Does coconut oil help people who have Alzheimer's disease?

ur skin is made up of connective tissues. These tissues give our skin strength and elasticity. When we are young and healthy the skin is smooth, elastic and supple. This is the effect of strong connective fibers. As we age their fibers are continually subjected to free-radical attack which breaks them down. As a result, connective tissues become hardened and lose both elasticity and strength. The skin loses its ability to hold itself together and begins to sag and become wrinkled. Once young, soft and smooth the skin turns dry and leathery.

Once a free-radical reaction is started it can cause a chain reaction which produces more free radicals, which ultimately damages thousands of molecules. The only way our body has to fight them is with antioxidants. When a free radical comes into contact with an antioxidant, the chain reaction is stopped. For this reason, it is good to have plenty of antioxidants in our cells and tissues to protect us. The number of antioxidants we have in our tissues is determined to a large extent by the nutrients in our diet. Having anti-oxidants in skin care products is important. Coconut is having all these qualities.

I am 77 years young and have used Nutiva coconut oil for the last 5 years. I use it daily in cooking, baking pies, etc and melt a little each day on an aching hip joint and for facials. I also drink coconut milk(chocolate) and use coconut milk(vanilla) for cooking. And yes, I also take tumeric capsules daily plus other vitamins and homeopathics whenever there is a symtom of any ill health coming on. I work an acre of garden in the spring, summer and fall and have a strong belief in physical activity and being outdoors in the sun. I have a Chi machine to use in the winter months for a bit of exercise and a Sun Splash with all the colors of the sun rays to wipe the winter blues away. Plus daily positive affirmations/prayer. All of the above averts alzheimers or helps with those who have the symtoms. I stay on the internet and answer as many questions on Aging Care.com as possible as this activates the brain cells.

any lab studies done? can you buy it in capsule form?

It did help my husband who no longer was speaking to speak again and even ask questions. He is in the late stage of his Alzheimer's. I am aware of one lab that is fantically studying tolerance levels before going on the market with capsules. I expect that by the end of this year or first of next, we will have it in pill form on the market. For now I purchase the jars of organic, extra virgin coconut oil to feel to my husband and I. I cook with it and butter my toast, put it in soups, anything I can. The recommended dose that I have seen is 2 Tbs/meal for 3 meals a day. Start slowly as it can give a person loose bowels and you may even see vomiting (this happened to my husband). I cut it back completely for him and restarted at 1 Tbs/day and augmented after one week and so on, so forth. Always check with your doctor first if you have any health problems. Otherwise do try it as it is most tasteful and good for all of us.

There is a book about using the Coconut oil called "Alzheimer's Disease..What if there was a Cure?" by Mary Newport, M.D. who started giving to her husband who has Alzheimers. She found it really helped his symptoms.

I can't help but wonder.....? Is there a cure for this (AL/Dementia)? In the back of my mind and my heart I think one HAS been discovered, but like many of these other diseases the general public will NEVER hear about it! Why? Because Dr's, and higherups want to keep it that way !? So they can keep getting our money.....!!!!! Think about it,....who would NOT benefit from a "cure", those who get paid to find one ! I can't be the only one who has this thought in the back of my mind, on a daily basis, either? There will never be a "CURE" as long as there can be MONEY made from it...... Just wanted to put, " my opinion",that out there. Hopefully one day .......God will give me the answer I need and the strength to endure....Keeping the faith!

Coconut oil and milk products are among the best medicines in the ancient system of medicine in India.

I also ready something on tumeric to help with dementia and alz. Anyone heard that?

Coconut oil is not harmful in any way that I know of. Also I agree w/ Chimonger and the benefits of these oils but as far as germicidal properties, Honey is a good one to use on scrapes and healing abrasions and such too...with no side effects. great info everyone! Godbless

There has been news in recent years about the health benefit of coconut oil. I have known that it does not hurt to consume it in some moderate quantities but didn't hear about the health benefits until recently. Back in about 2005 when the gasoline price went up, the coconut oil was used, maybe for a limited time, as a bio-diesel or a mix into the diesel because of its abundance in Thailand. This goes for the palm oil also. Because of these health news, a man from Thailand told me sometime last year that he and his family has been consuming baby coconut "milk" every day. In California, one can buy these young coconuts in boxes at large Chinese supermarkets. Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of a matured [riped] coconut. Young coconut milk does not have much oil but is more palatable to drink. I guess one can drink a little of coconut oil just as one can drink also a little of olive oil. Coonut oil and coconut milk has been used in cooking of Southeast Asian cuisines. If one wants to check on its health benefits, one can perhaps look into the senior population living in Thailand and Malaysia, where people regularly consume coconut products. In Asia people are only beginning to have longevity in the recent two decades. Many years ago, coconut oil was used in Asia on children's hair or other topical application for sores or infection.