Dog Wellness - 8 Dog Ageing Signs

We often hear parents say they wish they had held their child more because as they look back, although their child is only six years old, they are not small babies anymore and the time seems to have passed so rapidly.  Pet owners often say the same thing, as their little puppy is suddenly a full grown adult dog at two years old. It is common knowledge that dogs age faster than humans and therefore dog wellness knowledge when it comes to ageing dogs is one of vast importance.

Dog wellness due diligence is to be aware of the five main signs your dog is ageing. What is important to know first is that dogs do not all age in the same way and at the same pace.  Much of the pace depends on their up keep.  A properly fed, exercised, loved and well socialized dog will likely age better with a stronger body and mind. However, they do age and seeing the signs ahead of time can make the difference between a well, gracefully ageing dog or a sick ageing one.

8 Signs Of An Ageing Dog

Stiffening joints and arthritis.  These the two most common dog ageing conditions.  It is likely your dog will be less interested in joining in the fun of playing ball or going out for a run.  He may seem reluctant to  partake in much activity.  Cold wet weather will contribute to his discomfort.

Doesn't recuperate at a normal pace.  When your dog doesn't recuperate from injuries or illnesses as fast it's can be a sign his ageing years are setting in and his physical health is changing.  At seven years of age the bones begin to lose density making it harder to heal.  If they are already exercising less muscle is losing mass and cartilage is wearing thin.  It is often at this stage that signs of arthritis begin to show.  An ageing dog's immune system also weakens which is why it is so important what he is fed in young life.  

Ensuring your dog has a strong immune system from the beginning and throughout his young life is a dog wellness practice that should not be ignored. Natural pet health care
is the best way to ensure your dog is living on the wellness side of life to make him strong for his ageing years.  A raw diet is a part of this with ingredients that keep his immune system strong on a consistent basis.  Using natural holistic medicine for illnesses as often as possible is another way to keep your dog from toxic damage and adds value to your dog's health.

Loss of hearing.  Although usually at a slow pace, loss of hearing takes place as the nerve cells begin to deteriorate.  Take note if you have to call your dog more times than normal or if you find you are calling him and he is not coming at all.

Loss of Vision.  At some point the eye lens becomes cloudy and although this does not cause major vision loss, sometimes cataracts can develop causing vision loss.

Cognitive Dysfunction is a common ailment of ageing dogs, which has a huge impact on their daily life and you’re as a pet owner as well.  Dog wellness due diligence is recognizing and properly handling this situation for your ageing dog.  People he knows well will suddenly feel like strangers to him.  He may also become nervous for no reason which can be a sign he has suddenly forgotten where he is.

Irritability and Less Tolerance sets in and shows itself in your dog when he has less patience for screaming kids jumping around him.  Good dog wellness practice means making sure your ageing dog has a quiet place he can retreat to when faced with this type of situation.  Make sure the kids know not to disturb the dog when he is in his quiet spot.  Another common time he may show less tolerance is at feeding time.  He may become more pushy.  Just make sure he still knows your the boss but help him out by feeding him a quicker pace, with no training involved.  In other words, consider leaving out making him work for his meal.

Decreased Activity means your ageing dog's metabolic rate is slowing down.  This is of course after you have checked for any injuries or physical discomfort that may also be causing less activity.  There can be other reasons for this so if you notice this in your dog your need to have it checked out immediately.

Weight Gain is a common factor of an ageing dog.  Senior dogs require anywhere from 30 to 40 percent fewer calories. Dog wellness practices means ensuring you switch your elderly dog to a senior appropriate diet, with the appropriate amount of calories for his age.  Neglecting this practice will result in obesity.  Remember that ageing dogs also exercise less so they are not able to burn the calories they used to. Amend his diet to suit is ageing lifestyle. 

A good dog wellness practice is dental hygiene but many pet owners are still not aware of how utterly important it is to brush their dog's teeth.  The value of this simple, no cost, procedure is not only good for his teeth and gums, but also valuable toward the health of his major organs.  This is because bleeding gums and tooth decay cause bacteria that travel through the blood stream and damage major organs, including the heart. If a dog's major organs and heart have taken on strain throughout his young years there won't be much left by the time he starts ageing, causing him to age with greater risk of serious illnesses. Dog dental care three times a week is a dog wellness practice that adds great value to the way your dog's body will handle ageing.

