Coconut is our Favorite Superfood

Whether it hits after lunch or a few hours before the workday ends, even the most motivated people can find themselves skipping workouts and putting off important projects because of midday fatigue.  Before you pull that third shot of espresso… 

What if the one thing your body craves isn’t more caffeine, but some critical fatty acids from a coconut?

MCT oil which is a type of oil from the coconut, is known for fueling your brain for more energy and focus throughout the day. 

So, a few teaspoons in the morning or before a workout can fuel your brain and body for hours —better than any other food or coffee drink.

And because the body metabolizes MCTs at a higher priority than carbs or other fats (and optimizes your metabolism for fat-burning), they’ll help you burn calories instead of packing them away as fat.

So what is this magical oil?

MCT oil or medium chain triglycerides (MCT’s) are unique fatty acids that are found naturally in coconut and palm oils.  They have a remarkable ability to stabilize blood sugar and enhance ketone body production.  This process makes MCT’s a powerful tool to reduce inflammation, improve metabolism and enhance cognitive function.

The term “medium” is in reference to the length of the chain of fatty acids.  Oils can have short, medium or long chains.  Most oils are a combination of short, medium and long chain fatty acids.  MCTs are the easiest type of fatty acid that your body can burn for calories. They get absorbed directly from the gut to the liver and then are used for energy instead of being stored as fat.

Research confirms that MCTs can make you lean and healthy. In one study, researchers compared the results of MCTs with long-chain triglycerides on body fat, energy expenditure, appetite, and other aspects of weight loss in overweight men. They put these men on different diets for 28 days. One group ate a coconut-oil-rich diet high in MCTs. The other group ate a diet rich in long-chain triglycerides like olive oil. They then switched the diets so that they could see differences in the same subjects.

The researchers found the coconut group lost more body fat, which they attributed to a greater increase in energy expenditure and burning fat. Coconut oil actually sped up their metabolisms, allowing them to lose more belly fat and curbing their appetite compared with the men on the olive-oil-rich diet.

In fact, studies suggest that MCTs can help men burn about 460 extra calories a day and women about 190 extra calories (I know, women it’s just not fair!).  MCTs also affect your hormones, including appetite-controlling hormones, helping you feel full.

Part of what makes MCT oil magical is the ketones it contains. Ketones are unique energy producing molecules made from fatty acids.  Our bodies can make them from stored fat or from MCTs.  Ketones feed all the cells of the body, but in particular they are a preferred fuel for the brain.  This is what makes MCT oil brain food.  Research has demonstrated that MCTs can readily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and be oxidized by the brain. Not all food can do that.  

More information on brain health is in Healing Arts podcast Poison and the Blood Brain Barrier and includes steps to follow to help with ADD, poor memory, lack of motivation, depression, and dementia by detoxifying the body of pesticides,  and heavy metals, eating probiotic foods to keep the gut balanced. and eating more essential fatty acids than just coconut oil which are vital for the brain, like avocado, flaxseed, hemp seed, oily fish, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts..  Good brain health includes making quality sleep a priority and reducing psychological and emotional stress through exercise, meditation, journaling.

You need to be careful of the MCT oil you purchase.  Read what type of oils make up the MCT oil.  The best MCT oil is made of caprylic and capric acid.  An MCT oil is processed in a manufacturing plant to remove all the longer chain fats and other compounds except these two fatty acids.  Your MCT oil should also be tested for purity and heavy metals. Th MCT oil we use at Healing Arts is Jarrow.  

MCTs raise up ketones and lower blood sugar naturally.  They have a strong blood sugar stabilizing effect that helps to reduce inflammation. For more on Reducing inflammation through the diet  - Listen to our podcast on Chronic Inflammation.  

You might be hesitant to use coconut oil or MCT oil because it's high in saturated fat, which has unfairly been demonized for decades. There is a world of difference between quality saturated fat in coconut or MCT oils and what you might get in a fast-food meal.

You can get MCTs from whole foods: 

Coconut oil: 15%

Palm kernel oil: 7.9%

Cheese (if you tolerate dairy): 7.3%

Butter: 6.8%

Milk: 6.9%

Yogurt: 6.6%

But you can also get MCTs from specially concentrated MCT oil, which is much more concentrated.  A tablespoon of coconut oil will give you 2 grams of MCTs while MCT oil will give you 15 grams of MCTs.

Most people tolerate MCT oil very well, however, too large of a dose too quickly can cause gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, and diarrhea.  If you have this problem, don’t panic and give up on MCT oil right away. You can easily reduce or eliminate these symptoms by starting with very small doses at a time.  This would mean ½ tsp once a day and slowly increasing the dosage as tolerated.

Adding MCT oil can substitute for some of the oil in your diet but should not be used to replace all the fat in your diet.  Begin using MCT 1 tablespoon per day and slowly increase over several days.  1-3 tablespoons per day is recommended.  

