Cory Quirino's Inside Out

Q & A on the bitter, the sweet and the smooth

Of course, the truth can set you free. But more than that, it can also make you healthier and sexier.

Most often asked questions by men and women on the street take center stage now. So, maybe the answer to that question that has been nagging you for years is here.

Q: Is virgin coconut oil (VCO) fattening? If so, will it clog my arteries?

Perhaps you have tried nearly every possible diet. If none has worked for you, maybe it is time you gave the humble coconut a chance.

In her book “The Coconut Diet,” Cherie Calbom proclaims the wonders of a coconut diet that largely uses coconut oil for cooking and preparing meals.

My own personal experience involved drinking up to four tablespoons of VCO on an empty stomach before breakfast, combined with a low carbohydrate diet.

Over the next 3-6 months, it may prove to be the best weight loss food regimen you can adopt. Add an active fitness lifestyle (exercise three times a week) and you will never gain a pound or add inches to your waistline.

Dr. Vermen Verallo, noted dermatologist who was written extensively on VCO, is a great admirer of this wondrous oil as skin moisturizer when used in moderate amounts.

Dr. Conrado Dayrit, considered the Father of VCO for championing and promoting its health benefits, swears by its efficacy. “It doesn’t clog the arteries. Instead, VCO is absorbed by the body within 20 minutes and converted into energy almost instantly. In short, it does not turn into fat because it is made up of MCTs—medium chain triglycerides.”

To do

Use coconut oil for cooking. It is the healthy choice and its smoking point is exceptional, allowing it to reach high temperature levels in cooking without turning toxic. It has a higher heat tolerance level than olive oil.

Q: How does VCO help burn fat?

It is called thermogenesis, the rate at which the human body burns fuel for energy. MCTs have a unique ability to increase the rate at which your own body burns fat for fuel. Therefore, it revs up the engine within you—your metabolism.

A tip

Want to detoxify and lose weight? Try eating coconuts for a day. Have salads using VCO and lemon. If you do this once a week for one month you will notice weight loss and a brighter complexion.

Q: Is it true the more bitter the food, the healthier?

In a sense, yes. In earlier medical practice, “bitters” were given to patients to increase appetite and stimulate circulation. Today, this belief holds true.

The Philippines abounds in ampalaya (bitter gourd), hailed as a diabetic’s natural medicine. The bitter taste of this fruit/vegetable/herb comes from momordicin. Using the dried leaves, fruits and seeds of ampalaya can help prevent or control types 1 and 2 diabetes when combined with a healthy lifestyle.

To lower blood sugar safely, you may consider adding ampalaya to your diet. Eating it fresh may also give you its many benefits such as stimulation of insulin release, renewal of cells, increased glucose uptake (the absorption of substance) in muscles, increased bowel movement, improvement of psoriasis/infertility and stronger resistance to infection.

Note: Consult you doctor if you are pregnant or have liver disease or are hypersensitive to cantaloupe/melon. Since preventive care is what we should adopt, if you have a history of diabetes in the family, consider making ampalaya a regular supplement.

Those who have the following symptoms should take a closer look at their health condition: frequent thirst and urination, sugar cravings, mood swings, constipation, fatigue.

A good friend, Louie Chincuanco, who was 35 pounds overweight, feverishly researched on the best way to lose weight while addressing his body aches/pains/fatigue.
His own miracle juice follows:

Wonder Juice

½ ampalaya, green bell pepper, cucumber
1-3 stalks celery
1 small tooth garlic
½ red apple
Blender all (remove skins of apple, pepper and cucumber).
Drink on an empty stomach (preferably twice a day). If you have a health challenge, take three times daily.

Suggestion: Complement this regimen with two cups of apple cider vinegar tea (2 teaspoons vinegar and a cup of warm water) twice daily to speed up your cleansing regimen.

Louie has not gotten sick for 11 years now and has lost his excess weight. For free handouts call 7111156 to 58 or visit www.wellnesscare.bravehost.com

Q: What is an effective home-made body scrub for glowing skin?

Cory’s Concoction

½ ampalaya (de-seeded)—place in blender till smooth
3 tbsp sugar, ½ coconut water, ½ lemon (juiced), 2 tbsp VCO
Mix all ingredients. Scrub your body from the neck down. Shower immediately. Rub VCO after shower.

Affirming joy

Repeat as often as you can today:

“Heaven’s door opens. And God laughs with me.”

Love and light!

“Forever Young,” the Filipino version, is available at National Bookstore/Powerbooks. Christmas orders accepted.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=93288

posted by Misteryo Philippines Network (MPN) @ 2:52 PM