The Controversial Coconut | Hippie Skin

The Controversial Coconut

Coconuts.  This nifty bowling ball of a fruit is used as a cooking oil, on toast, in coffeee, and even on skin!  With so many seemingly great options for coconut use, why does it get a bad name from skeptics?  

Let's Break It Down:  

CON #1:  They are high in saturated fats.  
This is true!  However, they aren't the same kinds of saturated fats that you'd find in cheese for instance.  These fats are metabolized differently by the body.  They go straight on through to the liver, where they are used as a quick source of energy - the same type of energy that is believed to improve brain function in certain disorders such as Alzheimer's.  That's not so bad! 
Also, the fatty acids in coconut oil can kill off pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and that nasty little annoying yeast, candida.  Yassss!
CON #2:  Cholesterol.  
That scary little word that measures overall heart health?  If this is an issue for you, you may want to consider incorporating more coconuts into your diet!  The same saturated fats discussed above can help to improve HDL (good) cholesterol, but experts speculate that the fats in coconut oil can actually convert existing LDL (bad) cholesterol into a less harmful form as well.  So that's cool.  
CON #3:  Coconut Oil is bad for your skin.  
Okay, I don't know who came up with this, but my dermatologist was super worried about me when I told her I use coconut oil as part of my daily skin regimen.  She couldn't deny the results I've gotten and continue to have, so it's interesting!  Coconut oil has been shown to be a comedogenic, which means if you have a predisposition toward acne, it could make things worse.  However, in my case, and many other cases, it actually improves things quite drastically!  
I believe on this one, it just comes down to skin type.  If you have highly susceptible skin, coconut oil may not work for you.  If you have large pores that get blocked easily, you may want to consider trying something else, or make sure you're using it with some type of exfoliant to keep the pores clear.  However, for most people, I have personally seen it work wonders - completely changing the pH of the skin, enhancing the skin's appearance, and for me and countless others, eradicating acne.  Boom!

What it comes down to is this: 

Coconuts, like every other plant and food stuff on the planet, should be used in moderation and intuition, in my opinion.  I personally don't eat the stuff, but that's because I'm a pitta/kapha dosha and my digestive fire can't tolerate the cooling effects it has.  I do; however, slather the stuff on my skin every day, and I LOVE what it does.  Try it out, see how you feel, and go from there!  If you decide to experiment with ingesting it, make sure you discuss it with your physician first, and monitor any changes in your labs.  Be a scientist, put it to your own tests, and make your assessment.  Your health HAS to start with you!
Have experiences with coconut oil that you'd like to share?  Let us know!  
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