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O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:17 pm
by Slartybartfast
The good folks on another thread about low-carb eating are currently talking about coconut oil and its benefits. They're doing fine on their own, so I thought I'd bring this up as a separate thread. The relevance to OSA is that those of us with untreated OSA are thought to be at greater risk for developing dementia and Alzheimer's. I'm watching my 90 year old dad decline day by day, and his confusion is sometime palpable. So here's some more food for thought.

Many of us have read that there is anecdotal evidence which appears to support the belief that there may be a benefit to those suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia to go low-carb. Going cold-turkey, as it were, reduces serum glucose levels and elevates the levels of ketones. Here's a video from a physician who makes a case for improved cognitive function by feeding the patient medium chain triglycerides, such as are found in coconut oil. The liver processes the coconut oil, increasing the production of ketones. The brain can run on both glucose and ketones, and perhaps there is some merit in what she says.

Coconut oil is wonderful tasting stuff, has a high smoke point and is a good substitute for peanut oil in stir-frys. And if you have a prediliction to consume vast quantities of Thai food, as do I, you will be familar with its taste. Several years ago, coconut oil got a bad rap from the health-police to the effect that it raised cholesterol. More recent studies indicate that ain't so; the overall cholesterol profile is actually improved by eating coconut oil. However the authorities are reluctant to admit they were wrong.

Here's a vid' that 'splains Dr. Mary Newport's findings: http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.a ... JO190v1_WS
She also has a book out since last October: http://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Diseas ... 360&sr=8-1 which I just ordered.

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:30 pm
by chunkyfrog
I agree about the taste.
Not too surprised about the rest.

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:38 pm
by Slartybartfast
Thai red curry paste is a natural with coconut oil. You can make it http://thaifood.about.com/od/thaicurryp ... dpaste.htm or buy it in the Asian food section at your grocery store http://www.thaikitchen.com/products/sau ... paste.aspx

My kids like it in scrambled eggs for breakfast (but then they're half-Thai, so perhaps they're biased). But it adds zest to stir fried veggies that otherwise don't have a lot of taste (broccoli, onions, zucchini, etc).

If you can't find it, Amazon has it: http://www.amazon.com/Mae-Ploy-Thai-Cur ... B000EI2LLO

WalMart has it too: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thai-Kitchen- ... z/10801530
You can go there and, after looking at everyone else, feel less unattractive!

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:58 pm
by Kiralynx
I make my own mayonnaise, using an oil blend which is 2 parts flax oil and 1 part expeller pressed coconut oil. Good quality expeller pressed coconut oil is more neutral in taste than extra virgin coconut oil, but still has the medium chain triglycerides.

By using the blend, I add Omega 3s and medium chain triglycerides.

The flax oil adds an interesting, slightly "nutty" taste to the mayo.

Last night, we had shrimps with remoulade sauce based on the mayo recipe. It makes a great egg salad or salmon salad. Goes great on burgers.

We also do a "mustard butter" for which coconut oil can be substituted, especially if one is sensitive to dairy products.

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:36 pm
by Emilia
Dr. Newport's research is compelling, and her ability to bring about such dramatic improvement in her husband's condition is wonderful. She lives just north of me, and I had read her story years ago when the St. Petersburg Times did an extensive piece on her work.

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:39 pm
by wittymomma
I went on a Coconut oil binge for a while there.. I HATE COCONUT!! lol. SO this is NOT something I Could keep choking down every day lol. But I used to put it in my Hot chocolate.. or coffee depending on my mood :-p It is also decent on toast...

Oh & it is great outside of the kitchen too... has rather interesting bedroom uses too I kept 1 in the kitchen (the virgin one ironically lol) & the cheap walmart stuff in the bedroom

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 11:03 pm
by Janknitz
Trader joes has a void price on coconut oil, too. Dr Mary Newport's story is compelling, but anecdotal. But as long as coconut oil is safe, I figure it can't hurt. We cook with CO and I put it in my coffee and tea.

