ASK THE PSYCHOLOGIST ISSUE 65: What is the difference between Dementia and Alzheimer’s and is Coconut Oil an effective treatment?
Dementia is a general “umbrella” term for a decline in memory and cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is a specific brain disease and is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of all cases as indicated by UCLA medical school.
In 2005, my children came to me and said, we are losing grandma. They mentioned they are noticing grandma’s memory and cognitive skills diminishing. I proceeded to do some research and try to find a possible treatment to help grandma with her memory. After many hours of research, I discovered that organic cold pressed coconut oil produce ketones that help with memory problems. I proceeded to have grandma take one tablespoon of the coconut oil in the morning with breakfast and one each evening with food. After approximately 3 weeks, my two girls came to me and stated we got grandma back to her normal self. To me it was a godsend how quickly she improved and returned to normal.
Her condition stayed improved for several months before it started deteriorating again. I asked her nursing assistant, who visited grandma home, to insure that grandma was receiving her supplements and coconut oil. The assistant informed me that she had been forgetting for the past two weeks to give her the coconut oil twice a day and when we got grandma started back on the coconut oil, it only took a week before she came back to normal functioning. It was interesting that many years later, when Graham’s physical condition required her to live in a nursing home, we continue the coconut oil with the nursing home staff administering it twice a day. Grandma was so productive and functional in the nursing home, the staff attributed it to the coconut oil and the nursing home staff decided that they were going to give coconut oil to all of their patients and surprisingly, some of the staff started using it as well.
While at the nursing home, grandma was cognitively sharp to the point of becoming used by the staff like a nursing assistant with the other patients. One funny story was when they had a program which included the national anthem and grandma noticed one of the other patients sitting during the anthem. Grandma asked the patient if he was an American and when he said yes, she told him “Then stand up!”, which he did.
Over the past several years, I noticed many people being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and felt it was time to write an article about what I experienced with grandma and how effective the coconut oil had been for her until she passed at 103 years old.
These are results for How does organic cold pressed coconut oil help memory by producing ketones.
Organic cold-pressed coconut oil helps memory by providing an alternative energy source for the brain. It is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which the liver rapidly converts into ketone bodies. These ketones can cross the blood-brain barrier to fuel brain cells.
This process bypasses the brain’s typical reliance on glucose, helping in the following ways
- Overcoming Insulin Resistance: In memory-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, brain cells can develop insulin resistance and lose the ability to efficiently metabolize glucose. Ketones provide an immediate, alternative fuel source that these “starved” cells can utilize, restoring cellular function.
- Energy Production: Brain cells supplied with an efficient fuel source can maintain better synaptic transmission and communication, which is crucial for memory retention and focus. While raw coconut oil contains some MCTs, scientific studies indicate that its primary fatty acid (lauric acid) converts to ketones less effectively than purified MCT oil. Additionally, coconut oil is high in saturated fat, which may elevate cholesterol levels.
If a person is considering adding this to their diet, ask the following questions:
- What is your primary goal (e.g., general wellness, supporting a family member with memory issues)?
- Do you have any dietary restrictions or heart-health concerns?
More on how Purified MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil may help with early or age-related memory issues, particularly working memory. It provides a fast-acting, alternative fuel source (ketones) that the brain can use when it struggles to process glucose, a common metabolic issue in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease
How MCT Oil Works
- Alternative Brain Fuel: as previously mentioned but worth repeating, the brain relies heavily on glucose for energy. In aging or early cognitive decline, brain cells can develop insulin resistance and lose the ability to use glucose efficiently.
- Ketone Production: MCTs (found in coconut and palm kernel oil) are rapidly digested and transported to the liver, where they are converted directly into ketones. These ketones can bypass metabolic blockades, acting as a direct energy source for neurons.
Evidence for Memory Improvement
- Working Memory Benefits: Clinical reviews and trials indicate that MCT supplementation is associated with improved indices of memory function, particularly working memory.
- Who Benefits Most: The largest improvements are typically seen in individuals who are already experiencing mild cognitive impairment or lower baseline memory scores rather than those with normal memory or advanced dementia
- Acute and Long-term Effects: Some studies show benefits within 90 minutes of a single dose, while others track sustained benefits from continued use over several months.
How to Take It
· Start Small: To avoid common gastrointestinal side effects like stomach upset or diarrhea, start with just one teaspoon per day.
· Gradual Increase: You can gradually work up to 1 to 2 tablespoons daily.
· Take With Food: Taking MCT oil alongside a meal significantly improves tolerance.
· Choose the Right Oil: Look for MCT oils rich in Caprylic acid (C8) and Capric acid (C10), as C8 is especially efficient at converting into ketones.
Things to Keep in Mind
· Not a Cure: MCT oil will not reverse established dementia or restore cognitive function to previous levels. The goal is to support existing cognitive function and potentially slow the rate of decline.
· Long-term Data is Limited: While considered generally safe, the long-term impacts of continuous MCT use on cardiovascular health and blood lipid levels require more research.
Medical Consultation: Because brain health is complex, it is essential to discuss MCT oil with your physician or a neurologist before starting, especially if you have existing health conditions (e.g., diabetes or high cholesterol) or are taking other medications.
For detailed medical breakdowns, you can review the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation’s Report or the Cognitive Vitality Portal.
P. Billings, Ph.D.
COL SCNG-SC, Military Medical Directorate (Ret.)
Functioned as: Licensed Clinical Psychologist CA PSY 7656
Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist CA LMFT 4888
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