Help your dog age gracefully and happily by implementing strong dog wellness practices from a young age, utilizing natural pet health care and a raw diet to sustain his health, making him strong for his senior years.  Be aware of changes in your dog's behavior that can signify ageing, keeping an eye out starting from seven years old.  Make the necessary changes in his life to assist him through his senior years to give him the ease and support he needs and deserves. 

Pet Wellness - Veterinary Medicine Loses to Big Pharma

Well it's confirmed.  The takeover of veterinary medicine in the US and other first world nations is confirmed.  Big Pharma has finally made it to the finish line.  Should pet owners and their pets be happy about this take over?  Well, I wouldn't start planning the party just yet because according to many vets out there this is not something to be happy about.  What does this mean for pet wellness and natural pet health care?

Because of the massive profits that can be generated through pets, these drug companies for decades have spent much time and effort in an aggressive campaign to rewrite vet school curricula, influencing veterinarians and brainwashing pet owners into thinking their pets need drugs in order to thrive and be healthy.  Thanks to advertising funded by greedy uncaring drug companies, most consumers already show a cult like belief in pharmaceutical medicine.  So, for Big Pharma it was easy to convince pet owners that their animals need the same.

It is common practice nowadays for vets in the US to practice chemical based medicine on pets.  Immediately upon diagnosis, the pet owner is given a prescription of an expensive patented pharmaceutical - a so called instant fix to be given to their pet.  If this is not enough, the FDA has given approval for Prozac, a super mind altering drug prescribed to dogs, as well as many common drugs for people are now being used on pets.  This includes chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment. Alongside this, common pet ailments such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and depression are also being treated with harmful medications without even the mention of natural pet health care as a healing property.

Needless to say, pet wellness is now in rapid decline and pet owners really need to be vigilant in their pet wellness practices, and look for a better option to heal their pet's illness.  Any vet practicing for more than ten years will tell you that the result of the Big Pharma take over is that dogs and cats and other animals are sicker than ever.  These vets have seen an increase in the rate of liver disease, nervous system disorders, cancers and diabetes. This is because pets are being regularly poisoned by bad pet food and medicines.  Even popular flea and tick medication on their own are highly toxic to your pet's liver.

Big Pharma influence has turned veterinary medicine into a joke, right alongside the conventional medicine system for humans.  No longer is the goal of medicine to heal anyone.  The goal now is to profit by treating managing diseases without actually curing or preventing them.  Why would they do this? Connect the dots.  To benefit from repeat business and a lucrative one at that!  Let me not even touch on the rates veterinarians are charging these days particularly in emergency care.  The fees are outrageous!  And the audacity of pet clinics who are taking advantage of people's kindness when they rescue a pet charging $500. for saline solution!  These pet clinics are exploiting human kindness for high profit.  How many people do you think will now have no choice but to think twice before they rescue a wounded or helpless animal?

So what do pet owners do when faced with a situation where their precious pet needs medical help? Thankfully there is another route for pet wellness with holistic practitioners in veterinary medicine.  These practitioners are more plentiful in veterinary medicine than in human medicine.

Why the pet wellness route of pet natural health care is the direction to go.

1.  Holistic veterinarians understand nutrition, herbs, homeopathy and other natural modalities.

2.  Holistic veterinarians prescribe solutions and treat animals in ways that are outlawed in human medicine - because these solutions have a silver lining - they work!

3.  Holistic vets are more often in their line of business for the love of animals and the belief in a natural system of medications for ailments.  This makes them human as opposed to donkeys that are always trying to pave their financial future by exploiting sick animals and the love pet owners have for their pets.

My dog's holistic vet, Dr. Andrew Jones once made a statement that I have never forgotten.  "Any vet who thinks a dog is depressed and needs antidepressants should frankly have their license revoked and banished to a distant island over populated with sexually aggressive baboons!"  I wish I could somehow show you the expression on his face when he said this and how although I laughed from his choice of words I also thought - this guy is seriously angry about the situation.  Not surprising as he is one those vets who do what he does for the love of animals and his belief in natural medicine. 

When we look at the horrifying toxicity in pet foods in combination with pharmaceutical medicine, the future of mainstream pet wellness is quite dim.  Many brands of pet food claiming to be "scientific" brands are really just crap.  Only specialty pet food companies offer genuinely healthy, toxic free pet food.

