Coconut Oil Super Supplement

My readers know by now that I love food and challenging my healthy culinary talents. Now, I have more health-enhancing news for you that has been rediscovered.

Hidden Treasures

Now for the gems I’ve discovered. The coconut, which until now has never received the respect and acknowledgement it deserves in a healthy diet, has a lot more to offer than coconut oil, coconut for our baking delight, and coconut milk. The following details about these newly rediscovered “jewels” of this ancient food and what it can do to add flavor and health to your daily diet will be shared over four consecutive reports. I have no financial, or otherwise, interest in any of these products or companies who represent them, this information is solely part of my commitment of Health thru Education®.

Did You Know…

Coconut trees actually produce a substance that looks and tastes exactly like soy sauce? Yes, you heard me right, soy sauce. Many people, including me, cannot tolerate commercial soy sauce because of the MSG-like, naturally-occurring glutamic acid, contained in most brands. Not only when we are in the midst of a disorder that severely restricts everything we consume, but also for maintaining health, it’s important to find healthy products that add enjoyment to our taste buds and quality of life. I’ve used and recommended Braggs® liquid aminos for years as a healthy naturally-fermented soy sauce – and I still do. That said, some people still cannot tolerate it for various reasons due to their multiple allergic responses.

However, you now have another healthy option – coconut liquid aminos, 100% certified organic, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and vegan.

Coconut Aminos vs. Soy-based sauces…

• Contain an impressive amino acid content – aminos are the “building blocks of protein,” and vital for human health;
• Aminos contribute to the repair and rebuilding of muscle tissue;
• They enhance overall brain and nervous system functions;
• Assist in boosting the immune system and physical energy levels;
• Second only to water, protein is the most important substance in our bodies;
• Coconut sap contains up to 14 times the amino acid content of soy;
• Commercial soy sauces are fermented by first soaking the soybeans in water and salt, then adding specific cultures of molds, yeasts and bacteria to help catalyze the fermentation process;
• Coconut aminos, from the tree sap, comes right out of the tree in its vital stage of active and alive nutrients and then blended with sun dried mineral-rich sea salt and aged – without the need for a fermentation booster or added water;
• Most conventional soy sauces are made with non-organic, genetically modified (GMO) soybeans – long term use of unfermented soy products has led to an exponential increase in soy allergies, disruption in thyroid function, and overload of estrogens in the body;
• Infants fed exclusively soy-based formula have 13,000 – 22,000 time more estrogen compounds in their blood than babies fed milk-based formula – the equivalent of five birth control pills per day.

Man, Meddling in Nature, is Destroying our Health

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and in their naturally occurring state they provide a plethora of healthful benefits to our bodies.  Like so many other health-promoting components of nature, when they are separated and isolated from their whole, perfect state, and then adulterated through various processes – what was once vital and healthy can become toxic.  Glutamic and Aspartic Acids are examples of this very thing.

Glutamic acid is present in the prostate, and currently there is research being done in supplementing natural glutamic acid for cancer prevention and prostate health.  The only way that it is possible for glutamic acid to become the neurotoxin MSG, is if the glutamic acid "salts" are given enzymes, yeasts, or other bacterial catalysts to hydrolyze them.

In order for aspartic acid to become the neurotoxic sweetener aspartame, it must undergo various synthetic catalyst processes, and then must be isolated, given a solvent, filtered and distilled.

Jewels for Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

The sap of the coconut tree has very low glycemic ratios (GI of only 35), is abundant in amino acids, minerals, vitamin C, broad-spectrum B vitamins, and has a pH that is nearly neutral.

Since blood sugar imbalances are in epidemic levels today, its vital we continue to discover, or rediscover, food that is in its natural state, low in glycemic values, and contributes to overall health.

Recipe Suggestion - Salmon Marinade with Coconut Aminos

This recipe works for about 1 1/2 pounds of wild salmon or your favorite fish. You could also add a little arrowroot or coconut flour and simmer these ingredients over low heat to create a thicker sauce for sautéed veggies or rice.

1/4 cup Coconut Aminos

1 to 2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar or coconut vinegar

1 tablespoon maple syrup or the natural sweetener, SweetLife^®

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

2 cloves garlic, peeled

1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Place your fish fillet skin-side up in a shallow baking dish. Pour marinade over fish, cover, and refrigerate for 3 hours or until ready to use. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, pour off marinade, flip fillet so the skin is down, and bake for approximately 10 minutes per inch of thickness. Adapted from nourishingmeals.com.

Use coconut aminos the same as you would soy sauces in marinades, sautés, dressings, in Asian dishes, and for a touch of special taste add to soups.

Dr. Gloria Gilbère