Coconut Oil for Parkinson's - "non-clinic... - Cure Parkinson's

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Coconut Oil for Parkinson's - "non-clinical" trial. Please Participate

fwes profile image
fwes
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Many of us have become impressed and have experienced personal benefits from adding a few tablespoons of coconut oil to our daily diet. It is frustrating that professional researchers are funded by drug companies and seem to have no interest in investigating the benefits of coconut oil. The purpose of this post is to announce the initiation of systematic data collection regarding the benefits of coconut oil. Details can be found on the site

tending-the-iris.us/coconut...

where you will find an introduction and copies of the questionnaires that will be used in the surveys. The goal is to establish a sufficiently convincing portfolio of success stories, summarized by aggregate statistics, to help professional researchers design and obtain funding to conduct clinical trials regarding the benefits of coconut oil for People with Parkinson's (PWP).

This is not a medical trial, it is data collection. Personal medical data are involved. The process is designed to protect private data, by using customary secure internet communication (not email). But there are no guarantees.

Since we would like the results to carry weight in the medical community, we encourage participants to have a systematic program (similar dose each day, similar pattern of consumption). Of course, we expect there will be adjustments over time, which is acceptable, if they are relatively infrequent and systematic. We do not dictate or advise CO dose. If guidance is desired, we recommend the writings of Dr. Mary Newport.

We ask for a background evaluation of the participants PD status before they started their coconut oil program and for reporting the evolution of their status on a quarterly basis (the first week of January, April, July, October). All PWP are invited to participate.

If some, who do not wish to take coconut oil, are willing to make the status reports, that would provide us with a control group which would enhance the quality of the study.

There are several lively discussions of Coconut Oil in previous posts in this Forum, which have motivated this study. A search with keyword "coconut" should bring them up.

We welcome your participation.

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fwes
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57 Replies
beauxreflets profile image
beauxreflets

Hi Wes,

I have been using Coconut oil for about 5 years and while I know it provides some benefit that allowed me to reduce prescribed medication dopa in take, my guess is, that it is a useful bridge re the blood brain barrier.

On that basis, Coconut oil forms part of the BocowoA recipe as a courier, and the results I appear to be seeing is a reversing in my PD condition.

I also get better results with Coconut oil towards maintaining my spine with decompression exercises.

Dosage is kept low - half a teaspoon every second day (as more does not provide any further benefit).

I was diagnosed 7 years ago.

Hope this helps

Regards

Andy

in reply tobeauxreflets

I keep hearing a lot about Coconut oil but what does it actually do to help the Parkinsons?

satwar profile image
satwar in reply to

There are two well written books out that anyone who's thinking about coconut oil therapy should read: Stop Alzheimer's Now and Alzheimer's Disease What If There Was a Cure.

Basically it is about getting ketones into your blood stream, which can cross the blood brain barrier. The ketones act as an highly efficient alternate fuel source for brain cells which are not functioning properly due to insulin resistance (diabetes of the brain), which is not allowing glucose to fuel the brain cells as in a healthy person. Basically it's about getting energy back into cells so that they can function properly again.

If your brain cells start functioning properly, then your Parkinson's goes away, except that you have to keep fueling your brain with ketones. The big question is whether past cell damage has actually killed the cells, or whether some cells are just rendered dormant. If they are just dormant then ketones could wake them up, then you have a miracle.

At the very least ketone therapy should help slow/stop the progression of brain cell dormancy/death. That's where I am after 3 months on coconut oil, with gradual signs of a decreasing tremor, my dominant symptom. My family doctor told me that he sees no signs of progression since I saw him 2 years ago, so perhaps some reversal has already taken place. I was diagnosed 13 years ago, and I knew something was wrong perhaps 10 years before I was diagnosed. That's a lot of cell damage to undo. I take a generous 8 tbs per day, but am struggling to keep my weight down, at this level.

satwar profile image
satwar in reply tosatwar

P.S.

