Let me also add that feeding this to your cat, dog and/or horse will help their teeth and breath also in addition to being very good for their coats and digestion.
Tanoe Kaku (Tema, Ghana) on 04/24/2011:
Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) in the form of capsules is grossly inadequate to obtain the expected health benefits. VCO is not medicne and does not behave like medicine in the body. VCO is used directly by the cells, just as they use proteins and carbohydrates for the work of the cells. The medium chain fatty acids in VCO are used by the cells for essential services, which make the cells work efferctively and efficiently. Hence, the cells require VCO as regularly as the other food nutrients.
VCO should therefore be considered as a component of food that promotes good health and has the potential to heal many diseases and ailments. VCO works best as it gets ingested with proteins, carbohydrates and other micro-nutients in food.
When VCO is taken as medicine, while processed unsaturated vegetable oils are consumed as food, it is highly unlikely to gain the expected health benefits. Processed unsaturated vegetable oils contain high levels of poly unsaturated fatty acids. These poly unsaturated fatty acids slowly cause many different kinds of diseases and ailments, which may affect the genes and the yet to be born.
When one adopts VCO in order to heal or prevent a disease or an ailment, then it is important that any food containing processed unsaturated vegetable oils be avoided. Further, the quantities of the VCO, as food, should be substantial I. E. Initially about the same volume or weight as the protein, and the carbohydrate level should be reduced considerably. When there is good relieve from the ailment, the quantities of VCO may be reduced to maintenance level and carbohydrate increased.
VCO gives excellent results as part of the normal diet. Raw VCO has no side effects, hence good results are achieved if it is used liberaly and directly as food or as body/hair lotion.
As a matter of interest, apple cider vinegar and fermented foods contain the basic short chain fatty acid, ascetic acid, which is used by the cells in the same manner as the cell uses the fatty acids in VCO to prevent and heal diseases.
Cheryl (Houston, TX) on 05/29/2009:
I mix 2 t. of the EVCO with 6 oz. yogurt, 1/4 C. blueberries and 1/2 C. granola. It tastes great! View Entire Thread
LaToya (Bronx, NY) on 04/23/2009:
I've started using VCO recently. I mix a teaspoon into my hot coffee. It tastes great, actually. Don't know if thats an ideal way to take it, but it tastes good.
Tina (River John, Nova Scotia, Canada) on 01/07/2009:
I have come up with a great way to take black strap molasses and virgin coconut oil. I make fudge out of three ingredients. I take 2 tbls BSM, 2 TBLS VCO, 2 TBLS OF a peanut butter or any nut butter preferably organic but not necessary, I have even used nutella. I melt VCO by putting it in a dish placed in sink with hot waterfor a slow melt. Add the peanut butter mix until smooth and add the BSM mix until smooth. Pour into a flat dish and refrigerate until hard. Then I cut it into one tbls size squares.I take one square in the am and one in the pm.some would want to increase the amount of intake, but this is the right amount for me. i also take the weekend off from consuming this. I make this every few days so that it is always fresh. I would love some feedback on this if you like it or if someone sees a problem with taking it this way. Hope this helps people to stomach some of the things that can be hard to take. This actually tastes all right.Tina
Susan (Higganum, Connecticut) on 11/17/2008:
How to take Coconut Oil recipe suggestion
I have been mixing 1 tsp EVCO (you don't need to melt it) with a 1/2 tsp peanut butter! I take it twice a day. It's actually pretty good! Enjoy! Susan
Karen (Santa Clarita, CA) on 08/13/2008:
I've just started taking Extra Virgin Coconut Oil for psoriasis. I always use a pendulum to assess proper dosages when taking herbs or supplements. You can use anything that dangles (I've even used my key chain) and I've made pendulums from a paper clip or safety pin attached to a thread. Hold the item in your left hand and hold the pendulum in your right hand over the object as you ask the question for a "yes" or "no" response. If the pendulum swings from left to right as when a person motions "no" the answer is no. If the pendulum swings from north to south as in a person motioning "yes" then the answer is yes. Or if the pendulum swings clockwise the answer is "yes" and if it swings counterclockwise the answer is no. Simple. In the case of EVCO I first asked "Would it be beneficial for me to take this EVCO now?" The answer was "yes". Then I asked if it would be beneficial to take 1 Tbs. The answer was "no". I asked if it would be beneficial to take 2 tsp. The answer was "no". Then I asked if it would be beneficial to take 1 tsp. The answer was "no". From there I knew I had to take either more than 1 Tbs. or less than 1 tsp. So I asked if it would be beneficial to take 1/2 tsp. and the answer was "yes"! I had my correct dosage for my body. Interestingly, after taking 1/2 tsp. EVCO I had a queasy stomach, but didn't get sick. Imagine how I would have felt had I just gone ahead and taken 1 Tbs. without checking with the pendulum! I will continue with the 1/2 tsp. dosage until my body tells me to increase or decrease the dosage. I hope this will help you too. Karen
Joanna (Lansdowne, PA) on 04/10/2008:
I tried Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil for the 1st time a few days ago and I was okay. It felt funny going down though and it made me feel kinda a weird. I've taken 2 teaspoons with concord grape juice. It was a great combination and the taste was out of this world (very delicious). I will gradually use this product for my thyroid condition, due to reading great articles and other responders of how great EVOCO is for health. With everything I suggest you start off with lose dose. I wouldn't go my the recommended dose on the package. 2-3 tablespoon seems to be too much, unless you are cooking with it. Taking that much orally is too much and you would get sick. I used it with juice and it felt a little weird, because it do not vaporate and I had to swallow a lump of EVOCO, but I didn't get sick. Thank God. I will skip a day and then use it again, but only 1 tsp. Be careful everyone, don't overdo it. :)
Helle (San Miguel, Mexico) on 03/04/2008:
I cook with coconut oil. It's solid, like butter, and I use it as a spread. I don't like to use butter unless its raw and organic. I also use it on my body. I've never noticed any unpleasant side effects,and I eat a lot of it, five six tablespoons a day. It makes a great skin cream.
KLF (New York, USA) on 01/06/2008:
hi- i have been using coconut oil for nearly and year and have had near amazing results- i have recommended it to everyone i know. 2 tips, the first one is i always take it on a full stomach (taking it on an empty stomach caused me to become physically ill on more than one occasion, but since i have been taking it after eating i have been fine). also, for people who cant swallow it, i melt mine first, take a spoonful and chase it down with a small glass of oj. it is the only way i can get it down. but it works!
Jarrod (Fillmore, CA) on 10/16/2007:
Coconut Oil -- This stuff is the truth!!! I used to take a tablespoon straight up, but that made me sick. So now I use it to cook my eggs. I also spread it on my toast with some local honey drizzled on there. mmmmmm.... I totally notice an increase with energy! And it's delicious!
Warren (Costa Mesa, California) on 09/23/2007:
It seems odd that so many people have side effects from using vco. I've been using it for oil pulling since the taste is so pleasant. I use at least one tablespoon with a little honey with a jigger of ACV in the morning. No side effects for this 76 year old kid. Now if I could only cure my emphysema.
Jann (Sydney, Australia) on 04/29/2007:
i have only just started tacking vco and with starting anything new for the first time i would highly recommend starting on the smallest dose possible to see if you have any negative reactions (healing crisis included). the desire to be healed quickly unfortunatley means we have a tendacny to take the maximum doseage first up. While this may be alright for some people, i would still proceed with caution. i have a very sensative digestive system - ibs, and have only started taking 5mls daily and have had no negative reactions.
Mel (Waterford, Connecticut, USA) on 04/16/2007:
I feel a better understaning has to be presented in regards to how much EVCO should be ingested at the very start of using this product. As I believe the best way to start using this product is in cooking only to see if you can tolerate its effects. After a couple of weeks, try weaning on a 1/8 tsp in food for a few days, then up it to 1/4 tsp, then eventually to one teaspoon. Move up gradually to a maximum of one tablespoon once a day. I feel once a day is enough to get the benefits of EVCO. Please make sure it's Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil ONLY! You will be safe if you will take these precautions. If you still have a problem digesting EVCO, you may be allergic to coconut products.
