Virgin Coconut Oil (Merit VCO)

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Why Coconut Oil is a Super FoodFollowing are some of the known health enhancing effects of coconut oil. These amazing facts make coconut oil a super food.General healtho It provides a quick boost of energy and endurance, and for this reason, it is used by athletes, sports people, bodybuilders and fitness experts all over the world.
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Virgin Coconut Oil (Merit VCO)
SKU Beauty Concern Pack Size Main Ingredient
2830 Weight Loss 200 ml Coconut Oil

Why Coconut Oil is a Super Food

Following are some of the known health enhancing effects of coconut oil. These amazing facts make coconut oil a super food.

General health
o It provides a quick boost of energy and endurance, and for this reason, it is used by athletes, sports people, bodybuilders and fitness experts all over the world.
o Health care experts all over the world use it is a preferred source of nutrition for babies, sick and the elderly people.
o Relieves fatigue and boosts energy levels.

Metabolism and Weight Control
o It speeds up the metabolism and promotes loss of excess weight.
o It prevents obesity and weight gain.
o It improves thyroid function.

Immunity boosting
o Functions as a super antioxidant and provides superior protection to the body.
o Supports and boosts immune system.
o Helps in neutralizing harmful free-radicals in the body that cause premature aging and degenerative diseases.
o Helps protect the body from various cancers.
o Kills viruses that cause diseases such as flu (influenza H1N1, H5N1, etc), herpes, AIDS, hepatitis C, etc.
o Kills bacteria that cause various infections, pneumonia, dental cavities, and many other diseases.
o Kills fungi and yeast that cause candida, ring worm, diaper rash and other infections.

Digestive Health
o Expels or kills parasites and worms from the stomach.
o Improves digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and other nutrients.
o It is easy to digest. Unlike other oils, it doesn't put heavy load of digestion on the stomach.
o Provides relief in gallbladder disease.
o Improves the health of liver, a vital organ of detoxification.
o Provides relief and helps in recovering from stomach ulcers, Crohn'S disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Blood Sugar control and cardiovascular health
o Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose, which makes it ideal for Diabetics.
o Improves insulin sensitivity of the cells which helps in normalizing blood sugar and helps in recovering from Diabetes.
o Helps in normalizing blood cholesterol and maintain normal platelet stickiness.
o Makes your heart stronger and improves cardiovascular health.
o Helps in normalizing blood pressure.

Healthy teeth and bones
o Supports the development of strong bones and teeth by improving calcium and magnesium absorption in the body.
o Improves oral health by preventing periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Skin, hair and beauty
o Its regular use and consumption makes you look and feel younger.
o When applied topically, it protects the skin from infection.
o Improves the natural chemical balance of the skin and complexion.
o Softens skin and prevents dryness and flaking.
o Prevents wrinkles, age spots and sagging of skin.
o Reduces symptoms associated with skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
o Helps in maintaining healthy-looking hair.
o When used as hair oil, it controls dandruff.

Miscellaneous health benefits
o Helps in reducing epileptic seizures.
o Protects the brain and improves cognition in those with low blood sugar.
o Protects against bladder infections and kidney disease.
o Relieves pain, burning sensation and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
o Reduces inflammation.
o Helps in repair and healing of body tissue.

Other benefits
o It is lower in calories than all other fats and oils.
o Has a long shelf life because it is highly resistant to rancidity.
o It is the healthiest cooking oil, unlike vegetable oils; it doesn't get oxidized when heated at normal cooking temperatures.

Why does coconut oil give so many health benefits?

To answer this question, we need to get a little technical and understand the basic composition of coconut oil. First let's understand the difference between an Oil and Fat. All oils are also fats. Fats are solid at room temperature, while oils are liquid. All fats are composed of various fatty acids, which are individual fat molecules. There are three families of fatty acids: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.
Different fatty acids have different effects on the body. Therefore, the benefits offered by particular oil would depend on its fatty acid composition. Following table shows fatty acid composition of various oils and fats:

Fat Saturated Monounsaturated Polyunsaturated
Coconut Oil 91% 6% 3%
Palm Kernel Oil 84% 14% 2%
Butter 66% 30% 4%
Palm Oil 50% 40% 10%
Cottonseed Oil 29% 18% 53%
Rice Bran Oil 18% 42% 38%
Peanut Oil 21% 46% 33%
Olive Oil 16% 73% 11%
Sesame Oil 15% 41% 43%
Soybean Oil 15% 23% 62%
Corn Oil 14% 27% 59%
Sunflower seed Oil 12% 19% 69%
Safflower seed Oil 8% 13% 79%
Flaxseed Oil 9% 17% 74%
Canola Oil 6% 65% 29%

From above table, you can see that Coconut oil is the most saturated oil (91%). As we shall see in the following sections that the high saturated fat content of coconut oil is responsible for its many health benefits.

