NOW Real Food Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - 20 fl. oz. NOW Foods

NOW Foods - NOW Real Food Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - 20 fl. oz. (591 mL)

NOW Foods Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a high grade, unrefined premium nutritional edible oil. NOW Foods' Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is obtained from the first cold pressing of organic coconut (Cocos nucifera) kernels. NOW Foods' Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is naturally trans-fatty acid free and high in medium chain triglycerides (MCT). NOW Foods' Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil typically contains the following beneficial fatty acids per serving (natural variation may occur): Lauric Acid 6.5 g, Myristic Acid 2.4 g, Caprylic Acid 1.0 g, Capric Acid 800 mg, Oleic Acid 800 mg and Linoleic Acid 200 mg.

• Certified USDA Organic
• NOn-GMO Project Verified
• Cold-Pressed and Unrefined
• 100% Pure
• 64% Natural MCTs
• Halal & Kosher
• Paleo & Keto Friendly
• Low Sodium
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• Free of Sugar, Gluten, Corn, Dairy & Egg

What is Organic Virgin Coconut Oil?
Fresh wild coconuts are harvested by hand and the coconut meat is quickly hot air dried to remove water to inhibit bacterial and mold activity. The coconut meat is then mechanically crushed and pressed without the use of excessive heat or solvents. This natural process retains the fresh aroma and taste of real coconut. The coconuts and the entire oil expression process have been certified as Organic by a 3rd party, USDA-approved certifying agency. This ensures the production of the highest quality Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. NOW Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is Non-GE (non-GMO or non-genetically modified), with no harmful trans-fats.

Are all coconut oils alike?
Most commercial-grade coconut oils are made from coconut meat that has been dried by heating by the sun, with smoke or by high heat. The resulting product is called copra. Much of this copra is handled in a manner with poor sanitary controls, causing it to be more susceptible to mold and bacterial contamination. The copra is pressed and the oil is refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) in order to purify it and make it suitable for cosmetic or food use. Unlike NOW Foods' Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, these RBD refined copra oils do not have the fresh coconut taste or aroma, and do not qualify as 'Organic' under USDA standards.

What is so special about Virgin Coconut oil?
Virgin Coconut Oil is one of the richest plant sources of naturally-occurring Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT), such as caprylic, capric and lauric acids. Although these MCTs are considered saturated fats, they are not digested like longer chain saturated fats. MCTs are digested by saliva and gastric juices, and are absorbed directly from the intestines into the portal vein to the liver where much is burned as fuel for instant energy needs. Very little ever gets stored as fat. The longer-chain saturated fats require more energy just to digest them. They require pancreatic enzymes to break them down. After being absorbed into the intestinal wall, they must be transported through the lymphatic system and incorporated into lipoprotein carriers, then secreted into the bloodstream and circulated throughout the body. Whatever the body doesn't use at the cellular level is stored as body fat. It's no wonder why a high percentage of the saturated fat in Mothers milk is in the form of high energy, efficiently burned MCTs.

Is there any therapeutic use for this high MCT Virgin Coconut Oil?
It is believed that another function of MCTs in mother's milk is to act as one of the protective factors in the milk. Of the several fatty acids that comprise the MCTs of Virgin Coconut Oil, research has shown Lauric acid to be an effective supporter of the immune system. Our Organic Virgin coconut oil contains an average of 50% Lauric acid. Research indicates that Lauric Acid and its monoglyceride form monolaurin exert this effect via several mechanisms of action.

Is this product tested for purity?
To ensure the highest quality available, NOW's Organic Virgin Coconut oil is tested for fatty acid profile, peroxide value, specific gravity, melting point and other oil stability indicators.

What heat level is NOW Foods' organic coconut oil exposed to during the extraction process?
In humid countries, the sun-drying of oilseeds with a high moisture content, such as mature coconut, is slow and inefficient (e.g., copra). Such conditions promote mold growth, which could result in high free fatty acid levels and poor quality oils. To prevent this, the coconut "meat" is quickly hot air dried (70-80 degrees C), then mechanically crushed and pressed without the use of excessive heat, solvents, or chemical refining. This natural process retains the fresh aroma, taste and qualities of real coconut.