I used to think that arthritis was just something “grandparents” suffered from. At least it seems this way when you are a young child. But then you begin to age and you discover that arthritis can hit at any time.
I personally do not suffer from arthritis but I have certainly had longer lasting aches and pains in my joints. I really do feel for those individuals who battle arthritis. I know it makes life difficult and painful.
In my quest for more information about the many uses of coconut oil, I thought that it was high time to tackle how coconut oil might help relieve or even prevent arthritis. I have a lot of readers concerned about joint pain and hope that if you are suffering from arthritis that you find this information helpful.
Let’s look at how coconut oil can help relieve the pain and discomfort arthritis causes.
1. Coconut oil is the king of anti-inflammatory agents
Researchers in India extracted the antioxidants unique to virgin coconut oil from the oil and injected them into rats with induced arthritis. While I am not a fan of animal testing, I am a fan of what these researchers found. They found that the unique coconut oil antioxidants reduced inflammation associated with arthritis more effectively than current pharmaceutical drugs. This is a big deal. However, there is one catch. The coconut oil MUST extracted using a wet-milling method.
So how does coconut oil relieves inflammation caused by arthritis? Simple. The medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) in coconut oil nourish and energize cells. This leads to less inflammation. Compared to other fats, energy liberation from MCFA-rich coconut oil is more prolonged. This suggests it continues to circulate your body long enough to effectively heal and repair damaged tissues (anti-inflammation).
Coconut oil also has the added bonus of strengthening the bones which can reduce pressure on the joints.
2. Coconut oil has awesome lubricating powers
Coconut oil promotes circulation in the joints. Taking it internally will provide the greatest benefit but applying it externally can help as well. A gentle massage of coconut oil will lubricate stiff joints. I guess you could say that coconut oil greases the joints and loosens them up for better mobility. I would apply it as often as possible. It soaks in quickly.
3. Coconut oil offers major pain relief
Coconut oil also acts as a pain reliever for arthritis sufferers. The oil works best when you warm it first and then apply it directly to the painful muscles or joints. Doing this increases blood supply to the area, reduces pain and swelling, and is very soothing and healing.
4. The shocking final benefit
Now hold onto your seats folks. This last benefit is a bit mind-blowing. Well at least to me because I had never considered that arthritis was related to infection.
According to Dr. Bruce Fife, author of The Arthritis Cure, evidence is mounting that arthritis is caused mainly as a consequence of incurring an infection. Yet antibiotics have no effect on infections in joints because the structures are encased in a tough membrane that prevents the passage of blood into them. Therefore, even when a person takes an antibiotic to get rid of a systemic infection, the bacteria can remain hidden in the joints. Furthermore, since antibiotics only work against bacteria, they don’t have any effect on infections caused by viruses or fungi. So since antibiotics can’t help, what can?
The infection problem is why coconut oil is so valuable. Its medium-chain fatty acids are potent antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal agents. Fife advocates taking 2 to 4 tablespoons of the oil daily to eliminate chronic infections from the body.
Looking for additional information on how to treat and prevent arthritis? The book I mentioned above is stellar!
Curious about which brand of coconut oil I recommend for arthritis relief? These are my favorites.
Meredith says
March 6, 2015 at 8:34 AMI will definitely check out the book you mentioned, but I have to say that coconut oil has done nothing for my rheumatoid arthritis. I take it internally and externally, but it doesn’t touch the pain. Of course, I suppose it is possible that it might be worse if I didn’t use so much coconut oil. Hard to say.
Jennifer says
March 13, 2015 at 9:05 PMCoconut oil alone might not be the answer but you are right. Maybe it would be worse if you were not taking it. I have been learning A LOT about genetics these days and must share that our ability to overcome illness and disease is often times over-ridden by genetics. But do check out that book. I think it is valuable.
whisperingsage says
March 9, 2017 at 5:46 AMHave you tried vitamin D3(10,000 IU)? Vitamin k2(5000 mcg of mk4 or 200 mcg of mk7?). Magnesium? Copper and zinc ( they are a team-15-50 mg zinc to 2-4 mg copper). Boron(2 mg), gelatin? Bone broth soups? The skeletal system needs much more than calcium. And this inflammation thing is a new and stubborn thing. Not to give up on coconut oil but keep trying. I was put on Prilosec in 2014 and I found some consumer comments that it caused amazing arthritis for them. I know Prilosec can mess things up and I have wanted to get off it for awhile. I got off benadryl for sleep for the same reason, it raised my BP and contributed to horrible arthritis. Now I have found lavender blossoms taken internally help me sleep. Something is screwy with my pineal gland as melatonin no longer is effective even at 1 gram doses. I have a duodenal ulcers that causes nausea and vomiting if I try to go off the Prilosec. I found a rat study on high dose B6and l cysteine to heal ulcers. Awaiting my supplements in the mail. Gotta keep trying. That is all we can do. Keep reading and keep trying. Doc’s are no good at chronic stuff. I healed my 13 yr diarrhea with MSM and TMG and now pantothenic acid ( vitamin B5- 2 grams a day). That helps my gouty feet too. And my burning feet. And some of my insomnia. I haven’t tried essential oils yet but may be soon. Also high sugars, high fructose causes inflammation . But even when off of them I still get arthritis.
Nicole Wright says
August 26, 2015 at 1:12 AMI bet most of us never knew so many uses of coconut oil for arthritis patients. I am really amazed after reading this and wondering how many useful things are around us but we have no knowledge about them. 🙂
Alan Hiiesalu says
August 23, 2016 at 3:36 PMI had joint pain knee ankle that would come and go some times in my lower back. Some times i could not move the pain was bad. Any way at least one joint was inflamed. Excersize helped somewhat hicking walking. 4 months ago i tried Coconut oil, PAIN GONE and it has not returned, i can now jog, I am not one to belive in natural cures. Anyway two tea spoons in your coffee and try thatl if it works for you then great.