By Philomena  Yirenkyi

Why are fish oils like cod liver oil good for you? It is because they are high in omega 3 fatty acids, which research shows significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular and heart disease and also essential for normal fetal and infant brain and eye tissue development.

Omega 3 fatty acids are also essential in the treatment of allergies and asthma, nervous system disorders like multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder and depression. These fatty acids in addition reduce the risks of several kinds of cancers including breast, prostate and colon cancer.  Omega 3 fatty acids promote smooth and moisturized skin in addition to supporting treatment for eczema, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

So if you want a smooth even glow to your skin, instead of opting for the toxic and highly carcinogenic hydroquinone containing creams and lotions that claim to given your skin that glow all women aim for, start adding coconut oil, an ultra rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids to your diet.

Coconut oil belongs to a group called saturated fats.  These fats are very resistant to heat and chemical reactions. The vegetable safflower, canola, corn and sunflower oils belong to a class called unsaturated fats and are easily broken down by heating to all manners of chemicals that are highly carcinogenic. Margarine also belongs to this group and is to be avoided.

Butter is a saturated fat and is much better for you than margarine despite the hype. Of course, you need to limit your intake of butter, as any oil that hardens at room temperature is not good for your arteries. Extra virgin olive oil, an unsaturated fat like the vegetable oils however is good for use as a salad dressing or any form so long as it is not cooked with, as it suffers the same heat induced damage as vegetable oil and the other unsaturated oils.

Vegetable oils and the other unsaturated fats are loaded with Omega 6 fatty acids, which unlike the Omega 3 fatty acids in coconut oil contribute to many chronic diseases like heart and cardiovascular diseases and do support promote obesity. Extensive research has shown that the higher the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 the higher the risk of many chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The chemical structure of coconut oil versus the unsaturated oils; vegetable, canola, safflower, and corn oil also support the observed benefits of coconut oil versus the undesirable effects of the other oils. Coconut oil's is composed of a certain kind of fatty acids called medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and the vegetable and other unsaturated oils are composed of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs).

The body usually cannot digest these LCFAs without some specially synthesized  enzymes so they overload the digestive system, especially the liver and pancreas. These LCFAs are also mostly stored in the body as fat. This is why people buy into the "low fat” diet for losing weight propaganda. LCFAs can also be deposited inside the arteries in lipid forms such as cholesterol.

MCFAs on the other hand do not require any special enzymes in order to be broken down and hence do not over tax the digestive system like the LCFAs. Instead of mostly being stored as fat like the LCFAs, they are converted to energy by the liver. These MCFAs also tend to increase thyroid activity and hence the body's metabolism. A high metabolism is why some people can eat and eat but never gain weight. Chemical tests have shown that the MCFA, lauric acid is the primary fatty acid in coconut oil.

Extensive research on breast milk has shown that lauric acid is the ingredient that gives the baby immunity or the ability to fight off many infections. Lauric acic weakens and inactivates viruses including HIV, herpes, measles, influenza, fungi like ringworm, yeasts (including white or candidiasis) and bacteria like gonorrhea, salmonella and staph.

So, if you want to stay youthful and healthy physically and mentally with a well functioning immune system, have smooth supple glowing skin, healthy hair and nails, strong and intelligent children, lose weight and stay lean and fit and have lots of energy, start eating coconut oil today and throw away your vegetable, safflower, canola, corn and sunflower oils now!