My blood work after starting coconut oil has been truly miraculous. Cholesterol & triglycerides completely off the charts in all the right directions.

marimad profile image
marimad in reply tosatwar

I've not heard of this before, and my triglycerides were at 1400, what brand name and where can I buy coconut oil? If you please. Thank you.

satwar profile image
satwar in reply tomarimad

I buy my coconut oil at Costco but most health food stores carry it. One could argue the merits of various brands and types but the main thing to get right is that it is coconut oil, not coconut milk or coconut water.

You need to start slowly ( 1 TBS per day) and work your dosage up to at least 4-6 TBS per day to avoid intestinal upset. Get your blood work done as you gradually increase your dosage. With such high triglycerides it would be advisable to keep your doctor in the loop, but doctors are not always a good source of nutritional information. Your HDL / Total Cholestrol ratio and LDL levels should take a significant turn for the better as well.

Sunnysky profile image
Sunnysky in reply tosatwar

Hi satwar I'm interested in how you take your CO 8 tablespoons is a lot I take about six have done for nearly six weeks this last week my indigestion has been bad and I feel slightly nauseous all the time are you experiencing any adverse symptoms I'm persevering because I feel positive benefits clearer thinking words flow more easily been able to reduce my Madapar from 1200 mg to 800 mg also flow rate on my Apomine Pump has been reduced thanks.

Sunnysky

Es

satwar profile image
satwar in reply toSunnysky

Unfortunately I seem to have a cast iron digestive system, I just eat the stuff, so I have no inspirational ideas. However, I am glad to hear that you are seeing benefits, they sound marvelous.

Although coconut oil ingestion is very simple to implement it can be somewhat inconsistent in it's results. As you may know the "magic" behind coconut oil is that it elevates ketone levels in the blood. I recently read a book "The Art & Science of Low Carbohydrate Living" by Volek & Phinney.. These nutritional scientists discovered that the ingestion of carbohydrate sharply decreases the ketone levels in the blood. They suggest that the only way to sustain high blood levels of ketones is to stop consuming carbohydrates. This is a huge leap of faith for many people, and is much more complex to understand and implement but the ends justifies the means in my book.

I am on Day 6 of a 4-6 week low-carb adaptation period, and so far so good, but thank god for coconut oil, it helps smooth out the rough edges encountered during the adaptation period.

Sorry I can't help you more about ingesting coconut oil.

Sunnysky profile image
Sunnysky in reply tosatwar

Thanks for your feedback

Pheonixalight profile image
Pheonixalight in reply tosatwar

Thanks for your information about stopping consuming carbohydrates - I will send off for the book. I have also sent off for the book 'Stop Alzheimers' & my Coconut oil should be with me end of the week - so I'm game to try it..

satwar profile image
satwar in reply toPheonixalight

Please be very careful, and read the Phinney & Volek book carefully. As Phinney has said, you are swimming in shark infested waters, and this warning is even more so for PWP.

I have posted my ongoing progress at

healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

but this is for my body not yours, everyone is different, but it is certainly not a cake walk.

Pheonixalight profile image
Pheonixalight in reply tosatwar

Thanks Satwar, I believe that if you have the will to do what's needed, eating wisely & well, bit of exercise, work on having a good attitudee to life - it makes all the difference. BUT I get lazy and let things slip - I get fed up working on myself - and thats when forums like this reactivate my enthusiasm to try & do the things I need to do. I've got 2 more books on the way - so I am going to be well inspired. Hum? 'shark infested waters' - do you know what - I rather like the sound of that - hope there will be plenty of people around in boats to pull me out - if needed!! All best Helen

satwar profile image
satwar in reply toPheonixalight

Phinney actually said finding nutritional ketosis is like finding an island in shark infested waters. You need a GPS, which is a good understanding of the book. Unfortunately the book is not.an easy read. If you are at all concerned or confused you should consult with your family doctor. Unfortunately he probably hasn't read the book either, but he can certainly understand it.