Although I regularly give my dog pet wellness raw diet homemade meals, when I travel or am short on time I will only use these two companies for store bought pet food. www.Azmira.com  www.TheHonestKitchen.com

Mainstream veterinary practices amount to nothing more than chemical abuse of dogs, cats and other animals.  Sadly, this industry has swiped ethics for profit and no longer has any interest in helping to improve the quality of life of our pets.  Nutrition has been dismissed and replaced with a system of chemical invasion leading to worsening long term health.  The same has been taking place in human health care for years now, which is why holistic practitioners in human and pet health care are speaking out and giving us another avenue of hope for ourselves and our pets.

The proper use of pharmaceuticals

Pet wellness practices tell us it is important to understand the other side of the coin for just a minute.  Some chemical medications do have a role in quality veterinary care.  For example:

1.  Pain killers - have a useful but limited role.
2.  Antibiotics - can be helpful in certain situations. 

Be careful because antibiotics, even in human medicine are massively abused around the world.  

Be wary that treating dogs and cats with antidepressants, chemotherapy, diabetes drugs, statin drugs, osteoporosis drugs and other such chemical agents is absurd.

Make no mistake that most pet health conditions can be prevented and cured with good nutrition.  More problematic health ailments can be economically and safely solved with herbal therapies and naturopathic modalities best known as natural pet health care.

Pet Wellness Things to Do - Right Now!

1.  Switch to a healthy, natural, holistic pet diet.  Make fresh meals from scratch whenever possible.  Dr. Jones told me that pets should not be raised to live regularly on processed foods. Read the report: Pet Food Ingredients Revealed

2. Take an appointment with a holistic vet to investigate how he is a more suitable practitioner for your pet. Because state authorities are trying to de-license naturopathic vets, holistic or naturopathic animal care experts often do not have the same licensing credentials as regular vets.  This is happening because Big Pharma owns state licensing boards and naturopathic animal care experts pose a threat to their newly found gold mine.  You will most likely have to seek out naturopathic animal care experts on your own and ignore the state licensing boards.  Dr. Jones explained to me that in his experience he has found that licensing credentials are essentially useless.  Often times the more credentials a vet has the more deeply he is brainwashed  into a pharmaceutical approach to veterinary medicine.  Please consider replacing your regular vet with a holistic or naturopathic animal care expert once you have completed your investigations.

3.  Go back to basics.  Nutrition, exercise, disease preventing and natural pet health care.

Just like in the dieting world, don't be suckered in by the "miracle pill."  What animals need, just like people, is strong nutrition and natural medicine from nature. Pet wellness means utilizing natural pet health care solutions, raw food diets, and naturopathic animal health care.

Mike Adams makes some interesting points.

The main thrust of his article is to get YOU to think about what is happening CONVENTIONALLY.

And question WHY.

1. Take matters into your OWN hands. Whether or not you use a holistic Vet- QUESTION their advice..then be AWARE of ALL of the treatment options.

2. Get yourself educated on Natural Pet Health Care.You can go to school or take a home study course.

3. Vary your pet's diet- some Raw, some Home-Made and Kibble. Add a QUALITY supplement.

4. SPEND time being WITH your Dog and Cat. We all to often forget the more important mental aspect of health..

5. The Vaccine thing again..as LITTLE as INFREQUENTLY as possible!!

The Pros and Cons of Oral Contraception

The Health and Fitness Fairy brings you a guest writer today.  Kristin Davis educates us today on usage of "The Pill." I had taken the pill for years.  I went off it at age 35, which was the suggested age back then for a woman to stop taking the pill if she had already been taking it from a young adult.  After reading this article, I realized there is alot I did not know or alot that was not presented to me by the medical profession.  How much do you really know about taking the pill?

The Pros and Cons of Oral Contraception
   ------ By Kristen Davis

The debate over the safety of oral contraceptives continues today, with groups voicing their strong opinions on both sides. While proponents of this contraceptive option are quick to point out the surge in college-bound women after its introduction, opponents counter with disturbing physical side effects of the drug, like increased risk of cardiovascular disease. One Yaz lawsuit even involved a victim who developed blood clots in her lungs after taking these pills. Nevertheless, oral contraceptives have become a profitable branch of the pharmaceutical industry, with over 12 million users in the United States alone. It remains clear there is strong motivation for these companies to continue selling this product.

