The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife (2004, Paperback, Revised)

I am not a vegan by any means, nor to intend to crossover. However, Bruce Fife's book on coconut oil and its healthy advantages are very convincing. Being skeptical on the helpfulness and reality of this book, I originally checked it out of the library. After getting about 1/3 of the way through, I decided that I had to have a copy of my own and have switched over to using coconut oil in my cooking and as a supplement.

I was very suprised to learn that while coconut oil is a saturated fat, it does not have the negative side effects on the body commonly associated with other saturated fats. This is because if is made up of MEDIUM chain fatty acids instead of LONG chain fatty acids like those found in animal fat, etc. Basically in a nutshell, this means that your body processes it differently than other oils and fats....it is converted immediately into energy as opposed to being stored. This makes it a healthier option to more popular oils such as vegetable oil (commonly used in fast food), canola, etc--even olive oil.
It has a neutral effect on cholesterol, and may even be cardio-protective.

Mr. Fife does a pretty good job of presenting the facts about coconut oil and the history of it's benefits. He does go into detail regarding the chemical composition of coconut oil and compares it to the composition of other oils and what the effects on are on our bodies. In some chapter's he can get on a soapbox and seem a little pushy regarding his point of view. It's best to keep an open mind and try to read between the lines during those parts.

All in all, this was a pretty good, informative read. Mr. Fife has clearly done quite a bit of background research regarding the benefits of this oil and how it can be incorporated into your life. He even provides recipes using coconut oil in the book.

For those interested, coconut oil can be purchased in natural food stores, Amazon.com, probably here on Ebay, but I managed to find it in my small town WalMart in the oil/cooking spray section - this was by far the cheapest way to go.

One of the major reasons that I switched over was that part where he discusses when major fast food chains switched from using tropical oils (coconut and palm kernel) to using hydrogenated vegetable oil (which our bodies weren't meant to break down). I remember this switch and all of the publicity that went along with it (how this would make the food healthier, etc). However in my honest opinion, I have seen the average size of the consumer GROW as a result of eating these same foods. Obviously, too much of anything is bad for you, but when the country is facing an obesity epidemic that peaked within the last 15-20 years, and in our ever more convenience oriented society people are eating fast food more and more, it drives a definite message home. And not a pretty one at that. Most reasonable people would switch back to the original method when things didn't work out as expected, I'm not sure why none have - perhaps the fear of getting burned by society for the whole saturated fat thing. But if *hypothetically* a chain such as McDonald's switched back and sited this research, I would be pretty sure most other chains would follow suit - seeing as how they're all into providing "healthier" options.

Whether or not I experience any weight loss from my switch as a result of this book, I still feel that I have made a good choice. I would suggest getting it from the library first then buy.

I signed on to buying this book and the oil just to test it out. I was on a few health boards whom spoke about it. I was actually very skeptical but the psoriasis I had in a patterns on both my feet and hands was pain full, bloody, unsightly and would not go away unless I laid in the sun every day/ laid in tanning bed even worse or paid a doctor to give me a prescription for some steroid that I could only use temporary. It can be costly for the average Jane and Joe to buy coconut oil and it even takes more creative ways to eat the amount Fife writes you should have to help aliments. I would suggest buying it at a local health food store if you can at first too see if it helps you then when it does make the investment. I buy it in large qualities a gallon or more on the internet which saves me a load of dollars.In a health food store the same amount would cost 3x to 4x this price. Not to long ago the psoriasis disappeared on both hands and both feet. It took about a month and a half. As the psoriasis was going bye bye from my hands and feet I got the Fife book and started reading. The skin in the areas that were infected with the psoriasis started to look like nothing had ever happened to this region of my body. I will tell you this, you may get sick eating this oil at first. I did, I got very sick for about 3 days and I looked sickly. It was the die off of many little critters in my body from bacteria, viruses to yeasts. You have to drink a lot of water or green tea initially. When my body got use to dealing with all the toxins from the death of these micro organisms I stopped getting feelings of sickness. I must also tell you I did not follow the slow build up Fife suggested I jumped into full throttle pretty quick. I was just sick and tired of itching, burning, bleeding and the pain. But when the storm passed I felt great and looked great. Once I got by the initial feelings of sickness it has never came back with that force and I eat 3 and half tablespoon of either the Organic Extra Virgin Oil or a glass or two of the milk that Fife gives a receipt for towards the end of this book from canned coconut milk. Another plus to my coconut oil experiments was the Eczema on my step daughters wrists and elbows went away. It was a little hard to get myself to take the oil can you imagine what it's like for a kid? so I put it in hot milk with organic sugar, or maple syrup, Hot chocolate, hot cereals and I did it very slowly. She responded well. I would not suggest giving children too much too soon. The milk I make from canned coconut milk helps when I add orange juice or pineapple juice for a virgin Pina Colada and the kids usually like it. I even drink it this way. I drink it in my coffee a table spoon at a time. There were also some other things Mr. Fife recommended and I tried again a little skeptical. I guess when you have psoriasis you can be troubled with dandruff which I was until I started rubbing the oil into may scalp a (half/hour) before a shower then I washed it out shampooing twice. After a few times and continued eating of Coconut products high in oils this dandruff started to been non existent. I also rubbed it into my face and neck prior to showers and sometimes use it over night, amazing how my skin glows and feels softer then a baby's bottom. Its hard to use ever day on your skin unless you have super dry skin. I rub it in really good then wash my face with a shower sponge and natural liquid almond soap or peppermint soap.

Has tons of shocking facts about how great coconut oil is for you. It's easy to read and it's a page turner. I have learned a lot so far and am only half finished with the book!

Good product, good price, good communication and fast shipping. A pleasure to do business with. I look forward to doing business with you again.

It thoroughly explains in heavy detail everything about coconut oil, down to the science of chemical stability all the way to why the media launched a war on tropical oils. Not a quick read if you want to fully understand what you're reading, but very informative, especially if you want someone who requires hard facts to know why they should be using coconut oil.

A must read! Very informative, we love using coconut oil for cooking and as a skin moisturizer plus it's all natural. No harmful chemicals.

Everyone should read this book. Excellent information. Words are not too small making it easy to see and the book is easy to follow.