Coconut Oil: Call Me Skeptical
I've now been on the Coconut Oil beat for a few days. I've read about 30 articles about this "miracle" food. You can do the research yourself. It's easy. There are thousands of articles online. There were even two ChicagoNow blogs about Coconut Oil on Monday. Mine and my fellow blogger Ups And Downs of A Yoga Mom.
Let's take a look at the benefits of Coconut Oil : 1. illuminates skin and hair 2. boosts your metabolism 3. strengthens immune system 4. increases good cholesterol 5. cleans breath/whitens teeth 6. dissolves kidney stones
Hey, I'm good with all of those. I can go for better hair and don't get me started on kidney stones. Plus, Dr. Oz and Deepak Chopra swear by this stuff.
For years this stuff was on everyone's shit list because it was full of saturated fats. Turns out that was overrated. This stuff is way better for you than any of the other cooking oils except for Olive Oil. You might even call it heart healthy...maybe.
Plus everyone likes coconut. Add it to a smoothy or oatmeal to give it a nutty flavor. That's good stuff.
So Dr. Moore, what are you so skeptical about?
First off, that's my nature. But I've read too many stories and have seen too many comments about how it can stop and even reverse the effects of neurological diseases.
I've read this mostly about Alzheimer's, some about ALS and also Parkinson's. However, for every positive review, I've seen the same amount of people claiming it was of little or no help.
Plus if you ask any of the organizations associated with these diseases, they'll tell you more research is needed.
Your next question should be "You write and vouch for alternative treatments all the time. What's your problem with this?"
I can only speak for me and about Parkinson's. I admit I love alternative medicine. Yoga, meditation, art, music..it's all good by me. But none of those things CURE the disease. They just alleviate the pain and symptoms. The P.D. meds do the same thing, just chemically. No cure. If I can get the same results naturally, that's what I'm going to do. If there were meds to cure Parkinson's, I would have been on them two years ago.
My problem with Coconut Oil is that it's being marketed to the neurological community as a possible cure. All of the diseases I've mentioned have no cure presently. This stuff is being sold like it's elixir at a Wild West Medicine show.
It's a very thin line from helping with brain function to being a cure...and a dangerous one.
My suggestion...Do the research. Read the articles online. Look for the good and bad. Talk to your doctor. Then, do what you think is right for you. Make an informed decision. Don't be making life changing decisions without getting all the information.
Finally, I really wish this was the "miracle drug." How great would that be. All your neurological problems solved with a piece of Coconut Cream pie.
Hey...I'm on Twitter now...REALLY!! Follow me @howardmoore611