Life Transformations Personal Training in Lee’s Summit, shares tips on coconut oil.  Check out this Personal Trainer Tip!
Have you heard of coconut oil?  It is pretty trendy in the health and wellness world.  This product is trendy…but good.  Coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a superfood.  It has many great health benefits.  Coconut oil is a fat, but a healthy fat.  Read up on some of the health benefits of coconut oil, and some different uses that may be a surprise.life transformations personal training lees summit trainer tip coconut oil 1.png
Coconut Oil for Health
Coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat, but not the unhealthy saturated fat.
According to Kris Gunners with Nutrition Authority, “It contains so-called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – which are fatty acids of a medium length. Most of the fatty acids in the diet are long-chain fatty acids, but the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are metabolized differently. They go straight to the liver from the digestive tract, where they are used as a quick source energy or turned into so-called ketone bodies, which can have therapeutic effects on brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.”
Coconut oil, like other fats, can help reduce hunger.  Adding coconut oil into your daily breakfast routine can leave you feeling fuller during the day and reduce hunger pains.  What does staying on track lead to…weight loss. So, adding some fats in your diet can lead to reducing body fat.
Do you have high cholesterol levels?  Again, coconut oil may be something for you. According to Kris Gunners with Nutrition Authority, “Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fats, which actually do not harm the blood lipid profile like previously thought. Studies in both humans and rats show that coconut oil improves important risk factors like Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, which may translate to a reduced risk of heart disease.”
Uses for Coconut Oil
Now you may have seen coconut oil used in other products as well.  Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and many more products are now advertising “Includes Coconut Oil.” It may seem odd to have a food product in your beauty product, but there are many great uses for coconut oil.
According to http://wellnessmomma.com, there are many great uses for coconut oil. Some of these may be a surprise, but read up and learn some coconut oil tips.

  1. In cooking as a great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-fry’s or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
  2. Added to foods or drinks daily for energy
  3. As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffeelife transformations personal training lees summit trainer tip coconut oil 11.png
  4. On the skin as a basic lotion
  5. In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
  6. In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars
  7. As an eye-makeup remover
  8. As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
  9. In making your own toothpaste
  10. To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
  11. To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
  12. To support healthy thyroid function
  13. To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
  14. As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
  15. In homemade lotion recipes
  16. As a delicious tropical massage oil
  17. It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism
  18. A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of frizz
  19. In homemade soap for laundry
  20. Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
  21. Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
  22. Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
  23. As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours
  24. Rub coconut oil on the inside of your nose to help alleviate allergy symptoms
  25. Can help improve cholesterol ratios
  26. Blend a tablespoon into hot tea to help speed recovery from cold or flu
  27. In Homemade Natural Bug-Off Lotion Bars
  28. As a replacement for vegetable oils in any recipe or in cooking
  29. Can help reduce appearance of varicose veins
  30. After initial heat is gone, can help speed healing of sunburn
  31. Is an immediate source of energy when eaten that isn’t stored as fat
  32. As a natural shave cream and after shave lotion
  33. To season cast iron skillets
  34. It’s anti-inflammatory properties can help lessen arthritis
  35. Can reduce the itch of mosquito bites
  36. Can help resolve acne when used regularly
  37. Can be rubbed into scalp daily to stimulate hair growth
  38. A small amount can be rubbed into real leather to soften and condition (shiny leather only… test a small area first)
  39. Mixed with salt to remove dry skin on feet
  40. Can help improve sleep when taken daily
  41. To dilute essential oils for use on skin
  42. A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat
  43. For pets struggling with skin issues when used externally
  44. As a completely natural baby lotion
  45. On hands after doing dishes to avoid dry skin
  46. Many use it as an anti-aging facial moisturizer
  47. Can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically
  48. Can boost circulation and help those who often feel cold
  49. On cuticles to help nails grow
  50. Rub into elbows daily to help alleviate dry, flaky elbows
  51. Whipped with shea butter for a soothing body balm
  52. Naturally clears up cold sores

Now that we are familiar with coconut oil, pick some up the next time you are at the store.  Most grocery stores, health markets, wholesale stores, and supplement stores carry coconut oil.  It is pretty cost efficient.