Coconut Oil and its Constituents as a Treatment for Alzheimer's Dementia

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increased number of studies focusing on the properties of coconut oil as a therapeutic supplement for patients with Alzheimer's disease.  Primarily, benefits of coconut oil are attributed to the presence of medium-chain triglycerides, lauric acid, or ketone bodies found in the oil. Research of these constituents within coconut oil has been shown to cause the onset of cellular processes such as autophagy, ketone body regulation, and the reduction of oxidative stress, among other nonspecific pathways.  A discussion of the potential for coconut oil within the context of these theoretical mechanisms to impact Alzheimer's disease is provided, suggesting that the validity of coconut oil claims should be viewed with skepticism.