How to Use Coconut Oil | Dr. Josh Axe

Hey guys, Dr. Axe here, doctor of natural medicine and founder of draxe.com. In this video, I'll be going over the coconut oil benefits, coconut oil uses, and how coconut oil can be used as medicine on a daily basis.

And coconut oil has really been used, especially in the tropics, for thousands of years for hydration, if you're talking about coconut water, for the cooking oil, for the meat, often used in smoothies today.

And actually, historically, it was used— it was actually called the tree of life Because coconut's fed so many people and we know fat's high in calories, which can actually be good for, you know, giving people energy, quality energy, which we'll talk about more in a minute. But here's some fun facts and some things you've got to know about coconut oil before we jump into benefits here.

Number 1, check this out, over 1,500 medical studies published in prestigious journals have found that coconut oil is beneficial for your health. Now, in the past, Sometimes it was controversial because coconut oil contains saturated fat, but the thing you got to know is there's good types of fat and there's bad types of fat.

The type of saturated fat that's found in coconut oil is often referred to as MCFAs or MCTs, that's medium-chain triglycerides or medium-chain fatty acids. And these medium-chain fats are actually great for your body to burn as energy and it's easier to digest. So that's one of the big benefits here of coconut oil. It becomes very easy to digest.

Another big benefit is it's not readily stored as fat. So listen, when you're consuming other forms of fat, you're much more likely to store them as body fat. So again, if you're a person that's trying to lose weight, you've got an issue like diabetes, you want to keep your blood sugar levels balanced, or just in general not gain any type of body fat, this is the ideal fat and oil for you to use.

Also, here's a great thing about it. It's antimicrobial and antifungal. You know, a lot of times today people get Candida buildup in the body or have different types of fungal or bacterial infections. Again, coconut oil, antibacterial. In fact, one of the unique properties of coconut milk and those medium-chain fatty acids is one of those fats, it's called lauric acid.

Lauric acid actually has some of the same properties as actually human breast milk in that it's antimicrobial. What people have done is sometimes kind of put it not in the eye but around the eye or on different types of fungal infections to help fight fungus. Another unique thing about coconut oil is it's smaller in size compared to other oils.

This is why it's one of the better oils to use as a moisturizer on your skin. So great benefits there. And here's the other big thing, it's processed by the liver which means that it is immediately converted to energy. Right. Rather into body fat. So again, most fats, your body has to go through a 19-step process to break it down and turn it into energy.

Your body only has to go through a 3-step process to use coconut oil for energy. But now let's dive right in and talk about coconut oil and how you can use this to fight chronic disease. And let me say this as well, when I get into coconut oil here, I want to go over the type of coconut oil you should be buying.

When you're buying coconut oil, you want to buy non-refined extra virgin olive oil that is certified organic. That's the type of coconut oil you want to be buying. First thing here, fights Alzheimer's. You know, Alzheimer's disease has actually been quoted as being type 3 diabetes. Oftentimes it's related to insulin issues.

So here's the thing, going on something called the coconut ketogenic diet can help fight Alzheimer's. In fact, a medical doctor in Florida, A female medical doctor took care of her husband who had Alzheimer's and she said by supplementing with coconut oil and a ketogenic diet, it helped him overcome Alzheimer's naturally.

Think about that, absolutely amazing what coconut oil in a high-fat diet can do for the body. Number 2, can lower blood pressure. Here's the truth, most people are getting too many carbohydrates and sugars in their diet, not near enough fat. Excess sugars and carbohydrates will cause insulin spikes and can cause inflammation.

Consuming more fat like coconut oil can actually keep blood sugar and blood pressure levels balanced on a daily basis. Number 3, coconut oil can fight inflammation. You know, there are 3 types of fats you want to get more of in your diet. Number 1, medium-chain fatty acids like you're going to find in coconut oil.