It can be used as a salad dressing, in smoothies, for cooking or just straight up off the spoon.  As a 

Cooking Oil:  MCT oil is highly stable under heat like coconut oil but no coconut flavor

Salad Dressing:  No major flavor so combine it with herbs and vinegar

In Coffee & Tea:  Great for thickening up coffee or tea and improving their health benefits. Putting it in coffee started with Dave Asprey and is called Bullet Proof Coffee.

Smoothies:  Add 2 tbsps of MCT oil in a smoothie to curb hunger and have the smoothie keep you satisfied longer.

If you are thinking of adding MCT oil to your diet ask me at your next appointment and I will muscle test you for it. 90% of patients test well for it.

But there are a couple of issues with most MCTs you’ll find on grocery store shelves…

They’re packed with fillers and derived from low-quality sources…

Clumpy powders and tasteless oils don’t mix well and are hard to get down...

They’re not optimized for absorption!

The one I use, JARROW is different. It contains emulsified MCTs for unparalleled absorption. Plus, it will completely disperse when mixed into any liquid (no blender required).

Besides the MCTs coconut oil has many health benefits.  Coconut oil is great for hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol level maintenance, weight loss, boosting the immune system, proper digestion and regulating metabolism. It also provides relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, and cancer.  I have also seen it help improve dental quality and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and their respective properties, such as  antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial and soothing qualities.

For Hair care:

Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrients for your hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair and gives your hair a shiny quality. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing and healing damaged hair. By regularly massaging your head with coconut oil, you can ensure that your scalp is free of dandruff, even if your scalp is chronically dry. It also helps in keeping your hair and scalp free from lice and lice eggs.

Heart diseases:

There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for heart health. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. In reality, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in actively preventing various heart problems like high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as you commonly find in vegetable oils. Coconut oil does not lead to increase in LDL levels, and it reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

Digestion:

A tablespoon taken before each meal can help improve digestion. It can also be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea.

Skin care:

Coconut oil is an excellent massage oil for the skin. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skin and has a natural SPF 4. It also delays the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of skin which normally accompany aging. It makes for a great after-shave lotion. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. It can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically. When put on cuticles it helps nails grow and also makes a great eye-makeup remover!

Weight loss:

Coconut oil is very useful for weight loss. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and endocrine system. Further, it increases the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, thereby burning more energy and helping obese and overweight people lose the weight. 

Immunity:

Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial fats. Yes, these fats kill germs, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat.

Candida:

Coconut oil has been shown to prevent and even cure candida. It provides relief from the inflammation caused by candida, both externally and internally. Its high moisture retaining capacity keeps the skin from cracking or peeling off. Further, unlike other pharmaceutical treatments for candida, the effects of coconut oil is gradual and not drastic or sudden, which gives the body an appropriate amount of time to slowly kill the fungi and prevent adverse symptoms that can occur when killing the fungi too fast. Adverse symptoms of treating candida to aggressively is known as a die-off reaction. But, in the treatment of this condition, people should systematically and gradually increase their internal dosages of coconut oil and shouldn’t initially start with a large quantity. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and work up to 3 tablespoons over several days.  When having a yeast infection you can soak a tampon in coconut oil and insert it overnight for topical treatment.  

Now there are different types of coconut oil: refined, virgin and pure.  Only use organic coconut oil and for cooking use refined organic coconut oil.  For the skin, hair, medicinal uses it could be pure or virgin organic coconut oil.  It's best to get muscle tested to see which one works best for your body.  

There is also a great book by Bruce Fife for even more info on coconut oil called "The Coconut Oil Miracle”.

There has also been in recent years a lot more coconut based foods being made.  Three years ago coconut water was just making an appearance on store shelves and now you can get it anywhere. There are all kinds of enhanced waters these days, but coconut water is the real deal. The drink quickly became a staple everywhere from health food stores to fitness studios but it's sweet, nutty taste isn't for everyone. Do the nutrition facts back up the hype? Here's what you need to know.

Coconut water is the clear liquid inside coconuts. You'd typically get coconut water from young, green coconuts—those harvested at five to seven months of age, whereas the browner coconuts, are a better source of coconut milk.

Drinking coconut water for post-workout recovery is amazing! I’m so grateful there is something out there other than gatorade.  Just like gatorade, coconut water is abundant in several electrolytes including potassium, sodium, and magnesium. If you're having an intense sweat session, especially in the summer months when you may be sweating more, grab a coconut water and not regular water.  The electrolytes in coconut water can help regulate fluid balance, prevent dehydration, and even ensure proper muscle function. Of course, you'll want to make sure you refuel with enough carbohydrates and protein post-workout as well but coconut water really can help prevent muscle soreness and cramping. 

Coconut water also helps reduce blood pressure and stroke risk. Bananas are notorious for their high potassium levels, but just one cup of coconut water contains more potassium than a medium sized banana. Research suggests that potassium-rich diets can help support the heart by reducing blood pressure and even protecting against stroke.

