Coconut Oil

I am an advocate of Coconut Oil and have been dosing my boy since he was 3 months old!   This explanation as to *why* it's good for your dog sums it up best: 
 
(from the WDJ, Oct '05)
"Most of coconut oil#%92s health benefits come from medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). According to former University of Maryland biochemist and dietary fats researcher Mary Enig, PhD, “The lauric acid in coconut oil is used by the body to make the same disease-fighting fatty acid derivative monolaurin that babies make from the lauric acid they get from their mothers#%92 milk. The monoglyceride monolaurin is the substance that keeps infants from getting viral, bacterial, or protozoal infections.
 
Coconut oil#%92s capric and caprylic acid have similar properties and are best known for their antifungal effects. Like lauric acid, capric acid helps balance insulin levels.”
 
Hope that helps!

Thanks so much.  That sounds like something that would be good for humans as well.  Think I am going to add that to my goldens feed--and to my food as well.  I h ave Rheumatoid Arthritis and  I think possibily this could help.

caprylic acid have similar properties

 
2 questions for the Coconut Oil experts..
 
How much do you give per lb of dog? I have two goldens..one 60lbs and the other 82..
 
Where do you get virgin cocount oil? [8|]
 
Thank you !!!
 
 

The benefits for dogs and humans alike are reported to be:
 
• Reduces the risk of cancer and other degenerative conditions
• Improves cholesterol levels and helps fight heart disease
• Improves digestion and nutrient absorption
• Heals digestive disorders like Crohn#%92s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, and colitis
• Contains powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents that prevent infection and disease
• Relieves arthritis
• Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections, including thrush and candidiasis
• Prevents and treats viral infections, including herpes, measles, and the flu
• Helps balance the body#%92s metabolism and hormones
• Promotes normal thyroid function
• Helps prevent or control diabetes
• Rejuvenates the skin and protects against skin cancer, age spots, acne, and other blemishes
• Helps prevent osteoporosis
• Reduces allergic reactions
 
I take about a Tablespoon a day myself!  btw - it tastes SO good! 
 
Oh, dosage = 1 Tbls. per 30 lbs/day 
So, Slick is 63 lbs and gets 1 Tbls with breakfast and 1 Tbls with dinner.  I get mine on-line, I've used both of the following brands and am currently buying the Garden of Life.  (it's a bit less expensive)
 
[linkhttp://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm]http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm[/link] 
[link>http://www.vitacost.com/GardenofLifeExtraVirginCoconutOil/csrc-SHOPFEED-froogle]http://www.vitacost.com/GardenofLifeExtraVirginCoconutOil/csrc-SHOPFEED-froogle[/link][/size]
 
You can probably find it at most health food stores though.  Just make sure that it's VIRGIN and try to buy in a glass container.

At my age, and if it truly can do all that, I need a bottle a day< LOL.  I am going to see if i cant find at the health food store in next town.  Would rather buy it direct than over the web.  And on my golden board, virgin oil, not refined was a definate DO USE  I am going to sure try it for me and at least 11 year old Buck who has arthritis and 6 1/2 yar old KayCee with arthritis around the cormer.  Besides, it just sounds like it would be good all the way round for them.

At my age, and if it truly can do all that, I need a bottle a day< LOL

 
I know, right?  haha - I bought it for Slick but thought that I'd better take some myself or else this puppy is going to outlive me!  I'm one of those people that buys EVERYTHING on-line as I live in the city and do not have a car.  I even buy my groceries on-line!   Anyway - Slick's coat is positively glossy.  I think you'll see a difference in Buck and KayCee's coats pretty quickly and hopefully the arthritis as well!   
 
One more thing to note - depending on your dog's tummy sensitivities - you may want to ease into the full dose.  Maybe increase it over the course of a few days or a week until they've gotten used to it. 

I keep saying I'm going to get some coconut oil.... for my hair! I guess we should all eat it, too. Now, Emma's sitting in my lap reading about how good it tastes. She says she wants a tablespoon on her dinner, too! I told her she'd have to live with a teaspoon.

Do you give coconut AND fish oil, or alternate, or...???

I just use the Coconut Oil, no fish oil.  The reason is that both his kibble (Innova LB Puppy) and his raw (NV Prairie) have fish and flaxseed oil in them at acceptable levels.  I guess if I was feeding something that didn't have any Omega's (3 and 6) I would add them as well. 
 
The Coconut Oil melts at a relatively low temp (75 degrees?) so, some days it's liquefied and other days it's solid!  I makes no difference in it's effectiveness - just something to note.  I suppose you could refrigerate it if you don't want to deal with it as a liquid, but it's not necessary.

• Reduces allergic reactions 
 

Bummer- too bad I am allergic to coconut... maybe I'd be healthier and my nose would be not so hateful towards me!

Even some sunscreens make me break out [sm=eek.gif]
 

MOST sunscreens (shampoos, makeups, lotions, etc etc etc) make me break out, LOL.

I knew about coconut oil's tendency to have weird solidness.... I'll definitely have to try it. I may alternate it with fish and flax (the monkeys eat fresh foods, no kibble or premade).

MOST sunscreens (shampoos, makeups, lotions, etc etc etc) make me break out, LOL.

 
Oh MAN!  I *almost* wish that were the case with me.  Considering my embarrassing (and costly) accumulation of products, it would free up alot of time and money for me to obsess over something else! 

I still have the collection I just don't USE any of them, LOL.

I'm guessing that has something to do with the reason I decided to nap in the sun without sunscreen today..... *facedesk*