There are several members in each of the above three families of fatty acids. All fats contain one or more members from these three families. Chemically, a fatty acid is a molecule consisting of a chain of carbon atoms with varying number of hydrogen atoms attached to them. The length of carbon chain indicates the size of the fat molecule and determines the chemical properties of fatty acids and their effects on health. It also determines how the fat is digested and metabolized in the body.

The length of the carbon chain can vary from 2 carbons to a maximum of 26 carbons. Fatty acids with carbon chain length 2 to 6 are called short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Those with length 8 to 12 are called medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), while those with length from 14 and above are called long chain fatty acids (LCFA). The SCFA and MCFA, due to their smaller molecules, get digested easily and produce quick energy. LCFA require complex breakdown and digestion in the stomach, which is why most fats are considered heavy food.
The monounsaturated fatty acids are LCFA with carbon chain lengths from 14 to 24. The polyunsaturated fatty acids are also LCFA with lengths from 18 to 22.

Saturated fatty acids are different. They can be SCFA, MCFA or LCFA. Scientists have found that saturated fatty acids provide wide ranging and amazing health benefits.

Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) such as Butyric and Caproic are rare in nature. They are found in small amounts in butter and also in vinegar. The medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) such as Caprylic, Capric and Lauric are also not very common. MCFA are found mostly in tropical oils and in small amounts in butter. The long chain fatty acids are by far the most abundant in nature and found in large amounts in most oils.

It is the short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) that posses the most amazing health promoting properties. The presence of large amounts of MCFA (64%) in Coconut oil imparts it with numerous healing properties. Palm kernel oil is quite similar to coconut oil in its composition (58% MCFA) and healing properties. It is different from palm oil. Palm kernel oil is obtained from the nuts of the palm fruit, whereas, palm oil is obtained from the flesh of the fruit of palm tree. Palm oil doesn't contain any MCFA.

In the following sections, amazing health promoting properties of MCFA are described in short. When people consume coconut oil, they get all the health benefits of MCFA. In addition to MCFA, coconut oil contains antioxidants and other nutrients which are highly beneficial to our health.

Easy Digestion and Quick Energy
For many decades, scientists have known that MCFA in coconut oil are easily digested and absorbed in the body. MCFA molecules are smaller as compared to LCFA; therefore, they require less metabolic energy and digestive enzymes to breakdown. They quickly get digested and absorbed in the body, providing a quick boost of energy.

LCFA and cholesterol require complex enzymatic breakdown in the stomach, after which they are converted into lipoproteins for distribution throughout the body. When body needs energy, under right conditions, these lipoproteins will be broken apart and converted into energy. In contrast, MCFA are straight absorbed into the liver and burned into energy, similar to carbohydrates. MCFA also permeate our cells easily and without the need of any enzymes, provide the cell with quick energy. Thus, MCFA are a very efficient source of energy for our body.

Due to their easy digestion and efficient energy production, MCFA are widely used in health care centers around the world to feed babies, critically sick people, the elderly and those with impaired digestion.

MCT oils for the sick and elderly
Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oils are extensively used in nutrition for sports people and in intravenous (IV) formulas in hospitals. MCT oils are 100% medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), usually extracted from coconut oil or palm kernel oil. When emulsion containing MCT oil are administered intravenously to critically ill patients, MCT oil is rapidly hydrolysed and oxidised to fatty acids and ketones which can be readily utilized as source energy in the body.

Preparations containing MCT have been widely used in Europe for therapeutic purposes. Intravenous MCT preparations have been used clinically in patients with suppressed immune system, critical illness, liver and pulmonary disease and in premature infants. MCFA reduces liver fat deposition and helps in the recovery from liver disease, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis and various stomach related illnesses. People who drink alcohol and consume a diet high in LCFA (through the consumption of soybean oil, corn oil, safflower oil, sunflower oils, etc.) tend to suffer from a fatty liver. A study done on rats way back in 1967 found that replacing LCFA in diet with MCFA has a protecting effect on the liver. MCFA significantly reduces the capacity of alcohol to produce fatty liver.

