COCONUT for Health!
by Mary Louise;Town Jaqua, Health Minister
4-8-13Many Americans have a flair for far away places and
far-out foods but few have an appetite for healthy fare.
Nevertheless, when it comes to exploring the exotic,
far away, and healthy, coconuts fit the bill! This tropical
fruit that has rightly been part of diets around the world
has only recently been elevated to 'super' status in
America. Prized for its versatility and health benefits,
the 'lowly coconut' is undoubtably an international
treasure!Coconuts: Imported from paradise
Tropical and subtropical 'Eden' climates are home to
coconut palms that can grow upwards of 100 feet and
bear as many as 75 fruit annually. A full sized coconut
weighs approximately 3.2 lbs. and is harvested for
food, medicine, and industry. As a food, it is a rich
source of meat (called flesh or copra), drinking water,
milk, and oil. Due to its versatile nature and nutritional
content, coconut is a staple in many diets throughout
the world, having sustained cultures for millenia.
Highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals,
coconuts are regarded as a "functional food" because
they provide many health benefits that are beyond their
nutritional content. For example, coconut oil possesses
healing properties more than any other dietary oil and
is therefore used extensively in traditional medicine
in Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders
consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illness,
and therefore affectionately call the coconut palm
"The Tree of Life."In addition to being a food/medicine source, coconuts
are used in industry for function and decoration. The
husks and shells are used as fuel, a source for
(activated) charcoal, bowls, body sponges, floor
polishers, buttons, musical instruments, and more.
Coconut oil: its remarkable chemistry
Coconuts contain saturated fat. Unlike high-calorie,
cholesterol-laden, long-chain saturated fats that
are found in meat and dairy products, coconut oil
is a raw, saturated fat that contains mostly medium-
chain fatty acids. These medium chains have the
ability to be metabolized and converted into energy
more efficiently and quickly than long-chain fatty
acids. Thus MCFAs are the body's 'fats of choice'
since they require less energy and fewer enzymes
to digest.Coconut oil is a stable oil, affording it a shelf
life of many years with little rancidity. It requires
no refrigeration and liquifies at 78 degrees F.
Unlike other oils, coconut oil's nutritional value
is not altered or destroyed when heated. Thus
it makes a perfect cooking oil.Coconut milk differs from coconut water in that
it is made from blending the white flesh (meat).
In its natural form, coconut milk is a complete
protein and compares to mother's milk in its
chemical balance.Coconut: up-close
Young coconut. Its water is one of the highest
sources of electrolytes found in nature. Electrolytes
help maintain the body's electrical charge, hence
they are critical to the body's overall function. Water
from a young coconut is identical to human blood
plasma, and therefore is sometimes used in place
of a blood transfusion. Plasma makes up 55% of
human blood and the remaining 45% of blood is
hemoglobin which is essentially transformed
plant blood or chlorophyll. Thus consuming a
drink of 55% fresh coconut water and 45% green
leaf juice (rich in chlorophyll) is like giving yourself
a blood transfusion. Meat from a young coconut,
called 'spoon meat,' is soft, pure/raw saturated fat
that contains many healing properties.
Mature coconuts contain a good quality and
quantity of water, but the flesh (meat) is hard
and fibrous. The coarse, white flesh consists
of protein and fiber (three times as much as
vegetables) which, when cold-pressed,
produces a highly-healing fat or oil.Coconut: nutritional value
Coconuts are 70% fat and are a rich source of
potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium,
vitamin C, water, B vitamins, protein, zinc, iron,
fiber, sugar, and water. One pound of coconut
meat contains 1,569 calories. Detailed statistics
on the nutritional content of coconut are found
here.Coconut: a healing food
Hippocrates, revered as the Father of Medicine,
stated, 'Let food be your medicine, and medicine
be your food.' The marriage of both of these worlds
is no better expressed than in the coconut. Its
remarkable healing properties make this unusual
fruit one of YHVH's greatest gifts to man.As a healing food, coconut
- kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes,
measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and
other illnesses.- kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat
infections, urinary tract infections, gum
disease and cavities, pneumonia, and
gonorrhea, and other diseases.- kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis,
ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash,
and other infections.- expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and
other parasites.- provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
- boosts energy and endurance, enhancing
physical and athletic performance.- improves digestion and absorption of other
nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and
amino acids.- improves insulin secretion and utilization
of blood glucose.- relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme
systems of the body.- reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
- helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks
associated with diabetes.- reduces problems associated with malabsorption
syndrome and cystic fibrosis.- improves calcium and magnesium absorption
and supports the development of strong bones
and teeth.- helps protect against osteoporosis.
