Coconut Oil "Pulling"

I'd like to preface this post by recognizing the difference between alternative and complimentary methods or practices. The life style changes and practices that mom has engaged in have always been done in addition to blood work and follow-up appointments with her allopathic doctors and oncologists. If, and when chemotherapy is the recommended medical protocol, I know that mom will not deviate from the advice that is given. The changes she has made are not an alternative to treatment, but are complimentary to treatment and do not interfere with the care provided by her team of health care professionals. And of course, it must be said that we are not in any position to provide medical advice - it is not our realm of expertise by a long stretch.

                                       

In light of mom's recent significant drop in WBC (immature/malformed cells) we were asking ourselves, what has she been doing differently these past three months? Is it possible that this could have influenced her blood count? To be honest, we were in near panic mode this fall, anticipating chemotherapy treatment. Mom was tired.  I mean, truly exhausted. This is nothing new as she has had fibromayalgia for decades. So when mom said she had never felt so tired, we knew something was really amiss. She was feeling light headed and her memory was suffering too.

I ask a lot of questions, and when it comes to the health of my family I am always asking, "Why?" and searching for "root cause". Why is her body producing immature white blood cells? Why is her system overactive and pumping out WBCs before they have had a chance to mature? I doubt a simple answer is available. But some suggest chemical interference is a trigger. Was it the benzene from years of inhaling second hand smoke? Was it the mouth full of mercury fillings she has had for decades. Was it the DDT that was used on her property in Florida (she was a snow bird for years)? Was it the cleaning supplies she used when running the Resort? Was it the paint fumes from Dad's bike restoration hobby? Or was it the poor ventilation in her office at Canadian General Electric where she worked for many years. Perhaps an accumulation of it all, on a sensitive system? Regardless, it had me thinking "detox".

In the midst of all this, I was in the practice of "oil pulling" to help with gum issues. I don't remember exactly how I came upon the information, but I kept doing research. What I read got me to thinking that this method might prove beneficial for mom. What did we have to lose?

(follow this link for information on oil pulling with coconut oil )

She got some coconut oil a few months back and she says that she did (and continues to) "oil pull" first thing in the morning, and sometimes later in the day too. The general method is to take a couple of teaspoons of coconut oil orally, and vigorously swish it about in your mouth for 15 -20 minutes. It is important to spit the oil out afterwards, as it believed that it pulls toxins out of your body, hence the name "oil pulling". I also came across information that made claim that your WBCs had direct access to the healthy components in the oil (when absorbed under the tongue compared to the stomach), and apparently it gives them "super powers". As it wouldn't interfere with any of her current medications, what did she have to lose? There is an added bonus that it brightens and is healthy for your teeth.

(follow this link to an article by Dr. Oz on the surprising benefits of coconut oil. )

Whether or not this is having an impact on the WBC decreasing by 122 points, we'll never know. But she is not about to stop!  We maintain hope that "something", or maybe a combination of "things" are making the difference. Oil pulling is just one part of the equation, and this blog is about playing "catch-up" as we relive the journey, and eagerly await the results from her next round of bloodwork (3 months).

Posted by: Deb