coconut3 300x200 The Benefits of Organic Coconut Oil During Pregnancy

Coconut oil is for more than just the beach, which is probably what comes to mind for many when you catch the succulent scent of coconut.  Many don’t realize the health benefits of coconut oil for pregnant women.
The benefits cover a wide range of areas in the body such as skin, stress, cholesterol, weight issues, immunity, digestions, kidney relief, blood pressure and more. These benefits can all be linked to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid in the oil.
While the highest source of lauric acid is breast milk, coconut oil is actually the second highest source of this healthy acid.  It’s cited in helping combat bacteria and viruses that cause diseases such as influenza, herpes and even HIV. Lauric acid also combats those harmful bacteria like listeria and heliobacter pylori.
Let’s look at some of the benefits in detail:

Cholesterol / Blood Pressure

Lauric acid helps to prevent high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia) and high cholesterol

Insulin control

Coconut oil reduces stress on the pancreas as it helps smooth out insulin levels in the body. Similar stress reduction is offered to the thyroid and enzyme production systems.

Digestion

The (healthy) saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-microbial properties that help keep gut flora in check. Excess bacteria that cause gas, cramping, and other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome are better controlled with coconut oil, and it’s easily processed by people with gallbladder issues because bile isn’t needed in order to digest virgin cold pressed coconut oil.

Immunity

Packed with antimicrobial lipids as well, coconut oil can help reinforce the immune system. Lauric acid is converted into monolaurin in the body, which aids in the fight against viral infections and harmful protozoa. Coconut oil is the 2nd highest source of lauric acid; the highest is mother’s milk.  The natural antibiotic / anti-viral properties of the oil will help boost pregnant women’s immune system.

Infections

Coconut oil has been proven to be helpful in dealing with bacteria such as those that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), bacterial pneumonia, etc. For those struggling with fungal and yeast infections such as thrush, diaper rash, candidiasis or even ring worm, coconut oil can be a source of relief.

Thyroid

Coconut oil, in conjunction with a thorough program, stimulates your metabolism and helps to raise body temperature. People with hypothyroidism have lower body temperatures and a “classic” symptom of this condition is weight gain with an inexplicable inability to lose it.
Liver – The medium chain triglycerides and fatty acids aid in preventing liver diseases as the materials within coconut oil are easily metabolized and converted directly into energy. This is great for pregnant women with low energy.
Diabetes
Coconut oil is proven to help control blood sugar by improving the secretion of insulin and also assists with the effective use of blood glucose.  This is great for pregnant women who are diabetic, as well as to prevent gestational diabetes in women.
Skin health
Virgin Coconut Oil keeps skin supple, healthy and soft.  It relieves the dry, tight skin that pregnant women complain about and can help to prevent stretch marks.
Boost your baby’s immunity
The lauric acid in coconut oil provides immune boosting benefits for your baby. Studies have shown that nursing mothers who consume virgin coconut oil and other coconut products significantly increase levels of lauric acid in their breast milk.
You will receive the most benefit from organic, cold-pressed coconut oil that smells and tastes of fresh coconuts. You can purchase this oil at your local health food store or online.
Coconut Oil & Stretch Marks
Searching for a Product to Help Prevent or Heal Stretch Marks? 

Organic Coconut Oil is the perfect choice when you want to moisturize dry skin, massage for relaxation or even repair flaws . . . including stretch marks! Even though pregnancy might be the most typical time for stretch marks to appear, it is not the only incidence. Other situations that manifest this breakdown of the skin are weight gain, growth spurts during puberty and body building. This is why understanding the benefit of Organic Coconut oil is valuable to either gender or any age group. Recent studies have shown that even normal every day stress and lifestyle choices can predispose your skin to these unwanted scars. 

Prevention and Repair 

It is reassuring to learn that there is a simple solution; frequent applications of Organic Coconut Body Oilsand Coconut Oil Lotions will keep the skin supple and flexible retaining its natural elasticity. Applying Organic Coconut Oil to the skin throughout pregnancy has been proven to help prevent stretch mark damage and scaring. Not only can it prevent stretch marks in many cases, but it can also lessen the appearance of existing ones. Vitamin E has long been a remedy for skin imperfections, and Organic  Coconut Body Oils and Coconut Oil Lotions deliver it at its very best. 

The Cause is Twofold 

When your skin is stretching faster than your body can produce collagen, you are likely to form stretch marks. If you add a genetic tendency and any of the stress triggers that occur during pregnancy, puberty or weight gain, you have combination of factors working against you. When the skin is giving out under this pressure it is also forming hormones know as Glucocorticoids. The stress hormone Cortisol is probably the most common, and our bodies produce an abundance of it as a response to any stress or anxiety. Put all this together and you can see that stretch marks have both internal and external forces working in their favor.