Coconut Oil May Help Prevent Vision Loss

What's the most common cause of blindness in America? Thirty years ago, it was diabetes...today, it is age-related macular degeneration otherwise known as AMD.
AMD is affecting more than 10 million Americans... and caused when normal cell functions in the eyes are disrupted. Since the fatty cells in our eyes are a result of the oils we eat, it is extremely important which oils we use in our kitchen. Most of us have shelves filled with polyunsaturated vegetable oils not just in cooking or salads but also in any sauce, dip, bread, cracker, cake mix, or frozen dinner. Yet, these polyunsaturated vegetable oils are very susceptible to lipid peroxidation.
What is lipid peroxidation? Lipid peroxidation is a chemical process that causes fats to become rancid.  Rancid oils create destructive free radicals that literally rip other molecules apart, causing irreversible damage to cells. Free radicals interfere with normal cell function in the eye which can lead to macular degeneration. New research is showing that AMD may be preventable:   

"Saturated fats are very resistant to peroxidation. A high concentration of saturated fat in eye tissue can protect against lipid peroxidation associated with AMD. Coconut oil is higher in saturated fat than any other dietary fat. For this reason, it is very stable and highly resistant to peroxidation. It is so stable that it acts as a protective antioxidant and helps protect against the formation of free radicals."

For a more healthy lifestyle and to defend yourself against age-related macular degeneration:
1. Avoid polyunsaturated oils in your diet.
2. Use coconut oil and other healthy saturated fats for your food preparation.
3. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidant nutrients.

For references and the full article from the Healthy Ways Newsletter, Volume 2 Number 2 by Dr. Bruce Fife, click the following link: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.com/hwnl_2-2.htm

Herb Roasted Pastured Thanksgiving Turkey

Hau'oli La Ho'omaika'i!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mahalo! Thank you for visiting "Discover Coconut Oil"!
As the weather begins to turn toward colder times, why not add a healthy flavor of the tropics to your Thanksgiving Dinner this year?
After taking your turkey out of the oven, brush a generous amount of melted coconut oil over the entire turkey!
If you have never prepared a turkey before, click on the link below to watch a 2 minute video to see how easy it is to roast your own turkey!
Tropical Traditions - Recipe - Herb Roasted Pastured Thanksgiving Turkey

Crusty Coconut Shrimp Tempura Recipe

I know ... I know! You hesitate! You have concerns about using too much oil in your diet with deep frying. Right? It makes us uneasy to try a recipe like this! I understand! You say "Won't it raise my cholesterol? Clog my arteries? Cause me to gain weight? Doesn't coconut oil contain saturated fats and isn't that "bad" for me?"


Okay, okay! Most oils that contain saturated fats are made of the long-chain fatty acids which are unhealthy. However, remember that coconut oil contains the type of saturated fat which is rich in medium-chain fatty acids  or "oleic acid"!  Medium-chain fatty acids are easily digestible and easy on the liver! That's good for metabolism and it might even help your belly size! Recent studies show that coconut oil can lower your total cholesterol, boost your HDL “good” cholesterol, lower your LDL “bad” cholesterol, and shrink your waist size.


So, relax! Kick back and fry up some of my tasty "Crusty Coconut Shrimp Tempura"! ...and Enjoy!
 
Discover Coconut Oil

Find coconut oil typically in the supplement section at your local health food store or online on Amazon ... If this is your 1st purchase from Tropical Traditions they are offering a free book with ref #6618482

 “Effects of Dietary Coconut Oil on the Biochemical and Anthropometric Profiles of Women Presenting Abdominal Obesity,” Lipids Volume 44, Number 7 / July 2009. Authors: Monica L. Assunção et al.

PLEASE add your comments .... or even better, share YOUR FAVORITE COCONUT/COCONUT OIL RECIPE below!

Happy Discoverer's Day!

Hawaii observes Columbus Day as "Landing Day" or "Discoverer's Day".
"In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue" and "discovered" the "New World" ... for Europeans at least, who until then, believed that the world was flat. Today, unless you are like Columbus of Italian heritage, we consider focusing more on the "discovery" of the "New World", and less upon Columbus the man. In his time, Colombus did not find support from Italy for his adventures. He turned to Spain for help and was provided the funding from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to travel and explore with three ships: The Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.
I say this! ... let's say we call it "Discoverer's Day"! ... and let Discoverer's Day be the celebration of the "discoverer" in each one of us. What we once thought was flat is now commonly known as round. What we once believed unhealthy, we are discovering to be healthy. As we free our minds to our "New World " of understanding, we discover a place of opportunity! Here we enjoy support from one another as we make our voyage to a more prosperous, healthy and happier life style!
Happy Discoverer's Day!
Discover Coconut Oil!

Celebration at the Coconut Festival in Kapaa

Kaua‘i’s Annual Coconut Festival held at Kapa‘a Beach Park offers us a chance to have fun and pay tribute to one of Kaua‘i’s most versatile trees and its fruit. The festival highlights the cultural, social and historical importance of the coconut to the people of Hawai‘i, and its special significance to East Kaua‘i where coconut plantations were once the primary industry. This area is known as the “Royal Coconut Coast” because of its acres of coconut palms and for being the home of Kaua‘i’s ancient royal families.

John Cruz, Headliner ... 14th Annual Kauai Coconut Festival at Kapaa Beach Park

Mahalo! Grammy-winning Hawaiian singer songwriter John Cruz! .. High energy! Solid entertainment at the Kapaa Coconut Festival 2010!