What about coconut oil and pine bark extract, can it help with dementia?

Frankly I don't see how it can help, because the only food the brain can use is sugar and oxygen. Beware of claims when there isn't research or proof from RELIABLE sources to back it up. However, I suppose mixing some (maybe a teaspoon) in food once or twice a day won't hurt. At the very least it will help prevent constipation. This factor alone is good enough reason to use it. I heard some people use it as a substitute butter.

Gleeson - You seem to believe there little or no AD improvement value to the use of coconut oil. Is this based on your personal experience, or other accessible reference?

Coconut Oil - Ok I will look at the studies and price the stuff and see if we should start a trial....Sometimes different people react differently...I think we all have inner balances that get screwed up because of our diets and sometimes these "remedies" can help plug the holes because of their composition.
I take Magnesium Daily and it has helped my headaches tremendously. I find on days the I remember to give mom EmergenC - the vitamin D one - that she is perkier and has less pain. (It may be the B12, Magnesium and D3 that is in it.) Mom tends to run low on B12 and D3 and both can exacerbate pain...and she refuses to take more pills. The "little juice cocktail" made from the packet helps...maybe I can add coconut oil to that???

I am confused - does coconut oil tend to cause runs or constipation? There were several conflicting answers. Mom tends to stop up so maybe coconut oil wouldn't be a bad idea anyway...cheaper that Miralax?

medium chain transfatty acid is what helps. Get it however you can

'Pulling' is a very well known and becoming more popular technique for strengthing, whitening teeth preferred by many looking for natural, holistic options. Looking on-line can give you clear directions on benefits and how used. As a caregiver who worked for 10 years with those choosing 'holistic' health options and saw almost every client improve, I would suggest that those who have not chosen that route respectfully reserve judgement of those who do. Anyone who cares about an Alzheimer's affected loved one will find very helpful information in The Everything Alzheimer's book by Dr. Carolyn Dean ND MD available on-line (Amazon, etc). Free info is also available at her drcarolyndean.com blog. Alzheimer's is reversible in early cases and symptoms can be reduce in advanced cases. Having just assisted a family who's loved one became lost on 'his daily walk' and was found by police and concerned citizen's the next day and required hospitalization for injuries from falling and being outdoors overnight, I can do no less than have completely empathy for the 'nightmare' that Alzheimer's care becomes for some families. Fortunately his daughter stepped in and was able through our local Alzheimer's Association to locate a home in a gated community when he can safely enjoy his daily walks while having 24 hour care in a small 3 client group home. Blessings to all families who are affected by Alzheimer's!

"milesaway" you are not helping with your nonsense answers.

Look into work of Dr Carolyn Dean ND MD 30 years of experience and author of many published books on aging, dementia and Alzheimer's. Accurate recommendations for use of coconut as well as role of magnesium in above. Type keywords of concerns into 'archives' in box in right column to access printable/sharable articles from her blogs. I have been an in-home caregiver for many Alzheimer's affected clients over the past 20 years and found her advice invaluable to families using it. There ARE natural alternatives that ARE effective. Dr Dean is one of best sources of that knowledge. Alzheimer symptoms ARE irreversible. Blessings to all families affected!!

An option I use is to "Pull" a teaspoon of Coconut Oil (melted is best) in my mouth between my teeth for 10-20 minutes and then SPIT IT OUT. It pulls all the bad toxins from your blood via your gums. You swish it in your mouth pulling it between your teeth. Don't pit in Sink as it is a solid and can clog drain. May start Mom on this too as she tends toward the diarrhea and this would help alleviate it.

Great, Johnjoe. That's what I said.... whatever it takes, you try anything, we don't know what may work for one and not the other. With dementia... I say try anything! Glad the cats are getting relief, cetude. If only hairballs were my husbands only problem.

Nothing works for dementia, although I used some coconut oil for my cats to help with hairballs.

Of course pharmasutical companies, and some medical People would dismiss the notion that coconut oil is of advantage to Demensia and Alzheimer' sufferers, for obvious reasons, but I've seen My Mother improve greatly since I introduced extra virgin coconut oil to Her diet. Memory improved, and Mother is in much better form. Id say persevere with coconut oil, give it a chance. You will be amazed with the positive result.

The "coconut oil for Alzheimer's" bandwagon that had been going strong a few years ago has pretty much ground to a halt. Dr. Newport herself has backed off from her claims now that her husband has had some unfortunate setbacks in his health. See my blog post at http://bit.ly/1v8lxsY.

Sometimes people see what they want to see. That's what this sounds like to me. As of now there is no cure for dementia that is known. That is the hard truth of the matter. If taking or giving something makes you feel better them do it. Simple as that just do it and hope for the best. Sometimes if you think it is going to work then it will for a while anyway.

Yes, and NO, nothing will help the progression of one's dementia except HOPE. Look up the current A4 study and it so far looks promising...I use coconut oil on my face as well as eating it and it works fine, but I do not have dementia.

It seems to help some dementia patients, in different ways. I gave coconut oil to my husband... went thru 3 large jars. Nothing. Tried curcumin/turmeric .....again, went thru 2 bottles. Nothing, no change.
YOU try anything. You never know what will work for someone or won't work. But you try. Good luck.

I guess it depends on the degree of dementia the person has, maybe the type of dementia or IF they are on any other meds. my mother gave to my dad every morning on toast but it didn't seem to help him, so I am guessing if in early stages it might help slow down but if further into the disease, it won't do much. good luck

We noticed a difference with my mom's memory after she start taking coconut oil. We put a big spoonful in her coffee every morning and she didn't even know she was drinking it, but she had lost her sense of taste long before.

We had a bottle of cocoanut butter for Mom. That could have been an issue, We'll look back and compare notes.

Actually, coconut oil has been shown to increase your HDL "good cholesterol", not your LDL "bad cholesterol". So it may help some and definitely cannot hurt!

I am not a doctor Just someone that is showing early signs of dementia, look up Noopept (believe its spelled) I take it everyday to soon to know out come,I am younge 40's and take care of dementia patients(I Love My Work) so I am very afriad of where i maybe headed

My Dad has been using Coconut oil for over 2 years now. I never believed it would cure Alz. But I really believe it has made his behaviors more tolerable. He doesn't seem to wander as much and he is in the early severe stage of the disease. He does fidget and he whistles and taps but I usually can redirect him. He is also on 2000 mg a day of Niacinamide ( pharmaceutical grade ) which I crush in applesauce. I notice though if he is constipated or really tired that his symptoms are more pronounced. Sometimes I give him relaxing herb tea. Hope this helps. You are a good person for caring so much about your loved one.

There is considerable info on the internet about coconut oil helping dementia. Dr Newport's experience with her husband is one of better presentations. One Link below. (There are others)

Based mostly on her explanation, I have just started trying it (one week) with my wife. There does seem to be some small improvement in her balance, awareness, and speech already. Improvement enough so I am encouraged to continue.

According to Dr. Newport, Coconut oil is just a food, so there is no downside to trying it. Others claim there is a negative effect on cholesterol.

Coconut oil may seem to help for awhile, many people have said. Though one of the nasty side effects, diarrhea. If you have someone already struggling with this, I would not try it. There are some youtube videos that you could check out and the answer is split.