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Coconut Flour Nutrition

  • Those of you that haven't cooked or baked with healthy alternative flours are often intimidated because they do respond and cook differently. We, at our Anti-Inflammation Cooking Institute, did all the testing for you to bring you easy-to-cook delicious variations of your favorite foods that use conventional wheat flours that convert to sugar, feed yeast, play havoc with blood sugar and thyroid health, and cause or accelerate inflammation.

    When patients and readers begin a healthy anti-inflammatory lifestyle, the FIRST question I'm often asked is, "What constituents in coconut flour make it anti-inflammatory?" The answer; coconut flour contains 4g of nourishing fats (coconut oil) - incredibly potent as it's not only anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, it's also high in metabolism-boosting medium-chain fatty acids.

    The SECOND question I'm often asked is, "What other varieties of healthy flours do you use and recommend?" I always reply, "The Super Five" - flours that have the most health-enhancing benefits, do not induce inflammation, accelerate or cause any of the conditions mentioned above, they include:

    1. Almond flour
    2. Coconut flour
    3. Buckwheat flour (especially good for those with Celiac Disease)
    4. Teff flour
    5. Quinoa flour

    The THIRD question I'm asked is, "What is Coconut Flour and how is it made?"

    Producers of coconut flour originally sold the nutritious coconut milk by-product to farmers in the form of coconut meal. Farmers (particularly those practicing healthy farming and livestock) understood that coconut meal was an excellent source of organic fertilizer and animal feed supplement. As more research emerged supporting the numerous health benefits of coconut flour, human consumption of the valuable superfood also increased in the past few decades and continues to do so.

    Coconut flour is derived from grating the meat of fresh coconuts - it is then dehydrated and de-fatted (the oil is extracted). The result is a fine powder that looks and feels similar to wheat or other grain flours. The most pure and organic form may even fool a seasoned foodie because of its lack of coconut flavor.

    A Functional Super Food
    Coconut flour has various health benefits from those of other coconut products - such as the oil for instance - and it offers a great gluten-free and very low carbohydrate alternative to conventional flour. Considered a functional food, coconut flour exhibits properties that significantly benefit health and is a valuable source of nutrition. Many people are beginning to learn how to bake with coconut flour and we at the Cooking Institute have made it easy for you with our recipes and cooking videos.

    As a functional food, it's a great source of dietary fiber, high in protein, does not contain gluten and has a low glycemic index (GI). If you haven't considered baking or cooking with coconut flour, I'll take you by the hand (so to speak) into Dr. Gloria's Kitchen and make it easy via our upcoming cooking videos.

    As a functional and super food, coconut flour is especially recommended for those with inflammatory issues as a result of consuming wheat or gluten. Coconut flour is safe for consumption in individuals with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, leaky gut syndrome, as well as those with diabetes - the reason I recommend its use for my patients and those seeking proactive measures to insure wellness.

    Coconut Flour Nutrition
    Ongoing research is being conducted regarding the many health benefits coconut flour promotes…AND…studies support that the nutrition in the coconut meat is not lost in the process of converting it into flour nor in its baking or cooking - one more reason to bake with coconut flour!

    Looking Forward
    In subsequent articles, I'll be detailing the "Super Five" flours, their health-enhancing properties and some historical perspective of the individual grains.

    In the next issue of Total Health Magazine, I'll outline the specific vitamins, amino acids, electrolytes and minerals in coconut flour and their health benefits…stay tuned.

    Making these healthy lifestyle modifications is what enables us to "Age Without Feeling or Looking Old" because we're avoiding inflammatory foods and ingredients that age us prematurely while robbing us of quality of life and then propel disorders and diseases that shorten our life-span.

  • 4 reasons to eat organic coconut flour gloria gilbere

    What Health Nutrients are in Coconut Flour?


    Minerals: Coconut flour is a source of electrolytes because it is rich in ions such as manganese, calcium, selenium, phosphorus and potassium—these minerals have shown to lower blood pressure and aid in the elimination of toxins from the body.

    A Chelator*: Coconut flour can thus be considered a chelator because of its ability to remove (detoxify) metals from the body. The two minerals in greatest concentration, phosphorus and potassium, are necessary minerals for many functions including supporting bone and nerve health as well as maintaining a healthy digestive system.

    *Chelation is a type of bonding of ions and molecules to metal ions. It involves the formation or presence of two or more separate coordinate bonds between a polydentate (multiple bonded) ligand and a single central atom.

    Chelates play important roles in oxygen transport and in photosynthesis. A chelating agent is a substance whose molecules can form several bonds to a single metal ion. In other words, a chelating agent is a multidentate ligand.

    Amino Acids: Amino acids are often referred to as the building blocks of life because they are the foundation upon which proteins are created. Consider a Lego kit for example. Imagine each block represents an amino acid that when attached with another amino acid in the correct order, can produce a truck, perhaps a building, or individual characters. Each block has its purpose and I am sure I don't need to explain how much disappointment a missing block can create, and as such a missing amino acid does not allow for rejuvenation.

