Why is coconut oil everywhere today? So many people take it, use it on their bodies, and cook with it every day. A lot of them don’t even know why they’re doing it. Hopefully this article will answer a few questions people ask about coconut oil every day.
When should I eat coconut oil?
He answer depends on your goals. When you need a mental boost, especially first thing in the morning. Coconut oil is loaded with medium chain triglycerides to help supply your brain with ample energy. Even though your brain weights only 3 lbs. it uses 20% of your daily energy!1 Next time you are feeling tired and sluggish, eat a tablespoon! (Note: Works best on empty stomach) Before/After a workout. Eating coconut oil before workouts for that explosive enduring energy helps get through the day after you workout as well Athletes are now looking at entering workouts in a “fasted” state and eating coconut oil afterwards for recovery. We suggest both, and encourage you to see what works best for you. With Meals. Coconut oil is a natural healthy replacement for margerine and unhealthy oils. So keep the whole family supplied with healthy fats by adding coconut oil in place of unhealthy processed fats like canola or rapeseed. For Those Late-night munchies, ever wake up starving? This is typically caused by both under-eating and overeating close to bedtime. In either case, the bad decision is to load up on simple sugars and left-over pizza. The appetite suppressing effect of coconut oil makes it the perfect midnight snack. Eat a tablespoon with a glass of water and go back to bed.
Raw coconut oil vs. virgin coconut oil?
Choosing a coconut oil can be confusing, and many people end up believing raw and virgin are the same. This is not necessarily true. It depends on the manufacturing process used to make the oil.
Virgin coconut oil, depending on its method of extraction, can be exposed to heat. Raw coconut oil is never exposed to heat. So not all virgin coconut oil is raw, but not all raw coconut oil is virgin! There are several types of coconut oil on the market. The common labels are refined vs. unrefined. Unrefined coconut oil is usually called virgin, or pure coconut oil. Others describe their oil through its method of extraction; cold-pressed, expeller-pressed or centrifuged. Take note that expeller pressed and cold-pressed oils don’t necessarily mean “raw”. These oils can be heated to high temperatures during the extraction process.
What is oil pulling?
Oil pulling is like using mouthwash and involves swishing the oil in your mouth. It helps freshen breath, whitens teeth, and improves gum health. First thing in the morning, place one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and begin to swish for 5-20 minutes. Without swallowing, move it around your mouth, teeth, and gums as if it were mouthwash but don’t gargle it. The oil will begin to get watery as it mixes with your saliva. Keep swishing. You may also notice that the oil mixture will thicken the longer that you “pull”. When you are new to oil pulling, this can seem like a really long time. It’s important to keep at it, as this will make the oil most effective. Try it in the shower and the time will pass much more easily. After the 5-20 minutes, spit the oil mixture into the toilet or trash can. Rinse out your mouth with warm water and brush your teeth.
These are a few of the questions patients ask me every day, and I hope these answers help you as well.
For any questions on this or any of my articles, please feel free to email me at [email protected]
Leiss-Marie Grgula, D.C.
Chiropractic Physician
Accurate Care Pain Relief Center
21043 N Cave Creek Rd, #A9
Phoenix, AZ 85024
602-493-2228
