When you have a loved one in any stage of Alzheimer’s disease, your ears probably perk up when you hear of possible treatments. You might have heard claims that coconut oil is a good remedy, or even a cure, for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. This idea has gained popularity, especially as more people are using coconut oil for its supposed health benefits. With celebrities promoting it and stories from people who have tried it, many are trying coconut oil to see if it helps with conditions like heart disease, autoimmune issues, and dementia.

Members of myALZteam share positive experiences like this about their loved ones using coconut oil for Alzheimer’s: “I give coconut oil to my husband twice a day. I think it is making a real difference.” Another member said, “I started using coconut oil in our morning omelets after reading an article on how good it was for memory. Last month, both our doctors told me to keep doing whatever we’re doing!”

As Alzheimer’s rates rise worldwide, people are always looking for new ways to treat it. With few drug options available, alternative remedies like coconut oil are often discussed. This article looks at the evidence for and against using coconut oil as a treatment for Alzheimer’s.

The Theory on Coconut Oil for Alzheimer’s

The main idea behind the potential benefits of coconut oil for Alzheimer’s disease has to do with insulin, a hormone that controls glucose (blood sugar). Scientists are still studying how insulin affects the development of Alzheimer’s, and they don’t fully understand its role yet.

The brain cells of people with Alzheimer’s seem to have trouble turning glucose into energy. This is where the theory about insulin comes from. Some believe that coconut oil can help with this process, but more research is needed. At the moment, experts aren’t sure whether this problem causes Alzheimer’s or is simply a result of the disease.

Keto Diet Studies

The keto diet focuses on eating very few carbohydrates and getting most of your energy from dietary fat. This makes your body burn fat for energy instead of carbs. Many people on the keto diet use coconut oil as a main source of fat because it allows them to eat some more carbs while staying on the diet.

When your brain doesn’t get enough glucose for energy, it can use ketones instead. Ketones are produced when your body burns fat instead of glucose for energy.

Consuming excessive coconut oil to manage Alzheimer’s disease could increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.

One study examined how pure coconut oil affected people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease using a test called the executive clock drawing task. The study found no significant difference in cognitive (brain) test results between those who used coconut oil and those who didn’t.

Another small study showed that following the keto diet for three months improved cognitive test scores for people with mild Alzheimer’s. However, larger studies are still needed to determine whether the keto diet or coconut oil really helps manage Alzheimer’s disease.

The Evidence for Coconut Oil for Alzheimer’s

While there isn’t much research on using coconut oil for Alzheimer’s, some parts of coconut oil might have helpful effects.

The Role of Medium Chain Triglycerides

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil are fats with a short chemical structure. This makes them easy to absorb and use. They’re also a source of ketones.

Your body absorbs and uses lauric acid more slowly than MCTs, so the health benefits of 100 percent MCT coconut oil would not apply to regular coconut oil.

The MCTs in coconut oil might help brain cells get the energy they need, which could lessen symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. But research on MCTs and Alzheimer’s is inconclusive. Some studies showed overall improvements in cognitive function, but tests on specific brain skills like memory and language didn’t show significant improvements.

It’s worth noting that not all coconut oil has the same amount of MCTs. Many studies that report health benefits from coconut oil often use coconut oil with 100 percent MCTs. However, most coconut oil found in grocery stores contains more lauric acid than MCTs. Your body absorbs and uses lauric acid more slowly than MCTs, so the health benefits of 100 percent MCT coconut oil would not apply to regular coconut oil.

MCTs in coconut oil might also help lower risk factors for Alzheimer’s, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity.

The Role of Lauric Acid

Although many studies on the health benefits of coconut oil focus on MCTs, lauric acid in coconut oil can also reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk factors. Lauric acid helps form high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Higher HDL levels can reduce the risk of high cholesterol, which is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Lauric acid in coconut oil also improves insulin function. Along with providing other benefits for the brain, insulin helps brain cells access glucose for energy.

The Role of Phenolic Acids

Coconut oil contains phenolic acids, also known as polyphenols. These compounds act as antioxidants, helping to reduce oxidative stress, which occurs when harmful molecules called free radicals damage cells. This stress can harm the brain and may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

Potential Risks of Using Coconut Oil for Alzheimer’s

While more research is needed on coconut oil as a treatment for Alzheimer’s, there are some potential risks associated with consuming too much coconut oil. Coconut oil is high in saturated fat, similar to fatty meats and dairy products.

Consuming excessive coconut oil to manage Alzheimer’s disease could increase your risk for cardiovascular disease. That’s because saturated fats raise cholesterol levels, including harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Too much saturated fat in your diet can increase your risk of:

• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Weight gain and diabetes

One myALZteam member described complications from using coconut oil to treat a loved one’s Alzheimer’s: “Coconut oil made Mom a bit more aware but increased her cholesterol. A good diet did a lot more.”

The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to no more than 6 percent of your daily calorie intake, which is about 13 grams for a 2,000-calorie diet. To put this in perspective, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil has about 12 grams of saturated fat.

Should You Use Coconut Oil for Alzheimer’s?

If you’re considering using coconut oil to help a loved one manage Alzheimer’s, talk to a doctor first. A health care provider can help you weigh the risks and benefits based on your loved one’s health. They can help you determine which natural remedies might be helpful and advise on possible interactions between coconut oil and prescribed treatments for Alzheimer’s.

Your loved one’s doctor can also offer other tips for improving memory and cognition beyond coconut oil and other foods.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyALZTeam is the social network for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones. On MyALZTeam, more than 86,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s disease.

Have you or a loved one used coconut oil to manage Alzheimer’s disease? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.