLE OILS HAVE TRASNFAT.
The only oils that don't have transfat are coconut oil, palm oil, peanut oil and olive oil.
Heating is what makes a safe oil into a transfat. So when Wendy's tells you that there are no transfats in their French fries, you might want to ask them how the cook the pototoes, because any heat high enough to stabilize it to put it on the shelves makes it a transfat. And no, obviously, you can't avoid it even if you just use it for salad. Oh, and don't try coconut oil on salad. As delicious as it is, sitting cold on lettuce is not nice.
Use olive oil or peanut oil for salads and either of those or coconut oil and palm oil to cook.
Weight Loss, Diabetes, Alzheimers....
- Coconut Oil in the Medicine Cabinet?
This is an excellent reference for the list of conditions that coconut oil helps. Be sure to check it out.
Do You Understand the Science?
What Do You Think About the 'Medium Chain' Science?
Tropical Traditions Founders Discover Coconut Oil
Great story here.
Scientists and Testimonials About the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
Comparing Coconut Oil and Olive Oil
They are both good, both actually improve your health and neither hurt you. But here is how they relate.
OK, I Had to Use One of Those Pictures, But Will You Accept the Invitation to Try It ?
Will You Try Coconut Oil?
I Trust and Buy Tropical Traditions
You can get it directly from them, but you can also order on Amazon, through me. There are other brands, but I think this is the best.
Coconut Beauty and Skin Care
OK, truth be told, you can take some out of your cooking vat and apply to your face hands, etc. But lots of people prefer having a designated product.
Here they are.