Thursday, January 17, 2008

Health Benefits Of Coconut

Coconut cream / milk

Coconut cream is widely used in curries, desserts and cakes.

That's because it enhances the aroma and tastes of the dishes and can be obtained easily and cheaply. It has a thick, paste-like consistency and when diluted, it is called coconut milk.

However, people avoid coconut cream because of its high fat content. Especially those who want to lose weight.

But do you know that it is good saturated fat which can be easily metabolised or turn into energy fast? That means it does not cause blockages in our arteries.

I'm not suggesting you to indulge in coconut cream, but rather than avoid it altogether, it is alright to eat in moderation. The principle fatty acid in coconut milk is lauric acid, which is the same fat found in abundance in mother's milk.

When converted to monolaurin, it boosts your immune system and protects your body against many viruses, including hepatitis C, herpes and even HIV!

It also promotes normal brain development and contribute to healthy bones.

It also has important anti-carcinogenic and anti-pathogenic properties which helps to prevent cancer. More importantly, coconut cream is less likely to cause weight gain than polyunsaturated oils. Never know coconut cream can be so good right?

Canned or packaged coconut cream is available in supermarkets. It must be refrigerated once opened and does not last more than a week. Also, do not freeze coconut milk as this causes it to curdle when you next use it in cooking.

Try different brands of canned coconut milk to find the one to your liking. Those with thick cream floating on top of the can with the watery milk below it are proofs that they are not artificially homogenized.

Virgin Coconut oil

Extracted from fresh coconut milk and meat, virgin coconut oil has such an aromatic and flavourful taste that it is used in many

Just like coconut cream, coconut oil reduces bad cholesterol unlike polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower and safflower oils.

It contains least calorie count among the category of monosaturated oils.

You ladies out there got to know this ! Surprise, surprise ! Coconut oil does speed up metabolism and aids you in shedding off the excess fats !

People of traditional cultures, such as the South Pacific Islands and the Philippines where coconut and palm oils are plentiful, suffer lower rates of obesity and health problems.

Look at our society today - we pile high on our plates food equally high in carbohydrates and polyunsaturated oils which increase our risk of heart diseases and diabetes. Yet we complain about our weight and poor health. It's a shame !

However, coconut oil is different from other animal oil. Studies have found that it aids in lowering blood pressure and regulate thyroid dysfunction.

Unlike refined oils, it does not turn rancid easily and become toxic to our bodies.

If you have damaged hair, try using coconut oil on your hair and scalp. It has been proven to be a more effective treatment for damaged hair than mineral oil and sunflower oil. That's because coconut oil is the only oil among the three which effectively reduces protein loss in hair.

Virgin coconut oil is an excellent beauty care product too. Here are some benefits :
1) it penetrates and moisturises the skin
2) minimise damage from sun exposure that causes sagging, wrinkling and blemishes
3) removes dead skin cells, producing an even texture and glow
4) heals damaged or diseased skin

Sometimes, wonderful remedies can be within your reach and in abundance, only if you look hard enough.

In this case, it is the Coconut.

Laura NgHow To Permanently Remove Hair
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Poisonous Plants and Your Dog

It is always a shock when pet owners come home to find their dog sick and their favorite houseplants chewed to pieces. There are many safe plants that can be kept with dogs but there are some vary common houseplants and even outdoor plants that are extremely poisonous and potentially be lethal to dogs.

Understanding which houseplants should not be kept in the house or within reach of your dog is important. The following is a list of the most common houseplants that are toxic. Remember to check any plant with the nursery or with your vet to make sure that they are not poisonous:

Most Philodendrons
Chinese Evergreens
Cordatum
Corn Plant
Devils Ivy
Golden Pothos
Marble Queen
Peace Lily
Nephthytis
Most Dracaena
Taro vine

There are also many bulbs that are stored over the winter in houses that are poisonous if consumed by a dog or even used as a fun toy. These include most the garden bulbs such as lily varieties, tulips, elephant ears, gladiolas, hyacinth, iris, crocus and amaryllis bulbs. Lily of the Valley is very toxic both as a bulb and as a plant.

Common garden plants that are found both inside and outside that are potentially deadly to dogs include Dieffenbachia, Foxglove, Morning glory, Nightshade, Onions, Tomato plants and most of the varieties of ivy.

Shrubs in the garden or the yard can also be problematic. Trees and shrubs such as:

Avocado
Yew
Macadamia Nut
Schefflera
Bamboo
Oleander
Mistletoe
Yucca
Sago Palm

Many pet owners dont realize that Aloe Vera can potentially be poisonous to dogs if consumed in large quantities. There are many other species of plants that can cause allergic reactions, rashes and skin and mouth lesions in dogs if the animal is exposed to the plants at certain times in the plants growth. Often the either the leaves, flower or bark is poisonous but perhaps not all three. For example, grape vines themselves are not poisonous to dogs but the grapes can be extremely toxic.

Safety Tips

Take some time to research the various houseplants and garden plants that your dogs may potentially be exposed to. It is not always necessary to completely remove the plants; rather they may just need to be placed above the dogs reach. Puppies are more prone to chewing and mouthing items than are most mature dogs, so by monitoring how your dog behaves around your house and garden plants you can predict if you will have to remove the plants or if the dog will not bother them. Remember, however, that even dogs that dont chew or play with plants may decide to do so at some time, so it is usually best to try to keep these plants out of the areas of the yard or house that the dog has access too when unsupervised.

If you believe that your dog has ingested a poisonous plant, or any type of plant, and is exhibiting signs of pain, nervous problems, salivating, drooling, vomiting or diarrhea immediately contact your vet and have the dog examined. Be sure to bring the plant in with you to help the vet identify the poison that was consumed.

Kelly Marshall is a popular contributor at http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com - where you can find dog beds, dog steps, pet ramps, and more unique dog gear that you'll never find at your local pet store.Free Rc Helicopter Simulator
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