Natural oils don’t just help your skin, but also your health
The benefits of natural oils for internal health are numerous. For thousands of years natural oils have been used to combat a myriad of ailments from upset stomach and asthma to the prevention of heart disease. Here is an overview on the properties of several oils that be consumed orally regularly for therapeutic results.
Olive Oil
A very popular oil for cooking, olive oil taken internally offers many health benefits. It actually contains a healthy fat that can help lower the cholesterol level in your blood which can help prevent heart disease. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that taking 2 tablespoons of olive oil a day can help to reduce your risk of heart disease. It contains antioxidants as well that can help combat illness.
Olive oil can be used for effective relief of constipation and is safer than over the counter remedies which can cause cramping. This oil also helps with easing digestion, stimulates metabolism, lubricates mucous membranes and can help prevent stomach ulcers. Consume it to stop flatulence, upset stomach and heartburn. Extra virgin olive oil is recommended as it is the least processed and contains more of the wholesome nutrients.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has been vilified for many years in Western society since it has a high level of saturated fat. But due to its high amount of lauric acid (50%) it actually helps such ailments as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Weight loss is another benefit that can be derived from coconut oil since the fatty acids it contains actually help to speed up your body’s metabolism. This accelerates the rate at which you burn energy. This may come as a surprise since it’s a saturated fat, but it is what’s called a medium-chain fatty acid which doesn’t have a negative effect on your heart. It also is transformed into energy easily through the liver, which means its less likely to be stored as fat.
The aromatic scent and slightly sweet taste of coconut oil is great for cooking and offers many benefits when consumed. It’s a great daily energy booster, also coconut oil helps with increasing immune functions, helps manage diabetes, has the potential of treating Alzheimer’s disease, and improves digestion. You can also use coconut oil for dental health since it can prevent as well as reverse cavity and tooth decay.
Sesame Oil
The oil is used in salad dressing and sometimes in place of olive oil for cooking but has many properties that stimulate good health as well.
Sesame oil contains antioxidants that help counteract conditions like heart attacks and arthritis. When sesame oil is consumed it helps control blood sugar and actually increases antioxidants which prevents damage to healthy cells in the body. Also studies conducted with hypertension patients showed their blood pressure was lowered when replacing other oils they consumed in their diet with sesame oil.
The linoleic acid in sesame oil gives it anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This helps generate the production of antibodies and and enhances immunity. It also helps promote better circulation for the removal of toxins. Sesame oil has long been used as a laxative as well as a remedy for headaches. It can treat dizziness and blurred vision as well.
Palm Oil
Even though palm oil at room temperature may look as if it can clog your arteries in its semi-solid state, it actually helps protect against heart disease. Interestingly enough, although red palm fruit oil is high in saturated fat, studies have shown it removes plaque from the walls of your arteries and assists with preventing blockages in the future.
A healthy heart is not the only benefit of consuming palm oil. Its antioxidant properties help with warding off asthma, cataracts, arthritis, liver disease and osteoporosis.
Palm oil can also aid in weight loss. Other oils and fats like margarine get stored as fat, but palm oil goes directly to the liver and boosts your metabolism, so you’ll burn calories much faster.
Brain functions can be enhanced as well since the oil helps to improve blood flow to the cells. The special form of Vitamin E (tocotrienol) that palm oil contains can also prevent damage to the brain and help offset Alzheimer’s disease.
Sunflower Oil
With sunflower oil there are many therapeutic benefits to adding it to your diet. For instance, sunflower oil has selenium, which is important for lowering the chance of developing cardiac problems. Another advantage to having higher levels of selenium in your body is helping to reduce the risks of lung and skin cancer.
Vitamin B is prevalent in sunflower oil which is good for producing energy as well as for maintaining a healthy nervous and digestive system. It also helps you maintain your immune system since it contains zinc.
Other ailments that sunflower oil can alleviate include arthritis and colon cancer. The oil has Vitamin E, or tocopherols, that neutralize free radicals in the body that are responsible for causing cancerous cells to develop.
Safflower Oil
This oil has many health related uses for such conditions as stroke, hardening of the arteries also known as arteriosclerosis and helps prevents heart disease due to the linoleic acid it contains. Because of it’s high Vitamin E content it can also eliminate fevers, coughs and breathing problems. Women sometimes use it to curb painful menstrual cramps.
Safflower oil has been known to alleviate the symptoms of high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. It also contains Omega-3 fatty acids which helps the body burn fat more efficiently. These fatty acids also work to boost the immune system and balance blood pressure.
Avocado Oil
There are powerful antioxidant properties in avocado oil due to the presence of Vitamin E, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. This combination allows the oil to be a defense against ailments such as the growth of tumors in colon and breast cancer. In can also aid in preventing skin and prostate cancer.
This oil can also help protect your blood vessels by removing free radicals and cholesterol deposits. This helps to keep your blood vessels clear and flexible to be able to handle changes in blood pressure.
Avocado oil also contains oleic acid which increases the amount of good cholesterol in the body when consumed, so it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. When used in cooking it helps to manage glucose levels so it helps against the development of diabetes.