Coconut Oil and Alzheimer’s
For decades, coconut oil was considered a “dangerous” saturated oil by the margarine promoters who set out to demonize butter. We know that ended in tears when it finally came out that the trans fats in margarine proved to be much more dangerous than any saturated fats.
Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a ‘functional food’ because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine among Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illness. The coconut palm is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called ‘The Tree of Life.’ Only recently has modern medical science unlocked the secrets to coconut’s amazing healing powers.
Nearly one third of the world’s population depends on coconut to some degree for their food and their economy. Wherever the coconut palm grows the people have learned of its importance as an effective medicine. For thousands of years coconut products have held a respected and valuable place in local folk medicine.
Coconut oil differs from other oils because it’s rich in medium chain fatty acids that are utilized readily by the body for energy.
Fats and oils are called fatty acids and they are saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. They can also be classified as short-chain (SCFA), medium-chain (MCFA), and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Another term you will often see in reference to fatty acids is triglyceride. Three fatty acids joined together make a triglyceride, so you may have short-chain (SCT), medium-chain (MCT), or long-chain triglycerides (LCT).
Most dietary fats and oils you eat, whether they are saturated or unsaturated or are sourced from animals or plants, are composed of long-chain triglycerides. Almost 100% of all the fats we eat are LCT.
Now here’s the point about coconut oil. It’s mostly an MCT fat. Medium-chain triglycerides are exceptionally easy to digest and absorb. They are easily digested and are used by the body as a quick source of energy. But at the same time these fats give your stomach a feeling of fullness, allowing you to eat less.
Most MCT products are made from coconut oil. Since they are added to infant formulas and health recovery products and athletic products, more research is being done on their beneficial effects of late.
Coconut oil qualities:
- Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.
- Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.
- Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.
- Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.
- Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
- Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
- Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
- Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
- Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
- Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.
- Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
- Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.
- Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
- Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.
- Helps protect against osteoporosis.Helps relieve symptoms associated with gall bladder disease.
- Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
- Improves digestion and bowel function.
- Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
- Supports immune system function.
- Reduces inflammation.
- Supports tissue healing and repair.
- Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
- Functions as a protective antioxidant.
- Does not form harmful byproducts when heated to normal cooking temperature as other vegetable oils do.
- Helps protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.
- Does not deplete the body’s antioxidant reserves as other oils do.
- Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.
- Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
- Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio, reducing risk of heart disease.
- Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.
- Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.
- Dissolves kidney stones.
- Helps prevent liver disease.
- Supports thyroid function.
- educes epileptic seizures.
- Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.
- Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.
- Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
- Is lower in calories than all other fats.
- Applied topically, helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.
- Reduces symptoms associated with psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
- Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
- Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
- Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
- Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
- Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
- Helps control dandruff.
We’ve heard many stories of coconut being used externally and internally for pets. Dogs and cats with debilitating skin rashes have been cured within days by applying coconut oil to their skin. If they lick it off, they get more benefits, not side effects as they would with cortisone creams.What kind and how much coconut oil can you take to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s and many other health conditions, and treat hundreds of symptoms? The dosage used in most Alzheimer’s studies is about 5 TBSP per day of extra virgin coconut oil.
Hippocrates Pure Food-Grade Coconut Oil (Extra Virgin, Organic, Unhydrogenated, Undeodorised) is available.