How to Find the Best and Healthiest Coconut Oil?

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

From cold-pressed to unrefined, the lingo used to describe coconut oil can get pretty confusing. Here we breakdown what it all means and how to find the healthiest coconut oil for you.

While the recent popularity of coconut oil in the media makes it seem like a “new” health product, coconut oil has been consumed around the world for centuries.

Unfortunately, reaping the natural benefits of coconut oil proves more difficult than you think. There are different extraction methods used to separate coconut oil from its meat, which affects the quality and nutritional value of the oil.

For example, some companies use toxic chemicals to extract coconut oil, while others use all-natural, low-heat methods that preserve all of the coconut oil’s goodness.

Before we get into how to find the best, healthiest coconut oil, let’s take a look at why you want to be consuming this powerful oil in the first place.

The Benefits of Coconut Oil

Most of the benefits found in this tropical fruit oil are derived from its saturated and medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs). These good fats are easily absorbed through your gut, where they’re metabolized by the liver to produce energy and boost absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K.

However, coconut oil’s MCTs also contain several compounds that give it a host of amazing benefits not seen in other oils!

Antibacterial and Antifungal

Coconut oil contains a fatty acid called lauric acid, which has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties. These properties come from lauric acid’s ability to disrupt the cell membranes of bacteria, which leads to their death.

Even in the face of antibiotic-resistant bugs, such as colitis-causing C. difficile, lauric acid has slowed and even stopped proliferation of bacteria in studies. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Other studies show coconut oil to also be effective against Staph infection, acne caused by bacteria, and ear infections.

Improves Brain Health

If you compare your brain cells to mini engines, coconut oil’s medium-chain fatty acids (MCTs) are their premium fuel source. These MCTs help keep them running optimally, with one study showing MCTs improve recall and memory problems in aging participants.

Reduces Inflammation

The antioxidant polyphenols in coconut oil reduce the inflammation that occurs in inflammatory diseases like arthritis. Studies show coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory effects come from its ability to suppress reactive cells, like C-reactive protein, that encourages swelling.

Helps Maintain Strong Bones

Coconut oil helps your body absorb calcium and magnesium – two minerals important for maintaining bone health. One study even showed that supplementing with virgin coconut oil helped improve bone volume after the onset of osteoporosis.

Promotes Weight Loss

Interestingly, the MCTs in coconut oil also have an appetite-reducing effect. This can help reduce overall calorie consumption, leading to fat loss.

One study showed that men who ate the most MCTs from coconut oil, ate an average of 256 fewer calories per day than normal, while another showed those consuming more coconut oil at breakfast also consumed less calories at lunch. Researchers believe this is due to improved insulin sensitivity and fat burning after consuming MCTs.

Ingredients to Avoid

Before you grab the nearest jar of coconut oil, check out the ingredient list so that you can avoid unhealthy toxins that are often added to the oil.

Ingredients to watch out for include added vegetable oils, such as cottonseed and canola oils. These oils are often added to cut down on the fat content of coconut oil (even though this fat is extremely healthy, as we saw from coconut oil’s benefits).

The problem with this is that the fats in these oils oxidize quickly, especially under high heat. Watch out for toxins in your next jar of coconut oil, like cottonseed and canola oils. 

When fats are oxidized, free radicals are formed that can harm and damage our DNA, leading to disease, abnormal cell metabolism, and faster aging.

As a rule, whether your coconut oil is for eating or for your skin or hair, “coconut oil” should be the only ingredient on the list.

Refined vs Unrefined Coconut Oil

Refined

Refined coconut oil is extracted from dried coconut meat using heat and a chemical solvent called hexane. After the oil is extracted, it is then filtered through a bleaching clay and is deodorized. Most coconut oils you see on the shelves are produced this way, unless stated otherwise on the label.

Unfortunately, this method has several limitations. Extracting coconut oil using heat can destroy the delicate nutrients and living enzymes present in coconut oil.

Adding hexane to the process further degrades the oil, as hexane has been shown to cause central nervous system depression, dizziness, nausea, headaches, as well as eye and throat irritations.

