Can coconut oil treat Alzheimer’s?
We’ve received quite a few questions recently about whether or not coconut oil can be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. This is a topic that comes up often, so I thought it would be helpful to provide some background:
The claim
This theory has to do with substances called ketones. The damage caused by Alzheimer’s disrupts the brain’s ability to use its primary energy source, known as glucose. The brain naturally gets a portion of its energy from ketone bodies when glucose is less available (e.g., during fasting, strenuous exercise, and in newborns). Ketones may provide an alternative energy source to the brain’s cells to moderate the damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease. The body produces ketones when it metabolizes coconut oil and similar substances (fatty acids).
Beyond the headline
Unfortunately, there just isn’t any creditable science to support this idea. It is impossible for us to know how well coconut oil does or does not work in Alzheimer’s disease because there have not been rigorous, large-scale research studies done.
The bottom line
Because there haven’t been any large studies to test the effectiveness of coconut oil, we just can’t say whether it really helps people with Alzheimer’s disease. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. I personally suspect that it has little effect on Alzheimer’s symptoms but, to be fair, I haven’t had any family members, friends or clients who’ve tried it.
My rule of thumb is that if the risks and costs are low, you might consider trying it. If the risks or costs are high, don’t chance it. Think about how you would feel if you gave your loved one something and they lost ground and independence as a result.
Some alternative therapies have substantial risk associated with them; be careful and don’t assume that something that is “natural” is safe. If you are considering trying coconut oil, please consult your doctor first to make sure it will do no harm to the person with dementia.
For more information on the latest news and developments in Alzheimer’s research, visit www.alz.org/research.
On our blog:
It’s more than just ketones. See: http://healthimpactnews.com/2012/coconut-oil-and-alzheimer%E2%80%99s-disease-the-news-is-spreading/
And don’t hold your breath waiting for studies. Since you cannot patent coconut oil, who is going to fund studies?? Instead, they are trying to develop drugs that mimic coconut oil.
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With all due repect Dr. Edgerly, with your title being a research expert, I would think you would need to do what your title profeses before giving an opinion that “it has little effect on Alzehiemer’s symptoms”. This is part of the problem with Doctors who treat Alzheimer’s. They are more than willing to continue with the status quo of treating Alzheimer’s using ineffective meds, with the end result being the same: patient dies from complications of Alzheimer’s. There is mounting evidence that coconut indeed has a profound effect on Alzheimer’s patients. Testimonies are mounting at a rapid rate. I encourage you to research this encouraging treatment before giving an blind opinion.
Interesting article. As a caregiver – my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2008 – my husband has been prescribed probably three different medications over four years – none of them worked whatsoever and I might add, they are very expensive. Lots of studies on them sure, but do they work – who knows.
Coconut oil will not hurt anyone, and I agree with the comment by Bws – really do you think there is going to be any studies on coconut oil? I think not. I believe most university studies for instance, are industry funded but let’s hope there will be some data forthcoming.
My mother has Alzheimer’s, and has been on a Alzheimer combo of Namenda and Aricept. Early on she showed improvement with the medications, but over a period of time her condition continues to progress. Recently I was told about the benefits of coconut oil. While I will admt coconut is not a cure all. I took the road of “risk and cost are low” and started giving my mom Coconut oil. Within days my mom went from sleeping all day, not attending to personal hygiene, no real interest in anything, unaware of times, days, year…etc..To: Waking up early (her normal hours prior to Alzheimer’s) dressing, bathing, asking for and doing crossword puzzles, and request to leave home because she was bored. Her cognitive skills being utilitized.
It’s really ashame that more studies haven’t been done because there are benefits with coconut oil . So to each his own, but for me , my family and my mom Coconut Oil therapy gets a thumbs up from us .
It would be very helpful to those of us who have yet to be diagnosed with Alzheimers, but have it in our family history. I have purchased PURE Coconut oil and am using it instead of olive oil in many cases. It has other properties that raise HDL which doesn’t hurt anyone, so why not try it! I encourage the individual studies by all Alzheimer’s doctors to study the merits of Coconut Oil and any other alternative treatments for this disease. It took my father and my aunt and I suspect it will take more in my family including a great probability that I or my brother and sister will also be affected. Please look into what could be a simple and healthy answer for many of us!!
