The popularity of coconut oil is soaring. What was once only used in the West for skin care has since become a “Superfood”. Many so-called experts claim coconut oil prevents and can even treat forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease… But what does the research actually tell us, without the hype? You can see the full article plus scientific references at http://www.dietvsdisease.org/coconut-oil-alzheimers-disease/

2. Many experts claim coconut oil can
treat forms of dementia…
Particularly Alzheimer’s disease.

3. But what does the
research actually tell us?

4. Alzheimer’s disease is
characterised by a decreased
ability by the brain to use
glucose for fuel.
This slowing in brain metabolism
leads to cognitive decline, for
which there is no known cure.

5. Humans are able to
use ketones as an
alternative for glucose in
order to fuel the brain.
Converting stored fat into
ketones is the reason
humans can survive days –
even weeks – without food.

7. Ketone bodies are an efficient alternative fuel for
cells that are unable to metabolize glucose or are
'starved' of glucose.

8. For those with Alzheimer’s, it appears this “backup”
ketone system kicks into gear.
Researchers are wondering if additional ketones
might help fuel the brain cells deprived of glucose.

9. In order to increase ketones in the blood, it helps to
consume a type of medium-length fats known
as Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT).
Coconut oil is a whopping 65% MCT, the highest
percentage of any food on the planet.

11. On cognitive testing, MCT treatment facilitated performance on the
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-
cog)… Higher ketone values were associated with greater
improvement in paragraph recall with MCT treatment relative to
placebo across all subjects (P=0.02).

13. AC-1202 rapidly elevated serum ketone bodies in AD patients
and resulted in significant differences in ADAS-Cog scores
compared to the Placebo.

14. Both studies show promise, but are
too small and too short to draw any
strong recommendations from.
Fortunately there is more research on the
way, which will use coconut oil directly…

16. Given that coconut oil is by far the richest natural source
of MCT, it’s reasonable to believe consumption could be
beneficial for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Keep in mind, however, we’re only making presumptions
because the science just doesn’t exist yet.

17. For additional information and the
full list of scientific references, see
the original article:
www.dietvsdisease.org/coconut-oil-
alzheimers-disease