Unrefined

Unrefined coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconut meats, as opposed to dried. As such, it has not been filtered, bleached, or deodorized. Unrefined coconut oil is made by mechanically pressing out the oil – without adding any harmful chemicals like hexane.

Terms to Look for: The Bad

Hydrogenated

Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils are produced by adding hydrogen to liquid oil to turn it into a solidified oil, mainly to extend shelf life. However, the side effect of doing this is the creation of trans fats, which have been shown to raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol.

Even the FDA has labelled hydrogenated oils as “generally not recognized as safe” and states that removing these oils from processed foods could, “prevent thousands of heart attacks and deaths each year”.

Tip: Always avoid hydrogenated oil.

Terms to Look for: The Average

Expeller-pressed

Expeller-pressed coconut oil is produced using low-temperature and (usually) chemical-free drying methods. An expeller press is a large press that mechanically crushes the coconut meat until the oil runs out.

The reason it’s labelled as an “average” extraction method is because while the expeller press doesn’t apply heat directly to the coconut, high heat can develop due to high pressure and friction in the press. This can potentially damage delicate nutrients and antioxidants, and alter the flavor.

Centrifuge Extraction

Centrifugal oil extraction uses a high-speed centrifuge that separates the coconut oil from the water. While chemicals aren’t used in this method, excessive heat can be generated due to the friction of the centrifuge spin. Of course, some companies may monitor the heat levels while centrifuging, but are unlikely to state this on their labels. Overall, centrifuged coconut oil is a decent option if you’re looking to avoid chemicals and direct heating of your oil.

Terms to Look for: The Good

Virgin

Virgin coconut oil is oil that has not been hydrogenated or extracted using chemical solvents or high-heat methods. It has also not been bleached or deodorized, allowing it to retain its original taste, texture, and nutrients.

Overall, virgin is a term you should always look for when purchasing coconut oil if you’re looking for the best, purest variety.

PS: There is no difference between “Virgin” and “Extra-Virgin” coconut oil. “Extra Virgin” doesn’t mean much as it is really just a marketing trick to get you to pay more. Yikes!

Cold-pressed

Another term to look for when you want the most natural coconut oil is “cold-pressed.” You can think of this method as similar to expeller-pressed coconut oil, but with heat levels monitored to not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps preserve the fatty acids, antioxidants, and enzymes.

Plastic vs Glass Jars

Over time, the toxins in plastic can leach into your food and drinks – and coconut oil stored in plastic is no exception. These toxins can be absorbed through skin contact or through the food you eat.

So while buying coconut oil in a plastic container may be cheaper, you’re not only likely to get that icky, plastic taste but you’re also putting your health at risk.

Organic vs Non-Organic Coconut Oil

Like other crops, organic coconuts are grown using chemical-free, sustainable farming methods. This means synthetic pesticides and fertilizers are not used, making virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil truly pure, all the way from seed to oil.

Of course, purchasing organic coconut oil is your best bet not only to avoid chemical additions, but also to support farming methods that preserve healthy soils and environments.

Watch this video – Tips on How to Find the best and Healthiest Coconut Oil

The Bottom Line

The healthiest coconut oil you can buy is organic, cold-pressed, unrefined virgin coconut oil in a glass jar. By scrutinizing your labels, you avoid all poisonous chemicals and retain all of the beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, and fatty acids that have made coconut oil a medicinal treasure around the globe.

Written by Megan Patiry

Author Bio:

Megan is an inquisitive nutrition and wellness writer harboring an editorial love affair with the decadent and the nutritious. She is a dedicated researcher in all areas of ancestral health, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition, personal trainer, and professional almond milk latte addict.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

5 Easy Tips for Staying Healthy at Work

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Cheap, processed food has led to a global obesity pandemic. How did we get into this scenario? Was it a slow change, or a relatively instantaneous shift in our habits?

The answer, it turns out, is a little bit of both. Our jobs mainly consist of a lot of sitting. Unfortunately, sedentary work does not leave a lot of room for play and exercise.

We have slowly changed our habits since the 1950s, though the roots of our ill health go back much further than that. To understand why and how our jobs are unhealthy, we need to review a little bit of history.

Remember When?

As Americans became much more comfortable following World War II (emotionally, physically, mentally and economically) we saw a shift in targeting by the media. Due in large part to heavy advertising, we began to consume more processed foods.

