How quickly science can change its opinion. I say opinion because we are under the tent of the world of experimental philosophies that can change day to day. I know I once lived without fibromyalgia, and I often feel I can live this way again. I have no doubt that my myriad of symptoms rests mainly in my nervous system, but I can't help to wonder if some germ, some bacteria, some virus has inhabited my well-being to shake me off course. After all, we all harbor millions of unwelcomed microscopic visitors, and it takes only a mere breech in our immune system to set the troops wondering and multiplying. Hence, keeping our immune system in top order may diminish many of the pain altering flareups encountered each day.
In September 1996, AIDS patient Chris Dafoe of Cloverdale, Indiana, figured his time was running out. He'd lost a great deal of weight, lacked energy, and felt worse and worse with each passing day. The thing that drove the nail into his coffin was the lab results. The report showed he had a viral load of over 600,000 - an indication of rampant HIV infection and a sign that he didn't have too much time left to live. So he made arrangements for his funeral, paying all expenses up front. Before he died, however, and while he still had some strength left, he wanted to take one last vacation - a dream vacation to the jungles of South America. He flew to the tiny Republic of Surinam and wound his way into the jungle, where he stayed briefly among a group of Indians. While there, he ate the same foods as the natives. Each day he was served a dish of cooked coconut prepared by the natives.
"The Indian Chief told me, " says Dafoe, "that they use coconut as the basis for all their medicines. They also use the milk from the inside of the coconut and also use other plants and herbs from the jungle to make medicines. They eat cooked coconut every morning to prevent illness." While there, Dafoe's health took a turn for the better, his strength and energy increased, and he regained 32 pounds. Home again, six weeks later he went in for another lab test. This time the results showed his viral load and plummeted to undetectable levels. The HIV virus that once flooded his body was no longer measurable.
He continues eating cooked coconut for breakfast each day, mixing it with hot cereal. He is convinced that it keeps the virus under control and allows him to enjoy good health. With a zest for life he says, "I feel great. I have more energy than ever." - The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife.
How to Cook Coconut
Position a shelf in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 350 degrees F. Pierce one of the three soft eyes at the top of the shell with the tip of a screw driver or an ice pick, hitting hard on the end of its handle with a hammer. Immediately drain off the juice in a container, if saving. Strain it to remove any flecks of shell.
Place the coconut on the middle rack in the oven and bake it until it cracks, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the coconut with hot mitts and let it cool slightly. Remove the shell--it will come off easily.
Peel the brown husk from the coconut meat with a vegetable peeler, and chop the coconut meat into uniform pieces. Use your food processor or a hand grater to shred or grate the coconut.
Did you know that 1 medium coconut, weighing a pound or so, yields 3 cups of shredded coconut?
To make fresh coconut flakes: Using a small, sturdy knife, pry out the coconut meat from the shell. It will come out in pieces, but try to keep them as large as possible. Using a swivel vegetable peeler, peel the outer brown part from the coconut meat. Then, shred it with a cheese grater (rotary or standing) or a food processor fitted with the fine shredding blade.
Coconut Oil
Recommended dosage of coconut oil 3 tablespoons daily. Best not to ingest it all in one sitting.