My mom is in her 3rd year of AZ at 85. I would love to help her, and believe there is something to this coconut oil from what I have read. She also has diabetes. I am just scared to interfere with all the meds she is taking. But, I will continue with my research, as I have a daughter with down syndrome, and read that they may get AZ in later years. I dont understand how this disease could be hereditary. Isnt it due to eating habits, etc.?
I’m here to tell you a true story:
Three weeks ago my father was doing terribly on just his Alzheimers meds. I heard of Coconut oil from friend at work. He is now on his 10th day with coconut oil. Before the oil, he could not use a cell phone, concentrate on tv, hold a conversation. He would wake up in the middle of the night confused, we nearly found a home for him……. I am proud to say now, he wakes up energetic everyday, he’s working outside, reading, in fact today he’s on a lunch date and he went to pick her up with his car. Driving was completely out of the question just 10 days ago. Every single day we see improvement with him. Someone needs to shout to the world the benifits of this! I have come up with a few ways to administer the coconut oil, but if someone would like to share ideas, please write me and we can exchange recipes.
Mike rioosocowboy@aol.com
My mother passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2001. I am a 34 year old male and I am looking to try this simply as a preventive measure. Any suggestions on brands, pills or natural, and ideas on how to integrate it into an everyday diet?
Mike or Anyone else:
Please give me some ideas on how you are administering the coconut oil. ie, amount, brand, in what foods and how many times a day. etc… My father has Alzheimers and we will try anything.
Thanks,
My husband has been with alzheimers disease since 2010. Can you please let me know how do you use the coconut oil, I would like to try it.
I wonder if grapeseed oil would have a similar impact due to its anti-inflamatory attributes.
WHY DOESN’T THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION FUND RESEARCH INTO THE POSSIBILITY THAT COCONUT OIL MAY BENEFIT AZ PATIENTS? MY HUSBAND (AFFLICTED) WORKED FOR A REPUTABLE PHARAMCEUTICAL COMPANY FOR YEARS. IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE BOTTOM LINE IS FOR-PROFIT. NOT MUCH PROFIT IN COCONUTS. I JUST RAISED $350 FOR AZ IN RECENT FUND-RAISER. MANY OF US WOULD WORK & CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH A STUDY.
LJS
My husband has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and we will try anything. I have just purchased a jar of coconut oil but am not sure how to use it. I understand it tastes awful unless melted and mixed with something. We have just tried it in a cup of tea and although it does not change the taste of the tea it does have an oily glaze on it. If someone can help with ideas of how to use on a regular basis please correspond.
Has anyone come up with a way to administer it because its like lard and I finding it hard to get my wife to take it other than cooking with it
I saw a video about the doctor who did the research, came up with this treatment and tried it on her husband, who was on the verge of severe Alzheimer’s disease. She started putting coconut oil in his oatmeal and presumably elsewhere in his food. His symptoms reversed dramatically within 2 weeks, and continued to get better after that. It was a news report video on the Christian Broadcasting Network, which you can find by Googling it, and it looked very credible. I bought some coconut oil at Walmart two days ago so I could try it. They were almost sold out of it, so the word must be getting around. It tastes great (very much like dairy butter) both on bread and in my oatmeal. It’s worth a try. I’m 61 and my declining memory has concerned me for some time. Whether it was a placebo effect or not, I can’t say, but I felt sharper mentally the very first day I tried it. Doctors and scientists might take years to test and approve it, and millions of people could die of Alzheimer’s before then. It’s inexpensive and easy to add to the diet. Why not try it?
