And there are health benefits: coconut oil may even aid in lowering cholesterol, maintaining blood sugar levels, and restoring thyroid function. When you consume coconut oil, the body converts the lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases. For example coconut oil is know to help treat influenza, heal herpes,  cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps fight harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia. As a result of these various health benefits of coconut oil, though its exact mechanism of action was unknown, it has been extensively used in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicinal system.  Coconut oil is also great for your skin, but why is even more interesting.  The sebaceous glands of human skin produce MCFAs like the ones in coconut oil, which destroy certain bacteria, fungi and viruses.

While soaps wash away this sebaceous oil, coconut oil can act as a restorative, not only protecting the skin but moisturizing it as well and helping prevent scars and stretch marks.  The high level of MCFAs in coconut oil makes it the most stable of oils but despite its longer shelf life than other oils, it should be stored away from sunlight and heat. Since other oils and fats can more easily become rancid, they can have a negative effect on the skin’s connective tissues.  Try using coconut oil to moisturize your skin for great effects on the connective tissues.