Coconut Oil as a Treatment for Dementia: My Story

By Catherine Frayne

Coconut oil as a treatment for dementia is a subject many of my caregivers ask about. I was blessed to meet, Catherine Frayne, author and caregiver. She has agreed to be a contributing editor on our site. She will share her experiences with her mother and the use of coconut oil as a treatment for dementia.

‘Where is it we are going again Catherine?’ Mammy asks for the umpteenth time. To the hospital for your appointment Mam’, I calmly respond. ‘Oh and what’s this it’s for? Sure there’s nothing wrong with me is there?’ ‘Ah no, it’s just a memory test Mam’. ‘Oh that’s right, that’s grand. Aren’t they taking great interest in me at my age? Thank God I don’t have Alzheimer’s anyway.

I’d rather lose my legs than have that’, she happily announces. My heart sinks as I recall the Geriatrician's diagnosis a year before. ‘I’m afraid your Mother has Alzheimer’s. Her quality of her life will seriously deteriorate over the next twelve months’.

The above paragraph appears on the back cover of my book ‘Thoughts of Yesterday’. And is a mild sign of where my Mother was at with Alzheimer’s, in 2010.

As the cruelty of the disease progressed, I was introduced to the darker sides of Alzheimer’s. Aggression, severe and repeated kidney infections and constant confusion and repetition are unwanted behaviors of dementia. I desperately wished that I did not have to witness the living death in my Mother’s beautiful eyes. I longed for an exit, an absence, so that I could remember my Mammy as she used to be.

Thankfully the qualities that I inherited from my Mother won through. And ensured that nature, nurture and love won the battle I was fighting within.

In 2012 I heard about Dr Mary Newport. She found that Unhydrogenated Coconut Oil helped her husband Steve. He was also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

We began by putting the oil into Mammy’s porridge every morning. After just two weeks we noticed improvements in her short term memory.

The remarkable advancements continued and, as they did, I kept a journal.

The introduction of the oil in Mammy’s diet has filled my life with the sweetest of memories. I am more than happy to share with you all, over the coming months.

Coconut oil offers potential benefits for dementia.

Studies have shown that dementia patients who take coconut oil may experience an increase in short-term memory and cognitive function. Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are easily absorbed by the body and can be used as an energy source for the brain.

This allows dementia patients to access their stored memories more quickly, improving their ability to think clearly and recall information better. In addition, MCTs found in coconut oil help reduce inflammation in the hippocampus - an area of the brain associated with learning and memory - which can improve dementia symptoms further.

More on the Benefits of Coconut Oil with Dementia

If you or someone you know is living with dementia, adding coconut oil to their daily diet may be worth considering as a way to manage dementia symptoms. Including a quality, organic coconut oil in your dementia patient's diet may provide numerous benefits when it comes to managing dementia symptoms.

The MCTs found in coconut oil can help with short-term memory recall and improve cognitive function, while reducing inflammation in the hippocampus which is associated with learning and memory.

Coconut oil is also easy to incorporate into meals or snacks, making it an ideal choice for dementia patients who have difficulty swallowing pills or tablets. With regular use, dementia patients may experience improved cognitive abilities and a better quality of life overall. Try adding some coconut oil to your dementia patient's diet today!

Coconut oil and its powerful MCTs have been found to be effective in promoting brain health and preventing Alzheimer’s and dementia. In recent years, coconut oil has gone from being considered an unhealthy fat to a superfood with numerous benefits. While it has always been revered in countries like Asia and the South Pacific, the rest of the world is finally catching on to its potential.

Traditionally, populations that incorporate coconut oil into their diets have enjoyed excellent overall health, with low rates of stroke and heart disease. However, the use of coconut oil as a treatment for Alzheimer’s and dementia is still a topic of debate. While there is convincing evidence that it can slow down and even reverse the progression of these degenerative brain diseases, its claims are yet to be fully scrutinized by scientists.

Coconut Oil and Why Our Brains Need Dietary Fats

Regardless of its potential as a treatment, it is important to understand why our brains need dietary fats. The brain is made up of about 60% fat and relies on the quality of the fats we consume to maintain healthy cell membranes. These membranes play a crucial role in brain function and health by regulating what enters and exits the brain cells. Unhealthy trans fats, like those found in processed oils, can impair the efficiency and lifespan of brain cells.

Unfortunately, the low-fat diet trend has had detrimental effects on our brains. Experts believe that the increase in brain disorders like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and Alzheimer’s may be linked to the lack of healthy fats in our diets. Contrary to popular belief, plant-based fats like canola, soy, and sunflower oils are not the healthiest options due to their high trans fat content and chemical rancidity.

Thankfully, there are plenty of brain-boosting fats available, such as avocados, nuts, fatty cold-water fish, and olive oil. However, coconut oil stands out as a unique source of brain fuel. Unlike most plant-based oils, coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are easier to break down and serve as a backup energy source for the brain. MCTs are vital for brain development and can be found abundantly in human breast milk.

Coconut Oil is an Energy Supply for the Brain

The brain requires a constant supply of energy, as it does not have energy storage capabilities. While glucose from carbohydrates is the usual source of energy, there are times when the brain cannot access enough glucose. This is where coconut oil comes in. It bypasses glucose metabolism and provides direct energy to the brain cells. The liver breaks down stored fat to produce ketones, which are readily used by the brain for energy. Ketones can cross the blood-brain barrier and offer an immediate energy boost.

While a high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet is one way to increase ketone production, not everyone is willing or able to adopt this lifestyle. This is where coconut oil with its MCTs becomes a convenient solution. It provides a workaround for accessing ketones without major dietary changes. Whether it’s for preventing Alzheimer’s, promoting brain health, or supplying a reliable source of energy, coconut oil and its MCTs offer a promising option worth considering.