College students try to get more bang for their buck in anyway they are able. But ponder this: What if there was a way to replace your moisturizer, enjoy food, lose weight, and (for the ladies), replace your shaving cream, and  avoid stretchmarks during and after pregnancy all for one product that costs about ten dollars at Walmart? Would you be interested? I know I was. Welcome to the wonderful uses of extra virgin coconut oil. An added bonus: coconut oil is one of the healthiest cooking oils you can get.

Why should you even consider coconut oil? The health benefits. Unlike other oils coconut oil has special fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). These fats help balance cholesterol. Studies have shown that intake of coconut oil can aid our bodies in resisting both viruses and bacteria. Really who likes getting sick? It can also help fight off yeast, fungus, and candida. But that’s not the extent of coconut oil. It can positively affect our thyroid hormones and blood sugar control as coconut can improve insulin use in the body. The oil not only restores normal thyroid function, but can boost it as well, and help our bodies absorb vitamins.

Moisturizer/Stretchmarks

Putting oil on your body for moisturizer? As if! But wait! It works. For a hand moisturizer, massage in a tiny bit of extra virgin coconut oil into your hands for soft paws. As a way to avoid and reduce stretchmarks, religiously massage on pregnant woman’s belly in the early stages of pregnancy, and throughout the pregnancy.

Yum yums

Looking for a new way to liven up your boring meals? Try adding coconut oil. Add it to Asian cuisine or perhaps use in a smoothie. Personally, I think chicken and battered zucchini fried in coconut oil is delicious.

Weight Loss

That extra fifteen pounds sneak up on you? Perhaps it’s time for some coconut oil. Since coconut oil restores one’s thyroid function back to normal, metabolism, along with energy and endurance, is boosted. Studies have also found that women who consume about two tablespoons of coconut oil daily for twelve weeks not only did not gain more weight, but had lowered amounts of abdominal fat. If you chose to follow this route, make sure the coconut oil you are consuming is organic and extra virgin. This type of coconut oil can be found in Walmart next to the vitamins and supplements.

Shaving Cream

This one’s for the ladies in particular, because I don’t know how men would feel lathering their faces with oil. When shaving legs, pat legs with a damp washcloth to remove most of the water. Coat your legs with a thin layer of coconut oil. While shaving, remember to rinse the razor often as the oil can clog the blades.

Other Uses

-Oil Pulling: The process of swishing oil around your mouth for twenty minutes to boost oral heath and to detox your body.

– Make-up Remover: Use a small amount of the oil and massage your face to dissolve make up then wash off oil.