Pheonixalight profile image
Pheonixalight in reply tosatwar

Thanks satwar. I have also bought the book 'Stop Alzheimers Now!: How to Prevent & Reverse Dementia, Parkinson's, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis & Other Neurodegenerative Disorders'. This mentions that the advice & method is very similar to 'The Atkins Diet' which I did many years ago & while on it I have never felt so energetic & well. This was pre PD. Thanks satwar anyway for the warning note ref difficulty 'finding nutritional ketosis is like finding an island in shark infested waters'. Helen

satwar profile image
satwar in reply toPheonixalight

You are a quick study, I think you are going to find the island. Please don't forget to register at fwes's "non-clinical trial":

tending-the-iris.us/coconut...

Phinney told me to expect 4-6 weeks for the adaptation process to complete. I'm buy a ketone monitor so I can see what's happening. He also said to consume 4-6 grams sodium per day (10 - 13 grams table salt). And finally cut way back on exercise during adaptation period.

Pheonixalight profile image
Pheonixalight in reply tosatwar

Thanks satwar, Could be interesting times ahead - Will register at fwes's "non-clinical trial"

fwes profile image
fwes in reply toSunnysky

I expect that many people run into this as they increaese doses, especially if they increase too quickly. I hit a problem as I went from 8T to 10T. With the approval of both of my docs, I added Ranitidine 75 mg - oral, Acid Reducer, aka Zantac 75 twice a day. Solved my problem.

Also, try taking your CO with buffering foods. Example:

Low Carb BLT

Make a salad with 1c shredded lettuce, 1T chopped dried tomatoes, 3T bacon bits (or tuna), chopped black olive and green onions to taste, 2T cool melted CO.

Make it ahead: I mix a medium bowl of this mixture, press into 1c muffin tins and refrigerate (to get the dose right be sure that if you make a 6-fold batch, that you fill 6 muffin slots evenly, etc.). Each salad will have 2T CO.

Eat a portion for lunch or as a salad with dinner.

Sunnysky profile image
Sunnysky in reply tofwes

Thanks for your help will definitely try tithe CO BLT

fwes profile image
fwes in reply to

There are some theories and some convincing personal experiences, including my own (post: coconut oil has changed my life) which indicate there is a benefit for Parkinson's patients. A lack of funding and interest by the research community has resulted in no clinical trials for coconut oil and its impact on Parkinson's. Satwar presents the case that is being made, by some scientists and doctors, accurately and succinctly.

The point of our non-clinical trial is to establish a coherent presentation of benefits for Parkinson's patients, which may provide motivation and funding for clinical trials. This approach has worked for Alzheimer's, where clinical trials are now underway. So far there is no reason to believe that there is any difference in the way that ketones nourish the brain in the Parkinson's group, compared with the Alzheimer's group. But since the ramifications and possibly the damage is different for these two groups, the response to coconut oil may also be different. That is the point of this study we are conducting. Please look at the questionnaires and consider the depth of information that we are investigating and consider whether you believe that this might be helpful for instigating clinical trials. If you have suggestions on how to improve this study we would love to hear them. If you are interested in joining, you are most welcome. This effort can only be effective if we have enough participation to make the results statistically significant.

There is always hope for a miracle, but we would be satisfied with improved lifestyle and perhaps a delay the progression of Parkinson's from coconut oil. Note that if that can be achieved, then the benefit is at least as good as what the meds deliver, and the downside of coconut oil appears to be less than that the downside of some of the meds.

Personal note on weight: the science says that the MCT's cannot be stored as fat, so coconut oil does not contribute directly to weight gain. An indirect possibility is that the body is using ketones for energy and leaves the carbohydrates unconsumed, which could lead to an increase in body fat. I personally am taking 8 tablespoons per day and have recently gone to a low-carb diet. I have lost 8 pounds in two weeks, so it is not necessary to gain weight as a result of adding coconut oil to your diet.

in reply tofwes

I bought today two jars of Coconut oil I will try it and see if it does any good.

though I am not really sure as to how much is a reccomended dose on a daily basis.

beauxreflets profile image
beauxreflets in reply to

I do not get additional benefit from taking much more than two teaspoons (25ml) a day. We are all different and I think it is a matter of finding your own level.

When I started I also found that I was better on a slightly lower dose of Levodopa.

Now I tend to take CO when I feel I need too. And it is a component in my current trial of BocowoA.

fwes profile image
fwes in reply to

I am posting a discussion that will provide guidance.