- helps relieve symptoms associated with liver
and gallbladder disease.- relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.- improves digestion and bowel function.
- relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
- reduces inflammation.
- supports tissue healing and repair.
- supports and aids immune system function.
- helps protect the body from breast, colon, and
other cancers.- is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio
reducing risk of heart disease.- protects arteries from injury that causes
atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart
disease.- helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth
decay.- functions as a protective antioxidant.
- helps to protect the body from harmful free
radicals that promote premature aging and
degenerative disease.- does not deplete the body's antioxidant
reserves like other oils do.- improves utilization of essential fatty acids
and protects them from oxidation.- helps relieve symptoms associated with
chronic fatigue syndrome.- relieves symptoms associated with benign
prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).- reduces epileptic seizures.
- ameliorates or eliminates Alzhiemer's disease
- helps protect against kidney disease and
bladder infections.- dissolves kidney stones.
- helps prevent liver disease.
- is lower in calories than all other fats.
- supports thyroid function.
- promotes loss of excess weight by increasing
metabolic rate.- is utilized by the body to produce energy in
preference to being stored as body fat like
other dietary fats.- helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
- applied topically helps to form a chemical
barrier on the skin to ward of infection.- reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis,
eczema, and dermatitis.- supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
- softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
- prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
- promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
- provides protection from damaging effects of
ultraviolet radiation from the sun.- helps control dandruff.
- does not form harmful by-products when
heated to normal cooking temperature like
other vegetable oils do.- has no harmful or discomforting side effects.
- is completely non-toxic to humans.
Coconut: Selecting the best
Shopping for fresh coconuts can be challenging,
since usually only large supermarkets carry them.
Also, it is good to remember that most fresh
coconuts are imported and have been harvested
weeks or months prior to reaching produce
departments. Thus freshness can be an issue.
When shopping mature coconuts, examine the
shell for soft spots or mold, especially on the
'eye holes.' Young coconuts should have a
uniformly off-white, firm shell (not spongy to the
touch). Always shake a coconut to see if it
contains water. A coconut without water indicates
spoilage. Therefore make sure the coconut which
you select contains water and has no mold on its
shell.Most supermarkets carry assorted coconut
products: oil, butter, and desecated (shredded
flakes). However, brands vary in quality. Avoid
products that are processed with chemicals,
solvents or are hydrogenated. These products
pose a health risk, so do not purchase them.
Instead, purchase coconut products that are
organic, extra virgin, non-GMO and contain no
bleaching, deodorizing, refining, hydrogenation,
sugar or 'fillers.' The best quality desecrated
coconut is organic, unsweetened, and
unsulphured.Coconuts: how to use
Coconuts should be washed thoroughly with a
non-toxic fruit/vegetable wash before using
them. Scrub the shell well before opening.
Learn how to open a young coconut here.
