Coconut oil can improve brain health, helps prevent cognitive decline
03/05/2020 / By Skye Anderson / Comments
Coconut oil can improve brain health, helps prevent cognitive decline

The edible oil that comes from the meat of mature coconuts has gained popularity as a health supplement over the last decade. Today, it is a widely used for many things, from boosting heart health and energy levels to improving digestion and wound healing.

But what some people may not know is that the use of coconut oil for medicinal purposes is not a new concept. In many parts of the world, coconut oil is known as a natural medicine for a wide variety of illnesses, such as kidney stones, bronchitis, tuberculosis, gingivitis, dysentery, asthma and syphilis. Its medicinal properties were only overshadowed by its abundance in saturated fats — a fact highlighted by several studies which caused it to have a bad rap.

But recent investigations have revealed yet another benefit of this controversial oil: When consumed daily, coconut oil can improve cognitive performance in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

How coconut oil can restore brain function

In a study that appeared in Nutricion Hospitalaria, Spanish researchers looked at the effect of daily coconut oil consumption on brain function. They included 44 patients with Alzheimer’s disease in the trial, half of which took 40 mL of coconut oil with their breakfast. The researchers evaluated the patients’ cognitive performance before and after taking coconut oil every day for 21 days.

Based on the results of cognitive tests, the researchers found that coconut oil improved some of the patients’ cognitive abilities, particularly those involved in orientation and language. They noted that the oil’s positive effects differed in intensity depending on the cognitive area.

In another study, researchers from Australia and New Zealand discussed the potential use of coconut oil for the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer’s. They associated the health benefits of coconut oil to its high levels of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs).

Unlike other dietary fats that consist of long-chain fatty acids, coconut oil is rich in MCFAs, which are easily absorbed and metabolized by the liver. These MCFAs — more commonly known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) — can easily be converted inside the body to ketone bodies. The liver produces ketone bodies from fatty acids when there isn’t enough carbohydrates from food to break down into glucose.

Ketone bodies serve as an important alternative energy source for brain cells, which normally rely on glucose from foods. Studies have found that the brains of people with Alzheimer’s lose their ability to use glucose for energy. As a consequence, the patients suffer from nerve dysfunction and cognitive decline. The researchers believe that giving the brain an alternative source of energy in the form of MCFAs in coconut oil can help prevent or reverse the cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer’s.

Another reason why coconut oil is effective for Alzheimer’s is that it is rich in phenolic compounds and cytokinins (plant hormones), which have been reported to assist in preventing the aggregation of amyloid-beta peptides. Amyloid-beta are protein fragments linked to the development of Alzheimer’s and are often found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. These peptides usually aggregate to form plaques, an event scientists believe leads to the inflammation, which eventually damages brain cells.

How to use coconut oil

Many studies have associated the use of coconut oil, especially organic virgin coconut oil, to other health benefits, such as improving heart health by increasing good cholesterol levels. This effect is attributed once again to coconut oil’s MCFAs and their rapid absorption in the gut.

Their quick absorption means that MCFAs bypass the activity of an enzyme called pancreatic lipase, which is normally involved in fat digestion. As a result, MCFAs are quickly processed by the liver and do not give rise to cholesterol. They also do not end up in fat tissue.

Based on studies involving humans, consuming two tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil a day is enough to reap its benefits. This serving provides about 18 g of MCTs, which is said to be enough to help increase metabolism. Taking more than that amount is bad for the health and may cause unwanted side effects.

Coconut oil can be used as a substitute for other oils and butter when cooking or baking. It can also be added to tea or coffee in small amounts. However, it may cause nausea and loose stools, so it is better to take one teaspoon of coconut oil per day and slowly increase your intake.

Sources:

TheStreet.com

NaturalTherapyPages.com.au

MedicalNewsToday.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

Cambridge.org

Alzheimers.net

News-Medical.net

Healthline.com

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