Coconut Oil May Help Alzheimer’s Victims-Unproven!
Summary of eRumor:
A video from the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) television network reports on a Florida physician who is promoting the use of pure coconut oil as possible treatment for Alzheimer’s symptoms. She tells the story of helping her own husband overcome some Alzheimer’s symptoms.
The Truth:
The video is authentic and features the story of Dr. Mary Newport from Tampa, Florida.
Newport is a physician who runs a neonatology ward but became concerned when her husband seemed to be showing signs of early Alzheimer’s. She discovered that her husband had what she calls “diabetes of the brain,” which prevented brain cells from accepting glucose, which they need to function and survive. She also determined that there is an alternative fuel for the brain cells, ketones, which are in coconut oil and easily metabolized by the liver. She began giving her husband coconut oil in his diet and saw quick improvement in some of his symptoms. She has now written a book on the subject titled Alzheimer’s Disease: What if There Was a Cure?”
TruthOrFiction.com recommends caution when considering embracing a treatment such as this. The report is not based on clinical research and is the passionate story of a person who said it has worked for her husband. That doesn’t not constitute proof of any broad-based use of coconut oil to treat Alzheimer’s and does not include research about whether there could be any reasons for some people to actually avoid it.
updated 1/25/12