Christine (San Diego, California) on 04/06/2007:
I have been suffering with the symptoms describing hypothyroidism. Last week I started the EVCO and added the ACV, of course, decided to throw in the molasses. I will keep you all posted on my progress, trying to feel better and lose the 40 pounds I have picked up. Today I write because I have come up with a great drink. It kills two birds with one stone. Here goes:
ONE LARGE MUG
2 BAGS OF LIPTON CARMEL TRUFFLE TEA
ONE TBSP EVCO [Extra Virgin Coconut Oil]
ONE TBPS BLACK STRAP MOLASSES
ONE HALF TO ONE TBSP HONEY
POUR BOILING WATER OVER THE INGREDIENTS IN MUG AND STIR GENTLY WHILE STEEPING TO MELT THE COCONUT OIL.
I could not stand the taste of the molasses, however it is so yummy in this tea. Hope you like it. I have noticed since the evco and acv that like most everyone else, my ENERGY has soared, skin soft, body temp up, hair and nails gowing, dry seriously cracking heels softer and healing (using oil dirrectly) no more claritin, sleeping better, brighter outlook. This is only my seventh day. At first I seemed to gain a little weight, but just today I noticed the scale is down 1 pound. I am keeping at it and will keep you posted. Christine
Laurin (KC, MO, USA) on 03/12/2007:
I have used coconut oil for years. I usually buy a large jar (long shelf life and stable) for cost purposes. The first thing I noticed is my nails do not break when I am taking it; if I run out they will begin to break again. I think it is the medium chain tryglicerides that help - we don't get enough of those in our diet. I use coconut oil with a small amount of olive oil for sautéing veggies, and sometime I will make a fudgelike dish using a little cocoa, a little sugar and coconut oil to help it go down instead of taking it plain on the spoon. But I also take it and spread it on a piece of Ezekiel bread (flourless bread) and add either a banana or a little jelly. To me it tastes great but I have trained myself over the years. Then I also use the coconut milk which is great in curries. It has the needed fat and I love Panang anything.
Pam (Salem, OR) on 02/27/2007:
I have just recently read about the health benefits of virgin coconut oil but was having a hard time figuring out how to take it as I cannot stomach eating it off a spoon or in a shake. I used the air popper to make pop corn and put the coconut oil in the butter melter section, then poured it over my pop corn. If you eat it immediately it doesn't taste as good as if you let it sit for a little while. I made it after breakfast, used a little butter flavored salt on it, then I ate it for lunch. It is SO yummy.
Weng (the Philippines) on 01/04/2007:
Coconut Oil and Coconut Milk: Shines hair, soft skin, (c-oil) good for cooking vegetables, meat like chicken or pork (c-milk). Coconut oil has a lot of things for good, you can use it on your hair as a conditioner or use it as lotion on your skin. While, coconut Milk is good for cooking, we usually used it for cooking vegetables or meat for our meals. It's so delicious everybody loves it.
Grace (Manila, Philippines) on 12/01/2006:
First, I would like to clarify what is the difference between Coconut oil and the Virgin coconut oil (VCO). Philippines national tree is the coconut tree, and coconut oil has been used by our people since time in memorial. anyway, coconut oil is being used for cooking alone. then there is another kind of coconut oil that is being cooked in our own kitchen that produces brown color, this oil is good for the skin and hair. Believe me i've been using this from child and i have the shiniest hair ever. Now, there's another coconut oil which is called Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO). The oil was extracted from coconut thru cold pressed. the opposite of the second coconut oil i mentioned. now, this oil can be drunk and applied on hair and skin. I used both the 2nd and 3rd coconut oil for my skin alternately. I always have insect bites that leaves ugly scars, and coconut oil heals it and the ugly scars will be gone. I also use this as my moisturizer. There are researches about coconut oil (VCO) ... it was said that coconut oil can cure cancer but i am not sure if this is already proven. I can say that Philippines produces the best coconut oil products. I guess, this is one of our secrets why we have beautiful and younger looking skin and very shiny hair :) by the way, since coconut oil solidifies during cold weather, we now have coconut oil in capsules.. just an FYI.
June (South Australia) on 08/24/2006:
Coconut Oil has cured my arthritic pain, balanced blood sugar, given me energy and reduced lines and wrinkles. After reading all the positive results I found a place in Australia that sells excellent C/oil. I take three tablespoons a day (one each meal) I also use it externally on my skin, with amazing results. I had no side effects, nor has it altered my cholesterol reading. Mixed with a hot lemon drink with turmeric is a good start to the day. Mixed with yogurt or cottage cheese, muesli and fruit is also delicious. I stopped taking Glucosamine when I started the C/oil and have not taken any since.