Follow up:
Day 18 and Dads doing remarkably well! Had him draw a clock last night, it was actually a clock, numbers and all. 18 days ago he drew a cross with a mathmatical equation for a clock. He drove over to my house for lunch today and just left to work in his garden. I don’t know how much more I can ask for, but I’m keeping him on cocnut oil!!!!! I heard of Axona as a good alternative as well and I’m going to talk to his doctor about it tomorrow. Here’s a few ways I’ve found to serve:
1. In coffee
2.In activia yogurt (keeps the BM’s going too)
3.Melted over veggies
4. In rocky road milk shakes (he loves ice cream)
5. on toast with honey
Hi
I give my mother coconut oil blend from alzorganics.com and it has taken all of her dementia symptoms away. I am glad to hear that so many other people are using the oil and it is working for them too. I give this oil to my mom in a vile with some juice or in a shot glass with cinnamon, just a tsp at each meal I think she knows it helps now and takes it easily.
I believe the video that Jon Ker refers to above is located at this link:
http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/mp4/LJO190v1_WS
My father suffered with Alzheimer’s disease for several years, and I wish this research had been available back in the mid 80’s.
I use orgainic virgin coconut oil instead of butter and oil. It’s tasteless (to me anyway) and it doesn’t leaves an oily feel in the mouth. I’m also looking forward to the next cholesterol test to see if HDL increases.
http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/mp4/LJO190v1_WS
Cut and paste the link above to a short pure non-hydrogenated coconut oil with great success. Of course this is a one-off anecdotal trial and the MD did write a book (Mary Newport- “Alzheimer’s Diseases: What if There Was a Cure?”) and so had a vested interest in sales of the book, but it is compelling. The theory is that it is ketones in the oil that do the job. Since good results were seen in just two weeks it is certainly cheap enough in effort and cost to give it a try. I’m going to add it to my diet as a what-the-heck supplement and recommend it to my 90 yr. old mom. Good luck to us all.
My wife, age 83, has been diagnosed with AZ. I want to have her try coconut oil. I’ve not been able to find out best kind and how much to take each day for AZ. Would really appreciate some advice on this. Thanks
I have been using coconut oil in the morning and evening with a teaspoon of bee pollen added into the mix in the morning. We both can attest that it has helped with digestion and we both agree that our mental alertness has been heightened.
We use a heaping tablespoon of coconut oil in a coffee cup..microwave it for about 15 seconds to melt the oil…add the pollen in the morning….and about 1/4 cup of skim milk. It is tasteful…goes down easy and off we go. The bee pollen gives us and energy boost for about 2-3 hours…plus there are many other great qualities to bee pollen. Use the powdered for best affect. Hope this helps.
I purchased a jar of Nutiva organic, virgin olive oil, $15. It was solid, after I opened it, it is now a very clear liquid. I used 1/4 c in a muffin recipe, as it was asking for 1/4 cup oil. Will try the muffin on my coffee break. I read some posts that you scoup the oil, meaning it is solid. I read you should not keep in the frig. Here is a great link I found while surfing……….especially the link with recipes, there is a ton of them. Let me know, anyone, any info.
http://www.coconutresearchcentre.org
I am a Occupational Therapist Assistant and I work in a Nursing Home and I have recomended my patients caregivers to ask their doctor if their love one can start taking it.
As a therapist I work with a patient that has had a stroke and the care giver has been giving the loveone each day 2 Tab of coconut oil in her drink for a month and I have been seeing good results. I have one patient who has been taking it for 3 weeks and she tells me that her depression is gone and she is not constipated anymore.
I myself have a husband with Parkinson and he reports that he has more energy and I have noticed that he doesnt have the deep stare.
I have been also been taking it 2 Tab each day and I feel clearer and not foggy in the brain, I have been losing weight since I don’t crave sweets or carbs, I have more energy. and it is good for the skin I use it as I would lotion . I have been calling all my friends and family to tell them about Coconut Oil .
It is too bad that the Medical Field looks at profit and can not see this as a cure, but I have seen the result first hand that it does help.
I have started using cocnut oil because my sister read that it is supposed to help with Alzheimers. My mother passed away just last Sept with Alzheimers. I have started using as a preventative. I have no clue if it will really work but its cheap enough. you need to make sure you get teh unrefined coconut oil, I melt mine for a few seconds in the microwave and blend it in a smoothie every morning. at least 1TBLSP. I am will to do anything not to end up like my mon and my sister that is already taking meds at age soon to be 60. If this stuff really works lets get rid off all the BS and do a study. the numbers of people that are going to come down with this is going to more than double in the predictions of some of the articles i have read. Some one out there surely has the smarts to get this done that has as much money as the pharmacutical companies.