Coconut water helps with digestion because it contains magnesium, a mineral that helps to keep things moving and prevent constipation. Magnesium also helps prevent cramping.

If you're under the weather, the body can lose a tremendous amount of fluid from vomiting and diarrhea. Coconut water can help with hydration status and balance electrolytes better than regular water in this scenario and you don’t want to drink ginger ale with all the added sugar.

Also use coconut water as an alternative to sugary beverages. Unlike sugar sweetened juices and sodas, coconut water usually has little to no added sugar (in unflavored varieties) and is yet still sweet. This makes it a great choice for those craving something sweet and yet trying to reduce their consumption of added sugar.

I personally add 4 ounces of coconut water to my morning superfood smoothie because it has a way of enhancing the health benefits of the other superfoods in it so I can get even more nutrition out of my smoothie. I only drink one type of coconut water, Harmless Harvest. I was first attracted to it being organic and not thermally pasteurized and after trying lots of different coconut waters it’s the taste that keeps me loyal to this brand. For your convenience and my enjoyment we sell Harmless Harvest coconut water at the office.  

The Health Benefits of MCT Oil

How MCT Oil Can Help You Lose Weight and More

MCT oil or medium chain triglycerides (MCT’s) are unique fatty acids that are found naturally in coconut and palm oils.  They have a remarkable ability to stabilize blood sugar and enhance ketone body production.  This process makes MCT’s a powerful tool to reduce inflammation, improve metabolism and enhance cognitive function.

The term “medium” is in reference to the length of the chain of fatty acids.  Oils can have short, medium or long chains.  Most oils are a combination of short, medium and long chain fatty acids.  MCTs are the easiest type of fatty acid that your body can burn for calories. They get absorbed directly from the gut to the liver and then are used for energy instead of being stored as fat.
Research confirms that MCTs can make you lean and healthy. In one study, researchers compared the results of MCTs with long-chain triglycerides on body fat, energy expenditure, appetite, and other aspects of weight loss in overweight men. They put these men on different diets for 28 days. One group ate a coconut-oil-rich diet high in MCTs such as caprylic acid and lauric acid. The other group ate a diet rich in long-chain triglycerides like olive oil. They then switched the diets so that they could see differences in the same subjects.

The researchers found the coconut group lost more body fat, which they attributed to a greater increase in energy expenditure and burning fat. Coconut oil actually sped up their metabolisms, allowing them to lose more belly fat and curbing their appetite compared with the men on the olive-oil-rich diet.

In fact, studies suggest that MCTs can help men burn about 460 extra calories a day and women about 190 extra calories (I know, women it’s just not fair!).  MCTs also affect your hormones, including appetite-controlling hormones, helping you feel full.


MCTs are brain food:
Ketones are unique energy producing molecules made from fatty acids.  Our bodies can make them from stored fat or from MCTs.  Ketones feed all the cells of the body, but in particular they are a preferred fuel for the brain.

Research has demonstrated that MCTs can readily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and be oxidized by the brain. Thus, MCTs may provide both a direct and an indirect brain fuel source via the generation of ketones.  More information on brain health is in this podcast and includes steps to follow to help with ADD, poor memory, lack of motivation, depression, dementia and more.  It includes:

Detoxifying the body of pesticides,  and heavy metals

Taking in probiotic foods to keep the gut balanced

Eating more essential fatty acids than just coconut oil which are vital for the brain, like avocado, flaxseed, hemp seed, oily fish, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts

Reducing inflammation through the diet  - Listen to our podcast on Chronic Inflammation 

Making quality sleep a priority

Reducing psychological and emotional stress through exercise, meditation, journaling

You can also get a pure MCT oil that is concentrated caprylic and capric acid.  An MCT oil is processed in a manufacturing plant to remove all the longer chain fats and other compounds except these two fatty acids.  But be careful with the brand of MCT oil you purchase as it is important to get one that is tested for purity and heavy metals. This is the MCT oil I use.

MCTs raise up ketones and lower blood sugar naturally.  They have a strong blood sugar stabilizing effect that helps to reduce inflammation.

You might be hesitant to use coconut oil or MCT oil because it's high in saturated fat, which has unfairly been demonized for decades. There is a world of difference between quality saturated fat in coconut or MCT oils and what you might get in a fast-food meal.

You can get MCTs from whole foods: here’s a list of MCTs in foods, as a percentage of total fats (source):
Coconut oil: 15%
Palm kernel oil: 7.9%
Cheese (if you tolerate dairy): 7.3%
Butter: 6.8%
Milk: 6.9%
Yogurt: 6.6%


But you can also get MCTs from specially concentrated MCT oil, which is much more concentrated (it’s almost entirely MCTs).  A tablespoon of coconut oil will give you 2 grams of MCTs while MCT oil will give you 15 grams of MCTs.