JackieMJ profile image
JackieMJ in reply tofwes

We just ordered coconut oil and will add it to our diet. I have been on the low-carb diet for about a month and have lost 12 pounds so far. How do I participate in your trial?

Sunnysky profile image
Sunnysky in reply tofwes

Hi again I'm pretty new to this sort of communication but am interested in participating in the studies where do i find the questionnaire you mentioned re C O and P D I have read quite a bit of info on ketones and the MCT so I'm aware weight gain is not a given in fact I've lost weight while on CO appreciate your input thanks Sunnysky

fwes profile image
fwes

I am having trouble logging on and staying logged on.

Please communicate with me through the site indicated above or by email to

notify-fwes@comcast.net subject coconut oil

Lillee76 profile image
Lillee76

I am new to this site since I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in January of this year. I do not have tremor, but the

neurologist said I had rigidity in my arms . and he started me on carbidopa-levodopa three times a day. I also have

PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica) and fibromyalgia. My doctor sent me to the neurologist because I had a balance

problem and had been falling a lot. I have great difficulty getting up from a chair, and I do not use stairs unless

absolutely necessary. I was so happy to hear of the results of the coconut oil, and I have been taking a tablespoon

in my coffee every morning for the past few weeks. I want to increase it in the hope of getting better. I do get

cramps about an hour after drinking my coffee with the CO. Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks, Lillee76

satwar profile image
satwar in reply toLillee76

Hi Lillee,e

Have you tried taking with food, most people recommend that way of consuming. If you're getting stomach cramps then I don't think you should be increasing until the digestion problem is solved. Maybe try two teaspoons spread out in the day. Some people take a while to get accustomed to coconut oil.

Lillee76 profile image
Lillee76 in reply tosatwar

Thank you, Satwar. I will try the smaller amounts spread out.

fwes profile image
fwes in reply toLillee76

Lillee76

Nice to hear from you. Coffee, carbidopa-levodopa, and concentrated fat eaech can lead to indigestion for some. Together... One approach is more buffering: skim milk, antacids, meds from your doctor. Certainly, adding some gentle food will help. Starting slowly and increasing the dose gradually is certainly prudent. I have had good results by gently melting 2-3T in 1/3c milk, adding this to 2/3c cold milk with a few ice cubes and mixing IMMEDIATELY in a mini-blender to a frothy state. Add a few drops of vanilla for flavor. Once a day I add protein powder and fibre (psyllium will reduce cholesterol). Sometimes I add a quality instant coffee. If you move quickly, this provides a smooth frothy shake. If you tarry, the CO will harden and it tastes like you ground up a candle!

fwes

jillannf6 profile image
jillannf6 in reply toLillee76

HI LILLEE I HAVE PSP AND would welcome anything to reduce e my falls /cannot get up from a lowish chair and have real problems with co-ordination.etc etc .

I am going to try some coconut oil and see if it make s any difference - I have just finished taking some co-enzyme q10 - v expensive to buy so a change is a as good as a rest!

;lol jill

:-)

Joanne_Joyce profile image
Joanne_Joyce in reply toLillee76

Lilee, I think it is very good that you are starting to take CO and I believe you will benefit as many of us do. . But I wonder from your description of your symptoms if you are having physiotherapy or taking part in any exercise programme. For example, squats are helpful in strengthening your legs so you can get up from a chair. I strongly believe in the benefit of diet plus exercise.

Lillee76 profile image
Lillee76

I am new to this site since I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in January of this year. I do not have tremor, but the

neurologist said I had rigidity in my arms . and he started me on carbidopa-levodopa three times a day. I also have

PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica) and fibromyalgia. My doctor sent me to the neurologist because I had a balance

problem and had been falling a lot. I have great difficulty getting up from a chair, and I do not use stairs unless

absolutely necessary. I was so happy to hear of the results of the coconut oil, and I have been taking a tablespoon

in my coffee every morning for the past few weeks. I want to increase it in the hope of getting better. I do get

cramps about an hour after drinking my coffee with the CO. Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks, Lillee76

Lillee76 profile image
Lillee76

jillannf6, I am currently taking half a teaspoon of coconut oil three times a day and hope to increase it soon.

