COCONUT OIL VERSUS OTHER OILS

Fats and oils : Fats are generally solid at room temperature and oils are liquid. All fats & oils are either saturated or unsaturated. Unsaturated fats are further divided into monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats ( Poly means many). Monounsaturated fats have single double bond (Missing two hydrogen atoms) and polyunsaturated fats have two or more double bonds ( Missing four or more hydrogen atoms).Only mono or poly unsaturated fats are prone to oxidation and rancidity as they lack hydrogen atoms and have a place where oxygen atoms can attach with the carbon. Saturated fats like coconut oil, butter, lard, tallow or palm oil has no place for oxygen to attach and doesn't get oxidized.

Next thing to be considered is the length of the carbon chain and carbon length of four to ten carbons is called medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) or medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) and twelve or more carbons is called long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) or triglycerides (LCTs). Long chain triglycerides as found in corn, soy, safflower, sunflower, canola, groundnut, cottonseed oils are difficult to digest and broken down by digestive enzymes in the gut than medium chain triglycerides found in coconut oil.

Extra virgin Olive oil is considered a better monounsaturated oil due to its chemical structure and polyphenols (antioxidants) and can be used as salad dressing only. Olive oil should never be used for cooking due to its high vulnerability on heating.

Polyunsaturated oils like corn, soy, safflower, canola, groundnut, cottonseed, grapeseed and sunflower oils are absolutely the worst oils to cook with. Their double bonds are easily prone to oxidation and susceptible to heat damage. LCTs they contain are  difficult for the body to break down and require special enzymes for digestion. Further they need lipoproteins to carry and are predominantly stored in the body as fat or deposited within the arteries in lipid forms such as cholesterol.. LCTs put more strain on the pancreas, the liver and the entire digestive system.

Canola Oil Background : Canola oil is a rapeseed (Sarson, toria, taramira). The US banned rapeseed in 1956 when thousands of soldiers and civilians developed blistered lungs and skin due to  toxic high erucic acid (22 C:w9) content. Canadian scientists developed a variety of rapeseed with low erucic acid content and named low erucic acid rapeseed (LEAR) and tried to market it as LEAR oil in Canada and US  and  not well received as its association with rapeseed was too glaring, which didn't promote a healthy image. In 1978 the food industry managed to change the name to Canola from the words Canada and Ola meaning oil. During the 1970-80's the consumption of polyunsaturated oils corn and soybean oils in particular connected to numerous inflammatory health complications namely cancer and heart disease.

In 1985 the Canadian Government got a GRAS (Generally recognized as safe) status from FDA and USDA after very hard  and unhealthy negotiations. In 1995 a major alteration launched Canola that was genetically engineered to contain bacterial DNA that would make it resistant to glyphosate herbicide (Round up). Canola oil is 55-65% monounsaturated and 28-35% polyunsaturated fat. In 1996 Japanese study concluded that canola oil diet killed lab animals. In 1997 Canadian study confirmed that canola oil drained vitamin E from piglets to dangerously low levels. Canola oil inflames your body with foreign genetically engineered DNA, trans fats, and toxic chemical residues.

Coconut oil is a miracle oil not only a food but a powerful medicine too :

Around 90% fatty acids of coconut oil are saturated and doesn't clog arteries because they are medium chain triglycerides and go straight to the liver and used as a quick source of energy like glucose. Coconut oil contains 50% Lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, caproic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid. Lauric acid is converted into monolaurin in the gut and is a strong antibiotic. Similarly capric acid is converted into monocaprin a powerful antimicrobial by enzymes in the gut. Coconut oil contains gallic acid (phenolic acid) responsible for its fragrance and taste.

Coconut oil increases energy expenditure helping you burn more fat  .

Lauric acid and Capric acids in coconut can kill gram negative bacteria, lipid coated viruses hepes HIV, measles, influenza and fungi.

Ketone bodies in coconut oil kills your hunger and have appetite reducing effect.

Epilepsy : Fatty acids in coconut oil turns into ketones and treat drug resistant epilepsy in children.

Heart Diseases :Coconut oil lowers the risk of heart disease by raising good cholesterol and lowering triglycerides, bad cholesterol and clotting factors.

Coconut oil improves Alzheimer's due to its supply of ketones to brain  for energy as the brain is starving for glucose.

Malnutrition  and Absorption : it helps in absorption of calcium, vitamin E, K and iron.

Skin Care : Coconut oil is very effective in skin diseases like psoriasis, acne, eczema, dermatitis.

Hair Care :  It is used for healthy growth of hair, giving shining quality & reduce protein loss in hair and is great for dandruff relief and head lice.