Most people tolerate MCT oil very well, however, too large of dosages too quickly can cause gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.  If you have this problem, don’t panic and give up on MCT oil right away. You can easily reduce or eliminate these symptoms by starting with very small doses at a time.  This would mean ½ tsp several times daily and slowly increasing the dosage as tolerated.

Adding MCT oil can substitute for some of the oil in your diet but should not be used to replace all the fat in your diet.  Begin using MCT 1 tablespoon per day and slowly increase over several days.  Too much MCT may result in diarrhea or a stomach ache.  1-3 tablespoons per day is recommended.  


How To Use MCT Oil:

MCT oil is very versatile and can be used as a salad dressing, in smoothies, for cooking or just straight up off the teaspoon.  Here are the most popular ways to use MCT oil:

Cooking Oil:  Highly stable under heat like coconut oil but no coconut flavor

Salad Dressing:  No major flavor so combine it with herbs and vinegar
In Coffee & Tea:  Great for thickening up coffee or tea and improving their health benefits. Here’s a recipe for Bullet Proof Coffee. 
Smoothies:  Add 2 tbsps of MCT oil in a smoothie to curb hunger and have the smoothie keep you satisfied longer.

DIY Toothpaste

DIY Toothpaste

Nobody I know loves going to the dentist. But if I told you it would help your heart, would you be more inclined to go?  We should go for our bi-yearly cleanings and make sure all is healthy and if not, address it. For a tooth infection can disrupt the whole gut flora system.  Mouth to anus is one long tube so a tooth infection can drip down and give stomach aches, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, etc.  Teeth infections can also cause headaches and it can also cause heart disease.

There’s a BIG link between oral health and heart health.

And if your oral health isn’t in tip-top shape…your gut and heart health could be at major risk.

And according to Harvard Medical School and The Mayo Clinic — swallowing too many of these “bad bacteria” can harm your blood vessels, increase blood pressure and put you at major risk of heart disease and stroke.
(https://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/heart-disease-oral-health
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/heart-disease-prevention/faq-20057986)

People think brushing their teeth more could help but it turns out brushing could actually be making the problem worse if you're using the wrong toothpaste.

Many toothpastes contain chemicals like:

• Triclosan, a pesticide and hormone disruptor.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) which causes canker sores for many people.
• Artificial colorings, which are linked to ADHD and hyperactivity in children. Toothpaste does not need to be blue!
• Fluoride, which can be toxic if swallowed and doesn’t even work in toothpaste.
• Titanium dioxide, which is added to make a toothpaste white. Most of the data shows it’s safe and is not absorbed by the skin, but I have yet to find a study done to measure absorption by oral tissues. The EWG has a good list of safety concerns around titanium dioxide, but the take-home message: it can cause cancer.
• Glycerin, which isn’t toxic, but has no place in the mouth as it’s a soap that strips your body’s natural oral mucosa and leaves a film. This film could coat the teeth, messing with the structure of the biofilm which could alter the microbiome in the mouth and impact the natural remineralization process — your body’s natural cavity-fighting mechanism.
• Highly abrasive ingredients, which damage enamel, making teeth sensitive and more prone to gum recession and cavities. Toothpaste should be only a little bit abrasive — this graininess aids the brushing motion to remove the biofilm of the tooth.

These nasty toothpaste toxins do a number on your oral health… and over time, may INCREASE bad bacteria in your mouth. If you aren't sure of the ingredients of your current toothpaste, it's on the box that you threw out when you bought it.  So google the ingredients and  you can also look it up on ewg.org which gives it a health rating to help you figure out if it's healthy enough to use.

If your mouth has bad bacteria it means every time you swallow, you could be putting your body at risk.  To help kill the bad bacteria finding the RIGHT toothpaste is part of it.

The best ingredients to find in a toothpaste

• Coconut oil, which can help boost the microbiome in your gut (remember, the gut begins in the mouth!) and naturally prevent candida in the mouth. 
• Trace minerals drops, especially if you drink reverse osmosis water, which removes bad stuff from the water but also removes the good minerals too. I use ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops. 
• Crushed cacao nibs. Believe it or not, the ideal toothpaste would be a chocolate toothpaste, since compounds in cacao beans promote remineralization better than fluoride (and of course, much more safe). Crush the cacao nibs to a small size and it will  be a safe abrasive to break up the mouth's biofilm.
• Bentonite clay, which is a natural polisher rich in minerals that isn’t too abrasive. It’s also alkaline, so it helps reduce acidity in the mouth. Don’t be afraid of putting “dirt” in your mouth.  Great dental health is actually about achieving a balanced ecosystem of bacteria in your mouth, which protects us from illness and promotes tooth remineralization. 
• Xylitol for its abilities to reduce cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. Just don’t add too much since it’s a sweetener — too much can reprogram your taste buds to crave too much sweetness.
• Baking soda, for its alkalinity. Our teeth and mouths are constantly under attack by acids thanks to the foods we eat. Neutralizing these acids with vegetables and water is essential to maintaining proper pH in the mouth to encourage the right bacteria as well as protect enamel from decay. Baking soda has a pH of 9 to 11 (alkaline), so it helps to neutralize acids while not being too abrasive to teeth. You could also buy and drink 16 ounces of alkaline water a day.  

