After trying probably every diet method in the hope of shedding the extra pounds, you might have lost hope.  Now comes the shocking advice...eat fat to reduce fat!  BS you may say, but people like Dr. Mercola advise you to take virgin coconut oil a spoonful a day to reduce your body fat as much as 30-40 pounds in a year.

You all know that when you are able to metabolise what you eat, the food gets converted to energy.  When the metabolism is sluggish, what you eat gets stored in your body as fat and produces cellulite around your belly, arms etc.

The word ‘fat’ has a negative connotation in our society but the truth is all fats are not bad.  Fats are the source of energy and consuming the right fat in right amounts is rather beneficial. Depending on an individual’s metabolism, the quantity varies.  Virgin coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) which is good for the body.  This is unique to coconut oil.  Recent researches have shown the beneficial effects of MCFA like helping absorption of magnesium, calcium and other amino acids. It is also found to have antimicrobial properties.

Contrary to popular belief, virgin coconut oil is found to help lose weight.  The fact that it has lesser calories than other fats and more carbohydrates and proteins means that you feel satiated.  The MCFA (medium chain fatty acids) reach the liver directly and gets converted to energy.  This in turn revs up your metabolism and will help you shed weight.

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is extracted from fresh coconut (as opposed to the copra) by natural means.  The essential properties of the oil are preserved as there is no chemical refining, deodorizing or bleaching.  Good quality virgin coconut oil is said to be colorless and free of residue.  It is fit for human consumption.

Virgin coconut oil is rich in nutritious minerals and compounds.  The most nutritious of all is lauric acid which is also found in breast milk.  Lauric acid is known to protect children from diseases and build their immunity.  Its antiviral, antimicrobial properties help in curing many diseases.  Virgin coconut oil is the most abundant source of lauric acid next to breast milk.

One way of extracting virgin coconut oil is by boiling the milk obtained from crushing the coconut kernel.

The video demonstrates the Indian way, the Kerala way to be specific, of extracting virgin coconut oil.  The video is in Malayalam, the language of Kerala, but the process has been shot thoroughly, it needs no explanation. People of Kerala use coconut oil for all their cooking purposes. It was only after the advent of other cooking oils over the last 2-3 decades coupled with the fastfood culture that the number of heart attacks in the state has gone up at an alarming rate.

Ayurveda practitioners have been recommending virgin coconut oil from good old days for its beneficial effects.  It is an excellent anti-oxidant.  Children like the taste of this oil. It is used in treating stomach ulcers, skin problems, hair growth, diabetes, cancer etc.

People world over have started to use coconut oil again. It is healthy as well as tasty.  You too can start using coconut oil and reap the benefits.