Dr. Mary Newport is for real. She tells how much to take and how. I am an 89 year old chemical engineer with trouble with word recall. After a couple weeks, I don’t see any improvement. I live in a retirement community where I get my main meal, so recipies for coconut oil are not too healthful.
My coconut oil is melted from being on top of the frig. I often take a 4 oz glass, add 5,000 mg of sodium ascorbate (for my cancer), about one oz of hot water, mix and dissolve, 2 oz (60 ml) of coconut oil that floats on top, and nearly fill the glass with V8 or orange juice. The coconut oil is truly tasteless but the oil is not my favorite. If you drink rapidly, you get a nice taste and the oil is gone. Start the amount of oil slowly to avoid projectile diarrhea in the hour or two after starting. Buy the book–It’s worth it. Would you contribute to an association to run the tests on coconut oil? I don’t think any such exist.
Reagan, http://www.cancertherapies.org
My father has dementia and I belong to an Alzheimer’s Group where I live. They said “not to use coconut oil” because there hasn’t been any studies. I have been using it for the last couple weeks because I want to see if it works. My dad’s brother, sister, his mother & his niece all had Alzheimers and my siblings & I are possible candidates, too (as is our daughter with Down Syndrome) so I’m cooking with it. I was spreading the coconut oil on my dad’s toast in the morning (which he enjoyed) but now he has the diareaha from it. So he could either have an intolerance to it or the “coconut oil” could be acting as a laxative (which I’ve heard that it can act as one). I’ve cut back on using the oil on his toast but I am still cooking with it. My dad seems more alert in the last 2 weeks so I don’t want to completely cut it out of his diet. Has anyone else experienced the oil acting as a laxative???
I would like to know. Should it be kept in the frig to keep it solid, or not in the frig to keep it liquid. I would like to know which is the best way, and I do not think it is a good idea to put it in the microwave either. Mabey it would be good to get 2 jars, one to keep solid, one to keep liquid and experiment. Let’s keep this going for some great ideas.
I read about coconut oil – I purchased a bottle of coconut oil capsules and give
to my sister who has early AZ. As indicated on the bottle, she takes four capsules
daily.
After taking these capsules for a couple of weeks, I noticed she is more alert;
has conversations and ask questions. I see an improvement from her quietness too.
I am a coordinator of a 22 bed Memory Care Facility, and on of my residents family members told me about Coconut Oil, I watched the video on You Tube, about the wife who put her husband on the coconut oil and his mini mental exam went up from 14 out of 30 to 18 out of 30. I was impressed, I have done some looking into Coconut Oil, and I have started to use it in my home, my husband has high cholesterol, and it has been known to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. It is fantastic with popped corn, 3 tbs to 1/3 cup yellow corn kernels. My young boys even love it! I want to bring the exciting news to the rest of the families at my monthly support group. Any information as to the amount and the number of times given would be great.
Hi
I buy the coconut oil blend which is tasteless and it tells you exactly how to use it and howm much. It is really simple this way and not trying to figure out what your going to put it in. My mom does not eat enough food at meal times and it was a big worry for me in the sence that I never knew how much coconut oil she was getting, hence it did not show improvements. Now with the coconut oil blend I just put it in her drinks or give it to her on a spoon.
I wish I had known about Coconut Oil 3 years ago. I could have given it to my mom. she is now in advaced stage. It is too late to try for many reasons, all the meds she is on, and she cannot swallow. God bless all those folks willing to try the CO with their loved ones, and I will keep reading the posts to see how everyone is making out. In the meantime, I still have my big jar, and plan on using it, somehow.
For those who inquired:
1 Tbs. coconut oil, extra virgin, with each meal. If it has turned solid, no problem. Put into microwave for 1 min and it will turn liquid again.
However, best start with 1 tsp. per meal as it can give sudden energy boost…then, work up gradually to 3 TBs. per meal. God Bless You All.
