CocOil Paradise

Types of VCO to Use:

• Unrefined (AKA virgin or extra-virgin) – this coconut oil comes from fresh coconuts and has not been changed with heat processes. It is the purest, most natural, least processed (chemically-changed) form. You can use it for anything but it will impart a coconut taste (mild) and odor (pleasant in my book)! Unrefined coconut oil retains the most nutritional value and is superior to refined oil.
• Refined (AKA RBD) – manufacturers typically do not use fresh coconut and instead use on the copra (dry coconut flakes). These flakes are then refined, bleached, and deodorized leaving behind an oil that is colorless, tasteless and odorless. Not all refined coconut oils are alike! Most are refined using a chemical distillation process dependent on lye or other harsh solvents. Know your supplier. While refined coconut oil is almost as nutritious as its unrefined/virgin counterpart, it does lose some of its health properties during the refining process.
• Fractionated – this coconut oil is one in which manufacturers remove all of the long-chain fatty acids (and even the medium-chain lauric acid) to retain only its fraction of caprylic and capric acid. They do this to lower its melting point so people can use the oil in liquid form. Fractionated is used most often as a superfatting oil in soaps; in skin-care lotions, cream and similar products to give emolliency; in massage oil blends (famous for not staining the sheets); as a carrier oil for essential oils, vitamins and actives; and in medicines. It is not recommended for consumption since it is stripped of the important long-chain fatty acids and lauric acid.
• Cold-Pressed, Expeller-Pressed, and Centrifuged – these are simply name of the various methods of extracting the oil from the dry or fresh coconut and can be found in both refined and unrefined varieties.
• Avoid all hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated coconut oils as the hydrogenation process creates synthetic trans-fats!

 

(Source: http://beforeitsnews.com/family/2012/08/333-uses-for-coconut-oil-2444346.html?currentSplittedPage=0)

Tips for Daily Usage:

Daily Dosage

Here is a chart outlining the recommended daily dosage of virgin coconut oil for persons over the age of 12. Coconut oil may be consumed by children under 12 but it is advisable to check with a healthcare practitioner on the proper dosage. Any good naturopath will have the information at the ready. (Starting at 12 months of age, I gave my daughter 1-2 teaspoons per day and she weighed about 16 pounds at that time.)