Can Coconut Oil Save You from Alzheimer’s Disease?

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

At this point in time, modern science and doctors will tell you that, although they have medication to slow Alzheimer’s, there is nothing that can be done to prevent it, nor to stop it once it starts. Many different chemical and natural substances have been studied and found to have little or no effect, such as ginkgo, vitamin E, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Recent studies, however, have come to light showing that coconut oil might be the answer we have been looking for.

In order to function normally, our brain requires glucose and fat. Research shows that diets that are low in fat or low in carbs, especially those that are low in the essential fatty acids, are detrimental to the brain. When your brain is starved for nutrients, it begins to slip into what we call Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is referred to as Type 3 diabetes by some, as it involves insulin impairment. Our brain cells begin to have difficulty metabolizing glucose and need to find an alternative means of fuel. This is where coconut oil comes in. Coconut oil can be used by the brain for energy when there is a shortage of glucose. This is the problem with demonizing high fat diets. Luckily, coconut oil is becoming more and more popular and its health benefits are being discussed now more than ever before.

These studies began with one doctor, Dr. Mary Newport, when she discovered that her husband had Alzheimer’s. He deteriorated very quickly until he could no longer read a book or tie his shoes. Existing medication was doing nothing for him so, being a researcher, Dr. Newport began studying the physiology of the brain and the changes that occur with dementia. She decided to try coconut oil. The starting dose was 4 teaspoons of coconut oil each day. It was not long before Dr. Newport began to see amazing results. Her husband stopped deteriorating, and after a while he could read and walk without any help.

The doctor wanted to quantify her findings and began looking for funding that would enable her to do research on coconut oil in relation to Alzheimer’s disease. The first clinical trial of its kind is currently being conducted at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute. This study includes 65 subjects who have mild to moderate Alzheimer’s and results should be published sometime next year.

 

SEE ALSO: One Common Vitamin that fights Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Alzheimer’s

 

Currently, Dr. Newport is experimenting with about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil each day, which would supply a person with 20 grams of the medium chain triglycerides that are thought to produce therapeutic results.

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Alzheimers Concept.

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The current health and nutritional guidelines that most people are following have contributed to the current rise in obesity, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. The low fat craze, which is thought to prevent heart disease, not only encourages heart disease, but diseases of the brain as well, including Alzheimer’s. Another factor is the development and increased consumption of GM foods, which are prevalent in almost all processed and prepackaged foods. There seems to be endless amounts of money to develop new strains of toxic GM foods, but no money for research into treatments.

If you should decide to add coconut oil to your diet, for best results look for organic, cold pressed, non-hydrogenated, virgin coconut oil. Are you concerned about adding more “oil” to your diet? Don’t be. Coconut oil has no trans-fats or cholesterol and is healthy for your heart, unlike most other hydrogenated vegetable oils on the market today. Read more about coconut oil benefits.

There will need to be more research after Dr. Newport’s study has concluded, but there is no reason why you can’t start a program of consuming coconut oil each day. This oil has so many profound health benefits; you simply can’t go wrong by adding some to your diet.

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References:

Alzheimer’s Association 2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures

 Medical News Today October 12, 2013

 Journal of Neurological Sciences 15 October 2013 [Epub ahead of print]

CTV News October 9, 2013

 Dr. Mary Newport, July 22, 2008 (PDF)

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