             

Some leading manufacturers, like Bayer HealthCare, annually create multimillion dollar advertising campaigns to keep their products among the top sellers. However, with such strong profit potential, manufacturers might be increasingly less willing to provide factual information regarding their products. The FDA recently requested Bayer remove misleading advertisements in which the drug giant advertised their products as treatments for several other health conditions, like acne and depression, which the agency found were unproven.

             

However, misconceptions about these products might lead to dangerous consequences. Poorly-informed young women might become confused by all the promises of these manufacturers, mistakenly believing the drugs treat or prevent other conditions as well, like sexually transmitted disease. Falsely believed to be protected, users of this product might engage in unprotected sex when they might otherwise have used a condom.

             

Nevertheless, the most disturbing consequence of these drugs remains the substantial side effects. The hormonal ingredients in these pills can lead to the disruption of several physiological aspects in women, including libido and emotional state. Although evidence linking newer pills, which contain lower hormone doses, with long-term effects like infertility and breast cancer remains contentious, the recent number of lawsuits against manufacturers does highlight some of the serious physical results of this product. Users of these pills have seen relatively mild side effects, like migraines and vomiting, as well as serious consequences including heart attack and stroke, which have proven fatal.

             

Still, generally promising trends in teen pregnancy throughout much of the last decade show some positive results are possibly linked with this product’s use. This contraceptive provides women with a level of control over their reproductive cycle they would otherwise never have. After the pill’s introduction, women did not have to sacrifice physical intimacy in order to succeed financially. Today, proponents of oral contraception point to the economic and social gains women made when they were not inhibited by unplanned pregnancy. These pills allowed women to delay motherhood and make economic gains that were previously unattainable.  

             

In addition, the pill remains a very convenient and cost effective manner of preventing pregnancy. Most prescriptions cost only $15 to $50 a month. Planned Parenthood clinics even offer the pills at a discounted rate for women unable to pay the full cost. Besides their easy availability, they remain one of the most effective forms of contraception available. When taken as directed, these drugs are up to 99.9% effective. In addition, when combined with the use of a condom, these pills are an effective preventative measure against both pregnancy and disease.

           

While medical practitioners are quick to point out that the majority of users do not experience any serious side effects of these contraceptives, the recent rash of lawsuits against manufacturers act as a reminder that dangerous side effects can occur. Obviously, natural methods of pregnancy prevention that do not include the intake of foreign chemicals, including fertility awareness, remain the healthiest way to prevent pregnancy. However, because not all women are willing to invest the time and effort into this method, oral contraception will undoubtedly remain a popular option in the prevention of pregnancy. Nevertheless, it’s up to individuals to decide whether this potential health hazard is justified by its effectiveness. 

           

Health and Wellness - Let A Fever Run It's Course

Would you believe the most over treated health symptom of all is...... A fever? According to Dr. Mercola and many other health officials having a fever is not the big deal people think it is and in fact, allowing a fever to run it's course has health and wellness benefits that are still going unnoticed. 

There is a common misunderstanding that a fever can be hazardous particularly for  children.  However, what you need to know about a fever is when the body's primary defense mechanism - the immune system- fail, a fever becomes the backup defense.  Many infectious agents are not able to survive at elevated temperatures so the body naturally increases it's temperature in order to fight the infection.  This is a healthy response to an infection. The body actually has health and wellness automated responses - it's important that we allow those responses to work before we jump into over the counter medicines.

Parents who are treating their kids for fever will give toxic doses of fever reducing medications in order to get their child's fever under control.  This is so unnecessary because the reality of the situation is that the child's temperature is required in order to heal the infection.  Some parents will give aspirin at the first sign of a fever.  This poses a far greater health risk than any fever and aspirin can cause the lethal Reve's Disease.  A mixture of aspirin and fever reducing medications can also be lethal.

The Benefits

There are two functions of a fever. The first is to stimulate the immune system.  The second is create an unwelcoming environment for the invading organisms - in other words escalate the heat to where the organisms cannot survive.

When your first line of defense is not able to manage the attack of the invading organisms, your macrophages will recruit other immune systems cells (Interleukin One) - these signal the body to raise the temperature. Pretty amazing how the body as a team, utilizing each others strengths to protect itself when it is weak.

The body has an internal thermostat known as the hypothalamus.  When the Interleukin One, endogenous pyrogens and proteins reach the hypothalamus, the heat (your temperature) will begin to readjust itself, in turn, readjusting your temperature.

