Thursday, October 4, 2012

COCONUT OIL FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND FOOD FOR BRAIN HEALTH


COCONUT OIL FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

FOOD FOR BRAIN HEALTH

On staying fit, we generally think from our neck down. But the health of our brain plays a critical role in almost everything we do: thinking, feeling, remembering, working, playing and even sleeping.

This post was inspired by my blogger friend Jan Oliver of 1-2Punch. Jan blogs mainly on fruit punch recipes with unusual mixtures that amazed me every time i visited her site and i must say that most of Jan's posts are authentic, gourmet style fruit punch recipes, inherited from her late father, chef Fred Oliver. Hmmm, i like the name Oliver too.  
Thank you very much Jan, else i would have missed my research on such a valuable topic- the degenerative incurable alzheimer's disease.... do check out 1-2Punch- link here looking forward to viewing your mountain winter home coming... soon.
ABOUT DIMENTIA   link here

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life- Alzheimer's is the most common dimentia. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is second. Other causes include thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. 

ABOUT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE (AD)- signs and symptoms link here
Stage 1-2- No symptoms of dementia, but may have a very mild cognitive decline (either age-related  OR early AD signs)such as forgetful and stress.  

Stages 3-10- Cognitive decline starts.  Include forgetfulness , can’t handle complex tasks, withdrawn in social and  mentally challenging situations. Eventually, inability to respond to the environment , can’t control movements like eating or using the toilet. Also inability to smile, converse, to sit without support or heads up, abnormal reflexes, rigid muscles , wander around and finally death. 
Links - here and  here

No treatment or drugs have been proven to prevent or delay AD.  
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), a part of the National Institutes of Health at the US, supports clinical trials on exercise and cognitive function. Results showed:

1-A walking program- Brain activity increased in specific brain regions as the participants’ cardiovascular fitness increased. Exercise for at least 15 minutes.

2- Dietary Factors - A nutritious diet of high anti oxidant fruits and vegetables, whole grains,  low in fat and added sugar. Cold water fish with omega-3 fatty acids:  Nuts for vitamin E. HDL (or “good”) cholesterol may help protect brain cells. Use mono- and polyunsaturated fats eg. olive oil.

3-Engage in social and intellectually stimulating activities

4-Vitamins may be helpful- such as vitamin E, or vitamins E and C together, vitamin B12 and folate may be important in lowering AD risk. Molecules called “Free radicals”  can damage nerve  cells during  ‘aging process’.D
Vitamin E should not be taken to treat AD except under supervision of a physician. Vitamin E — especially at the high doses, can negatively interact with other medications, including those to prevent blood clotting or to lower cholesterol. Scientists found evidence  that high-dose of vitamin E may slightly increase the risk of death


Final Thoughts on Combating Alzheimer's with Coconut Oil
Links- here and  here
Alternative Brain Food Can Stop Brain Atrophy
In AD patients -- portions of their brain start to atrophy or starve. Brain atrophy is when the brain has parts of it that are not working and really have just died. 
ENERGY AS BRAIN FOOD IS OBTAINED IN TWO WAYS-
1-Energy derived when insulin regulates/ process blood sugar.

2-Ketones, which are produced when our body converts fat into energy.
A  substance  called ketone bodies, or ketoacids--  can feed the brain and prevent brain atrophy. It may even restore and renew neuron and nerve function in the brain after damage has set in.
A primary source of ketone bodies are the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) found in coconut oil! Coconut oil contains about 66 percent MCTs.

The benefits of ketone bodies may also extend to a number of other health conditions, according to Dr. Newport:

"Further, this is a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclero­sis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), drug resistant epilepsy, brittle type I diabetes, and diabetes type II, where there is insulin resistance.
Ketone bodies may help the brain recover after a loss of oxygen in newborns through adults, may help the heart re­cover after an acute attack, and may shrink cancer­ous tumors."

"In Alzheimer's disease, the neurons in certain areas of the brain are un­able to take in glucose due to insulin resistance and slowly die off, a process that appears to happen one or more decades before the symptoms become apparent," Dr. Newport states in her article.

"If these cells had access to ketone bod­ies, they could potentially stay alive and continue to function."

