Coconut Oil and Its Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT)

Coconut Oil and Its Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT)

One of the first scientifically recognized benefits of MCT (medium chain triglycerides) or MCFA (medium chain fatty acids) is the unique manner in which they are easily digested, absorbed and put to use nourishing the body. MCT are broken down almost immediately by enzymes in the saliva and gastric juices so pancreatic fat-digesting enzymes are not even essential. Therefore, there is less strain on the pancreas and digestive system, and provide a quick source of energy necessary to promote healing. These fats provide nutritional benefits that can improve overall health of both: the sick and the well, the young and the old. Even athletes are now using them to boost performance and control weight.

People who suffer from malabsorption problems such as: cystic fibrosis, or have difficulty digesting or absorbing fats and fat soluble vitamins, benefit greatly from MCT. When lauric acid is consumed in the diet, either in human breast milk or in coconut oil, lauric acid forms a monoglyceride called monolaurin which has been shown may destroy several bacteria and viruses including listeria monocytogenes and helicobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. They can also be of importance to people suffering from diabetes, obesity, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis Crohn's disease, pancreatic insufficiency, and some forms of cancer. It may be helpful in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome, Epstein-Barr, and mononucleosis, which are all result of depressed immune system. Some of the viruses that have been destroyed by monolaurin include HIV, measles, herpes simplex virus-1, vesicular stomatitis virus, influenza and cytomegalovirus. There is also evidence that the MCTs in coconut oil may kill yeast infections such as Candida.

Short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids have important antimicrobial properties. They may protect against harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract. Much of the recent research done on coconut oil and lauric acid the most predominant fatty acid chain found in coconut oil has focused on the anti-microbial and anti-viral properties of this unique fatty acid. Today, many strains of bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, and antibiotics are generally ineffective in treating virus infections. Approximately 50 percent of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. It can be higher than this, depending on the source and how it is processed. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-protozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and helicobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia. Some studies have also shown some antimicrobial effects of the free lauric acid.

Coconut oil may reduce the possibility of heart attacks and blood clots. It may reduce cancer risk since it kills bacteria which free the white blood cells to fight on behalf of the immune system and deal more effectively with cancer cells. Some research studies have shown it to be anti-carcinogenic, especially against colon and breast cancer, and prostrate enlargement. It may help with diabetes in that it may stabilize blood glucose rate and may help lessen excess body weight.
Research and clinical observation have shown that medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA's) like those found in coconut Oil, may provide a wide range of health benefits such as:
· Reduce viruses load that cause influenza, hepatitis C measles and others illnesses.
· Kills bacteria that causes pneumonia, earache, throat infections, dental cavities, food poisoning, urinary tract infections, meningitis, gonorrheal and dozens of others diseases.
· Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia and others parasites.
· Anti virus, anti bacteria, anti fungus, and anti natural parasite.

So how much coconut oil should one consume? A therapeutic dosage is 3 to 4 tablespoons a day, which will give an adult the equivalent amount of lauric acid that an infant receives from his mother's breast milk (the highest amount found, with coconut oil being second highest). This provides enough lauric acid to build the immune system which takes several weeks. Look for unrefined coconut oil. Stay away from all hydrogenated oils. Read the label. The more processed the product, the less benefit you will receive.

Saturated fats have many important roles in the body’s chemistry: Saturated fatty acids constitute at least 50 percent of cell membranes. They give our cells necessary firmness and integrity. They play a vital role in the health of our bones. For example, at least 50 percent of our dietary fats need to be saturated for calcium to be effectively incorporated into the skeletal structure. They lower Lp(a), a substance in the blood that indicates proneness to heart disease.
They protect the liver from the toxic effects of alcohol and certain drugs. They enhance the immune system. They are needed for the proper utilization of essential fatty acids. Elongated omega-3 fatty acids are better retained in the tissues when the diet is rich in saturated fats.

Saturated 18-carbon stearic acid and 16-carbon palmitic acid are the preferred foods for the heart, which is why the fat around the heart muscle is highly saturated. The heart draws on this reserve of fat in times of stress.

HOW MCT WORKS

In the digestive system MCT are broken down into individual fatty acids (MCFA). Unlike other fatty acids, MCFA are absorbed directly from the intestines (without requiring pancreatic enzymes to break them into smaller units) into the portal vein and sent straight to the liver where they are, mostly, burned as fuel much like a carbohydrate. In this respect they act more like carbohydrates than like fats. Mitochondria is the engine of every cell and needs to be fed. Due to it having smaller molecules, coconut oil MCFA’s can penetrate the cell wall of mitochondria without help from an enzyme and feed it the necessary energy. The MCFA can travel to any cell that needs it, so if a heart muscle cell needs more energy; it is available from the coconut oil’s MCFA. Athletes are also experiencing its benefits.