So the idea that a fever is actually a health and wellness response as opposed to a negative health factor that needs to be gotten rid of the instant it appears, is much better thinking. When the body's heat is raised to 102-103 F, this is the ideal range that gives the most power to kill unwanted microbes. 

And, fever has several other health and wellness benefits as well.

1.  Creates more anti-bodies

2.  Produces more white blood cells to ward off invading microbes

3.  Produces interferon - these stop the spread of viruses to healthy cells.

4.  Wards off iron which bacteria feeds on.

So when is medical attention required?  According to Dr. Mercola:

1.  Infants less than a month old must have care immediately if the fever is greater than 100.4 F.  Because breast milk creates anti-bodies, it is recommended that the infant be breast fed as often as he desires - this is a good thing if you are waiting for an appointment.

2.  Infants from 1-month to 3-months-old, with a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F, if they appear ill. Again, breastfeed on demand while waiting for care. 

3.   Children between 3 months and 36 months, with a temperature above 102.2 degrees F, if they appear ill. 

4.  All age groups -- temperature over 104.5 degrees F. 

5.  A fever that is not breaking after 3-4 days in adult and child.

And of course, Dr. Mercola shared with me the best way to treat a fever.

Fever Treatment

 Dr. Mercola expresses that instead of working against the body's natural way of protecting itself by trying to cool a fever,  one should consider allowing the fever to take it's course and do it's duty.  The only time you need to worry or seek medical attention is if it rises very high, very fast. This could be a sign of an infection too serious for your body to handle. 

Naturopathic physicians suggest fasting or limiting meals to broths and water.  This is because fever slows down peristalsis. Peristalsis is found in the contraction of smooth muscles to send contents through the digestive tract. Once your fever has broken, you can start eating solid foods again.  Plenty of rest will also be extremely beneficial in  supporting Fever.

So the next time a fever arises, lesson the panic, lesson the meds and allow your body to work it's magic by allowing the fever to take it's course and heal.  Remember to get plenty of rest and eat soups and broths, plenty of water. To help keep your immune system strong consider a health and wellness way of life by eating a wholesome diet on a regular basis.  This is particularly easy to accomplish if you embrace an eating plan that fuels the body with all the good stuff real foods have to offer.

Aging Skin - A Natural Oil For A Youthful Appearance

Coconut oil has many healthy wonders from cooking to shedding pounds to skin care.  It is the preferred cooking oil by health professionals and health addicts alike.  With all the new research turning out new information to help us stay healthy and get rid of many illnesses that are rearing their ugly heads over the last 60 years, we are finding our way back to natural wholesome products and all their glory.  When it comes to aging skin and skin care, natural is also making a come back saving us time and money.  Coconut and aging skin are like salt and pepper - they go extremely well together.  Health Wonders of Coconut Oil

For decades massage therapists and sport professionals have used coconut oil to manipulate stressed muscles.  Nowadays, when people have a sport or exercise related injury they go for medicine in the tube purchased over the counter. Give coconut oil a try. It works just as well if not better.  Ask my left shoulder that I recently injured through exercise (I guess I over did it!). I took coconut oil with me to the massage therapist who laughed and said she has her own and she will use it on my sore shoulder.  She was obviously aware of it's potential.  

Here is where I love coconut the most.  It has a powerful effect on aging skin!  Here's what it does and how it works.

1.  It protects the skin from free radicals.  One of the major reasons behind aging skin.  

2.  It assists in improving the appearance of the skin.  Giving the skin a lovely glow without looking oily or sweaty.

3.  It can help restore a more youthful appearance to the skin because, according to Dr. Peat, coconut oil is able to resist the formation of free radicals and oxidation.

4.  It assists in reducing fine lines and wrinkles because it keeps connecting tissues strong and flexible.

5.  It assists in the exfoliating process naturally working on the outer layer of dead skin cells.  This makes the skin smoother and adds a glow. 

For aging skin and skin care, why not save a bit of money this month and give coconut oil a try as opposed to the expensive skin care products for aging skin?  Wash your face and body as you normally would and apply coconut oil instead of your normal moisturizer.  Give it  a month and enjoy the difference.

One of my favorite skin care regimes is using turmeric paste and then moisturizing afterward with coconut oil.

