06/01/2010 (Tampa Bay Online) - Research has shown that - Research has shown that – contrary to what you may have heard - coconut oil is good for you.

Without getting too science-y, oil is made up of chains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen called fatty acids. There are different groups of fatty acids contained in oils and fats. Generally, they're grouped into medium chain fatty acids and long chain fatty acids.

Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid, with about 50 percent of its fatty acid consisting of lauric acid. Lauric acid turns into monolaurin in humans and animals - and that's important because monolaurin is the antibacterial, antiviral and anti-prozoal monoglyceride used by humans and animals to destroy viruses and bacteria. Lauric acid is also prominent in the saturated fat of human breast milk, giving babies the vital immunity-building properties necessary in their first stage of life.

Outside of human breast milk, coconut oil provides nature's most abundant source of lauric acid. It also has lower cholesterol than palm kernel oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, soy oil, cottonseed oil and corn oil. Plain and simple, coconut oil is good for you, inside and out.

Here are some tips for using coconut oil:
Use coconut oil after a shower. While you're still wet, rub it into your skin and then towel off. Its medium chain fatty acid composition helps it absorb quickly. Coconut oil is a solid, but it will melt at 76 degrees. It's perfectly fine and safe to use as a solid, liquid or even in between.

Massage it into your scalp. Before washing your hair, massage a dab of coconut oil into your scalp to keep away dry flakes. Wash and style as usual.

Put it in your bath. Put two or three tablespoons of coconut oil into a nice, warm bath to soften skin. It's excellent if you have any cuts, scrapes or rashes, since its high lauric acid content makes it an excellent natural anti-bacterial, anti-viral substance.

Smooth frizzies, add shine. Rub a little dab of the oil into your palms and lightly smooth it over your hair. A little goes a long way with this tip.

Pay attention to history. Ancient Polynesians used coconut oil to relieve joint stiffness, rheumatism and back pain by rubbing a liberal amount on the affected area.

For soft, youthful, supple skin, forget all those chemical-laden lotions and go all-natural. Go coconutty!