Elderly people, due to their impaired digestion, tend to suffer from protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in which their serum albumin concentration becomes low. PEM is associated with impaired activity, a high prevalence of infections, increased risk of developing pressure sores, reduced mental capacity and increased mortality rate. Adding MCFA to the diet improves the serum albumin levels and nitrogen balance, which improves the general health and prevents PEM. It also improves the absorption of vitamins and minerals, which is highly needed by those suffering from impaired digestion. MCFA are also immune boosting, which is another reason why they are essential for sick people.

Coconut oil contains all three MCFA: Caprylic, Capric and Lauric acid. MCT oil is typically made up of only two MCFA: Caprylic and Capric acid. It usually contains no Lauric acid, which is probably the most important MCFA. Besides containing the whole spectrum of MCFA, coconut oil also contains other nutrients, including anti-oxidants, making it a superior source of nutrition as compared to MCT oils. It is the reason why coconut oil is expensive than MCT oils.

Because the MCFA are easy to digest, provide quick energy and help in healing, they are considered essential nutrients for sick and elderly people. This makes coconut oil an ideal food for such people.

MCFA in mother's milk and baby food
Mother's milk contains all the nutrients needed for the healthy growth and development of the child. It is a perfect food for babies. It has been found that breastfed children are healthier than those who are not. Such children develop robust health and they grow to be more intelligent. Capric and Lauric acid are the two MCFAs that are also present in the breast milk in varying amounts. The amount of these MCFAs varies based on the geographic location and diet of the mother. However, like coconut oil, Lauric acid is still the major MCFA in mother's milk.

The nature has been very wise in putting MCFA in mother's milk. They are easy to digest and absorb in a yet to develop digestive system of the baby. The MCFA are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and immune system boosting, which gives robust health to the baby.

Fat is a very important component of mother's milk. In fact, 50 to 60% of calories in mother's milk come from its fat content. The amount of fat in mother's milk can vary much as 500% depending on her diet and lifestyle. On the low end, it can contain 1.8% fat and on the high end, it can contain 8.9% fat. The average breast milk has 3.8% fat. For the developing infant, higher content of fat in mother's milk is more desirable. The high fat in mother's milk supplies enough energy so that all of the protein from the milk can be used for the infant's development. This way, high fat has a sparing effect on the protein in the milk.

Recognising the importance of MCFA in promoting robust health for the infants, manufacturers of baby formulas have been adding either coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and in some cases MCT oil, to their formula products aimed at babies. MCT oils, which typically lack Lauric acid, are added because they are cheaper than coconut oil which is nutritionally far superior. Addition of coconut oil to an infant's feed improves the absorption of calcium and magnesium, thus helping in building strong bones and teeth.

Coconut oil for the mother and the baby
Women who eat a high-carbohydrate and low fat diets have lower milk fat levels. Women who are malnourished also have lower levels of fat in their milk. Out of the total fat in mother's milk, the MCFA amounts from 2% to as much as 20%. Diabetic mothers tend to have very low levels of MCFA in their milk. Adding coconut oil to the diet of lactating mothers can raise the levels of Lauric and Capric acid to about 20 percent, which is highly beneficial to the baby.

Whether a mother is able to nurse her baby or not, a daily massage with coconut oil is ideal for the baby. The coconut oil is readily absorbed by the infant's skin, providing much needed energy and a boost to the immune system of the baby, which protects it from many illnesses. Coconut oil thus helps in the healthy development of a child and should be considered an essential part of the daily regimen of the child.

MCFA in sports to boost energy and endurance
Due to their ability to produce quick energy and stimulate metabolism, athletes have been using MCT oils to enhance exercise and athletic performance. It is very well known that during a high intensity or long duration exercise, glycogen from the muscles is used by the body as a source of energy. This leads to a depletion of glycogen which is body's emergency source of energy. Sustained availability of energy over long period is the main factor behind increased endurance.

A study done on cyclists found that ingestion of MCT before exercise spared their muscle glycogen during high-intensity exercise. Since MCT oils provide a source of energy, they help the body in conserving glycogen stores for later use, thus helping to increase the endurance of athletes. For this reason, MCFA are added to many sports drinks and energy food bars in the form of MCT oil.

