COCONUT OIL: Another good health booster

Coconut oil has had a bad reputation in the past for various reasons most of which recent researches have proved to be a fallacy. The main reason for casting it to the background has to do with its social symbol status which, unfortunately, has caused many people to spend so much money on diseases that could hitherto be prevented or cured easily. Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare reports.

Over the years, many people have seen the coconut oil in a bad light. The general belief is that coconut oil or adi agbon, as it is popularly called in the Yoruba speaking states of Nigeria, is a product for the poor. The reason for this is not far-fetched: it is not only natural; without any ostentation, but rather cheap both in appearance and packaging. Also, the fact that medical practitioners condemn saturated fat which is a basic component of coconut oil gives the product a bad image.

Recently however, the story has changed. There had been series of enlightenment lecture to re-orientate people especially mothers about the usefulness of coconut oil. In primary health care centres across Nigeria, women are encouraged to use only coconut oil for their children. People who visit health centres within Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos would have met a medical pathologist, Mrs. Johnson, educating women on the usefulness of coconut oil.

Recent researches have also proved that coconut oil is good for many things especially the skin because it has antimicrobial effects. A study in the journal of medicinal food found that coconut oil was effective in killing strains of Candida, which cause candidiasis in humans.The authors recommended that coconut oil be used in the treatment of fungal infections. Skin treatment is not the only strength that the coconut oil possesses.

Research into coconut oil has discovered that it is good for the heart. A study in the 2004 edition of Clinical Biochemistry found that coconut oil, especially virgin coconut oil that is unprocessed, lowered cholesterol, in particular bad cholesterol, while raising the good cholesterol. Other studies have found that coconut oil can help in weight loss and poison recovery. Among the most stable of all oils, coconut oil is slow to oxidize and thus resistant to rancidity, lasting up to two years due to its high saturated fat content.

Hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated coconut oil is often used in non-dairy creamers, and snack foods. Fractionated coconut oil is also used in the manufacture of essences, massage oils and cosmetics. Coconut oil is an important component of many industrial lubricants, for example in the cold rolling of steel strip. Also, it is said to be good for curing cold and catarrh.

In traditional medicine around the world, coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems - abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds. People from many diverse cultures, languages, religions, and races scattered around the globe have revered the coconut oil as a valuable source of both food and medicine. Wherever the coconut palm grows, the people have learned of its importance as an effective medicine.

Researches carried out in many parts of the world and in Nigeria have known that a derivative of coconut oil are safe antimicrobial agents that can either kill completely or stop the growth of some of the most dangerous viruses and bacteria. Many bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics but herbal oils from coconut oil are showing great promise as anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents.

Coconut oil is excellent as a skin moisturizer and softener. A study shows that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective and safe as mineral oil when used as a moisturizer and it has no adverse reactions. Although not suitable for use with condoms, coconut oil is said to be an excellent, inexpensive lubricant for sexual intercourse. In India and Sri Lanka, coconut oil is commonly used for styling hair, and cooling or soothing the head. People of Tamil Nadu and other coastal areas such as Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa bathe in warm water after applying coconut oil all over the body and leaving it for an hour to keep the body, skin and hair healthy.

Coconut oil possesses many health benefits due to its fiber and nutritional content and its oil makes it a truly remarkable food and medicine.  With all these benefits, why is coconut oil overlooked, even in the rural areas where many people are believed to be in love with natural products? Midweek Tribune spoke with some people about this and their responses varied. “The odour is not attractive. People who are not used to the smell will look at the user like a dirty person,” Mr. Mayowa Adeleke, a marketer said.

Mr. Olalekan Oni’s opinion is not very different. “At this period when there are many affordable sweet- smelling petroleum jellies, most of which are cheaper than the coconut oil, who wants to use the coconut oil when it is now expensive?”, he queried. For Mr. Seyi Popoola, a student, the reason is quite different. “Nothing is wrong with coconut oil. It is just that it is an old fashioned thing,” he said.

“Coconut oil makes one’s cloth dirty especially if you sweat and you are wearing white. It is also sticky on the body, that is why I cannot use it,” Kemi Lawal said. To meet up with the trend of the time, producers of coconut oil have improved on their packaging. They have given their products many names. Howbeit, can this make a difference especially since most packaged ones are more expensive than many creams used by most people today?

Great men have described coconut oil in vivid words that leave no doubt about their belief. Bruce Fife, N.D described coconut oil as the healthiest oil on earth. Joseph Mercola, D.O. said “Coconut oil is the healthiest oil you can use.” These are quite remarkable statements. What makes coconut oil so good? What makes it different from all other oils, especially other saturated fats?

Coconut oil was previously mistakenly believed to be unhealthy because of its high saturated fat content, it is now known that the fat in coconut oil is unique and different from most all other fats and possesses many health giving properties. It is now gaining its long overdue recognition as a nutritious health food. What does the future hold for this product?