    The body breaks down consumed protein into amino acids and then absorbs it. It is used to build muscles and organs, to make hormones and antibodies, to be stored as fat, and to be burned as energy.

    Although our bodies naturally synthesize amino acids, some essential amino acids must be sourced from food. Coconut flour provides 18 various amino acids necessary in promoting human health including valine, arginine, tyrosine, leucine, lysine and glutamic acid.

    Amino acids work together to keep the entire body and its various systems functioning through growth and repair. The following provides a few examples of the important roles of amino acids in promoting health:

    • Valine: Essential amino acid required for muscle growth. The reason why you feed your body a high protein smoothie after an intense workout is to provide the torn muscles the amino acids they require for repair and growth. After all, why would you want to do all of that hard work and not receive any of the benefits that healing provides?
    • Arginine: Supports circulation and reduces discomfort resulting from diabetes and arthritis. Arginine also acts like an antioxidant by reducing lipid peroxidation, which is a harmful process that creates cell damage from free-radicals.
    • Lysine: Essential amino acid, which is vital for scalp and hair health.
    • Glutamic Acid: Although this amino acid is produced by the body, athletes involved in rigorous training benefit from added glutamic acid for muscle health.

    Vitamins: Dried coconut meat contains 12 vitamins readily available for absorption by the human body including:

    • folate
    • manganese
    • calcium
    • selenium
    • vitamin B-6, B-1
    • potassium
    • copper
    • iron
    • phosphorous
    • niacin
    • vitamin C - greatest in concentration

    Vitamin C is excreted in urine and, therefore, your body requires this necessary vitamin to be continuously supplied through food.

    Aside from the other various roles' vitamin C is responsible for, it is also vital in tissue growth and repair, and as an antioxidant. Antioxidants scavenge the body seeking free radicals, which create inflammation and age our cells and our appearance. Especially if you do not consume other sources of vitamin C daily from fruits and vegetables, it is essential to supplement your diet with a source of vitamin C to prevent common colds, illness, inflammatory conditions and cancer.

    Stay tuned. In my next article I'll describe how flours affect blood sugar and a bit about my personal odyssey in developing Trauma-induced Type-2 Diabetes.
  • Dear Readers,

    Welcome to the November 2019 issue of TotalHealth Magazine

    Our cover story this month is, Let’s Rethink Mental Health To Brain Health, by Daniel G. Amen, MD. Erasing the stigma on what we now call mental health issues is a critical component of insuring people are willing to seek treatment. As depression and suicide continues to rise in teenagers it is important how we approach this issue. Dr. Amen discusses how to reimagine the term mental health, as optimizing our brain health to overcome or manage symptoms.

    In, The First Iron-Free Solution For Iron Deficiency, Dr. Sherrill Sellman introduces us to a safer product for those with iron deficiency. IronCatch is an all-natural supplement that does not cause the often-severe side-effects experienced by many who must supplement with iron. If you suffer from leaky gut, IBS, Celiac or ulcers you will want to read about this product.

    Professor Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, Rh(Ahg), informs us of the immune enhancing benefits in two key dietary supplements, in his article on, Echinacea And Shiitake For Immune Health. With cold and flu season approaching, it’s time to remind ourselves how Echinacea can help us shorten the duration of viruses. And, if you aren’t familiar with the benefits of the Shiitake mushroom, Professor Bruno’s informative article will enlighten you on its numerous immune boosting functions.

    Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, continues her series on smart fats with her, Master Formula For Fat Burning. She’ll help you banish all those fake fats that inhibit your metabolism and promote inflammation. Using her lists of Smart Fats you can create a healthy eating plan.

    Natural Solutions to Common Child Health Concerns is Sherry Torkos, BSc Phm, RPh’s, article to help you know when to call your doctor if your child is ill. She offers indicators for children with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory problems and rashes. You’ll want to keep this article available for reference when illnesses strike.

    Part Two in a Series on the Health Benefits of Coconut Flour is presented by our expert, Gloria Gilbère, CDP, DAHom, PhD. In part two she discusses the healthy nutrients found in coconut flour. You’ll want to consider adding this flour to your kitchen when you learn it reduces high blood pressure, is high in digestible fiber, and high in protein.

    If you want help for thinning hair, read Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum’s article. Until now all we could do is optimize nutritional and thyroid function, and watch our iron levels. Dr. Teitelbaum introduces us to a product that tackles the main cause of hair loss, a condition called Telogen Effluvium. Read on for his recommendations.

    Did you remember to take your Gingko? How many times have we all heard that? But, did you know Ginkgo can also be helpful for your pets? Read natural vet, Shawn Messonnier’s article on the conditions that Ginkgo can benefit in your pet.

    Thank you to our authors, readers, and advertisers. You make TotalHealth Magazine online possible.

    Best in health,

    TWIP—The Wellness Imperative People

    Click here to read the full November 2019 issue.

    Click here to read the full November 2019 issue.