Another way to increase ketone production in your body is by restricting carbohydrates.
When we go on a high fat, high protein, low carbohydrate diet:  Our body run on fats instead of carbohydrates, and the name for this is ketosis.
However, the ketones produced by ketosis are not concentrated in our bloodstream, they are instead mostly excreted via urine.
Consuming  “medium chain triglycerides” (MCT), like coconut oil is a better option.
MCTs and Alzheimer's Research
The mechanism of this MCT-ketone metabolism appears to be that your body treats MCTs as a carbohydrate and not a fat. This allows the ketone energy to hit your blood stream without the normal insulin spike associated with carbohydrates entering your bloodstream. So in effect coconut oil is a fat that acts like a carbohydrate when it comes to brain fuel.
Therapeutic levels of MCTs have been studied at 20 grams per day. According to Dr. Newport's calculations, just over two tablespoons of coconut oil (about 35 ml or 7 level teaspoons) would supply you with the equivalent of 20 grams of MCT, which is indicated as either a preventative measure against degenerative neurological diseases, or as a treatment for an already established case.
Unrefined, Unbleached, Non-deodorised, Non-Hydrogenated
Free from - Cholesterol, trans-fats and GM ingredient..    Recipe using this product is Carrot cake.
WHAT KIND OF COCONUT OIL SHOULD I USE?
Look for coconut oils that are non-hydrogenated with no transfat.  Avoid coconut oils that are hydrogenated or super-heated because it changes the chemical structure of the fats. If you like the odor of coconut, look for products called “virgin,” “organic,” or “unrefined.- Dr Newport -link- here
The coconut oil or MCTs should also be taken in the morning, as it takes a minimum of three hours for the oil to convert to ketones and reach the brain. A dose of four tbsp, twice a day, may benefit  those already suffering from pre-AD or AD.
Dr Fife, has taken up the cause and all about it in his book Stop Alzheimer’s Now.
Central to his book is a the story of Doctor Mary Newport about how she used coconut oil to improve her husband’s Steve’s Alzheimer’s after just 35 days of taking virgin coconut oil (VCO).
It is recommended that MCT supplements be avoided by those with diabetes and liver problems and by pregnant and breastfeeding women
Grated coconut used for making desserts
Well, as everything goes back to food and what you eat, here are some:
FOOD IDEAS
·    Use coconut oil instead of butter on toast, English muffins, bagels, grits, corn on the cob, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, vegetables, noodles, pasta.
·         Mix coconut oil into oatmeal or other hot cereal.
·         Add coconut oil or milk to smoothies, yogurt or kefir.
·         Mix coconut oil half and half with salad dressings. 
·         Mix coconut oil into your favorite soup, chili or sauce.
·     Use a measured amount of coconut oil to stir fry or sauté (add peanut oil over medium heat)

51 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. hi vijaya, thanks for coming over. glad to know you

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  3. wow...this is absolutely great...thanks for the wonderful post dear
    Tasty Appetite

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    1. hi jay, happy to note your positive reaction. have a nice day

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  4. These are great tips. Wonderful post!

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    1. thank you dear.glad you like my post and tips. have a nice day.

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  5. I think at one time, we gave up with coconut oil with much written on how this oil does not good for our system. Now with new invention, we have virgin coconut oil and there we go again with the same oil but process and made more healthy.

    I take a teaspoon of virgin coconut oi first thing in the morning and can gradually see the different, may be I am not in the stage of dementia yet but my skin looks better for sure.

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    Replies
    1. hi nava, great that you consistently consume virgin coconut oil. coconut is very versatile, from the tree, leaves, fuit lesh,shell, husks, water, oil and milk.... surely this is something to reflect upon. have a nice day

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  6. I cook most of my hometown recipes with coconut oil, I love it. Nice writeup Wan.

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    Replies
    1. hi swathi, we use alot of coconut milk too. now i must consume more virgin oil. have a nice day

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  7. Howdy! This post couldn't be written much better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I am going to forward this article to him. Fairly certain he's going to have a good read.
    Thanks for sharing!
    My web page :: Asics Gel-Kinsei 2

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  8. Nice article. My Grand mother is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. I'll recommend her to use coconut oil. Thanks for sharing this informative post.

