Coconut Oil: What it Can do for You

coconut oil benefits

Coconut oil has many benefits, some well-known, some not so much. For example,  I have read about its wonders in the weight management/diet category recently, but further research revealed lots of other great reasons to include it in my diet.

Medium Chain Fatty Acids in Coconut Oil

This amazing oil contains healthy saturated fat and three medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) called capric, caprylic and lauric acid.  Instead of being stored as fat upon ingestion, MCFAs are processed by the liver immediately forming ketones which supply energy. This makes it very popular in keto dieting.

Ongoing Research on Coconut Oil

As a matter of fact, research is hopeful that energy from ketones can actually help repair brain function in Alzheimer patients whose brains have lost ability to produce energy producing insulin. 

Also interesting and hopeful is the theory that energy produced by ketones cannot be used by glucose dependent tumors in cancer patients.

Another bonus is the fact that MCFAs in coconut oil also exhibit anti-fungal, anti-microbial, analgesic (painkilling), and antioxidant properties.  Basically these properties are beneficial in the treatment and prevention of many health issues including:

  • stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, digestion problems
  • urinary tract and yeast infections
  • kidney stones
  • arthritis
  • skin problems like eczema, rashes, psoriasis, cradle cap, dandruff, dermatitis, burns
  • high blood pressure and heart disease
  • tooth decay and gum disease (see oil pulling below)
  • liver damage
  • thinning hair or hair loss
  • osteoporosis.  coconut oil reduces bone loss and increases bone volume
  • type II diabetes
  • anti-aging and hormone balance
  • weight loss, losing body fat, building muscle, improving energy and endurance
  • low milk production in breastfeeding moms

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a simple detoxification procedure used in the treatment and prevention of tooth decay and gum disease. It involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for 20 minutes before spitting it out.

Coconut Oil: What it Can do for You

Replace Sugar in Your Diet

A simple way to add coconut oil to your daily routine is to replace the sugar in your diet with the oil. This substitution is especially beneficial when you are fighting a cold or infection.

Remember, sugar is your enemy!  It enhances and encourages the growth of bad bacteria, viruses, fungus, and even parasites. Instead, shut down these troublemakers by using coconut oil instead of sugar.

Coconut Oil: What it Can do for You

Presently I add coconut oil to my coffee every morning and bake with it as well. My favourite butter chicken recipe calls for it too.

In conclusion, buy some of this amazing product and try it. Then be sure to let me know what you think.

Chiropractic Care: Is it For You?

Fix and Prevent Mixed Messages to Your Nervous System

Recently I have been seeking chiropractic care for various (un)health(y) symptoms. I’ve shared with you here a recent scoliosis diagnosis, as well as TMJ and arthritic hip joints.

This is the time of year when my gardening season is winding down and I have more time to reflect, and I take the time to care for my physical well-being. With a recommendation from my son who is happy with the treatments he has been receiving there, I turned to Hazeldean Family Chiropractic.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help You?

We seek to find the cause and correct the root of the problem, not just mask the symptoms. Chiropractors are experienced in the function of the spine and nervous system. Our approach, focusing on your overall health, will allow you to function better with less pain and more enjoyment of life.

Hazeldean Family Chiropractic

An added bonus of receiving their chiropractic care is a subscription to the blog that Hazeldean Family Chiropractic provides. As my own blog also features posts on health and wellness, I find the tidbits of advice in their blog very informative and relevant to my lifestyle.

Here is the great advice within the most recent email I received:

You have an amazing healing power in your brain and spinal cord. THOUGHTS (emotional stresses), TRAUMAS (physical stresses), and TOXINS (environmental stresses) can affect that healing power… the 3 T’s. In order to maximize your healing potential, we have to make sure that we address all these stresses…

Thoughts: If you have no control on the outcome of a situation, you must release it.

Traumas: Children slip and fall; it’s an unfortunate part of growing up and playing full-out! Keep an eye out for any recurring pain or pain that does not subside quickly. Remember, symptoms are an indication that something is not right.  Correcting it early will definitely help for a quicker recovery and to prevent any future problems.

Toxins: Studies have shown that diets which are high in carbohydrates have been linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, gout and cancer. Lowering your carbohydrate intake isn’t just good for your waistline, it can also have a direct beneficial effect on the prevention of malignant diseases.

New Patient Special

Chiropractic Care:  How it Can Work for You

What are you waiting for? If you live in this area, give them a call to reserve your spot. Contact info is as follows:

Hazeldean Family Chiropractic Clinic.

8 – 484 Hazeldean Road. Kanata, ON K2L 1V4.

T: (613) 831-9665.

If you live elsewhere, do your research, get recommendations, and go for a consult.

I have only received two adjustments in my chiropractic care regime so far, am looking forward to reaping the benefits over the next several weeks. Not just the physical adjustments, but the health advice and relevant exercises too.

Have any of you had experience with chiropractic care?

Cancer Research is Changing

Cancer research is changing. In the right direction. Instead of focusing on expensive and harmful medications and treatments that compromise every organ in your body, research is looking for ways to outsmart the cancer.

For example, stem cell research has scientists hopeful and busy looking for ways to use these unique cells to fight many diseases, not just cancer. Stem cells are the earliest form of cells within the human body, formed four or five days after an embryo is fertilized, and before the embryo is implanted in a uterus. They are uniquely non-specific when they are formed and don’t take on specific functions (differentiate in scientific terms) until they divide and grow.

With the popularity of invitro fertilization on the rise these days, stem cells are becoming more available as any embryos not used in the fertilization process can be donated to science for research and treatments. Of course, this raises ethical concerns, since the embryo is destroyed in the process of harvesting the stem cells. The concept however, is brilliant.

Stem cells can also be harvested from umbilical cords after childbirth and frozen for use. These cells have been successfully used to treat children with blood cancers (leukemia) and certain genetic blood disorders. Since stem cells have the ability to turn into various other types of cells, scientists believe that they can be useful for treating and understanding diseases. For example, stem cells can be used to:

  • grow new cells in a laboratory to replace damaged organs or tissues
  • correct parts of organs that don’t work properly
  • research causes of genetic defects in cells
  • research how diseases occur or why certain cells develop into cancer cells
  • test new drugs for safety and effectiveness

Adult or non-embryonic stem cells are found in infants, children and adults. What makes them different from the embryonic kind is that these stem cells come from developed organs and tissues in the body. Unlike embryonic stem cells though, adult stem cells can’t differentiate into as many other types of cells. They’re used by the body to repair and replace damaged tissue in the same area in which they are found. For example, mature human tissue such as nerves, bone, blood, muscle, liver and skin all have different types of cells.

Hematopoietic stem cells are a type of adult stem cell found in bone marrow. They make new red blood cells, white blood cells, and other types of blood cells. Doctors have been performing stem cell transplants, also known as bone marrow transplants, for decades using hematopoietic stem cells in order to treat certain types of cancer.

A recent breakthrough has scientists able to genetically program adult stem cells to behave like embryonic stem cells so they can be used as specialized cells throughout the body, for any organ or tissue.