Reconsider Coconut Oil  
                

Saturated fats have been long unfairly vilified in the media.  While we have as a nation reduced our fat consumption steadily for the past few decades, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease have skyrocketed.  In truth, saturated fat plays a number of critical roles in the body and has not been proven in scientific studies to be the devil it's been dubbed in the popular health media.  It's just another myth! 

Did you know that the membrane of every cell in your body is made of fat and is at least 50% saturated fat?  Your brain is made mostly of fat too.  Saturated fat protects your liver from alcohol and other toxins we all face in our modern lifestyles.  And the lungs and kidneys can't function without it.  Saturated fat also strengthens the immune system to prevent infections and is necessary to ensure the calcium you eat actually makes it into your bones. 

Of course the catch is that it must be high-quality saturated fat.  One of the best options available is extra virgin coconut oil.  Yes, it's saturated, and yes, it's wonderfully healthy for you!  This natural, tropical oil is pressed straight from coconuts and is loaded with medium-chain saturated fatty acids, a special type that our bodies have a hard time storing.  This means it is more readily available for burning for energy.  Coconut oil is full of a monoglyceride called lauric acid which is naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial. In research studies, coconut oil has been shown to aid in improving ailments such as low thyroid function, candida and other bacterial infections, obesity, and asthma.  In my practice, many clients have had great success eating it daily to support sustained weight loss.  No surprise there, as a study earlier this year showed that coconut oil consumption actually helped people to lose belly fat and raise their protective HDL cholesterol levels!

Enjoy coconut oil as a delicious alternative to butter (it's soft and spreadable) or cook with it for a milder flavor.  Nutiva is my favorite brand because of it's just-fell-off-the-tree, fresh coconut taste, but most grocery stores sell at least one brand in their "healthier food" section.  You can also find excellent deals ordering on-line from resources such as www.Amazon.com .  I particularly like to use coconut oil to grill fish, to sauté vegetables, or to stir-fry shrimp, fish, or pork with vegetables.  One of my favorite stir-fry combinations includes shrimp, garlic, onions, peppers, bokchoy and pineapple. Stir-fried in coconut oil and topped with minced cilantro and chopped macadamia nuts, this makes a lovely meal reminiscent of the tropics and warming as the days grow colder.