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Medical Video: Coconut Oil, Good or Bad?
Virgin coconut oil (VCO), aka virgin coconut oil, is believed to have higher quality than ordinary coconut oil because both of them go through different extraction processes. Virgin coconut oil is obtained directly from fresh coconut milk without going through the process of heating, refining, bleaching and fragrances so that it does not change the nature of the oil. And it turns out, the benefits of virgin coconut oil for health is very amazing.
What are the benefits of virgin coconut oil?
1. Sharpen cognitive functions of the brain
One of the most beneficial properties of virgin coconut oil is its medium chain fatty acid (MCT) content.
MCT is not only more easily absorbed by the liver than other types of fatty acids, but is also metabolized faster. That is, these healthy fatty acids can be further processed into ketones that can be utilized by the brain as their main energy source. Accompanied by a low-carbohydrate diet pattern, intake of ketones can provide up to 70% of the brain's energy needs and has been shown to have a therapeutic effect in people suffering from memory loss, as in the case of Alzheimer's disease.
In addition, unique phenolic compounds and hormones found in coconut oil may be able to prevent the aggregation of amyloid beta peptides, which are part of the leading theories about the causes of Alzheimer's.
2. Kill bacteria and viruses that cause infection
Nearly 50 percent of fatty acids in virgin coconut oil are lauric acid. When lauric acid is digested, this healthy fatty acid will turn into a substance called monolaurin. Lauric acid and monolaurine are known to kill harmful pathogens that cause infections, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
More specifically, the two substances in coconut oil are proven to be able to kill the Staphylococcus Aureus (a very dangerous pathogen) and yeast Candida Albicans, a common cause of various fungal infections. Lauric acid is also known to be good for your heart health by reducing total cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol.
The benefits of virgin coconut oil, which has also been proven to prevent and treat stomach ulcers, cavities, and food poisoning.
3. Reducing the frequency of child seizures
The content of MCT in virgin coconut oil is sent directly to the liver to be processed into ketones sent to the brain as the main energy source. If coconut oil is consumed routinely along with a low carbohydrate diet, this in turn will increase the blood concentration of the ketone body, which can help reduce the incidence of seizures in children who have epilepsy - even in children whose seizures cannot be controlled by drugs.
4. Promotes digestion
Virgin coconut oil plays a big role to help you have a better digestive system by helping the body to more effectively absorb fat-soluble vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. Several studies have shown that MCT in the content of virgin coconut oil can actually promote the complete breakdown and digestion of lipids by increasing the efficiency of enzymes associated with metabolism.
5. Helps to lose weight
In addition to helping fight brain and memory disorders, consumption of medium chain fatty acids contained in virgin coconut oil, has been shown to increase the number of calories you burn compared to other fatty acids. In other words, the body can easily change fat to be used as energy. Ketones, as one form of energy from fat metabolism, are known to have the effect of reducing appetite.
In addition, virgin coconut oil seems to be very effective in reducing belly fat, which is the most dangerous fat stack of all types of body fat and is strongly associated with various chronic diseases.
This method is important for people who are undergoing a weight loss program, because coconut oil basically helps increase your metabolism. One study found that daily intake of 15-30 grams of MCT increased energy expenditure in 24 hours to 5 percent (around 120 calories per day). Therefore, the benefits of virgin coconut oil also include helping dramatic weight loss if consumed in the long term.
