How Coconut Oil Helps Your Immune System
A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the health benefits of coconut oil, one of only four ingredients in Truly’s Natural Deodorant.
Two of the key components of coconut oil are lauric acid and caprylic acid. Lauric acid actually comprises about fifty percent of coconut oil. Lauric acid is uniquely beneficial as it contains the highest concentration of MCFA fatty acids. This acid is one of the healthiest saturated fats because the body is able to easily absorb it. The body then converts the fatty acid into monolaurin, which is used to prevent and treat colds, the flu, swine flu, herpes, shingles, chronic fatigue syndrome, and to boost the immune system.1
Monolaurin functions as an antivirus that targets enveloped viruses (viruses encased in a protective layer of lipids and phospholipids). It kills the virus by dissolving the protective lipids surrounding it. One study showed that monolaurin markedly reduced the viral count on patients with HIV, herpes, measles, and vesicular stomatitis, among other viruses.2
Coconut oil also helps to protect the body from microbes like fungus, bacteria, yeast, and protozoans. One 2007 study found that concentrated coconut oil effectively treated drug resistant fungal infections.3 Another study found that the monolaurin from from coconut oil was also the most potent monoglyceride defense against pylori bacteria.4
As if all this weren’t enough, a 2008 study showed that a diet high in medium-chain fatty acids like coconut oil significantly reduced the growth of cancer tumors in mice.5 It also aids in the absorption of nutrients for sick children and adults, helping them maintain a healthy weight.6 Luckily, there’s also no need to worry about coconut oil adding to your waistline. The protein in coconut oil is a source of all natural, direct energy and actually a possible deterrent to weight gain.7
Truly’s Natural Deodorant is loaded with coconut oil to keep your skin smooth and your immune system strong. Our natural deodorant works to keep to keep you and your kids healthy, strong, and smelling great.
1 "Monolaurin." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 9 June 2015.
2 Dayrit, Dr. Conrado S. "COCONUT OIL IN HEALTH AND DISEASE: ITS AND MONOLAURIN’S POTENTIAL AS CURE FOR HIV/AIDS." 25 July 2000. Web. 9 June 2015. <http://coconutresearchcenter.org/article10526.pdf>.
3 "In Vitro Antimicrobial Properties of Coconut Oil on Candida Species in Ibadan, Nigeria." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 June 2007. Web. 9 June 2015.
4 "Antibacterial Actions of Fatty Acids and Monoglycerides against Helicobacter Pylori." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 May 2003. Web. 9 June 2015.
5 "Growth of Human Gastric Cancer Cells in Nude Mice Is Delayed by a Ketogenic Diet Supplemented with Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Medium-chain Triglycerides." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Apr. 2008. Web. 9 June 2015.
6 Gracey, Michael, Valerie Burke, and Charlotte Anderson. "Medium Chain Triglycerides in Paediatric Practice." Archives of Disease in Childhood. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1970. Web. 9 June 2015.
7 "Lauric Acid's Benefits for the Body." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 11 May 2015. Web. 9 June 2015.
