How TIANA Pure Organic Virgin Coconut Oil can help the Elderly
TIANA Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a multifunction product which is nutritious and delicious to be incorporated into a daily diet and used to treat dry skin conditions for the elderly.
The article on Benefits of Coconut Oil for the Elderly was written by the famous nutritionist Dr. Linda Kennedy MS SLP ND outlining the enormous health benefits of coconut oil for older people.
With increasing age, there are distinct physical changes to the human body. Although the aging process is not reversible, there are some changes that can be slowed with natural therapies. Coconut oil is one such therapy that can be used to treat a variety of conditions caused by aging.
Coconut oil can be used in two ways it can be applied to the skin to treat a variety of skin conditions and it can be consumed usually as a cooking oil.
The elderly are prone to a condition called xerosis, which is characterized by dry, rough, scaly, and itchy skin. Skin moisturizers are commonly-used to treat this condition. However, coconut oil has been used as a skin moisturizer in the tropics for centuries. Furthermore, coconut oil has anti-septic properties not found in traditional moisturizers. Since xerosis is often caused by skin inflammation, the anti-septic properties of coconut oil result in better outcomes versus traditional moisturizers. This outcome was demonstrated in a randomized clinical study that compared patients with xerosis who were treated with either coconut oil or mineral oil a common skin ointment (Agero 2004). Although patients in both groups showed improvements, patients treated with coconut oil had superior outcomes. Furthermore, there were no adverse reactions associated with coconut oil application.
When coconut oil is consumed, many different maladies that are attributed to aging can be treated. Although coconut oil is high in fat, it consists primarily of medium-chain fatty acids, with lauric acid being the primary fatty acid. Lauric acid is metabolized to form a compound called monolaurin, which acts as an antioxidant with antiviral and antibacterial properties. These fats are not harmful like other saturated fats and are, in fact, beneficial for a number of ailments.
Due to its antimicrobial effects, coconut oil is an effective defence against infection. Consumption of coconut oil has been used to treat conditions such as pneumonia and skin infections. The immune system of the elderly is generally weaker than that of younger adults. The fatty acids contained in coconut oil act to strengthen immunity and lower risk of infection. Furthermore, the antioxidant properties of coconut oil offer protection against cancer since the antioxidants limit free radical damage and suppress tumour growth.
Most people lose lean body mass, i.e. bone and muscle, with age. This can result in osteoporosis, obesity and general frailty. The fatty acids contained in coconut oil are burned quickly, which prevents it from being stored in the body as fat. Coconut oil also increases the metabolic rate. The overall result is less fat accumulation and more fat burned for energy (instead of lean mass), which will lead to a better body composition profile. Coconut oil helps with weight loss in another way too by decreasing the appetite during and after meals. The healthy fat in coconut oil helps people eat less by feeling full earlier in the meal. These fatty acids also help stabilize blood glucose levels following meals to maintain constant energy levels. These outcomes provide evidence that coconut oil can be used to stabilize blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Coconut oil lowers total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and increases HDL cholesterol levels. Coconut oil is also protective against heart disease and even limits heart damage during a heart attack. Not surprisingly, populations that consume the most coconut oil have the lowest rates of cardiovascular disease.
Digestive complications become more common with age. Coconut oil improves digestion by increasing absorption of vitamins and minerals and by neutralizing bacteria that cause indigestion. A melted tablespoon or two of Coconut oil can be used in juicing recipes for a glass of the best liquid vitamins ever. While vitamin supplements are popular, it is best to get your nutrition from whole foods such as coconut oil.
A final benefit of coconut oil relates to thyroid health. Coconut oil stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. When there are normal levels of thyroid hormone, LDL cholesterol is converted to anti-aging hormones like DHEA and testosterone. However, if thyroid hormone levels are too low, LDL cholesterol accumulates on artery walls and causes hardening of the arteries. Since thyroid activity declines with age, regular use of coconut oil can help maintain normal thyroid levels.
Overall, coconut oil is a commonly-found natural product with many uses especially for the elderly. This oil can be used liberally to treat and prevent age-related conditions that traditionally require prescription medication all with absolutely no side effects.
Dr. Linda Kennedy MS SLP ND
References
Agero AL, Verallo-Rowell VM. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis. 2004 Sep; 15(3):109-16.