Here are two toothpastes I have made in the past that I like. The first one is easy but I feel like the second one does a better job.
#1
Ingredients:
 

• ½ cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 2 individual packets of stevia
• 15-20 drops of peppermint essential oil

To make it, stir all the ingredients together in a bowl or Pyrex container until consistent. Then just put a little bit on your toothbrush, and you’re ready to go!

I love this toothpaste because it takes just a few minutes to make.  It’s extra powerful so I only have to put a tiny amount on my toothbrush — so it lasts a long time.

#2

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons Cold-pressed Organic Coconut Oil
• 4 tablespoons Food Grade Bentonite Clay
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 2 tablespoons Xylitol
• 4 capsules Probiotics 
• 1/2 teaspoons Cacao Powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Ginger Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
• 4 tablespoons distilled or filtered water (divided)

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, heat coconut oil over low heat until melted, about 1 – 2 minutes.
2. Add bentonite clay, baking soda, xylitol, probiotic, cacao, ginger and cinnamon to a food processor or high speed blender and blend for 10-15 seconds until all powders are evenly combined, tapping sides and top of blender so powder will fall to the bottom.
3. Wait a couple of minutes before opening to allow powders to settle, then pour one tablespoon of coconut oil into the blender. Blend for 10-15 seconds; mixture will be crumbly. Take the small end of a wooden spoon (a chopstick or small spatula will also work) and run it along the inside edge of the blender, making sure to combine all the powder with the oil.
4. Add the vitamin E and remaining coconut oil, and blend another 10 – 15 seconds. A this point, the mixture will be runny. Again, run the wooden spoon end along the edge of the blender to make sure all the powder is incorporated. Blend again if necessary to create a smooth and creamy texture.
5. With the blender running, slowly add the water and blend for at least 30 seconds, or until it is thoroughly mixed.
6. Transfer to a glass container with a plastic lid.

Storage tips & how to use

Dip a clean spoon into the toothpaste and apply to your toothbrush. Store half at room temperature and use toothpaste within 7-10 days. Store the rest in the refrigerator for later use. Alternatively, fill a refillable squeeze tube with your toothpaste and squeeze about a quarter teaspoon onto your toothbrush twice daily for best oral hygiene. Store in your refrigerator for extended freshness.

Why Eating Fat is Healthy for You

Are you afraid of eating fats? If so, you’re not alone. For the last 60 years fat in foods has been deemed evil in America, as low-fat and non-fat foods became the norm, and we were told that a low-fat diet would help us get the body we want. In fact, it’s one of the biggest nutrition lies that the public’s been told.

It all began in the 50’s when researchers made a link that saturated fats such as red meat, eggs, butter, milk can cause heart disease. These studies were flawed but were picked up by the American Heart Association in an attempt to give the public a reason for the rise in heart attacks. In 1976 low fat and high carbohydrate diet was made part of the country’s health food guidelines changing the course of America’s health as we know it.

We need to clear the confusion and help you understand how important fats are to the body’s health and function. First off, a lot of patients ask me if I eat more fat will I gain weight? What many don’t know is that fats are vital for function of every single cell in the body and burning healthy fats for fuel are crucial for every organ in your body, specifically for your brain function. In fact, your brain cannot function properly without fats.
Sugar/ high carbohydrate diet is the real problem and not the fats. Overindulging on sugar and grains leads to weight gain because it interferes with insulin levels. Consuming good healthy fats part of our daily diet is vital for health. Here’s why:

• Fats satisfy our appetites.
• Fats aid in healthy hormone production in the body.
• Fats greatly enhance mineral absorption in the diet.
• Fats provide a long-burning source of energy – especially for the heart!
• Fats build healthy bile; a substance made by the liver, stored and released by the gallbladder to aid in optimal fat digestion and emulsification.
• Fats help to nourish every cell in our bodies by providing building blocks to maintain healthy cell membranes. (Nutrients in; Wastes out!)
• Fats aid in the formation of anti-inflammatory substances in the body (prostaglandins)
• Fats allow us to heal quickly and effectively (boosts healing inflammatory processes)

Not all fats are created equal so making informed choices about your fats are important. Here at Healing Arts we believe that the body can truly heal with whole food nutrition so when it comes to fats and oils we recommend natures best, nothing processed or refined. Here is a list when you’re looking at labels that will help you steer clear of the bad processed oils and recognize the good ones.