In contrast, other fats require pancreatic enzymes to break them into smaller units; then they are absorbed into the intestinal wall and bundled with proteins to make lipoproteins, then carried by the lymphatic system (bypassing the liver, and not burned up for fuel) and dumped into the bloodstream to go throughout the body. They are distributed to all the tissues of the body. Medium-chain fatty acids produce energy. Other dietary fats produce body fat.

The importance of coconut oil for nursing mothers: One of the major characteristics of human breast milk is its ability to protect since it has antimicrobial substances in milk that protect the child from a world teaming with infectious germs and parasites are the MCFA. When a nursing mother is infected with an illness, her child is also vulnerable. It has been recommended that HIV-infected mothers who are breastfeeding consume 24-28 grams/day of lauric acid and 3 - 4 grams/day of capric acid to prevent the transfer of the virus. Since coconut oil is nearly 48 percent lauric acid and 7 percent capric acid, this requirement would be met if the mother ate about 50-55 grams of coconut oil each day. A tablespoon is equivalent to 14 grams. So 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil a day would provide the recommended amount of both lauric and capric acids. Eating 40 grams (about 3 tablespoons worth) of coconut oil in one meal can temporarily increase the lauric acid in the milk of a nursing mother from 3.9% to 9.6% after 14 hours. Content of caprylic and capric acids are also increased. "The milk has increased amounts of the protective antimicrobials lauric acid and capric acid (the most important ones) which gives even greater protection to the infant." If the mother consumes coconut oil every day while nursing, the medium-chain fatty acid content will be even greater—up to as much as 18%. Coconut oil may also work as an aid for digestion and constipation. If the mother does not eat them while nursing, she will only be able to produce 3% lauric acid and 1% capric acid, and the baby may lose out on nutritional benefits and antimicrobial protection.

Coconut oil is especially important to elderly. Elderly people may get more benefit from their food and supplements if they consume it with coconut oil and it may aid digestion and constipation. As we age, the pancreas does not make as many digestive enzymes, our intestines do not absorb nutrients as well. The whole process of digestion and elimination moves at a lower rate of efficiency. As a result, older people often suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Because MCT are easy to digest and improve vitamin and mineral absorption they should be included in their meals. This is easy to do if the meals are prepared with coconut oil.

Coconut Oil may help restore and improve skin: Virgin coconut oil is attributed with the capability of sustaining connective tissue assisting it to become stronger. It may reduce wrinkles and slackness. In certain skin conditions, it may afford restoration of the damaged skin and scars, some skin diseases, provide relief of eczema, psoriasis and fungal infections and may prevent whitehead growth, and other damage caused by aging and excessive sunlight. It acts as an exfoliate adding to the youthfulness of your skin. It is attributed with the ability to soak into the deeper layers of tissue, kill virus, bacteria and protozoa, and reinforce the skin layers which may result in a skin that is softer with a healthier glow. It may prevent free radical formation that destroys skin cells, as well as act as a protectant from free radical reaction protecting the skin from problems caused by the aging factor and excessive exposure to sunlight. Some have found it may eliminate dandruff, dryness, fungus, heal scalp tissue, protect skin from ultraviolet rays, grow hair on bald heads and serve as a good hair conditioner. Simply massage it into the skin including any wrinkled skin area, cracked heels, hard corns, for regenerative nutrition and moisturizing. Use as a lotion daily. It may take several months for the body to regenerate through the healing process.

SKIN AGING TEST: Aging causes loss of skin elasticity and skin becomes hard and quilted. Pinch skin under arm for 5 min., let go to see how many seconds it takes for it to go back normal. 5 - 9 seconds = age 45 to 60; 10 - 15 seconds = age 60; 35 - 55 seconds = age 70.
Person age 50 ate coconut oil and skin returned to normal after 1 - 2 seconds.

STORY: The Polynesians live in a hot climate and wear very little clothing constantly exposing them to sunlight, but their skin is flawlessly healthy without skin infections or cancer. They eat coconut oil and use it as a body lotion and experience no damage from sunlight exposure. They believe coconut oil gives immediate recovery and healing, and protects them against in daily contact of disease-causing bacteria.
This info-page is a collection of articles from health advocate: Karen McLean. We recognize and thank her for sharing her work. This is a nutritional resource for information only. Consult your medical doctor when making changes that may affect your medications or your health. If you choose recommendations in regard to health from this or any article, you are diagnosing yourself and assume total responsibility for your health. You alone are responsible for your health.

For more information: go to mercola.com and type coconut oil in the Search bar. Combined articles from Dr. Mercola in http://www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/CoconutOil.html You can find products at Cox Farms, Sprouts, Vitamin Shoppe and also order coconut oil online at http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm or www.vitacost.com