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 1:50 am
by Lizistired
wittymomma wrote:I went on a Coconut oil binge for a while there.. I HATE COCONUT!! lol. SO this is NOT something I Could keep choking down every day lol. But I used to put it in my Hot chocolate.. or coffee depending on my mood :-p It is also decent on toast...

Oh & it is great outside of the kitchen too... has rather interesting bedroom uses too I kept 1 in the kitchen (the virgin one ironically lol) & the cheap walmart stuff in the bedroom
Never thought of it on toast either...
Slarty, we can always count on you for a good thread!

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:26 am
by Emilia
All this CO talk got me back to my CO/Cflour cookbook last night.... made pancakes this morning...yumola! BTW: I downloaded Dr. Newport's book to my Kindle and am half way through. Being familiar with the story has made this a very easy read so far, but the book is so much more detailed in terms of her research and her run-in with the big pharma/lobbying that goes on in D.C. when it comes to funding for research. Being a food product, there is little to interest the FDA/big pharma to conduct studies on this. However, there are studies going on in the UK on how CO/MCI oils can benefit other brain disorder like Parkinson's and those with brain injury (think veterans). As for her husband, Steve, in late 2011, he underwent another brain MRI -- first one since '08 when it showed damage from Alzheimer's, and he was unable to draw any semblance of a clock. Now, after being on the CO/MCI oils, he can draw a clock that looks like a clock....and the MRI showed NO FURTHER DAMAGE to his brain. So, if AD is progressive, as we all know it is, SOMETHING brought his to a stop. He will never be the person he was before the damage, but he has regained memories, physical coordination, can do chores around the house unaided, and so much more. Dr. Newport feels like she has her husband back again. It is truly an amazing story.....

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:22 pm
by Slartybartfast
Thanks, Emilia. I'm still waiting for the book and hoping it's not just an isolated case. It would be great if there was something to it, but until more comes out about it, I'm cautiously optimistic.
Went to work this morning and when I got there the parking lot was empty with nobody there but the security guys, so I guess it must be a holiday. Figured it's probably time for me to buy another bottle of coconut oil, so I did on the way home.

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:29 pm
by chunkyfrog
Our receptionist puts notes on the doors the week before a holiday--informing the public when we will be closed.
So far I've always noticed them before the fact. (knock on wood)

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:58 pm
by Emilia
@slarty.... definitely not an isolated case. As you will read, due to the media coverage of her and her husband's story, many others have had similar results. There are also some new medical foods coming to market, including the Rx only Axona which is FDA approved. http://www.about-axona.com/ Dr. Fife's ( http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/ )books on coconut oil and using it for many illnesses are also quite compelling. He also just published a book this month on CO and Alzheimer's. I certainly hope he gave credit to Dr. Newport's research.... as she gave him credit in terms of his other work with CO.

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 2:37 pm
by Slartybartfast
Received the book from AMZN and am about half way through it. The evidence seems more than anecdotal. I think she might be onto something. I showed my mom the video and she agreed to give it a try. Dad has dementia (90 years old) and doc says he's early into Alzheimer's.

Have been scrambling eggs mornings in CO for several months, ever since I watched Tom Naughton's Fat Head - the Movie. Dr. Eades reviews it here: http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/fast ... the-movie/ I like it better than the olive oil I had been using. Has a higher smoke point, too, so doesn't oxidize while stir frying like olive oil does.

Here's another article that's worth reading if you'd like to know how coconut oil got its bad rap: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/article10027.htm

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 3:01 pm
by poppi2
Another anecdotal story, not with Alzheimer's but with a 20 y.o. young man with a severe birth defect. I've read his mom's blog for years and am amazed by her dedication.
http://dreammom.blogspot.com/2012/03/lo ... years.html

Re: O.T.: Coconut Oil and Alzheimer's/Dementia

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:15 pm
by chunkyfrog
WIll coconut oil or cocoa butter affect silicone?
Both are nice on the skin.