Oil pulling and how it can help you with weight loss and other health benefits

How does oil pulling help weight loss?

By: Mita Majumdar | | Updated: May 12, 2017 3:29 pm

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic oral cleansing technique practiced in India since ages.

In Ayurveda, this technique is mainly of two types, Kavala Graha and Kavala Gandusha. Gandusha involves filling the mouth completely with the oil and then swishing it, whereas, in Kavala Graha you use only one tablespoon of oil allowing you to gargle as well as swish it in the mouth.

Oil pulling method

The method has been nicely explained by Col. T Koteswara Rao, an expert in oil pulling therapy, in which he advises strict adherence to the following procedure for oil pulling therapy to be effective. [Oil Pulling Method. Oil Pulling – Wonderful Therapy. Oilpulling.org.]
First thing in the morning, after brushing, flossing, and cleaning your tongue, put one tablespoon of sunflower/ sesame oil in your mouth, slightly raise your chin, and close your mouth. Do not swallow the oil. If inadvertently you do swallow some oil, do not worry as it will pass through your digestive system and be expelled.
Swish the oil over the entire oral cavity. With the help of your tongue, slowly pull the oil in through the teeth. Ensure that the oil covers the gums, soft palate near the throat, and the area where the jaws join; in short, pull in oil to cover the entire oral cavity. This will pull and trap the pathogens into the oil.
Pull the oil very slowly, all the while concentrating on the pulling method. This process of pulling in should ideally take about 15 to 20 minutes. In the beginning, you will find the process very tough, but it will get better and eventually you will be able to do it properly.
Initially, the oil will feel viscous, but with constant swishing and rinsing, the oil becomes thin and milky.
Spit the oil out. If the oil is still yellow and viscous, you didn’t sufficiently pull the oil! Try repeating it, in the evening or anytime four hours after meals.
Rinse your mouth with fresh water. Drink 2 to 3 glasses of water.

Problems that may arise during oil pulling

Your mouth may become dry due to inadequate salivation. Drink 2-3 glasses of water, go for a walk (walk for about 30 – 45 minutes), come back, and then do the oil pulling.
To avoid nose block while oil pulling, blow and clean your nose before you start the procedure.
If you do not pull oil very slowly and in a relaxed state, you may experience irritation that may cause sneezing or coughing. Stop pulling and the sensation will pass. If it does not pass, sneeze or cough with the oil in your mouth. Or, you can start the process all over again, after spitting out the oil.
Similarly, if phlegm comes into mouth while pulling, spit the whole thing out, and begin with fresh oil.
It is best if you attend to the nature’s call before you start with oil pulling, or the urge to urinate or pass stool may cause the process to go awry.

Health benefits of oil pulling

Although sesame oil and sunflower oil are commonly used oils for oil pulling, some experts believe coconut oil to be a better option. Studies have shown that monolaurin, a medium-chain-fatty acid, which is present in coconut oil has profound anti-viral and anti-microbial activities. In addition, studies have shown that gingivitis is significantly reduced because of decreased plaque accumulation and the anti-inflammatory emollient effect of coconut oil. [Peedikayil FC, Sreenivasan P, Narayanan A. Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis — A preliminary report. Nigerian Medical Journal : Journal of the Nigeria Medical Association. 2015;56(2):143-147. doi:10.4103/0300-1652.153406.] Read here Oil pulling–Use coconut oil to prevent gum diseases

However, choose an oil that suits you best. If you prefer, olive oil can also be used for oil pulling.

When you are swishing the oil in the mouth, it generates antioxidants which attract the lipid layer of the bacterial cell wall, cause the bacteria to stick to the oil, and kill it. Similarly, the oil pulls the toxins out of the oral cavity. During this process, the oil globules breakdown into smaller substances (emulsify) and the surface area of the oil increases. The process of emulsification begins after 5 minutes of oil pulling. [Asokan S, Rathinasamy T K, Inbamani N, Menon T, Kumar S S, Emmadi P, Raghuraman R. Mechanism of oil-pulling therapy -In vitro study. Indian J Dent Res. 2011;22:34-7.] The longer you swish and gargle, the more germs and oral debris stick to the emulsified oils.

Through oil pulling, the plaque-building bacteria responsible for dental caries, inflammation of gums, bad breath, and other oral cavity infections are destroyed. The gums become healthier, the teeth become whiter, and your mouth smells fresh.

Apart from healthier gums, oil pulling is said to have other health benefits. When practiced regularly, it helps freshen and stimulate the mind and strengthen the senses. [Shanbhag VKL. Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene – A review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2017;7(1):106-109. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.05.004.]

It is also beneficial in –

Sore throat, dry face, impaired vision, taste loss
Anorexia
Exhaustion
Kapha related imbalances

Although not much scientific evidence is available, proponents of oil pulling believe that it can also improve conditions such as:

Itching, rashes, eczema
Allergies and breathing problems
Joint pains
Digestive problems such as constipation and piles
Weight loss

How does oil pulling help lose weight?

The powerful detoxifying Ayurvedic technique of oil pulling is said to purify the entire system as the tongue has an important role in oil pulling, and according to Ayurveda scripts, the tongue is connected to different body organs such as kidneys, lungs, heart, liver, intestines, stomach, and spine. So, it is not only the mouth that is cleansed, but other body organs as well, including the liver. And liver is the organ in the body which is directly involved in weight loss process.

How is the liver involved in weight loss?

We lose weight when our bodies convert fat molecules into usable forms of energy. When we eat, the food breaks down into macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins, with the help of several enzymes and digestive juices. These macronutrients further breakdown into micronutrients. The micronutrient, glucose, is the first fuel source derived from carbohydrate. Glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen, and the liver releases it into the bloodstream continuously for the body’s energy needs and whenever energy is expended. Once that glucose runs out, the liver derives the energy from fats, which is stored as glycerol. Read more about 9 smart ways to lose weight without exercise

Secondly, the liver filters toxins and waste products from the bloodstream. If the liver filter gets clogged with toxins and waste material, it will be difficult for the liver to remove small fat globules circulating in the blood stream. This will cause excessive fat to build up in the blood vessel walls, and gradually in other parts of the body.

Thus, cleansing the liver will help burn the fat more efficiently, as well as, stop fat buildup in the body.

Moreover, If the liver is dysfunctional, it will not produce adequate amounts of the good cholesterol (HDL), which removes the unhealthy cholesterol (LDL) from the blood vessel walls.

Despite the link between oil pulling and its role in liver cleansing, there are no confirmatory studies for weight loss with oil pulling. At the most, it can be an adjunct therapy for weight loss.

Oil pulling may not be a ‘life changing medical miracle’ and the benefits may be unproven, but it sure helps maintain oral hygiene and gum health.

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Published : April 17, 2017 12:44 pm | Updated:May 12, 2017 3:29 pm

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