A friend informed my about coconut oil Jan. 23 2012. My wife has been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment . We attempt to use coconut oil every meal since. We take a small container when we eat out also. I have used it primarily to support my wife’s use of it. She has been able to complete all daily functions on a normal basis. I have noticed she is back to doing her cross word puzzles an find the word puzzles. She is becoming less reclusive and wants to get out of the house. We yet have issues of misplaced articles. We are hopeful the coconut oil may improve her overall mental capacity and at best bring her back to where she had been or if not, maintain her mental capacity of today.
I have been diagnoised as haveing Neuropothy for several years. I began noticing less pain and numbness in both feet and legs soon after we began using coconut oil. We have consumed to date, 15; 14 oz. jars of coconut oil. We use it in our oatmeal, spread it on toast, couple of scoops in or noon hot meal, evening meals on baked potatoe, heated veggies, mix with balsamic vinigar for salad dressing, etc. We currently each consume probable 4 to 5 ++ daily.
We have removed all other oils from our home. Leave unopened in the pantry, and a jar on the counter as we use it. Good luck
Clarification: We use 4 to 5 ++ tablespoons, each per day. We have had no negative effects.
I have started using coconut oil a few days ago for myself and my wife who is stage 3 or 4 Alzheimer’s Desease. I have been reading Dr Newport’s experiences with her husband and feel it’s worth a shot. As to the comments on solid vs liquid oil, in htis cimate it is solid at room temp. but melts at 75 degrees, so I am assuming that those of you who have liquid live in a warmer climate. Liquid would be easier to use and some folks are using coconut oil mixed with MCT oil (Medium Chain Triglyceride) which remains in a liquid state (12 oz CO and 16 oz MCT Oil). No need to microwave to use. I’m presently usins 3 tbs once a day abu will go to 2 tbs 3 times a day when I get the MCT oil and make the mix. Using it now mostly in smoothies, cooking and garlic toast. Tried cookies but they were a bit oily.
We discussed with the internist and he said he didn’t know about it, but we had nothing to lose, and he would monitor blood work carefully to make sure no bad effects. It is easy to just melt it in the microwave and pour over salad, prior to the salad dressing, as well as use in cooking or in smoothies.
We have been giving my mother coconut oil for two weeks. She is in the middle-latter stages of Alzheimer’s. She has stopped repetitive questioning — which was driving us all nuts. And can now remember the days of the week and what day it actually is! She is going out more, willing to get dressed and walk with her caretaker. We’re believers. Will keep you posted on further progress.
Best to use organic unrefined coconut oil in morning cereal.Oatmeal or cream of wheat. Add a little honey and it tastes great.
This is in response to some of the comments posted above.
From the advice I received from one of the practising Ayurvedic Doctors in India, the quantity recommended for consumtion is 15ml twice a day.
The most important point to remember is that the Coconut oil has to be pure and unprocessed or in other words Virgin Coconut oil. Once heated it loses its quality.
For those who wonder whether Diabetic people can use it, this doctor claims that he prescribes Coconut oil as a medicine for diabetics.
You can get direct advise from <jeevanam@pkhill.com
I use coconut oil every day with my sister, she has Alzheimer’s, before i started using it she couldnt talk without mumbling, tell you when she needed to go to the restroom, or even say yes i want that shirt today. Now she can do all those things!!!! I love coconut oil, i will keep using it if yall want to do studies on it or not. However, how is all this going to effect yall when yall keep sending all those tubes for everyone’s blood?? Or you call and ask questions about the family members?? Are you really going to have the right answers for your trial that you ask everyone to get in??
And as for as how to use it…it doesnt taste as bad as you think, I put it in coffee, tea, use it in place of butter or oil, but my favorite is just glob it on top of fruit and eat, you never even know its there. Also, 3 to 4 tablespoons a day so get to the kitchen, this stuff works!!!!!
I have been doing a little research and would like to address a couple of questions based on the research I have found.
