Dr. Newport's effective work on memory loss and Alzheimer's with coconut oil- Part I

[felinefurkids]

Fantastic and Thank You Dr. Newport! We have just started the oil here. I just have one friendly word of warning though. Start SLOWLY. Maybe 1 TBSP per day spread out over the day. We didn't know this and my parents spent the evening with vomiting and diarrhea. Projectile. I read up, and our bodies cannot handle sudden large doses of fat, even though this is good fat. Take it slow and increase the dose gradually. Taking it with food helps too. Please pass this info on - Thanks! :-)

[jeepurz57]

my moms in a nursing home 8th year since diagnosed, dad found out about the coconut oil, he started giving it to mom around 30days ago @ 2 tablespoons a day. I feel its made her slightly more alert. We dont expect a cure at this stage she's in but she's at least trying to put a sentance together which is more than weve had in a year. Its been 8 years of hell and worse for my dad so anything helps. I am going to start taking it and Id urge anyone with family historys to try it.

[Watchmydust]

I've taken it in a pill form. More costly but at least I take it. It's really good for diabetics. The brain needs oil...period. The mother's who deprive their children of oil on the ""fat free"" diets do great harm to the children Add i.e. I love this oil.

[ongalexander]

@Watchmydust YES!!! I'm so glad more people are knowing the benefits of REAL natural oils.. not those processed ones, and the prevalence of fat free diets has GOT TO STOP!

[NewageDork]

Hah what a coincidence, I live in Spring Hill. Coconut oil is veddy good. My dad's doctor recommended it to him and it's helped him a great deal physically.

[stanbalo]

i take VCO for many years now and it is God's gift to us!

There are skeptics bec the cure is such a no brainer. In fact i think medicines/pills are the ones that makes us sick bec it is artificial and man made.

Eating natural food is the best!

[padude64]

My Uncle is perfectly well today and is taking his drivers license!

[padude64]

My uncle had severe dementia from Alzheimers and I told him about coconut oil and he has been taking it for 3 months and is getting his drivers license back!

[BillyBobTS]

@padude64 very cool!

[medfriendly]

I'll let you guys continue the discussion from here. I have said what I need to say and people can consider that if they wish. I need to move on to other things. Thanks for the discussion.

[Gaait12]

Dr. Randy Ice, of Vintage Medical in Temecula, California was sent a report re: JAMA junk. "Randy is no stranger to Big Pharma's junk science and came back with an answer that, represents the type of rigorous thinking we all should be doing when it comes to analyzing mainstream media". The posts below are not in the exact order so read from bottom up please.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

Oops I forgot that I quoted Dr. Mercola. However, other Peer reviewed articles such as Assunção ML, "Effects of dietary coconut oil on the biochemical and anthropometric profiles of women presenting abdominal obesity" and Feranil AB, "Coconut oil is associated with a beneficial lipid profile in pre-menopausal women in the Philippines" do suggest some benefits of consuming organic coconut oil. I agree that essential fatty acids are also needed.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[medfriendly]

Yes u did. Here it is: "in 1981, researchers studied populations of two Polynesian atolls. Coconut was the chief source of caloric energy in both groups. The results, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, demonstrated that both populations exhibited positive vascular health. There was no evidence that the high saturated fat intake had a harmful effect in these populations" Quote from Dr. Mercola's web site, lot of info on coconut oil. kind regards Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

cont. The PAC rates in each of the 4 groups were:Placebo: 113, Vitamin E: 147 (17% RELATIVE risk increase), Selenium: 143 (non-significant), Vitamin E + Selenium: 118 (non-significant) So, if you take 400 iu's of alpha tocopherol, there is a statistical relative risk increase of "17%." However if you take selenium, or vitamin E plus selenium, there is NO statistical difference.

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

cont. If you take 147 - 113 cases, it equals 34 more cases of PCA in the vitamin E group than the placebo group. 34/35000 total subjects =0.001% ABSOLUTE increased risk. In other words, the actual risk of developing PCA is 1 out of 1000 more in those who took Vitamin E instead of a placebo.