Manasvini (Maharashtra, India) on 07/02/2006:
i came across your site by chance. for those of u who are using coconut oil, it is great for external skin. it is used for a whole body massage every week here in india. but i wouldn't recommend it for internal consumption. i have heard that the oil is high in cholesterol. it is the normal cooking oil that i am talking about. that's why we indians use til oil or sunflower oil for cooking. i am not sure what extra virgin coconut oil is. actually normal coconut oil is used to induce vomiting in case of accidental swallowing of poison ,etc. take precautions be fore taking internally.
Pinoy Ako (the Philippines) on 06/05/2006:
please take only VIRGIN COCONUT OIL, and not just ordinary cooking coconut oil. The difference is in their processing. The former is good for your health--boost immunity, etc. The benefits are widely studied:
http://www.doh.gov.ph/sars/coconut_oil.htm
Diarrhea is a natural side effect. Coconut detoxifies your digestive system; after a while (two weeks for me), it normalizes and relieves your diarrhea problem.
Rhonald (Washington, DC) on 06/02/2006:
This oil really helped my skin, which becomes dry in winter. It also helped my immune system and provides the best oil to cook with. I have known about coconut oil for some time now, recommended by Dr. Joseph Mercola, in IL., when I went to see him in 2002. Regretfully, I have run out for a while now, but will reorder. To all the people who experience(d) stomach upset and other flu like symptoms; this may be because the oil is noted for ridding the body of toxins. Anytime you ingest anything that attacks parasites, bacteria, viruses, etc., you are inducing a body cleansing. The body responds by making you feel sick, and the degree, which is an indication of the level of toxins in your body. If the body is not prepared for this, it reacts (cleansing reaction). I never personally experienced this and I would highly recommend that if you use this oil, your system needs to at least be very hydrated with pure water, vegetable juice, weak teas, and eliminate sugar and starchy foods or at least cut back for a week or so to see how you react. Help the body do its job.
Also, go to your local healthfood store and get pH papers. When I embarked on a 4 week deep cleanse a few years ago, the author was very firm with people to NOT cleanse until the pH was around the 6-7 mark, acidic/alkaline. If your body is too acidic, cleansing reactions will be worse. The body needs to be balanced before toxins are released into the system. The pH factor of body fluids (not stomach acid) is critical for overall good health, because disease thrives in an acidic environment. You might want to check out these pages at the end... it will explain all the benefits of coconut oil and all fats. It is the best oil for cooking, as its molecules remain stable under high heat. Beware, many commercial coconut oils are refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) and contain chemicals used in processing. This you don't want, so ask the source how it is made. I hope this is helpful to those who became ill (cleansing reactions?) Note: some people may be allergic to coconuts, so that could have been the culprit? In closing, I would say research this and don't give up on the oil.
Below are some useful pages. http://www.mercola.com/2001/jul/28/coconut_oil.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/24/coconut_oil.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2001/jul/28/coconut_health.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2002/aug/17/saturated_fat1.htm
I researched this and many other topics surrounding fats in general. I am now on cod liver oil, flax meal, and low mercury fish, which has to be ordered out of state.
Dave (Cambridge, MN) on 05/19/2006:
Reply to Connie's inquiry on how others take coconut oil. I just started taking it, so i'm only taking 1 tsp a couple times a day. Trying to start slow to avoid problems others have had. I mix it in peanut butter and eat it on celery sticks and carrots. Has worked for me.
Johnny (Manila, Philippines) on 03/01/2004:
i often had a hard time before with my bowel movement. i rarely went to the CR to poop, 4x a week was the most, which i found abnormal. i read an article about virgin coco oil and its effects on health. i learned that it does not have any side effect so i went to a nearby drugstore to get one. The effect was faster than i though it would be. i took a spoonful before going to bed and presto! after breakfast the following day i felt relief because the stomach that was once hard to please voluntarily surrendered itself to nature's calling. i recommend VCO for better health and longer life. see for yourself.