I started taking too much too soon and had problems with stomach cramps. Take it slowly and I hope it helps you.

Lillee76

fwes profile image
fwes

JackieMJ, Lillee76, oldtyke, and all interested,

I got tired of repeating the same stuff here and having it age off.

So I have put the main ideas on my site

tending-the-iris.us/

Also on the site are non-usable copies of the forms for you information.

The actual forms are password protected to protect confidentiality.

Everything else is open for you to read.

If you want to participate, send an email to

notify-fwes@comcast.net

and I will send you the password.

IF I post the password here, it will be too public.

fwes (Wes Wilson)

Sunnysky profile image
Sunnysky

Hi fwes. Have just figured out how to find your other posts on same subject CO and PD from other people asking same questions it blows me away to think so many of us have the same issues there must be a way we can use that info for the benefit of all effected I will enter my details on the site you mentioned fews@comcast.net and await your response Sunnysky

fwes profile image
fwes in reply toSunnysky

Please re-send your message. The correct email is: notify-fwes@comcast.net and use Subject: Coconut Oil

Thanks

fwes profile image
fwes in reply toSunnysky

you can send me email at fwes@comcast.net

satwar profile image
satwar

Thank you for this post. Many of us have managed to get results with coconut oil but have been driven to massive amounts (10-12 TBS) and results were still quite variable. The more successful I was the more variable the results. When I read Phinney & Voleks book, the connection to carbohydrate jumped off the page at me and explained my experiences.

Long term effects of a low-carb diet are yet to be determined, but if I stay on a conventional "well balanced" diet I will be under the surgeons knife. If I survive surgery without harm I'll have unknown quality of life and be lucky if I get another 15 years (the longest achieved is 18 years), with well documented progression of the disease during those 15 years.

Besides if my blood work is as outstanding as it was with coconut oil, why would I be concerned about long term effects. My doctor certainly isn't.

fwes profile image
fwes

Many people have gotten good symptomatic benefits without going to Ketogenic diet.One of the goals of our non-clinical trail is to collect data on doses, long-term benefits, K diet or not, etc. Without KD, Weight control is an issue. KD for PWP is rather unexplored. Satwar and I are offering ourselves as KD-PWP lab rats, just starting.

Satwar has some Pet Scan data that confirms that ketones can move into the brain without Ketoses.

We need more data!

fwes profile image
fwes

Osidge,

My scientific training is primarily in mathematics, meteorology, and computer science. With the fifty year experience base, I can read most scientific articles with comprehension. With respect to bio chemistry and physiology I'm especially vulnerable, so I rely on sources, in this case Jeff Volek and Stephen Phinney, the latter of whom has a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from MIT and an M.D. from Stanford. I quote from page 115 in their book "The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living":

"Unlike long chain fatty acids that require assistance from mitochondrial membrane proteins to get into the mitochondrial matrix, the median chain fatty acids bypass this regulatory step. If we consume more medium chain fats and can be burned in a short period of time, our liver converts the excess into ketones which in turn can be burned by a wide range of organs (e.g. the brain)".

If my sources are in error, I would appreciate references to the appropriate scientific articles. Thank you for your interest.

satwar profile image
satwar

I beg to differ on several issues:

(1)The clinical trial will determine if simple oral intake of FFT (MCT oil + sugar + CO...) at the chosen dosage can improve a patient's health, not idle rhetoric. You seem to be eager to close a scientific debate which will continue long past our lifetimes

(2)There is no doubt in my mind that from my anecdotal experience with oral intake of CO, that avoidance of carbs are critical to maximizing ketone benefits

(3)My anecdotal experience told me that oral intake DOES work, which drove me to massive (12 TBS daily) ingestion for even better results, which it did, but also led me to uncomfortable up/down cycling between feeling very good and bad. The results were very positive but unstable. I found that by introducing more quality carbs into my diet I managed to stay a little sick while still retaining some benefit and without suffering ketone crashes.