34/113 = 17% - the "relative risk" increase, which is what is reported. If you were to tell men vitamin E increases your risk of PCA by a factor of 1 in 1000, who would care. On Naturalnews

[medfriendly]

The only peer-reviewed study I am looking for on organic coconut oil is the one that says it can slow down and/or reverse Alzheimer's but it does not exist. You did refer to the Polynesia study when you said ""in 1981, researchers studied populations of two Polynesian atolls. " And I am not buying into the notion that doctored data is published in JAMA, one of the pre-eminent medical journals. We're not going to agree. Ppl can read or views and make their own choice on who is right.

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

In all my posts I have not mentioned Polynesian nor 1981. I will quote the comments from other researchers on this JAMA articles when I gather them up again, then you can make up your mind and others also.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Randy Ice states, "Let's start with the statistical sleight of hand these goofballs use to come up with "17% increased risk." This requires an understanding of "relative risk" versus "absolute risk" and why they always report the former and never the later: Out of 35,000 men randomly divided into placebo, selenium, vitamin E or selenium plus vitamin E, there were 521 cases of PCA that developed over three years. The absolute risk of developing PCA is only 0.005% per year.

[medfriendly]

Re: The Polynesians. You are making the classic mistake of inferring causation from correlation. There are many other variables in Polynesia culture at the time that study was done that were cardio-protective besides coconut oil, such as high intake of fiber, plant sterols, other antioxidants, omega 3 fats; an extremely low sodium intake; and high activity level. Again, still waiting for the peer reviewed study showing coconut oil stops or reverses Alzheimers. All this other stuff is a sideshow.

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

I wasn't referring to the Polynesian study. Sri Lanka has the best data on coconut oil. It seems you still haven't read all the peer reviewed articles on organic coconut oil. I agree with you about the other variables which have a cardio-protective effect.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[medfriendly]

There are all sorts of reasons why any study may not get funded, but plenty of studies with natural supplements have been funded. Just look at how many government entities funded the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial. Bottom line is that someone needs to provide peer reviewed scientific proof that coconut oil can treat/reverse Alzheimer's disease before most ppl are going to take this claim seriously. Right now, the Alzheimer's Assoc. does not support this form on treatment.

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Granted peer reviewed scientific proof is necessary, however by doctoring the data as has been done in that study, the conclusion can be misleading. According to one the increased risk is actually only 1 in a 1000 which is negligible. However, in my experience I would never use or recommend the synthetic dl alpha tocopherol acetate because it is does not work like the organic vitamin E. Natural vitamin E is effective to reduce platelet aggregation, synthetic doesn't. Dr. G. Veurink

[medfriendly]

Sorry, but that sounds like an excuse to me. If coconut oil could really treat and reverse Alzheimer's, someone would fund it. After all, there was just a major multi-center study on the effects of vitamin E in treating prostate cancer and there have been many studies on published on other natural supplements. Not one paper on coconut oil's effects on Alzheimers. Until I see the data is a respected, peer-reviewed journal, these are nothing more than claims without evidence to back it up.

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Sorry that you think it is an excuse. A well respected, well known Professor/Researcher at the forefront in the Alzheimer's field (was my PhD Supervisor), has demonstrated in vitro, in animal models & pilot study that as testosterone levels decrease Beta Amyloid load increases. However he has been unable to obtain funding for a clinical trial.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Very interesting that you mention the vitamin E study in treating prostate cancer. The authors, if you will check it out, are from three different pharmaceutical companies who deliberately used a synthetic form of vitamin E (dl tocopherol acetate) in order to discourage the use of vitamin E for prostate cancer. Probably so that their patented drugs would remain profitable?

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[medfriendly]

@Gaait12 Sorry, but this sounds like just another drug theory company conspiracy theory to me. I guess the National Cancer Institute & National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine of NIH (funding sources for the study) were all part of the conspiracy too to in order to increase drug company profits? That makes no sense. If you would check it out, the authors were not trying to discourage vitamin E. The data and safety monitoring cmmtee is who recommended reporting the risk.

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

There is much evidence which demonstrates the clout that big pharma has on governments and the FDA. When the NIH or any other funding body provides funds for a study they are not always aware of the motives of the researchers involved in the studies, so they are unwitting in those situations.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[medfriendly]

Then why are you not applying for a research grant to NIH, the Alzheimer's Association, etc, to study the effects of organic coconut oil compared to a placebo on treating cognition and brain atrophy in Alzheimer's disease? Secondly, while it is true organic coconut oil does not contain transfats (I clarified this on my blog) it is high in saturated fat. But that's apart from my main point: there is no peer reviewed research showing coconut oil can treat Alzheimers disease. Nothing.