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    Replies
    1. thanks deep, glad to know you. have a nice day..hope your grandma's situation is under control.have a nice day

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  9. useful info about coconut i came to know the benifits of coconut oil.as usual nice post.
    how r u?have a nice weekend

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    Replies
    1. hi santosh, thanks , appreciate you always find my post have useful knowledge. have a nice day

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  10. Hi Wan, Holy Smoke! I never knew about this coconut oil being good towards this disease.
    Ok, now I know, will enjoy have my coconut dishes whatever.
    Your this posting very enlightening.....we hardly pay much attention to what we eat...
    But have read your many very interesting posts re health benefits, I now keep an eye what we buy or eat......

    Thank you for this interesting, educational posting....much appreciated.
    You have a pleasant weekend and keep a song in your heart.
    Lee.

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    Replies
    1. hi Lee, thanks for your fruitful comment. apart from beauty, "coconut" from, tree to leaves , fruits, shell, husk, flesh, water, milk and oil..all these, yes- not one part of this blessed fruit is wasted...
      an example to emulate-i must seriously consume this virgin coconut oil. have a nice day

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  11. A nice informative article here. I use coconut oil often and more and more it is being recommended.

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    1. hi anthony, how have you been, glad you are back to blogging. i decided to include virgin coconut oil as one of my top ten health foodies.
      O ya. thanks, you have great write ups on foodies too. have a nice day

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  12. I like this post. It's very interesting and informative.

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    1. thanks balqis, have a nice day, do you consume virgin coconut oil?

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  13. Thanks for another informative and useful post dear! It's time to use more virgin coconut oil...

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    Replies
    1. hi dear, missed a lot of your authentic pastries lately..thanks, yes we should consume more coconut oil. and have a nice day.

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  14. Wan, long timei havent popped by to say hello..a tad busy but your article here piqued my interest..i sure will use coconut oil more liberally now..

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    Replies
    1. hi dr jehanne...i have emailed you and i do not know how else to reach you..my browser was blocked from your sit ocs of virus.-
      cannot read your post. hope you rectify that soon. have a nice day.

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  15. Excellant post! Wow! Thanks for the link in your intro and for all the info on AD. It is such a sad disease. I am cooking with coconut oil and my granddaughter loves the aroma it creates, each day she thinks it smells like fresh bread! I am going to share this post on my facebook. I have a lot of friends in the medical profession so they will be interested I'm sure.

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    Replies
    1. hi Jan. yes, i did a very detailed research on this coconut oil, in particular "virgin coconut oil"- finally it's published in a very concise manner. I do put in many links for those keen to know more... rest assured its really worth reading. In fact, i think it is a must read subject.
      It's scary when all the experts in the world said there's no cure for AD. thank you , noble of you to share this thru your facebook.. ya, i saw some visits via FB already.
      Have a nice day dear and thanks again fir the eye opener..

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  16. I learned a lot Wan and thank you for the info. on vitamin E..I would be cautious on drinking the dosage prescribed..thank you ;)

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    1. hi sie, glad you noted on the vit E part. generally, thru many sources including friends doctors and dieticians, vitamin C is safe to take in large quantities. But not vit E. hope your health's better, have a nice day dear.

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  17. Another great informative post, thanks for sharing Wan. Have a great day!

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  18. Coconut is also good for combating Alzheimer's , didn't know that.

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    Replies
    1. hi balvinder friend , i also just knew about this after my great blogger friend, Jan told me about it... then i researched and it's good knowledge, to me - AD is a must know ' have a nice day

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  19. Informative and interesting post...Thanks for sharing..

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  20. Shiver at the thought of old age + AD!

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    1. Hi katrina, yes and the doctors said- "some people mistook forgetfulness as being senile or due to old age... whereas actually is a progression to AD- cognitive deterioration.. scary of course. have a nice day.

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  21. I take one teaspoon of virgin coconut oil every morning before breakfast.

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    1. hi rina, good of you to regularly consume virgin coconut oil. i have failed to key in my comments in your blog cos your comment box is errorneous. can you please rectify the problem. thanks and have a nice day.

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  22. Very informative and interesting post, Dear.

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  23. Interesting article! I have a blog where I write about coconut and I am a student at Harvard. Check it out! http://www.nutritas.org/blogs/news/6775702-can-coconut-cure-alzheimer-s-disease

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  24. Can you give another alternative instead of coconut oil,for alzheimers,as we r not habituated to eat coconut oil.Orelse can we use coconut directly.
    Sai Padmapriya
    www.soundaryasbeautyworld.com

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  25. Thanks for giving nice info..Find about Coconut Oil Benefits Health tips include hair care, skin care .It Make your body fit and healthy.

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