Volume 1, Number 30 • October 2011
Habit #30:
Use Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)
Did you know?
For many centuries, a huge part of the world used coconut oil.
People all over South and Central America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, all those “nesia” countries
(Micronesia, Melenesia, and Polynesia), and most of Asia, used coconut oil daily.
They used coconut oil – both internally (as a cooking oil) and externally (on their skin and hair).
And then something happened that changed this world.
In the 1950’s, people were discouraged from using coconut oil.
According these “scientific reports”, they found out that coconut oil had “saturated fat”. This was bad
news. Because saturated fat was known to raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. And a
big No-No: It added weight gain!
This ‘campaign’ warning against coconut oil started by America as an effort to curb the negative effects of
their ‘meat, potatoes and milk’ diet. They promoted the use of polyunsaturated fats instead, which was found in
soybean and corn oil, saying that this was a much better choice.
With all of this bad news, the fact that coconut oil had been used by people for thousands of years was
forgotten. People were confused by all the bad news about coconut oil and became hesitant to use it at all.
And then years later, scientists found out that not ALL saturated fats are bad. In fact there are some that
are beneficial to the body – and the saturated fat found in coconut oil was the wonderful kind.
Coconut oil is unique in that the type of saturated fat it has is medium chain fatty acids – more often called
middle chain triglycerides (MCT). This kind of saturated fat is the same as what is found in human breast milk!
Why Is Coconut Oil Good for the Body?
The news that coconut oil has saturated fat that is actually beneficial to the body came out later. Compared
to the speed that the bad news about coconut oil spread – this good news wasn’t shared as much.
The medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil is easy to digest compared to other oils. It’s healthy
nutrients are immediately processed by our liver and the digestive system is not given a hard time.
What’s even more wonderful is that the MCT in coconut oil can be directly accessed by the mitochondria
(the energy centers of the cells) through the blood brain barrier, giving it needed energy.
This is the miracle that happens to premature babies who are able to survive because they’re given MCT
in their mother’s breast milk. Older people who are experiencing weakness and confusion can also benefit from
the MCT in coconut oil. Their brain cells are able to directly access the MCT, which provides energy that will
allow the cells to function normally.
Disclaimer:
Neither the author, the publisher nor any of their respective affiliates make any guarantee or other promise as to any results that may be obtained from using this Report.
No reader should make any health decision without first consulting his or her own personal physician and conducting his or her own research and due diligence. To the
maximum extent permitted by law, the author, the publisher and their respective affiliates disclaim any and all liability in the event that any information, commentary,
analysis, opinions, advice and/or recommendation in this book proves to be inaccurate, incomplete or unreliable or result in any detrimental health condition.
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Volume 1, Number 30 • October 2011
What Kind of Coconut Oil Is Best for You?
The closer coconut oil is to being raw, the better it is.
This is because its nutrients and anti-microbial properties are at its most potent state when the coconut oil
is raw and unadulterated. Coconut oil that is naturally processed retains its antioxidant properties, enzymes and
MCTs.
The term ‘naturally processed’ usually refers to cold-pressed coconut oil.
Let me just warn you a bit first. There are a lot coconut oil products being sold today that insist on using the
term ‘virgin’ ‘or extra-virgin.’ The problem is that at present, there is no identified industry standard to measure
and state that a coconut oil is “virgin” (not like olive oil).
Usually though, virgin coconut oil (VCO) is naturally processed, chemical and additive free oil from fresh
coconut. But coconut oil that has been refined, bleached or deodorized (RBD) is usually made from dried whole
coconut (kopra).
Coconut oil that is cold-pressed generally means only a minimal processing was used during the entire
production process. Usually, it uses a machine for pressing out the oil. It does not use any outside heat source, so
it’s considered good quality oil because it retains most of its enzymes, fatty acids and anti-microbial properties.
Cold-processed coconut oil, on the other hand, is said to be the better kind of oil. This production process
does not use any heat at all and uses fresh coconuts only.