(4)The symptom relief I am feeling with a low-carb diet are exactly the same as when I was consuming CO alone, only I am now immune to ketone crashes, and of course as ketone levels build-up my symptom relief continues to surpass CO alone

(5)When I was on CO alone (12 TBS daily), I prepared my meals with high quality carbohydrates and had no weight gain over a ~1 month period.

I have conveyed my experiences to members of the scientific community and they have expressed gratitude and enlightenment for sharing my experiences.

satwar profile image
satwar

My apology, I assumed you were aware of the ongoing clinical trial of FFT (MCT oil + sugar + coconut oil....) @USF Byrd Institute for Alzheimer's Disease

fwes profile image
fwes in reply tosatwar

Please be careful about what is being tested. It is not Coconut Oil. Rather, it is a manufactured product that contains less than 25% Coconut Oil.The USF trial is for Fuel for Thought (ingredients: water, MCT Oil, Sugar, Coconut Oil...) In the US, ingredients are listed in decreasing order of the amount used in the product. Being 4th on the list indicates that CO constitutes less than 25% of the mixture. In particular, lauric acid is the highest single mct in CO (50%) and it is also the one that has received he most attention in medical trials. In comparison, it appears to constitute less than 12% of Fuel for Thought. FFT did not work for me in one 2 day trial. I recently met another PWP who is following Dr Newport's 4/7 MCT & 3/7 CO recipe (21% Lauric acid). His large dose (15T/day) is having weak results. I also know of one case with satisfactory results with FFT.

The discussion healthimpactnews.com/2013/i... gives a good background on what is going on with MCT Oil and inferences that it is the same as coconut oil.

I fear that the USF FFT trial will be a failure and that since it is widely referred to as a CO trial, that this will be a nail in the CO for PD coffin.

satwar profile image
satwar in reply tofwes

I agree, even the built-in carbohydrate (sugar) load may be enough to sink the ketone ship, especially considering how much other carbs they may be eating. I've revised my recent posts accordingly.

satwar profile image
satwar

(1) There is support for low-carb ketogenic therapy for Parkinson's Disease in the scientific community:

Neurology. 2005 Feb 22;64(4):728-30.

Treatment of Parkinson disease with diet-induced hyperketonemia: a feasibility study.

Vanitallie TB, Nonas C, Di Rocco A, Boyar K, Hyams K, Heymsfield SB.

Source

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, USA. tedvani@ewol.com

Abstract

Ketones may bypass the defect in complex I activity implicated in Parkinson disease (PD). Five of seven volunteers with PD were able to prepare a "hyperketogenic" diet at home and adhere to it for 28 days. Substituting unsaturated for saturated fats appeared to prevent cholesterol increases in four volunteers. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores improved in all five during hyperketonemia, but a placebo effect was not ruled out.

(2) There is anecdotal evidence that Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and MS are all treatable with significant improvement of symptoms by coconut oil ketone therapy. All these diseases have been classified by some as variations of insulin resistance of the brain and classified as Type 3 Diabetes. The whole point of our "non-clinical" trial is to collect sufficient anecdotal evidence to convince a sponsor to fund a clinical trial for ketone therapy for Parkinson's.Disease. That's how the Alzheimer's "clinical trial" came to be.

cocokay profile image
cocokay in reply tosatwar

About a month ago I started drinking a breakfast shake with two Tablespoons of CO. My life changed on the first day. I am agnostic and skeptical by nature, but I am forced to admit that there has been a miraculous change in the way I feel. I'm confused because my shake is loaded with carbs. Orange juice, Greek yogurt, raw, organic honey, powdered malt, vanilla ice cream, and the CO. Hardly low carb, yet my energy level has skyrocketed, I'm less stooped, and my voice is stronger. My family and friends are voicing strong comments on the improvements. One odd result... my adult weight has pretty much always been 108 since I was 21. (I'm 65 now) Three weeks ago I was 108. This morning it is 111. Though I have the most stable weight I've ever heard of, I have always consumed lots of butter and cream. Your thoughts?

satwar profile image
satwar in reply tococokay

I think you should be asking Volek & Phinney not me, I can only scramble through their book looking for the answer.