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

It is notoriously difficult to get funding for any treatment which is not patentable, because there is no money in it. Moreover, pressure from editors of medical journals associated with pharmaceutical companies often prevent the publishing of research studies of alternative medical treatments. In the video Dr. Newport is promoting the study of medium chain triglycerides (by Dr. Richard Veech) a fraction of organic coconut oil and something which is patentable.

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Yes organic coconut oil is high in saturated fat. So what, saturated fats are needed by the human body as well. It is important to balance levels of saturated fats with mono-unsaturated fats. Furthermore not all saturated fats are the same. Coconut oil has medium chain triglycerides as opposed to the long chain triglycerides. Peer reviewed medical journals have stated that nations where organic coconut oil is the main source of fat in the diet, have few health problems.

[medfriendly]

@Gaait12 Because when someone's MCT level goes above 10% of calories, it causes negative health effects such as GI upset, high cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, & worsening of liver problems in ppl with liver conditions. MCTs also contain no essential fatty acids needed for survival. All of this is relevant if you are feeding people high levels of MCTs, which can easily happen by someone spoonfeeding their spouse globs and globs of coconut oil every day thinking they are treating Alzheimers

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

All the peer reviewed articles I can find on organic coconut oil demonstrate that organic coconut oil unlike some MCT's on their own actually decrease LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol. Some do have GI upset but that is only temporary as their bodies are getting used to it. In the video we actually see & hear the Dr's husband speaking which he could not prior to the coconut oil treatment, no other drugs have had this effect as yet.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[eterrys]

@medfriendly MCTs account for 20% of my diet, and try as I might, my total cholesterol doesn't go above 180. I experience no GI upset, have low triglycerides and normal levels of liver enzymes.

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

"in 1981, researchers studied populations of two Polynesian atolls. Coconut was the chief source of caloric energy in both groups. The results, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, demonstrated that both populations exhibited positive vascular health. There was no evidence that the high saturated fat intake had a harmful effect in these populations" Quote from Dr. Mercola's web site, lot of info on coconut oil.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

There are many more good references listed in the position paper I mentioned before. Please read those peer reviewed articles and then give us your opinion.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Whilst I do not think that organic coconut oil is the complete answer to finding a cure for Alzheimer's, I do think that every little bit helps. There are many factors involved in Alzheimer's and organic coconut oil does bring about some improvement. A low carbohydrate diet is also needed as well as lots of fresh vegetables to provide antioxidants and raise extracellular pH. Other supplements which have been demonstrated to be helpful are Curcumin, Ginkgo biloba, & Bacopa Monniera

[medfriendly]

Oh, and the rat reference is not totally irrelevant. It's the only peer reviewed scientific article on any type of coconut oil on cognition and brain structure and the results showed worse memory and worse hippocampal pathology. You say the results would be different with organic coconut oil. How do you know that? Do you have a comparable study showing this with organic coconut oil? Should I fund that too?

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Yes it is totally irrelevant because synthetic coconut oil contains trans-fats which are detrimental to health including Alzheimer's disease. Organic coconut oil has no trans-fats in it so it is very healthy for you, just read the articles mentioned in the position paper references.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Ooh Yes please, I would really appreciate funds to do a double blind clinical study comparing synthetic coconut oil rich in trans-fats with organic coconut oil in human patients. But, unfortunately it would be unethical given the demonstrated detrimental impact of trans-fats on health. So a study comparing the impact of organic coconut oil on alzheimer's patients assessing them at the beginning of the study and at the end would have to suffice.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[medfriendly]

In terms of funding, the Alzheimer's Association and the NIH will gladly fund studies of any treatment that can supposedly stop or reverse Alzheimer's, which is what some of these coconut advocates claim. If anyone reading this looks at my Blog entry, see for yourself what the Alzheimers Association thinks about using coconut oil to treat Alzheimer's. They are aware of the claims and their position is that there is no evidence to support that medical foods, including coconut oil, help treat it.

[medfriendly]

The main issue is that none of the scientific peer reviewed articles you mention have anything to do with organic coconut oil or any coconut oil for that matter and treatment of Alzheimers. That is what you need to be able to have to make claims to the public that this is something that can help people with Alzheimers.

[medfriendly]

Please provide the reference of a single peer reviewed scientific research article (not something posted on a blog or website) showing that use of coconut oil helps to slow or reverse Alzheimer's disease. 