These once novel foodstuffs became a common staple in our modern world.

Back to Reality

But let’s get back to the present, and how this grand-scale shift has trickled down to you and your job. It means lots of sitting, and lots of chronic stress. You likely sit at a computer all day, and then spend all night watching a screen (TV, cellphone, laptop) as well. 

In short, the sedentary nature of the American workplace intensifies the negative effects of poor quality food, and as a result, makes us sicker. There are ways to fight back, though, and all of them involve self-empowerment.

For starters, limit your screen time, and realize the health impact this will have. You will spend less time sitting, snack less, and feel happier. You will also spend more time moving, and lose weight. Pretty good results for such a simple action, no?

1. Read More (and Smarter!)

Educate yourself and be aware of where you’re getting your news from. Don’t believe every tabloid headline, make sure the information you’re reading is coming from legitimate sources, then make a sound opinion.

If there’s a strange ingredient on something you want to buy at the grocery store, look it up and find out what it is.

Know the actual difference between foods that are organic and not organic (and if that actually matters).

Don’t assume that just because you read something on the internet or your friend told you “all fats are bad for you” that it’s true. (PS: Know the facts about fat.)

It’s also crucial to remember that health is not a “one size fits all” kind of deal. Know your body and find what works for you and what doesn’t.

2. Exercise More

Exercise more, even if this only means walking around your office building at lunch. Daily exercise helps your brain, body and spirit. And it will also help you lose those vanity pounds. You can do it – no matter what bad habits you may have!

Start supporting your local farmers, getting high-quality sleep, and realizing that you can make a difference – no matter how hopeless and depressed you can sometimes feel.

When you are at your office, get up every hour (if not more) and walk around. Stretch. Do some squats. This little bit of exercise at your job can make all the difference.

And more importantly, it will give you a feeling of self-empowerment and improvement. This feeling of confidence, which is so desperately needed when you have poor health, helps you to find the strength to continually make good decisions.

3. Make Healthy Friends

Find a friend or two to start exercising with. Let them motivate you, and in turn, you can motivate them. Sometimes ill health is a result of social isolation – the end product of poor social decisions. When people incorporate regular physical exercise into their lives, nearly everything improves.

You will be a lot more likely to continually go to the gym and keep the weight off (and muscle on!) when you have other people to help you. We are our habits, and finding others with healthy habits can make all the difference in the world.

4. Put It in Writing

It’s best to start by making a journal entry – think about your previous health, how to improve your current situation, and how exactly you got here. Think about the goals you wish to achieve – do you want to run a marathon? Do you want to get off of medication? Do you want to lose weight? Or do you simply want to feel happier?

Health is a delicate balance, and we now live in a culture of extremes. Only the extremes are reported and focused on. But health isn’t an extreme. It is about making smart, rational, everyday choices.

5. Work Less, Sleep More

Okay, this can be a little tougher than the others to pull off, but it is definitely worth the effort. Americans are working long hours, and putting themselves in overdrive when they are supposed to be home and relaxing.

More often than not, we let our jobs take priority over our health – skipping the gym to work overtime, eating fast food for lunch because it’s faster and won’t take as much time as ordering something healthier, etc.

At the end of the day, we want a good career and good health. So re-evaluate the “balance” you have struck. Are you happy with it? If not, take steps to improve it.

Putting It All Together

Staying healthy at work just takes a few, easy changes to your routine. Get up and walk around, stretch, do some squats, walk around the building at lunch – there are so many things you can do!

Stand up to unhealthy workplace policies. Make better food choices. Find a workplace friend to hit the gym with. Start healthy office outings like hikes or group runs on the weekend. Prioritize sleep. Get off your phone and digital devices more. The endless workday can be improved vastly by making healthier decisions. Make a list of all the things you can do – and then act on them.

The big corporations, pharmaceutical industries and television executives all get rich from your unhappiness and ill health. But they don’t get rich from the healthier you! Show your support of health by becoming healthier yourself. Actions speak louder than words – make yours count!