Go Green - Clean Up Helper and Stain Remover

The world's population is much more conscious these days when it comes to saving money, and saving the environment.  Most people I know are either 90 percent "Go Green" livers or at least try and implement a "Go Green" strategy somewhere in their life.  Going green can save money, the environment, and our health.   

Here are two ways to go green by saving on paper towel usage  and using a powerful yet natural stain remover that will leave you wondering why on earth you are spending money on toxic stain removers and using costly paper towels. 

Using recycled paper products is certainly a smart choice, however you can go even further in your go green efforts by doing away with paper towel usage all together. Regardless of the situation there is an option for easy spill clean up.

Going Green in the Kitchen

1.  For wiping down counter tops use a sponge or kitchen towel. For an extra go green step consider using 100 percent organic cotton cloths. 

For an even more eco-friendly way you can easily make your own towels out of organic cotton or hemp, as these are excellent absorbent fabrics.

Here are few good reasons to make your own absorbent cloths.

• Cloth napkins can be used and reused over and over again.
• Cloth napkins dress up your table.
• Cloth napkins help with spills.
• Cloth napkins take up less cold water in the wash than a bulky tablecloth.
• Cloth napkins are classy and chic.
• Cloth napkins feel good.

According to the EPA, the U.S. generates approximately 3,430,000 tons of tissue, napkins and paper towels of waste - all non-recyclable. Here's how to make your own absorbent cloth.

Messy Spills and Leakages

Now this is an easy one.  Use old or mismatch socks, terry cloth or old clothes.  Cut them to a suitable size and store them in a drawer for easy access when needed.  These are also good to use when cleaning bathrooms or large areas requiring heavy cleaning.

Pet Clean up

Many people are still using paper towels or napkins to clean up pet stains, accidents and kitty litters.  The reason  people don't use old towels or clothing as suggested above to for pet clean up is that they don't trust the washing cycle to fully clean when it comes to pet waste.  However, there is a way to encompass go green cleaning and use old cloths or clothing for pet clean up.

I always store my pet clean up cloths separate from the other cloths. I only use pet cloths for pet clean up. I wash them separately and add alcohol to the wash.  This is still better by far then using paper towels or napkins. 

Natures Powerful Stain Remover

The acidic nature of lemons offers a bleaching effect, especially when exposed to sunlight.  It is also highly effective in the kitchen as a germ killer. 

  

Ways to Use Lemon as A Stain Remover

For go green stain removal lemon is a powerful cleaning agent and should be used as much as possible in place of store bought toxic cleaners and stain removers. 

1.  Remove oxidation stains from copper pots.

Dip half a lemon in salt and scrub on copper pot. 

2.  Removing mildew stains from garments or fabric.
Make a past of salt and lemon juice.  Put paste on stain area and wash immediately.

3.  Berry and other hand stains. 
Use the lemon and salt paste and rub hands together.  

4.  Olive or other oil stains on fabric
Gently rub a few drops of lemon on the stain.  Wash immediately.

5.  Coffee or wine stains from white fabric.
Spray lemon juice on stain and hang item in sunlight.

6.  Cutting board stains
Dip half lemon in salt and scrub board.  For an extra hit of germ removal leave the scrub on the board for a while then wash off.

7.  Ink Stains
Blot out as much of the ink as you can.  Drench the stain with lemon juice and sprinkle with salt.  Rub the salt in the stain with your fingers or old toothbrush and immediately wash the garment.

8.  Counter top stains
Drench stain in lemon juice and scrub with salt.  Only use lemon on marble if absolutely necessary because acid can damage marble.

9.  Stainless steel appliances

Apply paste of lemon and salt or lemon and baking soda.  Let paste sit for 5 minutes then wash and rinse.

10.  Arm pit stains
Prepare equal part lemon and water.  Use this to scrub the stain

You can see how easy, inexpensive and quickly you can implement go green procedures.  These ideas are safer around the home, safer for your health and safer for the planet.

Shedding Pounds - The Wonders of Coconut Oil

Saturated fats have been in health bad books for the past 60 years.  Health care officials confirm that oils and foods containing saturated fats are hazardous to our health causing ailments such as elevated cholesterol, obesity, Alzheimer's and heart disease. However even with this knowledge, over the past 60 years the American levels of these ailments have hit the roof particularly compared to modern day primitive societies using saturated fat as a dietary staple. Rates of obesity and the desperate need Americans have for shedding pounds and embracing a more healthy lifestyle have also hit the roof. 