Number 2, omega-3 fatty acids you'll find in things like wild-caught salmon and chia Chia seeds, and then also you want to get monounsaturated fats that are found in things like avocados and almonds. Those are the type of fats you want to be getting in. All of those have anti-inflammatory properties. Number 4, cancer-fighting potential.

We know these compounds, lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, specifically fight off Candida in the body and fungal overgrowth. Some doctors believe that cancer is, in part, acts as a fungus in the body and how it can spread and replicate in your system.

But again, overall fighting cancer, coconut oil has the potential to, especially if you're following something that's more of a coconut ketogenic diet and again, getting plenty of green leafy vegetables in your diet and herbs like turmeric on a daily basis. Number 5, can help boost the immune system. This is in part because of how it balances out microbes in the body.

You know, the health of your microbiome we know is related to every area of your body. Hippocrates was quoted thousands of years ago saying, all disease begins in the gut. Well, 75% of your immune system is located in your gut and your digestive tract. Coconut oil, one of my top 5 foods along with bone broth that helps boost your immune system and supports digestive health.

Number 6 here, big benefit here of organic coconut oil is memory and brain function. In fact, you've heard me reference the ketogenic diet several times at this point. Coconut oil is a key component of that. And when you're consuming coconut oil or in ketosis, your body actually starts producing and using something called ketone bodies.

And these ketone bodies can actually be good for the brain and help heal the brain. So again, going on a ketogenic diet hoping high in coconut oil is good for brain function, as is using certain essential oils. Right. Like rosemary oil. Number 7 here, energy and endurance. Now, I myself have a history of doing triathlons, as do family members and some of the professional athletes I've worked with.

And whether you're a swimmer, a runner, a triathlete, or you just do sports on a regular basis, or maybe a CrossFit athlete, you want to improve your endurance. Now, your body, when you're doing especially steady-state cardio, Your body sometimes gets in a fat-burning zone where you actually want to make it easy for your body to burn fat for fuel.

Coconut oil is the ideal oil and fat for athletes because it's the type of fat with the medium-chain fats that your body can use the fastest as fuel. I've seen actually a lot of triathletes do mixtures of like coconut oil, honey, a little bit of sea salt actually as their meal replacement, and cyclists doing this when they're going on long-distance rides.

So it's great for energy and endurance, especially because it helps blood sugar levels. Number 6, again, I talked about this earlier, improves digestion. You know, for a lot of people, we're consuming foods that can cause bad bacteria and Candida to build up in our guts. You know, an example of this is excess sugar consumption, hydrogenated oils that are genetically modified.

All of those things cause inflammation. If you want to heal your gut, you've got to follow an anti-inflammatory diet. Key components of that, bone broth, coconut oil, and then get some good herbs in your diet like licorice root and ginger root and peppermint. All of those things can help improve your digestive function. Number 9, eases gallbladder disease. Now, here's something you need to know.

If you or someone you know has had their gallbladder removed or has fat digestive issues or gallbladder issues, Even if somebody starts to get skin issues where they get red lumps on their skin like rosacea, that's caused from improper fat digestion.

And if you're not digesting fats probably or have had your gallbladder removed or have liver disease, coconut oil is the ideal oil because again, it's so easy for your body to break down versus other fats. Even things like olive oil, it's more work for your body. Coconut oil is a better choice for those with gallbladder and liver issues. Improves skin health.

Again, it's a great natural hydrator of the skin. You know, I love making DIY recipes with coconut oil, mixing coconut oil with lavender essential oil, using that to moisturize the skin, or coconut oil, manuka honey, and tea tree oil, rubbing that on the skin and washing it off for acne, a great natural remedy.

Another great benefit of coconut oil is It's my absolute favorite to do coconut oil pulling. You know, oil pulling has been shown to fight gum disease. A lot of people don't know this, but the health of your mouth actually has been correlated with heart disease and the health of your entire body.

