Re: coccnot oil

I like coconut oil internally, but won't use it on my skin.  Starting with the skin, coconut oil is a surfactant. In simple terms it acts like soap.  And it can strip the natural oil coating off of the skin actually causing the skin to dry out.  And yes, there will be people that will argue that point as well. For the skin I prefer fatty oils (yes, I know that sounds redundant) that penetrate well.  My two favorites are walnut oil and avocado oil.

Internally coconut oil is great for the thyroid, which is probably in large part due to the iodine content. The beneficial effects on the thyroid also account for the majority of its cholesterol lowering properties.  Other oils, especially olive oil, lower cholesterol due to their high sterol content, which binds and removes cholesterol.  Coconut oil does have sterols, but only in trace levels.

The fatty acid content also gives it some medicinal properties.  In particular the ability to destroy viruses, bacteria, and fungi.