In multiple studies on Pacific Island populations who get 30-60% of their caloric intake from saturated fats have shown close to non-existent cardiovascular health issues. This is because the saturated fat substance they use is naturally made as opposed to man made.  So what is the oil they use?  Coconut oil. 

So let us learn today what the health officials and the media are not telling us.  The reality is that not all saturated fats are created equal.  Some SF's are created naturally such as in coconut oil.  However others are created through a process called hydrogenation.  This man made process manipulates the vegetable and seed oils by adding hydrogen atoms when the oil is heated.  This produces a rancid, thick oil that is purely beneficial only for processed food shelf life.  It is these type of oils that need to be avoided.

Many oils out there that have been rendered as "healthy" and "heart friendly" are actually not, as they are still being man made through hydrogenation.

Coconut Oil Facts

A dentist named Weston Price traveled through the South Pacific in the 1930's.  His aim was to examine traditional caloric intake and the effect it had on dental and overall health.  His findings were that those consuming foods and drinks high in coconut products were health and trim and certainly not looking for help in shedding pounds.

 Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

- Promotes weight loss when needed
- Promotes heart health
- Promotes a healthy metabolism
- Promotes a healthy immune system
- An instant energy source
- Promotes healthy skin
- Promotes thyroid gland health

So now your thinking, "How is this possible? Is there some sort of special ingredient in coconut oil?"  The answer is, yes there is!


The Undisclosed Ingredient in Coconut Oil

Lauric Acid is a fat that is rarely found in nature.  Dr. Mercola shared with his readers the importance this acid has on health.  He refers to lauric Acid as a "Miracle" ingredient because of it's amazing health promoting properties.  50 percent of the fat content found in coconut oil is lauric acid. 

The body converts lauric acid in monolaurin. This has an anti-viral, anti-protozoa, and anti-bacterial properties.  Monolaurin can destroy lipid coated viruses such as;

- HIV herpes
- Influenza
 - Various pathogenic bateria
- Measles
- Protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Coconut oil contains the most lauric acid of any substance on earth!

But there is more that coconut oil has to offer.  It is 2/3 medium chain fatty acids or triglycerides (MCT's) and these also have major health promoting qualities. Now don't get confused because common vegetable and seed oils house long -chain fatty acids, which have poor health promoting qualities. Let's make a comparison.

Long Chain Fatty Acids

- Are difficult for the body to break down requiring special enzymes for digestion.
- Put more strain on the pancreas, liver and the whole of the digestive system
- Are largely stored in the body as fat (obviously if you are battling the need of shedding pounds, this is working against your efforts).
- Forms as cholesterol in the arteries

Medium Chain Fatty Acids

- Are smaller and pass through membranes smoothly.
- Digest easily putting less strain on the digestive system
- Sent directly to the liver and are immediately converted into energy rather than fat.
- Help stimulate the metabolism, leading to the shedding of pounds.
- Helps fight diabetes.  Coconut oil and simple carbohydrates share the ability to make quick energy but they differ in one important way.  Coconut oil does not generate an insulin kick into the blood stream. 

Shedding Pounds with Coconut Oil

People living in the US have close to a 70 percent chance of being overweight.  We all know by now how being overweight affects the quality of life and can bring on an array of health issues.  So how does this healthy oil help in shedding pounds and maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

- It helps stimulate your metabolism.
- It increases the activity of the thyroid.  (A sluggish thyroid is one of the reasons some people cannot lose weight no matter how hard they try).
- MFA's help enhance physical and athletic performance.

And, besides shedding pounds, other advantages to boosting the metabolism is that it increases cell generation to replace old cells.  It also enables the immune system to function better.

Naturally saturated fats and medium chain fats found in coconut oil are so health powerful that coconut oil is used in a variety of ways to promote good health in problem situations. Used in baby formulas and for feeding the critically ill in hospitals, coconut oil is the chosen product.  It is even used by health practitioners to treat aluminum poisoning and to assist those with digestive problems.  It's exceptional qualities make it useful to pregnant women and the elderly for various different reasons.   A truly healthy eating plan to assist in shedding pounds will always have recipes using coconut oil as a cooking agent.  Whether you are looking at shedding pounds or improving your overall health, embrace the use of coconut oil when cooking - it's a kitchen and healthy living must have.

Learn how coconut oil functions as an anti-aging skin care tool.