Revisiting Coconut Oil

29 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by Ann Napoletan in "Super Foods", Coconut Oil, Diet, Dr. Mary Newport, Helpful Resources, Prevention, Tips

If your life has been touched by Alzheimer’s, chances are you would do just about anything to reduce your own risk of getting it one day. These days, there is a great deal of discussion about diet and its effect on brain health, and coconut oil is receiving a lot of attention.

In her 2011 book, Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure? The Story of Ketones, Dr. Mary Newport asserts that her husband has shown a marked improvement with the regular use of coconut oil. Watching a video on their experience piqued my curiosity, so I did some research and began trying to work it into my own diet. Finding ways to do that, however, has been a challenge.

I’m excited to have recently discovered www.freecoconutrecipes.com, which is loaded with ideas for using the oil. Up to this point, my favorite way to eat it has been in oatmeal where it adds just a subtle hint of coconut flavor. I’ve also mixed it into smoothies, but that tends to be problematic since the oil solidifies at between 65 and 75 degrees (F). As a solid, it’s nearly impossible to incorporate without leaving lumpy bits behind, but this article provides a great tip for getting around the pesky clumping issue.

When buying, be sure to look for organic, cold pressed, virgin coconut oil. This heart healthy oil is non-hydrogenated, contains no trans-fats, and provides plenty of health benefits in addition to improving brain health. Here are a few:

Decreases cholesterol levels; increases HDL (good cholesterol)
Acts as a natural antibiotic
Improves the body’s use of insulin
Boosts thyroid function for increased energy
Acts as an antioxidant
Acts as a great skin and hair moisturizer
Helps psoriasis

If you’ve incorporated coconut oil into your diet, leave a comment sharing your favorite ways to use it!

The benefits of coconut oil…

15 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by Ann Napoletan in "Super Foods", Coconut Oil, Dr. Mary Newport, Homeopathy, Prevention

≈ 2 Comments

In recent months, I’ve been hearing a lot about the health benefits of coconut oil, and specifically its effect on the brain. I must say, I wrote it off as just another fad, but after watching this video and looking at some other case studies found on the internet, I’m intrigued.

It may be too late for my mom to realize significant results, but I live in fear every single day that my turn is coming. If there are no harmful effects, I’m certainly not opposed to giving it a try. In addition to improving brain function, many people have also noted positive changes in LDL/HDL ratios and a decline in triglyceride levels. Experts even suggest it functions as a natural antibiotic.

For anyone interested in reading more about Dr. Mary Newport, check out her blog or look for her 2011 book, Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure?