Coconut Oil & Constipation

Constipation Relief

Anyone who has ever tasted coconut would not doubt its effectiveness in loosening the bowels. I think the issue is : There are people who become constipated or, have diarrhea after consuming coconut oil.

Apparently they are experiencing "healing crisis" - the body's responses to the powerful cleansing and regeneration effect of a great healing food. Despite being on a coconut island for the whole of my life, only after researching on coconut oil do I realized that these humble looking nuts are actually a super food.

We often talk about how good is mother's breast milk to her infant including his bowels welfare. For us folks who are to old to drink mommy's milk, coconut oil is nature's substitute. Like mother's breast milk, coconut oil is easily digest, even by weak digestive system. It is the only oil that does not need bile to digest it.

That means it can be eaten by patients whose gallbladder has been removed. There is the story of a medical doctor who had to have his gallbladder removed. When he incorporates more coconut/oil to his diet, one of his health problems-constipation, disappeared!

Of course, the dosage counts. Taken in the right quantity, coconut oil gently softens,loosens and eliminates fecal matter minus unpleasant side effects. Over-dosage will result in a very loose bowel naturally LOL.

I start with one tablespoon/day and gradually increase to 3 tablespoons/day. I must say I am quite pleased with the results. Sometimes when it's boring to just slurp oil, I mix it with sweet potatoes/other dishes.

But It's Saturated Fat!

"Fatty acids and derivatives tend to be the least toxic chemicals know to man. Not only are these agents nontoxic to man but are actual foods." - These words come from a man who has studied coconut for over fifty years, Dr. Jon Kabara.

There are different types of saturated fat. Cooks know what is it like to wash the sticky vein-clogging fat from a chunk of lousy quality beef. The fat sticks to the hand so stubbornly that a few rounds to soaping and rinsing are required to clean it. That's the kind of dangerous saturated fat I would rather not eat. Anyone who has touched virgin coconut oil instantly notice how easily it is absorbed by the skin. It is obviously a different kind of fat, albeit saturated.

Flaxseed oil has to be used up quickly as it turns rancid rather quickly. Coconut oil does not have this problem. Even upon heating, it will not oxidize or, turn rancid. There is one theory that one of the causes of constipation is oxidization, so coconut oil that prevents oxidization should theoretically cure this kind of constipation.~~

Beautiful qualities like these help to improve the reputation of coconut so much so that Thailand is exporting more of this "healthy" saturated fat.

At this point, I am saying, it's still saturated fat. I do prefer coconut saturated fat to inferior animal saturated fat, but in terms to taking it internally, I would still watch the safety limit and treat it with respect.

Doctor's Opinion?

"BS."

"Snake oil."

These doctors however did not tell us...

1.What is used in feed tubes? In IV solutions for patients who are in the danger of dying? Coconut oil.

2.What is used in OTC medication? In baby formulas? Often endorsed by doctors - Coconut oil.

3.What is found in energy bars, sport drinks, and "natural food preservative"? None other than coconut oil. Though not the common name is presented to the public but its fancy chemical synonym - MCTs , caprylic or lauric acids.

This does not make doctors morons. At the time of writing this humble web page, Dr. Bruce Fife da coconut champion is not yet blacklisted by quackwatch people. It is understandable some doctors do get upset quickly, they are the ones who have to open us up to clean clogged arteries.

Doctors who are willing to explain their pessimistic opinion on coconut oil have this to say: The few studies on MCTs such as this one which shows rats fed with MCTs lost about 20 per cent fat and MCT's small and indirect influence on thyroid function at best offers a potential that still requires more research. Apparently most of the studies have been on all the oils and the results are not specific to coconut oil, according to Glenn S. Rothfeld, MD, MAc, clinical assistant professor of family medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and medical director of WholeHealth New England in Arlington, Mass.

“There are a lot of claims that coconut oil may have health benefits, but there is no concrete scientific data yet to support this," according Dr. Daniel Hwang, a research molecular biologist specializing in lauric acid at the Western Human Nutrition Research Center at the University of California, Davis. Dr Hwang is also quoted in the New York Times March 1, 2011 article "Once a Villain, Coconut Oil Charms the Health Food World" this way: "Coconut is good food, in moderation."

Fringe Benefits

1.Creative cooks have another tropical flavour vegan ingredient.

2.Acne after a bout of constipation? Take the oil internally to lubricate the digestive system. Whatever excess oil, apply to acne infested area. You will reap more pimples/acne. Give the skin time to detox...gradually it will clear up. Sometimes, it's as long as one month.

3.Since I have lost faith in commercial toothpaste long time ago, I am delighted to add coconut oil as another alternative to killing the darn bacteria in my mouth. Mix it with baking soda, honey.~~

Down Side

The smell. The authentic pervasive coconut aroma is a problem for some people. The coconut smell crinkles my sister's nose. There are people who would rather take olive oil instead. I can still vividly recall the long wavy braided hair of some girls from my childhood...the lustrous darkness overwhelmed by the presence of coconut. On the day I remember to use my coconut oil, people keep telling me I smell like a coconut. It's okay, I'm a convert.

References:

1. Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation By Andreas Moritz

2. Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut By Bruce Fife

3. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-lauric-acid.htm

4. Some other sites where awful name-callings are involved so I do not dare to publish da links LOL

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