AVOID all fats, oils and the products that contain them if the following processing terms are listed ANYWHERE on ANY food label:
• Refined
• Hydrogenated
• Partially-Hydrogenated

• Cold-PROCESSED (do not confuse this trick phrase with Cold-PRESSED)
INSTEAD, look for these safer processing terms on your fat/oil labels:
• Organic

• First-cold pressed or Cold-Pressed Expeller\ Pressed

• Unrefined 
Extra Virgin

It’s also vital we cook with the right fats at the right temperature as heat can cause certain oils to become rancid and toxic to the body and therefore lose all the marvelous benefits. Below is a list of fats how best to use them when cooking to keep all the health benefits.

SAFEST FOR COOKING
(frying, baking, broiling, grilling and roasting)
• Lard

• Ghee

• Beef and Lamb Tallow

• Chicken, Duck, and Goose Fat
• Coconut Oil – organic and virgin

• Red Palm Oil – organic and virgin Palm kernel oil is also acceptable)

SAFER FOR COOKING
(quick stir-frying, light sautéing, and slow/low simmering)
• Olive Oil
(Unfiltered is best; should be golden yellow/green in color and cloudy.)
• Peanut Oil

• Avocado Oil

• Macadamia Nut Oil
• Sesame Oil
• Butter/ ghee

UNSAFE FOR ANY KIND OF HEAT EXPOSURE! DO NOT USE FOR COOKING!
• Vegetable/Soybean Oil
• Corn Oil

• Flax Oil

• Hemp Oil
• Pine nut Oil

• Pumpkin Oil (safely roasted or raw versions)
• Safflower Oil (80% omega-6!)

• Sunflower Oil
• Grapeseed Oil

You can start to see now that with the correct information you can make better choice for your health through the fats you choose to eat. Choose your fats wisely and with GREAT CARE to ensure they have been minimally and safely processed, or better yet, not processed at all; and remember. Healthy fats are not the enemy and healthy fats do not make you fat! So, next time you need to stock your pantry you can now do so with certainty in knowing which oils will keep you healthy. The ones below pack a lot of punch and are our favorite oils to use. From lowering bad cholesterol and helping shed excess weight to giving you shiny hair and healthy nails, your body will reap the benefits of these healthy fats.


• Coconut oil – one of my favorite oils as it can be used for your skin and hair. It’s an easily digestible fat, it increases good cholesterol and promotes heart health, while the antioxidants found in coconut oil make it an effective anti-inflammatory food and help reduce arthritis.
• Butter/ghee- I am talking about real butter — preferably raw or from grass-fed, organic sources. The omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids found in butter help your brain function properly and improve skin health. More importantly, these two fatty acids are considered essential, meaning the body needs them but can’t produce them on its own; they must be derived from food sources. Butter’s also rich in fat-soluble vitamins and trace minerals, including beneficial selenium, a powerful antioxidant.
ghee is lactose- and casein-free. If you suffer from lactose sensitivity or intolerance, ghee is a fantastic alternative to butter. Its high levels of vitamin K2 also helps strengthen bones, while the fatty acids found in it improve digestion and reduce inflammation.
• Avocado/avocado oil -raise levels of good cholesterol while lowering the bad — talk about a double-whammy. Avocados are also packed with the benefits of vitamin E which helps the body heal, boosts immunity and acts as an anti-aging nutrient for your skin. Plus, it’s chock-full of healthy protein; in fact, it has more than any other fruit. For pregnant women, avocado is also one of the great folate foods, as this vitamin can help reduce the risk of birth defects.
• Olive oil-is great for heart health. It helps improve memory and cognitive function, and works as an anti-inflammatory. Since so much disease stems from chronic inflammation, this is huge. Make sure you use the guide above to ensure the above and here are some tips for recognizing real extra virgin olive oil. Beware of any brand that costs less than $10 a liter; look for a seal from the International Olive Oil Council; check the harvesting date on the label; if it’s labeled as “light,” “pure” or a “blend,” it isn’t virgin quality; and finally, opt for dark bottles, as they protect the oil from oxidation.

Oil Pulling with Banyan is the Best!

If you don't know by now, I love oil pulling! It's great for the teeth, gums, immune system, sinuses and lymphatic system. Ayurvedic medicine suggests that sesame seed oil is the best and I agree! But because organic sesame seed oil isn't always easy to find I often suggest organic coconut oil. It's easier to find in grocery stores and a lot of my patients already have it at home, using it for their skin or cooking with it. Click to read more about the benefits of coconut oil.

Sometimes when people are sick I suggest adding a drop or two of oregano oil or clove oil to the oil pulling to make the oil pulling even more potent. Sometimes people complain about the taste of the sesame seed oil or that the coconut oil is hard at first so for better patient compliance I was super excited when I found Banyan Daily Swish. It is an organic oil mix specifically made for oil pulling with not only sesame seed oil but also coconut oil. It also has medicinal herbs in it and spearmint and peppermint oil in it too for a minty fresh mouth! We carry it now in the office for $16 a bottle for about 20 pullings, depending on how big your mouth is!