For most people, adding coconut oil to their daily diet helps in improving energy and endurance levels over time. Consuming coconut oil single time before a competition will not produce any significant effect. Many people have personally told me the performance and endurance enhancing effect of coconut oil on them. Massaging with coconut oil, however, seems to produce an immediate positive effect. On many occasions, my sister has told me that whenever she massaged her two sons with coconut oil, they were more active, energetic and played for long hours.

MCFA and Ketones, fuel and protection for the body
Our body uses four primary sources of fuels: glucose, protein, free fatty acids (FFA) and ketones. FFA are released in the bloodstream by the breakdown of fat in the liver. Ketones (ketone bodies) are produced as by-products when fats are broken down into FFA. Free fatty acids (FFA) can be used as a fuel by most tissues in the body. However, not all organs can use it as a fuel. The brain and nervous system cannot use FFA for fuel, however, they can use ketones and glucose.

There are 3 types of ketone bodies: acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetone. Under normal conditions, ketones are present in the bloodstream in small amounts. When the body shifts into fat burning mode and produces FFA and ketones as primary source of fuels, it is in a state of ketosis. During ketosis, the concentration of ketones in the blood can easily double, triple or increases even more. A ketogenic diet is one which induces ketosis. A low carbohydrate and high fat diet is a conventional ketogenic diet. However, MCFA found in coconut oil have been found to induce ketosis. It can increase the amount of ketones in bloodstream by many folds. In rats, MCFA metabolism increases the number of ketones in the blood plasma by 18 fold in 1 hour after feeding of MCT. These ketone bodies are readily used as fuel by the body. Therefore, addition of coconut oil to the diet makes it a ketogenic diet which stimulates the body to burn fat and produce ketones for energy.

For many decades, the ketogenic diet has been used widely and safely in various therapies, sports and body building. Research has shown that chronic consumption of MCFA improves physical performance by inducing ketosis. Body builders commonly use MCT oils to induce ketosis to burn fat, spare protein to build muscles and boost their performance. There is research indicating that ketones are the preferred fuel for the heart and many tissues. Ketogenic diet has been found to have a protective effect on the heart.

The brain normally runs on glucose. But, when there isn't enough glucose in the system, brain readily uses ketones for fuel. Emerging scientific research shows that ketogenic diet protects the brain by offering robust protection against a multitude of acute and chronic neurological diseases. Ketogenic diet using MCT oils has been used successfully for many years in the treatment of epilepsy.

Coconut Oil is an antioxidant
Our body is constantly under attack from free radicals. A free radical is a highly unstable and powerful molecule that has lost an electron. Free radicals quickly attack and steal an electron from a stable neighboring molecule, making it unstable and destructive. This chain has a destructive effect on the body. It damages the cells. More attack by free radicals leads to more damage and degeneration in the body. It can cause damage, dysfunction and eventual failure in various parts of the body such as joints, liver, kidneys, heart, brain, intestines, etc.
Numerous scientific studies have found that free radicals are involved in causing many degenerative diseases and are a major factor in aging. More exposure to free radicals creates more health problems. Free radicals are produced at a low rate as part of the normal metabolism in the body. High intensity exercise has been found to create large number of free radicals. Pollutants that enter our body through air, water and food generate free radicals. Certain ingredients in processed foods create free radicals in the body. Toxic accumulation in the body contributes significantly to this process as well. Eating foods consisting of rancid oils produces large number of free radicals. Cigarette smoke creates free radicals in the lungs.

It is not possible to avoid free radical formation in the body, however, one can limit them through preventive measures against the above mentioned causes. A highly effective approach against the free radicals is to neutralize them, making them ineffective and harmless with the use of antioxidants. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, Beta-carotene, Zinc, Selenium, etc. protect us from free radicals. Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, however, most people don't consume enough of them to get any significant benefits.