1) Dosage Requirements – a theraputic dose for Alz patients is 5-6 tbs daily – start with two tsp daily and then increase by 2 tbs each week to avoid loose stools which addresses my second issue
2) Loose Stools – too much coconut oil introduced to the system can cause loose stools – start small and increase slowly
3) Storage – liquid or solid – I can’t remember the exact number but somewhere around 75 degrees and above coconut oil become a liquid below 75 degress it remains (looks like lard or crisco as a solid and melted looks like any other oil only clearer) Which I assume may be one of the reasons it works well in our bodies – it remains a liquid in our body temp. Because of it’s antibacterial and antifungal properties it isn’t prone to those types of problems but like all “natural unprocessed oils” can get rancid over time – varies in different temps, climates etc so if you’re not going to consume in 30 days or so you may want to consider refrigeration.
4) IMPORTANT TO NOTE … not all coconut oils are the same. You are looking for oils that have not been heat processed. Cold pressed, first pressed. You will probably have to go to a health food store or order on-line to get the correct “type” of oil. I think the CBN program showed Luann oil … that’s not the kind you want if you’re using it for theraputic treatment of ALZ Please take the time to check this out and find the right brand before attempting – results could be dramatically altered.
5) You can use it however you like – as mentioned above, on toast w/ honey or jelly or alone, in smoothies or drinks, in oatmeal, on salads as a warm vinegarette (use with apple cider vinegar and a little lemon it’s amazing! – I add a little sweetener to mom’s as she has a little sweet tooth and the sweet vinegar is appealing to her) melted in veggies etc. I caution here, if you are using in foods, it is important to make sure that the patient is getting the right dosage (ie using on a salad, obviously some is left in the bowl) so we have opted for sources that insure that she is really getting the full dose – oatmeal, drinks (warm tea, coffee, hot chocolate etc0, smoothies, yogart, ice cream, Peanut butter and jelly sandwich w/peanut butter, other meds and coconut oil best way to give meds to patients in late stages of alzheimers. We do not use white bread because it clogs up in their throats we use the sandwich wheat thins by Orawheat and SaraLee. Not more medicine battles!!
We have just started using the coconut oil – my mom is in that last stages of Alz – she was dx 10 years ago. She is 65 :-(. She was hospitalized over Christmas with Pneumonia (she has lost her ability to couch correctly so choked on phelm during bad cold) She was loosing some of her stability on her feet before the hospitalizion but after being on her back for 2 weeks, she came home and was unable to walk anymore (Januaray). We started coconut oil two weeks ago (2tbs daily) and just started the 4 tbs today but already we have seen some improvement . She appears more alert, happier (though went through a state of aggitation that lasted about 4 days) and is now walking some. Not for long periods but for extended periods. She can walk to the restroom to be changed and can walk from room to room without assistance. We have not allowed her to walk for extented periods as we don’t want her to become too sore or tired. She is talking more n- still only a very limited vocab but it’s better. I am eager to see what the next couple of weeks will bring, but our caregivers have noticed the changes too! My mom lives with us 🙂
I get no benefit from any of these products to my information is completely unbaised, but I would like to add a piece of information I read (tried to find the original source so I could add it here but could not and didn’t have time to dig further) There have been some studies done in England I think!! with concentrated coconut oil (that may not be the right term) but the point I wanted to make here was that they received very promising results but no pharamceutical companies will not look at it because it is not profitable to manufacture and not patentable. Sadly, coconut oil will probably be researched the way is should be simply because the scale of research required to meet US standards is extremely costly (thankful we have it but sometimes it’s stubling block!) It is the medical companies that have the finances and grants to do these studies. Since it’s not profitable, it wouldn’t be wise financially for them to pursue such endevours. It would be strickly be a moral choice and corporations are not likely to risk (waist) corporate dollars on unprofitable endevours even if they would be beneficial. I don’t like it, but honestly, they have a responsibility to their investers! So in light of all of that, WE are the best research. If we use it and get results, share those results and others get results, the message will get out. Eventually, people will take notice! Water is now determined to be healthy and beneficial …. now bottled water is everywhere (some not as good at others but still it’s everywhere!!) If it works, it will soon be more available and bottled in different forms.
Sorry – please forgive the typo’s and grammatical errors – should have proof read before posting I am running late but wanted to get this out before I left –
I wanted to clarify a statement in the last paragraph …
Sadly, coconut oil will probably NOT be researched the way it should be ……
I hope you can read through all the mistakes :-/
Warmest regards,
Diana in Cypress
Update from Feb 19th. Day 41ish. My dad is doing remarkably well. Organizing the garage, cooking for himself, doing laundry, etc. Sleeps completely through the night.
Everyone, and I mean everyone that has been around him notices the dramatic change. COCONUT OIL is for reel! Just wondering how far back this will bring him?
Spectrum Organic Products makes two types of coconut oil available in our local health food store. One is labeled “Organic Virgin Coconut Oil” and is not refined. It has a wonderful coconut flavor. I can eat it like candy; it literally melts in your mouth. It is delicious on oatmeal, toast, or nearly anywhere that butter is good.
The other Spectum product is labeled “Organic Coconut Oil” and is refined. It has no taste at all so far as I can notice. The absence of the word “virgin” in its name means, I presume, that some of it is from a second pressing of the coconut. It may be preferred for frying because it smokes at a higher temperature than does the unrefined product. It could also be used for oil where you do not want a coconut flavor.
Neither oil contains cholesterol but both contain saturated fats from which the body makes cholesterol. However, according to Beverly B. Teter, Ph.D., lipid chemist and Research Associate in the University of Maryland’s Animal and Avian Science Department, the cholesterol made from the coconut oil is HDL, the good stuff. Thus, concern about cholesterol is not a reason for avoiding coconut oil. Mutual friends tell me that Dr. Teter is very excited about her experiments with coconut oil with mice, but I have not found references to published work.
With so much positive anecdotal evidence — and with no prospect that any drug company is going to invest a penny in proving the efficacy of non-patentable coconut oil — it seems to me that the Alzheimer’s Foundation should itself fund the necessary research to establish or reject its efficacy. Just pointing out that it has not been done is hardly helpful.
My husband had first changes in memory in 2002. Has been on the normal meds that doctors prescribe. I am going to start giving him coconut oil and watch for changing signs. God Bless all the caregivers and the ones they are caring for.
I just began reading on Alz – very interested in the Coconut Oil, but rather confused as to the organic virgin coconut oil (not refined ) vs. the organic coconut oil (refined.) Besides the taste, what the difference? What does this mean? And can you recommend a brand name that I should be looking for at the Health Food Store. I notice from Clopper’s statement Spectrum Organic Products and there any others?
I am still confused. I keep my CO in the cupboard and it stays clear, like oil does. Some of you say, you scoop a glob and add it to your cereal or whatever. I dont feel comfortable putting it in the frig, then in the cupboard, as then it will go from solid to liquid and back again. If it stays as a liquid (oil) I should use it as such. I have only used it on two occasions in recipes calling for oil. Brownies and muffins. At least its cheaper than regular oil. Has anyone used it yet in hair, or skin? I love hearing about everyone’s uses, way to go.
I received and email with the link to the CBN video mentioned in previous comments. It is… http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/mp4/LJO190v1_WS
First thing I did was check it out at… http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/coconutoil.asp to see if it was a hoax/urban legend email. It was not. At the bottom of the page there was an ad for a company that sells coconut oil… http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/faq.htm So I followed the link. It has amazingly detailed info on the types of coconut oil, how it is produced, and tons of recipes. I toyed with the idea of making a purchase from them but, found even with their sales/promos, the cost + shipping was a bit over my budget, especially if I were to be a repeat customer. So, I am wondering if anyone can shed light on what brands they have been using that seem to be working, as opposed to those who have not seen results. If we can zero-in on some of these types of details, perhaps it will be helpful to all, and… a step in the right direction in what seems will have to be our self-supported effort in this matter.
Thank you and looking forward to your responses.
this is amazing news for our family. I am going to have my Mom start my Dad on coconut oil and I hope it helps him/ I myself am going to start for prevention. We watched our grandmother deteriorate from this awful and scary disease. Thanks everyone for all your input..keep posting your ideas on how to use, this has been very helpful.
As to how to us it, I use it instead of olive oil when I fry something or use it to replace butter or margerine on bread. I like the taste but I wonder about the high saturated fat in the product. This is a plant and I believe only animal saturated fat is not good, right?
I think its worth a try since my father and mother have this desease.