Watch these 2 videos below –

How to Be Healthy at Work: 8 Simple Lifestyle Tips

How To Stay Fit and Healthy Working at a Desk Job — 5 Office Health Tips

Written by Casey Thaler

Author Bio:

Casey Thaler, B.A., NASM-CPT, FNS is an NASM® certified personal trainer and NASM® certified fitness nutrition specialist. He writes for Paleo Magazine®, The Paleo Diet® and Greatist®. He is also an advisor for Kettle and Fire and runs his own nutrition and fitness consulting company, Eat Clean, Train Clean®.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

How to Create a Thyroid-Friendly Home Environment?

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

How to Make Your Home Thyroid-Friendly?

Advice for boosting thyroid function or reversing thyroid disease tends to focus on diet and supplement factors only.

However, the thyroid is incredibly sensitive to all external factors as well as diet.

Making a home thyroid-friendly can help to reduce stressors that lead to thyroid dysfunction. Why is the thyroid so sensitive?

All endocrine organs rely on messengers to communicate when and how much hormone to produce. These messengers respond to stress – including emotional, mental, physical, or environmental stress – and can over – or under-produce hormones as a result.

The thyroid produces two hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). TSH, or thyroid-stimulating hormone, is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain to instruct the thyroid when more hormones need to be made.

When TSH signals are sent, the thyroid makes T4 (the inactive form of thyroid hormone). T3, the active thyroid hormone, is then produced when cells in the body activate it from the inactive form.

Thyroid dysfunction is a common problem, and 7 out of 8 people who suffer from it are women. The thyroid can either produce too little or too much hormone, resulting in unpleasant symptoms on both ends of the spectrum.

When the immune system becomes involved, the thyroid disorder is an autoimmune disease that responds to the immune production of antibodies aimed at targeting the thyroid.

The thyroid regulates metabolism and energy levels, so when thyroid hormone is low, energy levels are low and weight gain often occurs. When thyroid levels are excessively high, weight loss may occur, along with heart palpitations and bouts of anxiety.

Your thyroid is also sensitive to toxins which are absorbed through dietary, lifestyle, and environmental sources. These toxins can overwhelm the liver and other detox organs, and remain within the body, exerting an influence over hormone production.

Toxins that have this effect within the body are known as endocrine disruptors, and there are several that research has shown interfere with thyroid hormones:

• Phthalates
• BPA (bisphenol A)
• Flame retardants
• Perfluorinated chemicals

Phthalates are often found in anything with a scent or fragrance, but very often don’t even have to be disclosed on product labels.

BPA is notoriously found in plastic items. Recent awareness has led to a whole slew of products marketed as “BPA-free,” but what isn’t disclosed on labels or as common knowledge is that most of those products contain BPS (bisphenol S), and when BPS enters the body it behaves in much the same way as BPA.

Flame retardants are often found in furniture and carpets, as well as many children’s products like car seats, mattresses, and even pyjamas, and their health impact goes way beyond the thyroid – even to cognitive performance and abilities!

Perfluorinated chemicals can be found anywhere from the public water supply to carpets to food items and even breast milk.

As you can see, toxins seem to be everywhere around us, but in most cases, there are toxin-free alternatives. For the sake of thyroid health, we need to go beyond our diets to improve wellness and hormone production from the outside and the inside.

Bottom line: The thyroid is temperamental and even if food sources are clean, lifestyle factors need to be addressed.

Start with the Kitchen

Cleaning up the home starts with the kitchen. Paleo is thyroid-friendly because it reduces food toxin sources. But let’s take it beyond that. Within our kitchens there can be numerous sources of toxins right under our noses. Plastic mixing bowls or food storage dishes. Non-stick skillets. Single-brew coffee makers.

When plastics get heated, they release toxins. When non-stick pans are heated over high heat, they can release chemicals that can cause flu-like symptoms in some cases.

The dangers of single-brew coffee makers have made the rounds, pointing out the high heat going through cheap plastic cups that contain the coffee or other beverages. Toss your K-Cup: Single-brew coffee makers release toxins!

There are safe alternatives to each of these things. However, I understand that most people can’t throw out all of their plastic ware and non-stick pans. The factors to keep in mind are these:

• Don’t use the “heated dry” setting on your dishwasher if you put plastic or non-stick pans in there.