Researchers have found that coconut oil has an antioxidant effect on the body due to its content of phenolic compounds and vitamin E. Due to its high saturation, coconut oil stays in good condition when exposed heat, light or oxygen. Unlike polyunsaturated oils, it doesn't go rancid and thus prevent the formation of free radicals. In the previous section, I discussed the fact that consumption of coconut oil causes ketosis which increases the amount of ketones by many folds in the body. Acetoacetate is one such ketone which has been found to act as an antioxidant and improve the heart function. Latest research is showing that ketone Acetoacetate along with another ketone beta-hydroxybutyrate, works as an antioxidant in protecting the brain. Considering the widespread antioxidant activity produced by the consumption of coconut oil, no wonder why people enjoy so many health benefits once they include coconut oil in their daily regime.

A study done in Malaysia found Virgin coconut oil to be a superior antioxidant as compared to regular coconut oil made from dried coconut, also known as copra. Another study done by University of Kerala has found similar results confirming that virgin coconut oil has superior antioxidant properties.

3 Reasons Merit VCO Virgin Coconut Oil can Help You Lose Weight

(NaturalNews) Sorting through fact and fiction when it comes to weight loss is a tough order, especially when fad diets spring to life and wither away all in the same season. Many claims have been made about coconut oil and weight loss, but a number of whole food enthusiasts know this one is the real deal. And that'S because coconut oil is more than a weight loss aid: it'S a well-documented health food. Take it from experts like Dr. Bruce Fife and Dr. Mary Enig, both of whom speak volumes about the merits of coconut oil, when they vouch for its credibility. Coconut oil really can help you lost weight, and here'S three reasons why:

#1 Get a Metabolism Boost

Coconut oil is one of the most abundant sources of medium-chain fatty acids, and these nifty little triglycerides can work wonders for a sluggish metabolism. In a study that looked at the effect of medium-chain fatty acids on metabolism, it was found that these fats could increase the metabolic rate by up to 48 percent and for up to 24 hours. If your metabolism has been damaged by dieting or stress, a daily dose of coconut oil can do wonders for getting it back on the right track.

#2 Balance Your Blood Sugar

The profound effect coconut oil seems to have on the metabolism extends to insulin function as well. This may be because coconut oil can supply the body with energy similar to blood glucose, but without having a negative impact on blood sugar and insulin levels. Including coconut oil before or during a meal also lowers the glycemic impact of what you\'re eating, which prevents those dreaded blood sugar highs and lows.

#3 Cure Candida and Yeast Overgrowth

The beneficial fatty acids in coconut oil do more than speed up a lagging metabolism. Lauric acid and caprylic acid in coconut oil also protect against one of the hidden causes behind weight gain: candida and yeast. When an overgrowth of candida is present, weight loss can be almost impossible. Candida causes symptoms like fatigue, poor concentration, recurring infections related to yeast, excessive sinus infections, and much more. But the side effect that really hinders weight loss is cravings for sugar and carbohydrates. This is because yeast feeds off sugar (carbohydrates break down into sugar once in the body), so it causes cravings in order to support its own life.

Taking coconut oil to counteract yeast overgrowth is highly effective, but it should be done with care. Coconut oil is such a powerful remedy for candida that it can cause strong symptoms of headaches, chills, and foggy thinking as the yeast dies off. This can be reduced by slowly incorporating coconut oil into your diet, starting with as little as one teaspoon daily.

More Than Just a Fad

Coconut oil didn\'t spring to life in the last few years, although it may seem that way. The truth is that coconut has been a healing superfood for centuries in tropical cultures. These people value coconut and its derivatives for their tremendous medicinal power - and they are remarkably healthy as a result. Even in Western society, coconut oil found widely popular uses until the middle of the 20th century, when coconut oil'S reputation took a bashing from researchers who examined the health impact of hydrogenated coconut oil - basically the evil twin of the real thing. But thanks to experts who are willing to give a genuine look into coconut oil'S benefits, we now can be assured that this oil is a bonafide health food.

Tips for Taking Virgin Coconut Oil:

- Don\'t settle for the cheap brands found next to shortening on grocery store shelves. Much of this coconut oil is hydrogenated, which negates all of its benefits. In addition, this is commercially-processed coconut oil that has been stripped of its natural properties. The best type of coconut oil is the extra-virgin unrefined variety, which will retain its light aroma and taste in addition to its amazing health benefits.

- Even if you don\'t suspect candida, it'S still wise to introduce coconut oil into your diet slowly. The body can react strangely when it'S unfamiliar with such a nutritious food. Start with about one teaspoon once per day, and gradually increase to at least three tablespoons daily. This amount will help you reap the maximum benefits from this incredible tropical super food.

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