To read more on the benefits oil pulling, click here.

Hair Detox for Beautiful Hair

I help my patients detox from the inside out but what if we detoxed from the outside? I help people with premature balding, hair thinning and hair breakage that is beyond the normal wear and tear of over treated hair. I have even created my own Hair Rejuvenation supplement which people get great results with.  Even though a lot of times the hair loss is due to a heavy metal reaction and I am helping the body deal with those stressors with whole food supplements, wouldn’t it be nice to get the hair healthy from the outside too?

After you have eliminated all dead ends, you will need several basic items to detox your hair. Most of the items used are products that you will have around the house or can be purchased very inexpensively from the store. You will need:
1. Baking soda
2. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
3. Bentonite clay
4. Raw honey
With these four basic products, you will perform a simple hair cleansing and detox regime. Instead of using shampoos and conditioners full of chemicals, you will use the the baking soda and ACV. Raw honey is used for deep conditioning.

Hair Care Procedure:
• Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of filtered water in a bowl.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one cup of filtered water in a second bowl.
• In the shower, first work the baking soda mixture through your hair. Rinse with cool water.
• Follow with the apple cider vinegar mixture and rinse with cool water.
• For added condition and shine, use a generous amount of raw honey after the ACV rinse. While your hair is completely wet, massage the raw honey through your hair, let it sit for a few minutes and rinse.

Now, the more often you wash your hair with baking soda and ACV, the faster your hair will detox. If your main goal is to detox, you can wash your hair with these mixtures every day.

Bentonite Clay Hair Mask to Hasten Hair Detox

To quicken the process, you can also use a Bentonite clay hair mask. Bentonite clay, essentially an absorbent ash, draws the toxins and excess oils out of your hair and scalp. I use bentonite clay in capsules for internal detoxing too.
The Bentonite clay hair mask is not a part of a daily cleansing regime, but should be used once a week at most.
To prepare the mask, you will mix equal parts bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar until it is the consistency of mustard.
After making the mask, cover your hair completely from roots to ends with the clay. Allow the mask to sit for about 30 minutes but take care to avoid letting it dry completely. You want your hair to still be pliable in order to easily wash it out.

Essential Oils and Such
During the hair detox, it is very important to avoid using any conventional products. After conditioning your hair with the apple cider vinegar, you may notice the smell lingering in your wet hair. Generally, the smell will dissipate in about a month as the detox process continues. Until then, you can use essential oils like lavender, jasmine, peppermint, or any of your favorite scents.
Here are two ways to apply the essential oils.
1. Before you get in the shower, you can mix the essential oils directly into the apple cider vinegar mix and cleanse as directed.
2. When you get out of the shower, you can apply a few drops of your favorite essential oil throughout your hair.

To replace conditioning or moisturizing products after cleansing, there are number of oils you can use. I’ve had good results 100% pure, organic argan oil to condition and heal the hair. Argan Oil has been used for centuries and is made from the Argan tree in the deserts of Morocco.

Wheat germ oil or coconut oil can also be used for conditioning. The great thing about all three of these oils is not only do they condition the hair, but they also protect against the ends from breaking off. As a result, the hair is strengthened which promotes hair growth.

Alternatives to Baking Soda for Hair Cleansing
Baking soda is inexpensive for detoxing your hair, but everyone’s hair is different. If you find your hair is detoxing, but reacting badly, fear not! Instead of the baking soda mixture, use pure Castile Soap instead. This soap achieves the same detoxing effects and even works better for some people. It’s all about finding what is best for you!
Enjoy beautiful hair!

Miracles of Coconut Oil

Over the last year there has been a surge of new coconut products - coconut sugar, coconut butter, coconut water, etc. I highly recommend these products to my patients as healthy alternatives to white refined sugar, margarine or fruit juices. A few weeks ago I blogged about the benefits of oil pulling and after sesame seed oil the next best oil to use is coconut oil and I wanted to take the time now to talk more about how much one can benefit from adding more coconut oil into their diet.

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol level maintenance, weight loss, boosted immune system, proper digestion and regulated metabolism. It also provides relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, and cancer, while helping to improve dental quality and bone strength. These benefits of oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and their respective properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial and soothing qualities.

Hair care:
Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrients for your hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair and gives your hair a shiny quality. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing and healing damaged hair. By regularly massaging your head with coconut oil, you can ensure that your scalp is free of dandruff, even if your scalp is chronically dry. It also helps in keeping your hair and scalp free from lice and lice eggs.

Heart diseases:
There is a misconception spread among many people that coconut oil is not good for heart health. This is because it contains a large quantity of saturated fats. In reality, coconut oil is beneficial for the heart. It contains about 50% lauric acid, which helps in actively preventing various heart problems like high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The saturated fats present in coconut oil are not harmful as you commonly find in vegetable oils. Coconut oil does not lead to increase in LDL levels, and it reduces the incidence of injury and damage to arteries and therefore helps in preventing atherosclerosis.

