Virgin Coconut Oil, is one of the earliest oils to be used for human consumption as well as for therapeutic purposes and in the Asia Pacific region, which is believed to be inhabited by nearly a half of the world’s population; people depended almost entirely on coconut and Coconut Oil to sustain life and yet enjoyed remarkably good health and longevity.

Virgin Coconut Oil has been the subject of scientific research as way back as the 1930’s and has been identified as unique among vegetable oil and the natural source of the highest amount of Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA) and Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA).

Lauric Acid, Caprylic Acid and Capric Acid are MCFAs that make up more than 60% of Virgin Coconut Oil; it also contains monolaurin and monocaprin which possess important antimicrobial properties and tocopherol and precursors of tocopherol.
These unique features make Virgin Coconut Oil rich in natural vitamin E and antioxidants offering many health-promoting properties which could be enjoyed ideally through regular consumption as part of the diet. Virgin coconut oil is the purest form of coconut oil and is preferred for use in food; it is very stable under normal cooking temperatures without forming trans fatty acids and stays fresh without turning rancid for at least 2-3 years un-refrigerated and even longer if kept in a cool dry place away from sunlight.

The unique manner in which MCFA in Virgin Coconut Oil is digested is one of its earliest benefits to be recognized; without being circulated in the bloodstream it is sent direct to the liver for immediate conversion into energy with no fat deposits and much less strain on the digestive system. MCFAs in Virgin Coconut Oil therefore, provide a quick source of energy and they also promote the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals and proteins and enhance metabolism.

As such Virgin Coconut Oil is essentially used in hospital formulas for infants as well as for invalids and for decades, MCFAs derived from Virgin Coconut Oil have been used as a major ingredient in most commonly used infant formulas.

As a quick energy source, MCFAs are also used with patients who are forced to consume all their energy and strength to fight serious illness or injury and increasingly becoming popular in sports nutrition, invalid formulas and health food supplements in the form of Medium-Chain-Triglyceride Oil (MCT Oil or fractionated Coconut Oil) derived from Virgin Coconut Oil.

Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil on skin and hair could be derived both by consumption of oil and by topical application. Apart from consumption, it has been used throughout centuries on skin and hair for varying purposes as pure oil or as part of indigenous preparations by topical application. Virgin Coconut Oil has a light viscosity; it is a natural emollient, penetrates the skin easily with no oily after-feel and could be applied with ease to benefit from its natural moisturizing, anti-aging, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Virgin Coconut Oil is the naturally available richest source of MCFAs that needs to be obtained from the diet for the smooth functioning of the human body.