Coconut Oil Health Benefits Coconut oil has been suggested to lead to a range of health boons. These differ from aiding in weight-loss, fighting heart disease, and the documented anti-fungal and anti-microbial activity. And it feeds the brain with a highly efficient energy source. Coconut oil has found common use as a beauty product in recent years. When used on the skin and hair, coconut oil has a moisturizing result, and may also have a role in reducing hair loss through the application of lauric acid, a microbial agent found in coconut oil. The fatty acids held in coconut oil may also help to fight dandruff. Coconut oil is commonly encountered in cosmetic products more and more due to these described advantages. Few wide studies have been run into the benefits of coconut oil, with the huge majority of studies being small-scale and uncontrolled. Despite this, research has highlighted several areas where coconut oil may be favourable, although this research is still inadequate. For example, it has been shown that coconut oil can be applied as a spray for the treatment of head lice in kids. Preliminary studies have pointed out that it can be as efficient as chemical solutions containing insecticides, but no large studies have been run. Perhaps ironically, some people use coconut oil as a aid for weight loss despite its high calorific composition. Studies have yet to be performed on a great scale, but developing research has found that 10 ml coconut oil three times per day may decrease waist size after 1-6 weeks of use. There is also recorded assistance in using coconut oil as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and thyroid syndrome. No great research has been run in these fields, but some tests are ongoing. There are some reservations that coconut oil may boost levels of cholesterol in the body, however studies so far raises the possibility that coconut oil might raise the levels of "good" cholesterol in the body whilst resulting in no consequence upon the levels of "bad" cholesterol. Recommended Daily Dosage No formal treatment dosage for now prevails, and serving routines of vitamin companies and nutritionists often vary widely. 4g of coconut oil looks to be a reasonable starting point, but common sense says that if one is to further increase the dose it should be done slowly as experience allows. In conclusion, it seems that coconut oil really is a safe addition to everyone's diet and those who use high saturated fat oils, such as cornflower oil and vegetable oil should consider switching to coconut oil. You can also use coconut oil for spreading on toast, for frying chips and for moisturising and washing your hair; this substance really is a God send, so go and tell your friends all about it. Final word: Please make sure you always consult your GP before starting any new supplement regime, in particular you should ask for liver, kidney and cholesterol levels to be monitored regularly and supplementation should cease if any of these readings become abnormal.