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The Truth About Coconut Oil and Baking Soda for Skin Cancer

October 4, 2023

No, coconut oil and baking soda isn’t an appropriate treatment for skin cancer. In case you aren’t satisfied with this answer, then this is just the post for you!

Below, you can discover just why it is that you can’t use coconut oil and baking soda for skin cancer…

The Facts Behind Baking Soda and Coconut Oil for Melanoma

When treating cancer, patients are well aware that the therapy can be as bad as the disease. There are often numerous side effects to contend with, many of which reduce your quality of life. To make matters worse, there is no guarantee that these treatments will work either.

Therefore, it comes as little surprise to learn that many people seek out alternative remedies. This is where the concept of treating skin cancer with baking soda and coconut oil came about. Unfortunately, as mentioned, this just doesn’t work.

bowl of baking soda

Let’s take a look at why this is:

There is some research that has shown that coconut oil can work as a complementary treatment to traditional cancer therapies such as radiation, surgery, etc. However, the oil only really helps with colorectal, breast, and endometrial cancer.

Regrettably, coconut oil doesn’t have any impact on melanoma or skin cancer. This is because the oil lacks enough of linoleate in triglyceride form. As a result, it doesn’t contain the necessary components to impede cancer cell growth.

Then, what about baking soda? Interestingly enough, baking soda has also been found to have some impact on certain cancers. This includes less aggressive cancer cell lines such as breast and prostate cancer. The bad news is that it can’t work against skin cancer.

middle-aged woman with skin cancer with her friend

Can You Use Coconut Oil for Skin Cancer Prevention

OK, so coconut oil can’t treat or cure skin cancer. However, can it help to protect against the disease?

As you are well aware, one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer is to protect your body from the sun. You may also have heard that coconut oil does have a sun protection factor. Does this mean that you can use it instead of sunscreen?

No, the reality is that coconut oil only works to block around 20 percent of the harmful rays of the sun. Experts recommend that you use an SPF of 30 or higher to give your skin proper protection. Therefore, you can use coconut oil as a moisturizer but not a sunscreen.

Related Reading
Coconut Oil Benefits for Skin: The Ultimate Beauty Hack
Finding the Best Coconut Oil for All Your Skincare Needs

You may be wondering if consuming coconut oil can protect your skin. Well, while there is some evidence that diet can offer protection, coconut oil isn’t on this list. Naturally, this doesn’t mean that you have to cut it out, though!

So, to wrap things up, coconut oil and baking soda can’t treat skin cancer. If you suspect that you have skin cancer or have a proper diagnosis, always follow your doctor’s treatment orders. In case you are considering a natural alternative or complementary remedy, make sure that you clear it with your health care provider first.

Did you enjoy this post? Then head over to our Pinterest page! We have plenty of other articles on how you can use coconut oil to boost your skin and health.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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An Important Disclaimer
The information on this page should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a doctor if you wish to consume any kind of tea regularly for the purpose of treating any condition or illness.
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