• Don’t preheat non-stick pans on medium-high or high heat.

• Don’t microwave plastic containers, ever.

• When replacing plastic items, opt for glass or stainless steel.

• When replacing non-stick pans, opt for stainless steel or cast iron.

• Choose a coffee brewing system that avoids use of plastic, such as a single-brew, pour-over option in stainless steel.

Bottom line: Plastics and non-stick pans should be avoided and replaced when possible, and should not be exposed to high heat or microwaves.

How Lifestyle Toxins Affect Your Thyroid

The thyroid is sensitive to toxins from lifestyle sources which primarily include stressors such as lack of sleep, lack of exercise, over-exercise, insufficient hydration, excessive caffeine intake, and alcohol intake.

But a major factor that is often ignored is the lifestyle products that we willingly smear onto our bodies. Make-up, lotions, and other cosmetics are often the most toxic things that we encounter.

Even when clean, organic eating has become a regular part of our lives, many are unwilling to part with their favorite items, either because organic versions are more expensive or don’t work in the same way.

I’m here to tell you, though, as someone who did make the switch to a completely toxin-free lifestyle, that there are alternative products for every cosmetic convenience that you require. While it does involve that certain discomfort of trying new products, many organic, clean items offer trial or sample sizes, or can be demoed in health food stores.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) also ranks products according to their cleanliness, and can be a good starting point for sourcing new cosmetic products.

Aim for about 8 hours of sleep to help keep your thyroid healthy.

Prioritizing sleep often feels impossible for the overworked, the entrepreneur, the busy parent, the college student, or most other humans, really. But sleep is one of the most important factors that can improve total body wellness. While not everyone needs eight hours of sleep, it’s a good goal to aim for.

If you are waking early for work, make it a point of setting an alarm to remind yourself to go to bed. Even if you don’t naturally fall asleep right away, the process of establishing a bedtime routine can improve sleep habits in and of itself.

Exercise, especially as concerns the thyroid, needs to walk a fine line. Not exercising at all can result in a low metabolism and a thyroid slump. Over-exercising can send the thyroid into an even greater slump, however, and can actually make it harder to lose weight.

The best form of exercise for those who struggle with thyroid problems is something that is challenging but not completely exhausting. Running miles a day, for example, is probably not a restorative option. Short bursts of strength conditioning or cardio can be acceptable. But a true therapeutic exercise option for thyroid issues is yoga.

Bottom line: Makeup and other beauty products can be huge sources of toxins. So try to replace them with cleaner, more natural versions when possible. When it comes to sleep, aim for at least 8 hours per day and while it’s important to exercise regularly, don’t over-exercise, as this can send your thyroid into an ever greater slump.

How Environmental Factors Affect Your Thyroid

The thyroid is exceptionally sensitive, and any form of chemicals can contribute to dysfunction or imbalance. We’ve already discussed chemicals, plastics, and fragrances. Environmental toxins and pollutants, like mold, can also wreak havoc on the metabolism and thyroid hormone output.

Mold can also have a negative impact on the immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, and nervous system. Basically, mold can be a destructive force that, once it has entered your immediate home environment, can lead to a cascade of problems that often won’t resolve until the source of contamination is dealt with.

Other environmental factors can also contribute to thyroid and other hormone problems. Pesticides, plant growth chemicals, and even bleach – which can all commonly be found in many typical homes – can contribute to thyroid dysfunction.

Bottom line: Environmental factors can strongly influence the thyroid and for the best results, should be removed and replaced with clean, toxin-free versions.

Conclusion

Making your home thyroid-friendly involves removing all sources of toxins, and it only starts with food. How in depth you go depends on your health condition and your level of determination to feel better and get “unsick.”

Watch these 2 videos below –

How To Make Your Home Thyroid Friendly – Skinny Recipes

Cure Thyroid Problem Permanently in 4 Steps (100% Guaranteed)

Written by Aimee McNew

Author Bio:

Aimee McNew is a Certified Nutritionist who specializes in women’s health, thyroid problems, infertility, and digestive wellness. She ate her way back to health using a Paleo diet, lost 80 pounds, and had a healthy baby after numerous miscarriages. She focuses on simple nutrition practices that promote long-lasting results.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook