Coconut for Alzheimer: All you Need to Know

Why Coconut Oil helps treat Alzheimer

Coconut oil can help treat Alzheimer because it is made up of medium-chain fatty acids that are quickly digested by the body to produce ketones.

The brain can use these ketones as an alternative source of energy and nutrition to preserve its functions when glucose is not available, or if the brain cannot metabolize glucose effectively.

Thus, coconut oil is suggested to help relieve Alzheimer’s symptoms and even treat Alzheimer’s disease, because it provides the body with an excellent supply of ketones that can be used in the absence of glucose.

One of these ketones is called beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Studies show that BHB is a more efficient energy source than glucose because it can provide the brain with “more energy per unit of oxygen used.”

Coconut oil can also help treat Alzheimer's disease because it is rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants help maintain brain health and protect brain cells, thus reducing the development of Alzheimer.

How Coconut Oil works for Alzheimer

Coconut oil works to reduce Alzheimer by providing ketones to the body. When coconut oil is digested in the body, a large proportion of it is made up of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs).

Due to their unique composition, the body metabolizes the MCFAs in coconut oil more rapidly than other fatty acids, which take longer to be digested.

MCFAs are between 6 to 12 carbons long and are different from all other fats people typically consume. Usually, people consume foods that consist of long-chain fatty acids. 

Accordingly, MCFAS in coconut oil bypass the digestive process and are directly sent to the liver to be used as energy. Ketones also cross the brain-blood barrier quickly and don’t need insulin to transport them to brain cells that need them.

In addition, coconut can help treat Alzheimer because it contains antioxidants. The antioxidants in coconut oil can help treat Alzheimer by neutralizing or stabilizing reactive oxygen molecules that damage DNA, proteins, and lipids known as free radicals.

Accordingly, coconut oil can protect brain cells and prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease.

How to take Coconut Oil for Alzheimer

Studies show that 2 to 3 tablespoons of coconut per day can positively affect people with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers performing a study to test the cognitive performance of Alzheimer patients administered approximately 2.7 tablespoons of coconut oil per day and observed an improvement in the patients’ cognitive abilities.

According to Dr. Mary Newport, a neonatologist who used coconut oil to treat her husband’s Alzheimer’s, patients can start taking one teaspoon of coconut oil with each meal. Patients or caregivers can increase the amount of coconut oil gradually, keeping potential side effects in mind.

Dr. Newport advises patients to “try to get as much as 3 tablespoons per meal and two tablespoons at bedtime.”

Coconut oil is mostly considered safe when taken orally. However, it is a type of fat that may increase cholesterol levels, so people should consume it in moderation.

When coconut oil is used medicinally for a short time: people can take up to 10 ml of oil, two to three times per day, for 12 weeks.

Keep in mind the following conversions when taking coconut oil:

- 1 tablespoon = 15 milliliter = 3 teaspoons

- 1/3 tablespoon = 5 milliliters = 1 teaspoon

Various types of coconut Oil available

- Refined coconut: Coconut oil is extracted after the coconut is baked. The oil is bleached, and all its impurities are removed. Refined coconut oil sometimes contains partially hydrogenated fats that may cause heart problems.

- Unrefined coconut oil: Unrefined coconut oil or virgin coconut oil is extracted directly from fresh coconuts. People consider it to be a healthier choice because of its many benefits. 

Note: if you want to eat coconut oil or use it when cooking, try to always use unrefined, virgin coconut oil. 

Using Coconut Oil for Alzheimer: precautions

The following groups of people should use coconut oil with caution:

- Individuals with high cholesterol levels: individuals with high cholesterol levels should be careful of how much coconut oil they consume. There are concerns that coconut oil may increase the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL). However, most current evidence shows it has almost no effect on LDL cholesterol levels and only increases the levels of good cholesterol (HDL).

- People who have coconut allergies: some people are allergic to coconut oil. If you believe you are allergic to coconut, check with a healthcare professional to arrange a test and avoid all coconut products and foods to prevent an allergic reaction.

For safety purposes, all coconut products should be consumed in moderate amounts. The effects of excessive coconut oil consumption are not well studied and should be avoided.

Using Coconut Oil for Alzheimer: side effects

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