Firstly I think you have very good genes and are "insulin sensitive", with the exception of areas of your brain which are "insulin resistive" (where you developed PD). Being insulin sensitive means you can tolerate lots of carbohydrate and not run into metabolic problems. Higher insulin levels reduce ketone production. Since you are insulin sensitive you avoid the exaggerated insulin response that insulin resistive people have, hence not shutting down the ketone production as much.

Does this make sense ?

cocokay profile image
cocokay in reply tosatwar

It's curious. Some of my grandparents, both parents & all 4 siblings were/are diabetic. I seem to be the only exception. I'm trying to get all my siblings on CO now to see what happens to them.

satwar profile image
satwar in reply tococokay

I think the solution for living with diabetes is insulin control. I did notice when I was using CO while eating a conventional "well balanced" meal that the CO had a moderating effect on insulin levels and prevented the big swings that I used to feel after eating sweets. So I agree, CO may be of some benefit.

Phinney & Volek "The Art & Science of Low Carbohydrate Living" suggest that a low-carb diet may be appropriate for controlling diabetes.

fwes profile image
fwes

Osidge

Until now, I have addressed your comments on their scientific merit, provided references to support my positions, and asked for references that support yours. To date you have introduced out-dated opinion (since you have provided no references). In your last response, you inappropriately attempt to add a contextual hypothesis to my source. I shall consider this discussion as closed unless you can provide current references.

The remainder of my comments are intended to be educational and to clarify my understanding of how mct's are converted to ketones. To be clear:

I believe that lct's and mct's convert to ketones by different processes and the the mct process is more efficient.

REFERENCE. Jeff Volek and Stephen Phinney, the latter of whom has a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from MIT and an M.D. from Stanford. I quote from page 115 in their book "The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living":

"Unlike long chain fatty acids that require assistance from mitochondrial membrane proteins to get into the mitochondrial matrix, the median chain fatty acids BYPASS this regulatory step. If we consume more medium chain fats, they can be burned in a short period of time, our liver converts the excess into ketones which in turn can be burned by a wide range of organs (e.g. the brain)".

[While the book is about lo-carb diets, this section is background material with no apparent io-carb hypothesis, entitled "Post script: Details of Fatty Acid Nomenclature and Metabolic Pathways"]

IF YOU GOOGLE "conversion of mct's to ketones"

you will find many discussions by MD's and scientists in support of my position.

For example, from UCal Berkeley Health

health.universityofcaliforn...

"Ketones are byproducts of the breakdown of fats in the body; small amounts are normally produced. Ketone levels rise when you fast or go on a very-low-carbohydrate diet (which can lead to a state called ketosis). ANOTHER WAY to boost ketones in your body is to consume fats called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), of which coconut and palm kernel oils are good sources. MCTs are converted in the liver into ketones"

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi in reply tofwes

Some may be gaining benefit from CO and that is good news. I have appreciated Osidges contribution for his point of view and clear explanations.

Fwes The referencing you have chosen leaves me somewhat bewildered as the same article you refer to above in support of you position from my reading is not supportive of CO and goes on to discount MCT effect. It says..

• Countless health claims have been made for coconut oil in recent years. There was even a book called “The Coconut Oil Miracle”. The oil is supposed to strengthen immunity, improve digestion, cause weight loss, slow aging and prevent heart disease and arthritis, for instance. (Interestingly, cognitive benefits have seldom been mentioned before.) As we’ve reported previously, these claims don’t hold water. Because of its MCTs, it does take a few more calories for the body to process coconut oil, compared to other fats — but any calorie-burning effect would be insignificant

Keep in mind that although Dr. Newport’s book focuses on treating Alzheimer’s, some of our readers have asked if coconut oil can prevent the disease. There’s no reason to think so. Other dietary interventions, notably omega-3 fats (from fish) and the Mediterranean diet, have been proposed for general brain health. Unfortunately, as several major reviews have concluded, there’s no solid evidence so far that any food, eating pattern, nutrient or supplement can help prevent age-related cognitive decline or dementia.

