Coconut Oil’s Aid to Cognition Sadly Ignored by Famous Columnist

Coconut oil’s (CO) likely benefit for some cases of cognition loss, and even possibly Alzheimer’s disease, was ignored in a recent New York Times column by Jane Brody, the eminent science writer.

She addressed only the supposed harmful effects of CO, especially its component lauric acid, on the heart.

But we have to compensate for her unfortunate omission. A rising tide of scientific papers is showing that coconut oil, and some of its ingredients, can sometimes boost cognition in patients with Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment.

The main power for the cognition assistance seems to be in two of CO’s medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), caprylic acid (C-8) and capric acid (C-10). CO and these are available online at reasonable prices.
But remember—always check with your doctor first before starting any supplement.

If increasing cognition interests you, check out our recent news release. It includes a free list of medical research journal references revealing this potential of CO and its components. [Click Here]

This is most interesting: the major component (49%) of coconut oil is lauric acid. Lauric acid is an antibacterial and an antibiofilm substance. Glyceryl monolaurate was used in the study of this compound, and it was shown to inhibit biofilm formation. That very likely makes it a quorum-sensing inhibitor. So, it wouldn’t work in established biofilms such as are present in the arteriosclerotic plaques Yes, arteriosclerosis is also a biofilm disease, as are gout (I showed biofilms in gouty tophi) and rheumatoid arthritis (in the RA skin nodules).

I think cardiovascular biofilms are made by dental organisms, as is also likely in Alzheimer’s, because of the clearly visible calcium in the plaques/biofilms. I also believe the bacteria/biofilms are present first and the lipids get incorporated, but I don’t have any proof. The innate immune system (TLR2) is also involved here just like in ALZ.

The other really good quorum-sensing inhibitor is L-serine (which I take daily). Paul Cox wrote that people (Ogimi villagers on Okinawa) who have this in their diets have no arthritis, no heart disease, and no Alzheimer’s. He talked about centenarians dancing in the street and all were completely lucid.

Further Reading: Allen HB, et al. Arteriosclerosis: the novel finding of biofilms and innate immune system activity within the plaques.  J Med Surg Pathol. 2016;1:135).

Herbert B. Allen, MD
Professor and Chair Emeritus, Drexel University College of Medicine
Adjunct Professor of Dermatology, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Clinical Professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology
Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine
Board-certified in Dermatology and Dermatopathology