The Benefits of Coconut Oil
The health benefits of coconut oil range from skin care to cancer. These benefits are mainly due to the
lauric acid, capric acid and capryilic acid present in coconut oil. Their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal
properties (among others) are the healers in coconut oil.
1. Helps Keep Skin Healthy, Smooth and Young-Looking
Every day, I use coconut oil on my skin as a lotion.
Every day, after every shower, but before drying myself with a towel, I rub my entire body with VCO. (My
wife puts in a few drops of flower essences in the VCO bottle, such as rose or chrysanthymum—just to remove the
coconut smell. Or I’ll go around smelling of bucayo.)
Our ancestors knew that coconut oil was ideal for skin care. As the coconut oil penetrates, the skin and
connective tissues absorb its healing properties, keeping the skin strong and supple, helping reduce fine lines and
wrinkles.
When applied to the skin, it exfoliates the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother, allowing
the younger skin to be exposed and giving you a youthful appearance. Skin problems like exzema, psoriasis, acne,
dermatitis and other skin infections can be healed by coconut oil.
2. Keeps Scalp and Hair Healthy
I put some on my hair too, rubbing it into my scalp.
Our grandparents used to regularly apply coconut oil on their hair, to ensure that there was a healthy
growth of hair – thick and shiny.
Massaging coconut oil on the head keeps it free from dandruff. Rubbing it on your hair keeps your hair
in good condition, helping heal and re-grow damaged hair. You actually don’t need to buy that chemical-laden
shampoo or conditioner or hair cream to have a healthy scalp and great hair. Just use coconut oil.
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Volume 1, Number 30 • October 2011
3. Prevents Heart Disease
Coconut oil has around 53 percent lauric acid. This can prevent high blood pressure and reduces injuries to
heart arteries (preventing atherosclerosis). And, as I mentioned earlier, it increases good cholesterol levels (HDL)
while not increasing LDL levels.
This is the reason why some of my friends take one tablespoon of VCO every day.
4. Effective in Weight Loss and Good Digestion
One of the nice effects of using coconut oil is that it can help reduce weight. The presence of short and
medium-chain fatty acids help take off excess pounds. And because coconut oil is easy to digest, the pancreas,
thyroid and enzyme systems are able to function with ease.
Coconut oil also helps improve the digestive system. Its antimicrobial properties are effective in fighting
off bad bacteria, fungi, or parasites that can affect the digestive system and could cause indigestion. At the same
time, aside from being easy to digest, it also helps the absorption of the vitamins, minerals and amino acids in
food.
5. Strengthens the Immune System
The antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties in the antimicrobial lipids, lauric, capric and caprilyc
acid found in coconut oil strengthen the immune system. Even ailments like influenza, helicobacter pylori and
even HIV can be fought off by the lauric acid in coconut oil.
It can also help heal open wounds and bruises. It speeds up the healing process, repairing damaged tissue
.
Note: Avoid Hydrogenized Coconut Oil
Partially hydrogenized or hydrogenated coconut oil is used in the food industry. It’s preferred by the food
industry because it has a higher melting point, which means food does not melt at once (unlike RBD oil).
Partially hydrogenized coconut oil is processed from RBD coconut oil. The process involves bombarding
RBD with hydrogen, making it more saturated by transforming some of its unsaturated fats into trans fatty acids
(which raises the level of LDL cholesterol and increases the risk for coronary heart disease).
Use VCO Daily
I hope this issue of 52 Healing Habits convinces you to use VCO. First, as all around body lotion.
And yes, you may take it orally (1 tablespoon a day) too if you wish, as a natural tonic or food supplement.
Have fun living healthy!
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
P.S. Last Tip: When I get a massage or a foot relfex, I give my VCO to the reflexologist. Go natural and healthy.
Don’t let them use mineral oil or synthetic lotions.
PS2. I get wonderful emails from members of the 52 Healing Habits Program. Thank you so much for writing us
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