BOTTOM LINE: We wish we could tell you that the book makes a convincing case for coconut oil, but we can’t.

satwar profile image
satwar in reply toHikoi

I respectfully submit the following for your consideration:

It is accepted science on both sides of the "coconut oil" argument that "Ketones are byproducts of the breakdown of fats in the body; small amounts are normally produced. Ketone levels rise when you fast or go on a very-low-carbohydrate diet (which can lead to a state called ketosis). ANOTHER WAY to boost ketones in your body is to consume fats called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), of which coconut and palm kernel oils are good sources. MCTs are converted in the liver into ketones"

As for the benifits of "coconut oil", I have little doubt that the consensus building of the scientific process will extend well past our lifetime. In the interim each of us is left to choose and has the right to choose our weapon of choice against PD. Further we have no choice but respect each other's choices.

fwes profile image
fwes in reply toHikoi

Hikoi

I can understand that there may be some confusion over what I have stated in these recent posts, since there is been an interlace with posts from others. If you review carefully what I have written, it is all directed to a question of science on which I was challenged: can MTC's convert to ketones when the body is not in a state of ketosis? My personal experience is that it can and there are many scientists who agree with this position. One writer has insisted repeatedly that is not possible.

This is not a question of personalities are choosing your favorite horse. It is a question of do we stick with correct science, or do we invent as we go. All current references that I can find insist that the body will convert surplus MCT's to ketones, even when the body is not in the state of ketosis. Is there alternative scientific evidence on this issue? I have asked repeatedly for references and none has been forthcoming.

In my discussion of these issues, I intentionally introduced a supporting statement from an unfriendly source, the Berkeley health article, which contests the many claims that coconut oil has curative properties. My intention was to show that those, who differ with regard to the medical benefits of coconut oil, come to agreement on the science of physiological processes by which MCT's convert to ketones. I can find no evidence that this is a contested issue of science.

Silly season begins: You chide me for referring to such an article, since it does not support curative powers of coconut oil. I therefore challenge you find a word I have written in this post or any post where I claim curative properties for coconut oil for PD or for any other ailment. I have never made such a claim.

I have stated on occasion that I can hope that something might be discovered someday. I have PD. It is advancing. I can observe the endgame in others. Most certainly I would be grateful for the discovery of a cure in time for me, regardless of the nature cure. As a scientist who has watched many fields flow and ebb, I am not encouraged by the timid baby steps that permeates most mainstream PD research.

If you know of science that I do not know, I am always open to improving my education. If your main effort is to put words in my mouth, which I never uttered, and then to ridicule me on the basis of those words, have your fun.

Please remember others read these words who are not sophisticated about the science. I want to keep the scientific record clear and accurate so that they do not get confused about resolved issues. There is ample confusion in the many unresolved issues.

It does seem to help but I cannot buy the capsules in the UK and have to send to the USA for them

not really convenient.

The stuff out of the jars makes me gip but I use that in cooking for curries etc.

fwes profile image
fwes in reply to

You are not alone. Capsules are expensive and inconvenient if you are taking large doses of CO.

1T CO is 14 grams, which is 14 1g capsules.

"The stuff out of the jars makes me gip". I find that I get nauseous on a few tablespoons of CO that contains the flavor and odor, but that I can tolerate the Pure CO as an addition to food. I use Lou Ana Pure CO (Walmart $6/qt). tropicaltraditions.com/ has a similar product.

However you take it, it is important to have a consistent measure of your daily dose, knowing how much CO is in YOUR serving of food, etc. I have put several recipes on the web site tending-the-iris.us. For me, a winter favorite is to add the CO to hot soup. Most soups have a little fat on top, and I really don't notice the CO in the soup.

Community: How about some help? Please share your recipes for CO in food.

in reply tofwes

I will use the hard coconut oil in making curry to saute the onions instead of oil.

It does give the curry a certain flavour. Also a tablespoon the coconut oil is nice stirred into a milk pudding with a little grated Orange or lemon zest.

Ramuu profile image
Ramuu

Interesting ; I am already on coconut oil since over 3 months 2times x 2 TBS , but the link given by you has some temporary problem , not opening " This site is temporarily unavailable " , i will try later and input my information

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