Coconut Oil And Alzheimer's
Alzheimer’s disease afflicts over five million people is the United States. It is a devastating disease that usually affects people sixty years and older, but can afflict people as young as thirty. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease that slowly robs the person of their memories, ability to think, and eventually their ability to complete simple tasks. In recent years, coconut oil for Alzheimer’s disease is proving to help slow the progression of the disease and in some cases, to help cure it, especially if used during the early stages of the disease. Coconut oil and Alzheimer’s disease is being researched more and more, and studies are showing favorable results.
What Is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease that is thought to be irreversible. Alzheimer’s disease is commonly seen in seniors over sixty years old and is the most common reason for dementia in the elderly. Alzheimer’s destroys the brain and causes memory loss, confusion, difficulty perform simple tasks, poor judgment, erratic behavior, agitation and difficulties speaking. As the disease progresses, the symptoms worsen until eventually the person is no longer able to take care of themselves and requires assistance for even the simplest of tasks. There are just a couple of prescription drugs available for Alzheimer’s; however, none of them cure the disease, they only slow its progression.
How Do You Get Alzheimer’s?
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown; however, scientists theorize that it is caused by the brain cells not being able to process glucose properly. Brain cells require glucose to function properly, and without it they can die. Alzheimer’s seems to develop in people that do not have healthy brain cells; brain cells that do not have enough glucose to function properly.
Scientists have also noted that some Alzheimer’s disease, particularly when it develops in a person that is younger than fifty, seems to be genetic. Some cases of early onset Alzheimer’s has been traced back to changes in one of three genes that are passed from parent to child. Research has also shown some connection between late onset Alzheimer’s that develops when the person is over the age of sixty, with an APOE ε4 gene.
Research has also proven a connection between poor nutrition, inactivity and lack of mental stimulation and Alzheimer’s.
Coconut Oil And Alzheimer’s
Over the last couple of years, the benefits of coconut oil for Alzheimer’s disease have come into the spotlight. Dr. Mary Newport first brought the benefits of coconut oil and Alzheimer’s disease to the attention of the medical community and the public when she helped her husband who was suffering from severe Alzheimer’s with it. In desperation to save her husband, Dr. Newport did extensive research and found that the medium chain fatty acids found naturally in coconut oil could be processed by the glucose starved brain cells, and help to repair them and get them functioning properly again. She started giving her husband a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil and was able to slow and reverse his symptoms.
The recommended dosage of coconut oil for dementia and coconut oil for Alzheimer’s disease is 20 grams per day. However, some people experience indigestion, cramping and/or diarrhea when first taking such large amounts of coconut oils, so it is recommended that it be started slowly and be increased over a few days or weeks. Some people find it easiest to take coconut oil straight, while others prefer it added in small amounts to their meals. The recommended dosage of coconut oil for dementia in the early stages or as a preventive measure is 5-10 grams per day. Only unrefined coconut oil should be used to help treat Alzheimer’s disease as most refined coconut oil has had its healthy fatty acids removed during processing. An extra virgin, cold pressed, organic, unrefined coconut oil is best.
At the moment there is not 100% scientific proof that coconut oil for Alzheimer’s disease works; however, the studies done so far look very promising. The wonderful thing about coconut oil is that it is packed full of healthy fatty acids, nutrients and vitamins, so even if it does not help with Alzheimer’s, it certainly will not hurt, and it will help to improve the overall health of the patient.
We Recommend
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Nutiva OrganicExtra Virgin Coconut Oil
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