Last week I added coconut oil into my bag of tricks. I am extremely excited to be able to start using the oil throughout all my cooking experiments, not only for the flavor, but for the incredible healing properties it provides. I bought Organic Virgin Coconut Oil because it is the most pure and effective at doing what it does best.
The oil also withstands heat very well and doesn’t become rancid like olive oil does when it gets overheated. I picked up The Real Foods Trading Company FunFresh brand Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for around $14. They state that their oil is unrefined, unbleached, un-deodorized, un-hydrogenated, and processed without solvents (all very good things). The most exciting thing about introducing coconut oil is the lauric acid that it contains, which is only found more concentrated elsewhere in breast milk!
The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are easy to absorb, digest, and move through the blood and into the liver to be quickly converted right into energy. The oil also inactivates the bad guys like H-pylori, Candida albicans, and Giardia, all while suppressing inflammation and repairing tissue to help heal the gut (we will have a longer article on this later). The oil turns into monolaurin once it reaches your gut, which is a very powerful antimicrobial agent. All in all, the introduction of coconut oil into the SCD diet is almost as important as starting the yogurt. It helps regulate the bad bacteria and support the good bacteria, all while helping to reduce inflammation and leaky gut. Elaine did caution against using Coconut milk until about six months into the diet, but not against the oil itself, just introduce it slowly like any other food.
Here is a quick and dirty SCD legal chile I spiced up with Coconut Oil:
1st: I browned 2 lbs of ground been in a skillet
2nd: Then I added a pinch of thyme, paprika, sage, black pepper, and salt
3rd: I stirred in 1 cup of tomato juice
4th: Then I added the special ingredient… 1/2 cup of coconut oil
5th: Then I mixed in some cooked veggies (green beans, cauliflower, and cucumber)
6th: I let it simmer for about 15 minutes for an incredible chile that is slightly sweet from the coconut oil
Random Thoughts:
It’s interesting how the more and more I get my diet handled, the more and more pieces of my health puzzle are fitting into place. When I first started the diet I figured all my problems were from gluten (very naive). But after the SCD diet started to take away that reality and I started feeling better, I began to see all the other areas of my health that were also suffering. I believe that many of the issues are related, but I wasn’t even able to see them until the diet allowed me to start feeling better and gain some perspective.
Since I have been on the diet I have been able to address my low stomach acid, my thyroid problems (iodine deficiency), inflammation, poor digestive enzyme production, and a magnesium deficiency. Now, that’s not to say that
What's Your Next Puzzle Piece?
this stuff is going to be the same for everyone… but with each new issue I tackle with my Dr., I reach a whole new level of health I never realized was possible. It’s been an incredible journey, and it all started with the SCD Lifestyle and building my foundation. Once I stopped spending 4 hours a day on the toilet I was finally able to figure out what else is going on with me. It’s almost like having a lens that is very blurry, but as I continue to heal I can focus it more and more clearly. I can’t wait to see what the next level will be like… and I strongly believe that coconut oil is going to help me get that much closer!
Got any good ideas for using coconut oil? Post them below, and also, take a moment to comment on what the SCD Lifestyle has helped you realize about your body.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Any chance your book is available in ‘book’ form, not online?
Traci,
Thanks for the question. Right now we are only offering our book online in e-Book format so that people can instantly download it upon purchase and start the diet as soon as possible. It also helps us get it to more people on the web without dealing with shipping all over the world.
We find that all of our customers have been very happy with this method so far and haven’t had any issues. Remember, you have 90 days to try it out and if you don’t like it for any reason, just let us know and we can refund your money no questions asked.
Let us know if you have any further questions and please stay in touch as you continue your journey on the diet.
In good health,
Jordan
Hi Jordan, awesome site man. I’m starting on the scd and had a question about iodine and salt. Did u use salt that had iodine added 2 it or did u use other means to correct your deficiency. If so what brand of salt was it. I’m a little skeptical of using anything but unrefined sea salt (just started using celtic sea salt) but depending on who u ask their might not be enough iodine it. Thanx bro
Tim,
I only use unrefined sea salt, however salt with iodine is allowed on SCD. I’ve just always been skeptical of the processing of the salt. I did take a iodine supplement made by Freeda for awhile but have since stopped as my multi-vitamin includes it (SCD Complete by GI Pro Health). I would recommend trying out their multi-vitamin but as for the salt it is Basically a personal choice. Good Luck!
I have coconut oil, but never knew when to use it or substitue my olive oil for it.
Are their specific foods I should pair it with? Or can I use it when I make my sauteed aparagus? And I never knew how much to use..the same amount as olive oil?
Hi Kate,
You can substitute whenever, actually coconut oil is better for cooking than olive oil as coconut oil has a higher smoke point. I saute all my veggies in and most of my meats. I actually do not use olive oil unless its in a dressing form. For cooking I use animal fats, coconut oil and ghee. Give it a try but roughly the same amount works for me.
Any thoughts on coconut oil vs. coconut butter?
@ Chris – Not much experience with the butter, but I’ve read it tastes great. As far as cooking you want to stay with the oil because it will with stand the heat better.
what about with salicylate sensitivity while you have gut dysbiosis? I react terribly to coconut oil- rash, burning intestines…though I have SIBO/candida, low secretory IgA,leaky gut, really low weight. So I’d love to be able to use it, but don’t think I can for now…
That’s okay don’t eat it then, but later after you do some healing I’d retest it.
I think I am intolerant to organic coconut oil. I have been on the FODMAP diet for a few months, but thought I would try to add coconut oil in, as I heard of it’s benefits for IBS sufferers.
Well I noticed I got a huge migraine after having quite a bit of it through the day which I haven’t had since on the diet (I think because of the removal of gluten has truly helped). I also was running to the toilet which is not something that usually happens to me. I took a little bit the next day again, and a slight headache appeared, so I ditched the coconut oil…and no symptoms since.