Immunity : Coconut oil enhances immune function due to lauric acid, and fights herpes, influenza, HIV, Listeria, H. pylori, Giardia lamblia protozoa.

Digestion : It improves digestion and prevents irritable bowel syndrome

Healing wounds and infections :  Coconut oil forms a chemical layer and protects body part from external dust, air , fungi, bacteria and viruses on bruises.

Coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes and SARS.

It kills bacteria causing ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea and fungi or yeast causing ringworm, athlete's foot , thrush, diaper rash.

Coconut gives relief in inflammation of the liver, pancreas, gall bladder and kidney stones.

Stress relief : Coconut oil is very soothing and eliminates mental fatigue if massaged in the head.

Diabetes : It controls blood sugar in diabetics and improves secretion of insulin and proper utilization of blood glucose.

 Strong Bones : It improves absorption of minerals and fat soluble vitamins and strengthen bones.

Thyroid Function : Coconut oil improves thyroid function, increases metabolism and body temperature.

It is very effective in removing pregnancy stretch marks, cradle craps on baby's scalp.

It removes cellulite and varicose veins.

Make Up :Coconut oil is great as  makeup remover, facial scrub, lip balm, shaving cream, body scrub.

Colds & Flu: Apply coconut oil inside of your nostrils for frequent nose bleeds and colds and flu.

For ear infections place a few drops of coconut oil in each ear canal.

Skin diseases like measles, shingles apply a small amount of coconut oil to the affected areas.

OIL PULLING :  Oil pulling process involves rinsing, pulling and pushing coconut oil in your mouth much like  you would with a mouth wash for at least 10-15 minutes and spitting the oil and rinsing with warm water. It pulls  out bacteria, viruses, fungi and other debris and should be done in the morning before breakfast. Oil pulling cleanses, detoxify and heals not only your mouth , sinuses but the entire body as well. Candida and streptococcus the inhabitants of mouth and their toxic debris  causes plaque formation and teeth decay. Oil pulling improves immune function by lowering the toxic load of bacteria and candida  and subsequently  their spread to rest of the body.

Oral Health Benefits : Coconut oil with baking soda and sea salt is natural fluoride free cheap and inexpensive effective tooth paste. Baking soda and sea salt gently clean the teeth while coconut oil checks the bacterial growth due to its antimicrobial properties.

Deodorant :  Coconut oil along with baking soda and arrowroot powder makes natural deodorant and on applying directly onto your armpits can help keep odours at bay.

                                  DISCLAIMER

THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS MEANT TO HELP AUDIENCE BETTER UNDERSTAND HEALTH CONCERNS. INFORMATION IS BASED ON REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DATA.

THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS SPECIFIC MEDICAL ADVICE. CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING THERAPIES, DIAGNOSIS AND/OR HEALTH CONDITIONS PRIOR TO MAKING THERAPEUTIC DECISIONS.

Posted on January 1st, 2016 by

Sukhwinder Brar

President

Healthy Lifestyle Knowledge Foundation

                    GLUTEN SENSITIVITY

GLUTEN : GLUTEN : GLUTEN : GLUTEN : GLUTEN : GLUTEN : GLUTEN

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale. Protein is made up of different combinations of standard amino acids. Wheat  protein is mainly gluten that is further made up of glutenin and gliadin. There are four different types of gliadins : alpha, beta, gamma and omega gliadins. In addition wheat also contains agglutinins (Lectins) and prodynorphins.  

Tissue transglutaminase ( tTG) enzyme breaks down wheat gluten in the gut into deamidated  gliadin and gliadorphins. The structure of gliadin is different than other proteins due to abundance of proline and glutamine amino acids. Both enzymes make a strong bond between other amino acids hence are not easily broken down and digested. Thus gluten puts a great stress on the digestive system and irritates the lining of the small intestine.

Celiac disease is characterized by an immune response to a specific single type of gliadin (alpha-gliadin) and a specific type of tissue transglutaminase (tTG-2). While the other types of gliadins (beta, gamma, omega),deamidated gliadin, gliadorphins  and transglutaminases (tTG-3 in the skin, tTG-6 in the brain) are never tested. Therefore 99 percent of gluten intolerance or celiac disease are never diagnosed. This is a great concern because conventional lab testing for celiac disease and gluten intolerance screens for antibodies to alpha gliadin and tissue transglutaminase -2 only. This means how severely you're reacting to any other fractions of gliadin( beta, gamma, omega) and tissue transglutaminase (tTG 3 &6) you'll test negative for celiac and gluten intolerance.