Digestion:
A tablespoon taken before each meal can help improve digestion. It can also be taken in warm ginger tea to sooth heartburn or nausea.

Skin care:
Coconut oil is an excellent massage oil for the skin. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skin and has a natural SPF 4. It also delays the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of skin which normally accompany aging. It makes for a great after-shave lotion. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. It can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids when used topically. When put on cuticles it helps nails grow and also makes a great eye-makeup remover!

Weight loss:
Coconut oil is very useful for weight loss. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and endocrine system. Further, it increases the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, thereby burning more energy and helping obese and overweight people lose the weight.

Immunity:
Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. A tablespoon melted into a cup of warm tea can help sooth a sore throat.

Candida:
Coconut oil has been shown to prevent and even cure candida. It provides relief from the inflammation caused by candida, both externally and internally. Its high moisture retaining capacity keeps the skin from cracking or peeling off. Further, unlike other pharmaceutical treatments for candida, the effects of coconut oil is gradual and not drastic or sudden, which gives the body an appropriate amount of time to slowly kill the fungi and prevent adverse symptoms that can occur when killing the fungi too fast. Adverse symptoms of treating candida to aggressively is known as a die-off reaction. But, in the treatment of this condition, people should systematically and gradually increase their internal dosages of coconut oil and shouldn’t initially start with a large quantity. When having a yeast infection you can soak a tampon in coconut oil and insert it overnight for topic treatment.

Purpose————–Preferable Type to Buy

Cooking————–Refined Coconut Oil

Weight Loss———Virgin Coconut Oil

As a Carrier Oil—–Virgin Coconut Oil

Good Health———Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Coconut Oil

Massaging———–Pure Coconut Oil, Refined Coconut Oil

Hair——————–Pure Coconut Oil, Refined Coconut Oil

Medicinal uses—–Virgin Coconut Oil, Virgin Organic Coconut Oil

For more information read "The Coconut Oil Miracle" by Bruce Fife

The Benefits of Oil Pulling

Oil pulling was first introduced in Ayurvedic medicine. I finally decided to blog about it as I ask many of my patients to do it. Whether it's for oral healthcare, digestive health, to clear out the sinuses or an immune system booster I've seen it help many patients in many ways!

Oil pulling as we know it today, was introduced in 1992 by Dr. F. Karach, MD. He claimed that oil pulling could cure a variety of illnesses ranging from heart disease and digestive troubles to hormonal disorders. Dr. Karach’s method of oil pulling emphasis swishing, not gargling, the oil in the mouth. The oil is “worked” in the mouth by swishing and chewing it around the mouth and ‘swizzling’ it (pushing it through the teeth) for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. The best time is in the morning before eating breakfast, but can be done before any meal on an empty stomach.

Oil pulling instructions:

Use 1-1.5 spoonfuls of unrefined, high quality, organic sesame seed oil (non-toasted) and 'swizzle" in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Sesame seed oil is the best oil to swish with.  I love using Banyan Daily Swish

Once completed, spit the oil out (we recommend spitting in the trash as it can clog your sink or toilet over time).

Follow it by a thorough mouth rinse with water.  Warm water with sea salt is best.

Never swallow the used oil because it is loaded with bacteria, toxins, pus, and mucous. It is a good idea to brush your teeth afterwards to really clean out any leftover toxins and wash the sink afterwards as well if you don't spit it out into the trash.

Benefits:

Strengthens teeth
Can help reverse gingivitis
Prevents tooth decay/whitens teeth
Strengthen immune system
Improve digestion
Reduce skin problems (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
Reduce allergies
Lessen headaches
Help hormonal imbalance
Clear out sinuses

Tips:

Be sure you are using a high quality, organic, non-toasted sesame seed oil.
Set timer for 15-20 minutes because it's going to feel like a long time and I don't want you to guess that it's been 15 minutes when it's only been 5 minutes.

Precaution:

If you are allergic to a particular brand of oil, then change the brand of oil.

DO NOT SWALLOW.

One of the first cleansing symptoms you will experience is an increased flow of mucous from your throat and sinuses. Mucous drainage is one of the body’s methods of removing toxins. While you are oil pulling mucous may build in the back of your throat. You may even have to expel the oil and clear the mucous from your throat before reaching a full 20 minutes. If so, take another spoonful of oil and continue swishing for a full 15-20 minutes.

I usually do oil pulling when I am feeling sick to help clean my lymphatic system and boost the immune system. Your lymph takes about 7 minutes to circulate through the body. It is important to do oil pulling for a minimum of 15 minutes so you can clean out all of the lymph at least twice. But if during the 15 minutes your mouth begins to tire or stomach becomes sensitive start with 5 minutes and work your way up to 15-20 minutes.