So if you want to fight cavities, if you want to reduce gingivitis and gum disease, swish around coconut oil in your mouth for 5 to 20 minutes. The ideal way to do this is, hey, take about 1 teaspoon. Yeah. Take a teaspoon or tablespoonful, swish around in your mouth when you're in the shower, while you're taking a shower. Once you get out, you know, spit it out, typically not in the sink.

You typically want to put it in the garbage because you don't want it to clog up your sink. But oil pulling has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to benefit oral health and is even more beneficial than flossing for fighting gum disease. Prevents osteoporosis.

Again, the beneficial fats Can actually help with nutrient absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D and vitamin K2. So again, we want to absorb more of these. Coconut oil can help fat-soluble vitamin absorption. Number 13, improves type 2 diabetes. Again, the key of that is balancing insulin. Now, here's my secret.

If you have diabetes or in general if you want to lose weight or stay younger longer, Here's the things you want in every meal. You want to reduce sugar and carb consumption. You want to consume fat, fiber, and protein. Those 3 things every meal, and then some antioxidants like some herbs. You're doing that every meal, those blood sugar levels are going to be balanced.

You're going to see some great results in diabetes quickly. Number 14, weight loss. Coconut oil for weight loss is really one of the secret ingredients there. Again, a ketogenic diet or a diet that's rich in plants and wild meats. A great way to lose weight fast.

I'd say for weight loss, a tablespoon a day, especially using it as your main cooking oil or in smoothies, the best way to get more coconut oil. And here are some ways you can use coconut oil starting right now. Number 1, healthy popcorn.

Buy some non-GMO certified organic popcorn, cook it up in a pot like they used to, not the microwave, on a stovetop, and pour on some coconut oil and some Himalayan sea salt. I love that. Absolutely delicious. Number 2, use it as your coffee creamer. Make what I call keto coffee. Coffee, some coconut oil, you could also add in some ghee or grass-fed butter, delicious in coffee.

Smoothie as a nutrient booster. You know, I love doing a smoothie with berries, bone broth protein powder, and coconut oil makes the perfect morning smoothie that really sustains you and gives you energy throughout the day. Skin moisturizer, again, mixing it with essential oils such as geranium and lavender can help hydrate the skin. Natural makeup remover, coconut oil pulling as we mentioned.

Now, when I do oil pulling, here's my secret, I use a teaspoon of coconut oil and then I put several drops of essential oils like myrrh or clove or peppermint in as part of my oil pulling routine. A cellulite solution, mixing coconut oil with grapefruit.

Fruit essential oil, rubbing it on your skin rigorously or in circle motions and right up and down on an area where you have cellulite for 2 minutes can be effective at reducing the appearance of cellulite. Also great for stretch marks. So stretch marks, you'll want to mix either coconut oil with juniper oil, and another good one to do it with is frankincense oil as well.

So again, some good oils to do it there for stretch marks. Hey, great to remove gum from your hair if you have kids and that happens, some good things to do. So remember, look at all of the benefits here of coconut oil.

Alzheimer's disease, blood pressure, inflammation, cancer, immune system health, brain function, endurance, digestion, gallbladder disease, skin health, oral health, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and weight loss. There's no reason why you shouldn't be getting coconut oil in your diet right now.

When buying coconut oil, make sure it's certified organic and that it's extra virgin coconut oil that's not refined. You want the real stuff, the good stuff that's not processed. Again, it's great for cooking, it's great for DIY recipes. Switch out your other cooking oil, use coconut oil instead throughout the day.

And hey, if you've enjoyed this live training video, make sure you subscribe here to my YouTube channel. Also, hey, I've got some really in-depth articles. On coconut oil on my site. Just do a Google search now for Dr. Axe coconut oil and you can check out my 101 ways uses on how to use coconut oil on a daily basis. Guys, hey, thanks for watching. Hi, Dr. Axe here.

I want to say thanks so much for checking out this YouTube video and also don't forget to subscribe if you want to get more great content on things like herbs, essential oils, natural remedies, and how to use food as medicine. Also, check out more of our content on my YouTube channel. Thanks for watching.