Coconut Oil for Bladder & Staph Infections

Coconuts are classified by the Coconut Research Center as a "functional food" because they are both a food source and have medicinal health benefits. The center indicates medical journal research now demonstrates coconut (in some form) kills a variety of viruses, bacteria, fungus and yeast infections, including staph and bladder infections. Coconut Oil Central lists the staphylococcus bacteria that causes both staph and bladder infections as one that is neutralized by coconut oil's medium-chain fatty acidsor MCFA.

Function

Medium-chain fatty acids can help prevent and protect against heart disease without having a negative impact on cholesterol.

Medium-chain fatty acids or medium-chain triglyceridesMCTmake up 92 percent of coconut oil, according to the OrganicFacts.net. Those acids aren't found in many of our food sources but they are important because they help protect us from heart disease and antherosclerosis. Organic Facts points out that among the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil it is mainly lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid that provide the antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Additional Benefits

The antioxidant properties of coconut oil can protect the skin from losing elasticity and strength.

Humans metabolize fatty acids differently depending on the size of the "carbon chain" within each fatty acid. Medium-chain fatty acids are more easily assimilated or metabolized and put to healthy use in the body, notes Organic Facts. So even though coconut oil is a saturated fat, it provides digestive health and soothes bowel issues, protects the skin from irritation, drying and aging and works as an antioxidant to the system without contributing to higher cholesterol.

Components

Coconut oil contains healthy vitamins and minerals.

Besides its healthy medium-chain fatty acids, coconut oil also contains polyunsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid) and mono-unsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid), points out Organic Facts. In addition, coconut oil is a good source of vitamin K, vitamin E and iron. And finally, polyphenols like gallic acid are found in coconut oil, providing another level of health protection that counteracts the environmental free-radicals that can cause tissue damage in the body.

Misconceptions

Unlike animal fats, coconut oil comes from a plant source, so it has no cholesterolwith which to increase cholesterol in the blood.

Because coconut oil is a saturated fat, some people believe it's unhealthy, clogging arteries and increasing cholesterol. But according to CoconutOil.com, researcher Emil V. Carandang of the Philippine Coconut Research and Development Foundation, notes that a U.S. fresh/raw coconut oil study found coconut oil does not cause an increase in the actual cholesterol. It did show, however, that it increased good cholesterol levels and decreased bad cholesterol levels, positively impacting existing cholesterol.

Cautions

Coconut used for food or medicinal purposes comes in the form of juice, milk, oil and coconut meat.

Coconut Research Center provides links for a wide range of scientific research and articles on the positive results of using coconut oil against illnesses such as AIDS, influenza and herpes, and to target bacterias that cause various infections.

Coconut oil should be used for those purposes, however, only under the direction of a physician.