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

The position paper I mentioned below contains many peer reviewed scientific research article references. Your use of a reference about the affect of the synthetic hydrogenated coconut oils on rats is irrelevant because those researches did not use organic coconut oil. I know that there are not as yet any peer reviewed scientific articles on Alzheimer's disease but there are plenty which prove the safety of organic coconut oil. I will write one if you fund it L.O.L.

[medfriendly]

Hi all. For those looking for the entry on the MedFriendly blog regarding the cautions you need to take in believing these coconut oil and dementia treatment claims, see the blog entry from 10/30/11 entitled "Five Ways to Evaluate Suspicious Medical Treatment Claims". URL links not allowed here.

[medfriendly]

People need to be careful about this. Please see the MedFriendly Blog entry on 10/30/11 which documents cautions you need to take about the claim that coconut oil can effective treat or cure Alzheimer's disease

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Please give a proper link to your blog regarding coconut oil, I tried to find it but without success.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

The only caution needed about coconut oil is whether or not the organic coconut oil or the hydrogenated coconut oil is used. All the bad publicity about research done on coconut oil was caused by the hydrogenated coconut oil that was used in those studies. Hydrogenated coconut oil or COPHA contains Trans-fats which are introduced into it by the hydrogenation process and they are definitely no good for your health. Hydrogenated coconut oil is a synthetic oil.

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Read the position paper about the benefits of organic coconut oils. It also contains many references to peer reviewed medical journals. search Google for "coconut fats amarasiri wa dissanayake as" and an excellent paper PDF comes up in the search. I would provide the URL link but I cannot post that.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[Gaait12]

@medfriendly

Hi all. I've read your blog but my position is unchanged the only caution needed is whether or not organic coconut oil or synthetic hydrogenated coconut oil (Copha) is used. The two are totally different and cannot be compared or substituted. Therefore research on Copha cannot provide the good results achieved with natural organic coconut oil.

kind regards

Dr. Gerald Veurink

[newtonjoyce]

My father was using Aracept for years and he swore by it but never took it regularly. In the summer of 2009, he got really bad and I found out that he was not taking his Aracept and was not eating properly. I brought him home with me...2000 miles...and he could not communicate. As he was back on his meds and eating properly, he came back to being able to talk and take care of himself. His dementia, however, since then has increased and I am going to try Coconut oil to see what happens.

[LiberalPRIEST]

My question is are you staying that Alzheimer's is reversible or does it just maintain the patient at their current level in the illness?

[OzKnosis]

@LiberalPRIEST it looks to me like he was far worse than this before he started taking the coconut oil. So the supplementation has partially reversed his condition. I suppose time will tell us how much improvement he can eventually make as he has obviously not yet completely recovered. It's hard to say how much of the damage is irreversible or not.

[OzKnosis]

@LiberalPRIEST it didn't just maintain his current level in the illness. His test results soared immediately after first going on the oil, remember? He said taking the oil was like someone threw a switch and turned the lights back on , or something to that effect, remember? Try to remember. I suggest you try to remember to take your coconut oil too :)

[dragonqueen16]

Wish I'd known this sooner for my husband who has lived with AD for 17 years. We'll start now, but maybe it's too late. I'll let you know. Kate in Cambridge UK

[alaskaroy]

You need to give your videos shorter titles so that PART I, PART II, etc, shows up in the titles that we see! There was a hot button in the end of part I, leading to part II, but no such at the end of Part II so I cannot find Part III.

[angryamerican]

@alaskaroy

If you hover the cursor over the title you will be able to read the whole title.

Here is #3: youtube. com /watch?v=fIfY-lHDLRk

[janemacross]

I have never seen reduction in increase of Alzheimers symptoms in patients on Aricept.

[GrandmaCarolFlett]

We watched your video and then I started giving it to my husband who was very far gone with dementia, and within three hours he was speaking clearly. He is almost totally well now except for the shaky hands. I will try to also do a video response with the video he made.

[RealNaturalRemedies]

Very groundbreaking. Dr. Chaudhry with Real Natural Remedies is on the same page as Dr. Newton. Take a look at Mind Aid containing Medium Chain Triglycerides @ google Real Natural Remedies

[Annabel33]

This is so interesting. Dr Newport, have you got a presence on Facebook?