It is predicted that a large percentage of celiacs don't even have abdominal symptoms, making the diagnosis very complicated. According to one study done on people with celiacs, 80% of them don't even know that they have it. Humans have consumed wheat for thousands of years, so what has changed in wheat now that it would have begin to bother us only in the past few decades. The hybrid dwarf wheat varieties contain way more gluten fraction of wheat than our ancestors consumed. Our dependence on antibiotics and pain killers  for every minor disease have destroyed our intestinal flora and weakened our immune system.  Processed , deep fried and  sugar laden foods have further complicated the problem of dysbiosis. Glyphosate ( Round up) sprayed right before harvesting wheat accumulates in the grains and acts like a gasoline on fire in causing our immune system to go haywire.

A review paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine listed 55 diseases that can be caused by eating gluten. Can you imagine any other food or even a drug or narcotics comes closer to gluten in causing a multitude of diseases. The problem is that only one percent of those with the disease were actually diagnosed. Gluten is the most common environmental allergen and toxin that we are exposed to. Why would we continue to eat something that causes inflammation and increases gut permeability every time we eat it. Just a tiny amount of gluten is enough to cause a significant reaction from the immune system and the effects can last weeks or even months to pacify it. Gluten sensitivity is the next epidemic.

List of symptoms and diseases caused by gluten :

1. Digestive issues include gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

2. Nutrients malabsorption and keratosis pilaris ( chicken skin on back of arms) and anemia or low blood count due to iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia doesn't respond to iron therapy because of flattened villi.

3. Fatigue : Gluten can contribute to feelings of sluggishness and tiredness. In inflamed body, spending resources dealing with gluten proteins leads to depletion of energy.

4. Autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Hypothyroidism), rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma and multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Since gliadin, the main problem causing gluten protein is similar in structure to other proteins found in tissues of organs such as the thyroid or the pancreas and antibodies against gliadin can end up attacking these organs and ultimately cause autoimmune diseases like hypothyroidism and type 1 diabetes. Gluten's anti-inflammatory effect in the gut causes intestinal cells to die prematurely and cause oxidation of the cells and leaky gut that allow bacterial proteins and other toxic products to get into the blood stream and lead to autoimmune attack.

5. Neurological problems such as dizziness,, feeling of being off balance. Cerebellar ataxia is the inability to coordinate balance, movements, problems talking and are directly linked to gluten intolerance and damage to the cerebellum that controls motor function. Ataxia, Schizophrenia, Epilepsy, Autism , Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease patients show massive improvements by removing gluten from their diet.

6. Hormonal imbalances like Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), unexplained infertility. According to Dr Daniel Kalish a strong relationship has been established in medical literature between gluten sensitivity and the hormone progesteron , estrogen and adrenal hormonal  imbalance.

7. Migraine headaches: Gluten sensitivity is known to cause headaches and migraines. In a study 56%  people with migraines were found to have gluten sensitivity, and after removing gluten their migraines resolved. Dr Mark Hyman MD and Dr Allessio Fasano state that a 100 % gluten free diet can relieve many cases of chronic migraines.

8.  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: In fibromyalgia muscles and connective tissue aches and pains (Fibro=Connective tissue,Myo =muscle, Algia = pain)

9. Inflammation or pain & swelling in joints of fingers, knees,and hips.: The body while attacking gluten forms immune complexes like interleukin-6 (IL-6) that travels in the blood and settles in the joints causing inflammation. swelling and pain.

10. Mood related disorders like anxiety, depression, mood swings, chronic irritability, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)  and Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The immune reaction  to the gluten creates toxins and damages the villi tiny finger-like protrusions inside the small intestine. Damages to these decreases the body's ability to absorb vital nutrients like B vitamins, iron, vitamin D, omega -3 fatty acid and zinc . These nutrients are essential for brain health and mood enhancing endorphins like dopamine and serotonin. Lack of vitamin D leads to osteoporosis.

11. Brain fog : Gluten contains gluteomorphins that can act like opium & morphine causing brain fog. Gluten can also damage brain cells and cause inflammation.

12. Wheat allergy : Hay fever, Asthma, Eczema, Hives,  Skin rash, Nausea, Stomach cramps, Indigestion, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Stuffy or runny nose, Sneezing, Headache are all caused by wheat gluten. Every time you experience any of the above symptoms , suspect wheat and remove it from your diet and see the results.

13. Dermatitis Herpetiformis  and skin problems:  DH is characterized by intensely itchy, raised fluid filled areas on the skin, usually located on the elbows, knees, buttocks, lower back, face, neck, trunk, within the mouth and gluten free diet improves and heals immediately.  Other skin problems like Eczema,  Acne, Psoriasis are caused by gluten and inflammation under the skin can occur and cause eruptions, rashes, itchiness, burning, redness, and even painful blisters.The consumption of gluten can trigger an immune system response and deposits a  substance  immunoglobulin A (IgA) under the top layer of the skin.

