Coconut Oil: A Hot Button?

03 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by Ann Napoletan in "Super Foods", Alzheimers.net, Coconut Oil, Diet, Helpful Resources, Mom, Ruminations

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alzheimers, coconut, coconut oil, dementia

Image courtesy of Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Coconut oil. It’s a very controversial subject in the world of Alzheimer’s.

Some online support groups actually ban posts about coconut oil suggesting any discussion on the topic gives people false hope.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s.

No survivors.

No cure.

Simply put, if coconut oil cured Alzheimer’s, well… I wouldn’t be writing this. In fact, this blog wouldn’t exist at all. What a wonderful thing that would be, but for now, as the saying goes, “if ands or buts were candy and nuts, then every day would be Christmas!”

Coconut Oil and Brain Health

Last spring, I wrote an article for Alzheimers.net exploring coconut oil’s potential impact on brain health. If I had known about it ten years ago, would I have tried adding coconut oil to my mom’s diet? You bet your bottom dollar. I would have tried anything in an attempt to stave off the symptoms for as long as possible. Am I convinced that adding it to my diet will prevent me from getting this insidious disease? Not at all. Do I think it’s the magic antidote we’ve all been looking for? No.

Image courtesy of Toa55 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

However, my *personal opinion is – no harm, no foul. I’ve replaced my old cooking spray with a coconut oil spray. I stir a teaspoonful of the solid form into my coffee or oatmeal, and I cook with it when it makes sense to do so. I also use coconut milk – simply because I like the taste! I believe there are overall health benefits associated with coconut, but my advice is simple. Do your research, discuss with your doctor, and make the choice that’s best for you.

Ultimate Guide to Coconut Products

Should you decide to explore adding coconut products of any sort to your diet, Lisa Richards provides an excellent Ultimate Guide to Coconut Products. On this page, she discusses everything from coconut oil to coconut flour to coconut….vinegar??! Yes, that’s right – coconut vinegar! Lisa’s guide is chock full of information; everything you wanted to know about coconut and more!!

*Disclosure: I am not a doctor, nor have I ever portrayed one on TV. The statements herein are my opinions and do not constitute medical advice.

The Numbers Tell the Story

09 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Alzheimers.net, Facts & Figures, Research, Washington

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alzheimers, alzheimers research, alzheimers statistics, dementia

Thank you to our friends at Alzheimers.net for sharing this infographic that so simply, yet powerfully, illustrates the inequitable distribution of research funding. Consider the fact that our government is spending over $200 billion annually on care for Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia, while the funds allocated for research equate to less than 1% of that number.

Bear in mind also that the recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Neurology estimates total annual deaths resulting from Alzheimer’s and other dementias are likely over 500,000, which puts it right behind heart disease and cancer as the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States.

Thank you, Alzheimers.net!

28 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Alzheimers.net, Blogging, Helpful Resources, Ruminations

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alzheimers, Alzheimers advocacy, alzheimers blogs, dementia

best-alzheimers-blogs-2013 What a pleasant surprise to learn that Alzheimers.net has included The Long and Winding Road among its five Best Alzheimer’s Blogs of 2013.

I’m honored to be included in the company of:

Bob DeMarco of the highly regarded Alzheimer’s Reading Room, a leading source of Alzheimer’s news with a knowledge base containing over 4,000 articles.
Lori LaBey of Alzheimer’s Speaks, recognized by Dr. Oz as the #1 online influencer for Alzheimer’s. Lori is also a sought after speaker and host of Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio.
The incomparable Norman McNamara, who is spearheading the movement for dementia-friendly communities worldwide and has had several face-to-face meetings with Prime Minister David Cameron who recently hosted the G8 Dementia Summit in London.
Rick Phelps and the fantastic folks at Memory People, offering the latest information as well as compassion, understanding, and real-time support for its nearly 5,000 members.

Thanks to these tireless advocates for their hard work and great example, and to Alzheimers.net for including The Long and Winding Road in their 2013 top 5!