Coconuts are a versatile food that can be
enjoyed in many ways, some of which include:
A drink. Tap out one of the eyes of a
mature coconut, insert a straw, and drink
fresh coconut water. This direct approach
is especially refreshing on a hot day as
the electrolyte-rich coconut water will help
hydrate/charge body cells to prevent sunstroke.A smoothie. Combine fruit and greens with
coconut meat, butter or oil. For added richness,
use coconut water or coconut milk instead of
water when blending. Spice up a coconut
smoothie with cinnamon, cardamon, or coriander
Add cacao powder for extra indulgence.Creamy, raw soup. Turn a raw soup into a
creamy experience by adding 1-2 Tbsp. of
coconut butter or Coconut Manna. This
approach works especially well with root
vegetables: carrots, winter squash, pumpkin,
and parsnips.Salad dressing. Add dimension to salads
and raw wraps by dressing with plain coconut
oil. Substitute coconut oil for other conventional
oils when making home-made salad dressings.Butter substitute. In place of margarine, dairy
butter, or processed butter substitutes, use
coconut oil. Popcorn, toast, baked potatoes,
etc. have a superior taste and nutritional value
when topped with coconut oil.Desserts. Being a fruit, coconut is a natural
choice for dessert creations. All forms of the
coconut can be used in combination for a
highly nutritious, appealing confection.Cooking. Because coconut remains stable
up to 170 degrees F, it is the preferred oil for
cooking. Use it for stir frying and as a thickener
for hot soups or casseroles.Body moisturizer. Consumption of coconut
oil helps to keep skin soft, supple, and wrinkle-
free. It can be used as a conditioner to nourish
damaged and undamaged hair. Coconut oil
applied directly on the skin acts as a moisturizer.
Therefore it is often used in soap making.Coconut products can be used daily in
combination, though moderation (especially
for coconut oil), is recommended. The
average daily serving for coconut oil per
body weight is as follows:25lbs- 1T
50lbs- 1.5T
75lbs- 2T
100lbs- 2.5T
125lbs- 3T
150lbs- 3.5T
175lbs- 4Learn more about the many uses of coconut
oil here.In conclusion
The rediscovery and subsequent re-introduction
of coconut into the American diet proves once
again that lasting substance enjoys a certain
longevity, if not immortality. All that YHVH
Almighty created exists for a purpose, indeed
for our good. Health experts agree that
everything we need for living long and well
is found on this planet as a gift from YHVH.History proves that coconut is a valuable
commodity. It has been used and abused
for centuries and millenia. Wars have been
fought over it. People have died for it. Like
many commodities, food merchants have
turned coconut into a political football.Coconut products, especially coconut oil,
used to be prominent in the American diet,
but after World War II and the advent/proliferation
of processed foods, coconut oil suddenly
disappeared from store shelves and made
a silent, sad exit from the standard American
Diet. It was replaced by hydrogenated,
deodorized, 'refined,' oils which quickly
became the new mantra for merchants.
Once again the consumer was lost in the
shuffle and has paid a high price for
consuming cheaper, unnatural oils.Years of declining health and multifold
suffering by the average American proves
that eliminating the natural, YHVH-given
foods from our diet, brings upon us the
curse of sickness, pain, disease, and death.
As a people and nation, we are suffering for
the sins of our own ignorance that has
precipitated poor eating habits.In recent years many people have happily
broken out of their health problems by
returning to a natural, wholesome diet.
The shift away from processed, man-made
'food' in favor of living food has paid great
dividends in reversing and often eliminating
health problems of all kinds. Thanks to a
living foods diet people are finding their
lives again.Discovering the power of coconut is part of
this revolution. Unlocking its myriad of
health benefits in our daily lives makes a
profound, positive impact on the quality of
our lives. Make the miraculous coconut part
of your life today!
And YHVH said, Behold, I have
given you every herb yielding
seed, which is upon the face
of all the earth, and every tree,
in which is the fruit of a tree
yielding seed; to you it shall
be for food: Genesis 1:29_________________________________________
References and further reading
Books:
Eating for Beauty- David Wolfe
Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill- Udo Erasmus
Foods that Heal- Dr. Bernard Jensen
The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil- Dr. Bruce Fife, ND
Audio:
Dr. Bruce Fife interview on The Power Hour radio broadcast
February 21, 2013 (hour 2)
February 21, 2013 (hour 3)Dr. Fife's website:
http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut
160 Uses for Coconut Oil
Video (about 53 mins):
The Coconut Revolution (2001) -multi-award winning
documentary film tells the story of the successful
uprising of the indigenous peoples of Bougainville Island
against the Papua New Guinea army and the mining plans
of the mining corporation Rio Tinto (one of the largest
mining conglomerates in the world) to exploit their
natural resources. The documentary reveals how
the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) managed
to overcome the marine blockade strategy used by
the Papuan army by using coconut oil as fuel for
their vehicles.
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