14. Low immunity : If you're prone to frequently getting sick you should consider gluten to potentially be an issue.

15. Unexplained weight gain or loss : Gluten can trigger inflammation in  the body that mimics stubborn weight gain. Type of gut bacteria living in your gut can play a positive role in keeping your weight in healthy range.

16. Vitiligo : is an autoimmune disease because the immune sustem attacks the pigment producing cells of the body. Lack of folic acid and vitamin B12 due to leaky gut  caused by gluten could be a contributing factor. Dr Peter Green a celiac disease expert  advocates that vitiligo can be reversed on a gluten free diet if caught early enough.

The dangers of gluten doesn't stop there. Once the immune system in the small intestine starts reacting to gluten, it is exponentially more likely that the immune system will start reacting to other foods, most often dairy proteins casein, eggs, soy and other grains like rice, millet corn. So in these individuals complete elimination of problematic foods is recommended to heal the gut.

Zonulin is a fascinating  intestinal protein discovered by Dr Allessio Fasano and its main function is to regulate the passage of material from the intestine to the blood stream. Tight junctions are the spaces between cells and prevent foreign particles from entering the body.  Gluten consumption increases the production of  zonulin and results in opening of the tight junctions wide and longer and allow the undigested proteins to  enter the blood stream and causing autoimmune response.

Finally a little bit of advice to intelligent persons I encourage everyone to remove gluten from your diet for a month and see how you feel and improve most of your diseases and get the results you never expected !

References

(i) Ludvigsson JF, Montgomery SM, Ekbom A, Brandt L, Granath F. Small-intestinal histopathology and mortality risk in celiac disease. JAMA. 2009 Sep 16;302(11):1171-8.

(ii) Rubio-Tapia A, Kyle RA, Kaplan EL, Johnson DR, Page W, Erdtmann F, Brantner TL, Kim WR, Phelps TK, Lahr BD, Zinsmeister AR, Melton LJ 3rd, Murray JA. Increased prevalence and mortality in undiagnosed celiac disease. Gastroenterology. 2009 Jul;137(1):88-93

(iii) Green PH, Neugut AI, Naiyer AJ, Edwards ZC, Gabinelle S, Chinburapa V.
Economic benefits of increased diagnosis of celiac disease in a national managed care population in the United States. J Insur Med. 2008;40(3-4):218-28.

(iv) Farrell RJ, Kelly CP. Celiac sprue. N Engl J Med. 2002 Jan 17;346(3):180-8. Review.

(v) Sedghizadeh PP, Shuler CF, Allen CM, Beck FM, Kalmar JR. Celiac disease and recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a report and review of the literature. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2002;94(4):474-478.

(vi) Margutti P, Delunardo F, Ortona E. Autoantibodies associated with psychiatric disorders. Curr Neurovasc Res. 2006 May;3(2):149-57. Review.

(vii) Ludvigsson JF, Reutfors J, Osby U, Ekbom A, Montgomery SM. Coeliac disease and risk of mood disorders--a general population-based cohort study. J Affect Disord. 2007 Apr;99(1-3):117-26. Epub 2006 Oct 6.

(viii) Ludvigsson JF, Osby U, Ekbom A, Montgomery SM. Coeliac disease and risk of schizophrenia and other psychosis: a general population cohort study. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2007 Feb;42(2):179-85.

(ix) Hu WT, Murray JA, Greenaway MC, Parisi JE, Josephs KA. Cognitive impairment and celiac disease. Arch Neurol. 2006 Oct;63(10):1440-6.

(x) Bushara KO. Neurologic presentation of celiac disease. Gastroenterology. 2005 Apr;128(4 Suppl 1):S92-7. Review.

(xi) Millward C, Ferriter M, Calver S, Connell-Jones G. Gluten- and casein-free diets for autistic spectrum disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(2):CD003498. Review.

(xii) Green PH, Jabri B. Coeliac disease. Lancet. 2003 Aug 2;362(9381):383-91. Review.

                                                                        DISCLAIMER

THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS MEANT TO HELP AUDIENCE BETTER UNDERSTAND HEALTH CONCERNS. INFORMATION IS BASED ON REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DATA.

THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS SPECIFIC MEDICAL ADVICE. CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING THERAPIES, DIAGNOSIS AND/OR HEALTH CONDITIONS PRIOR TO MAKING THERAPEUTIC DECISIONS