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.

Potpourri of Topics

30 Thursday May 2013

Posted by Ann Napoletan in A Place for Mom, Alzheimers.net, Behaviors, Blogging, Caregivers, Caregivers.com, Coconut Oil, Diet, Elopement, Grieving, Helpful Resources, Prevention, Products, Safety, Support system, Tips, Wandering

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petals This week on the APFM blogs, everything from GPS technology to coconut oil, which oddly (at least to me) can be a touchy subject with some. I’ve always been of the opinion that if it won’t harm me and there’s a chance it may help, I’ll give it a go – I have nothing to lose… especially where it comes to this disease.

On the GPS front, if you aren’t familiar with location based services in the context of wandering, it’s definitely something to check out. I would have loved to have access to this type of monitoring when my mom was still living independently. It’s pretty amazing, and available for a reasonable monthly fee. If you have a loved one living at home, this might be just what you need to give you some much needed peace of mind.

Last but not least, I recently saw an article that I thought was worthy of sharing. We’ve all been in that awkward situation – a friend loses a loved one. What do you say? Now having experienced what it’s like to be the one grieving, I think, “I’m sorry, let me know if there is anything I can do,” accompanied by a hug (if it feels right) is perfect. Nothing more, nothing less.

In the article, Carole Brody Fleet tells us what NOT to say. And believe me, it’s easy to unwittingly say the wrong thing despite having the best of intentions. I’m sure we’ve all done it. This was a topic at one of the grief classes I attended, and it was interesting to get other perspectives… things that I may have said in the past, I now realize are best left unsaid… Things like “She’s in a better place.” – innocent enough, and true if that’s in line with your beliefs, but it really doesn’t help the one hurting. Hell, five months later it’s still true for me. I know she’s in a better place, and I’m extremely grateful that she’s no longer suffering – but my heart still hurts more than words can begin to describe. The gap between what the brain knows and what the heart feels is immense.

Revisiting Coconut Oil

29 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by Ann Napoletan in "Super Foods", Coconut Oil, Diet, Dr. Mary Newport, Helpful Resources, Prevention, Tips

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Source: http://www.doctoroz.com

If your life has been touched by Alzheimer’s, chances are you would do just about anything to reduce your own risk of getting it one day. These days, there is a great deal of discussion about diet and its effect on brain health, and coconut oil is receiving a lot of attention.

In her 2011 book, Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure? The Story of Ketones, Dr. Mary Newport asserts that her husband has shown a marked improvement with the regular use of coconut oil. Watching a video on their experience piqued my curiosity, so I did some research and began trying to work it into my own diet. Finding ways to do that, however, has been a challenge.

I’m excited to have recently discovered www.freecoconutrecipes.com, which is loaded with ideas for using the oil. Up to this point, my favorite way to eat it has been in oatmeal where it adds just a subtle hint of coconut flavor. I’ve also mixed it into smoothies, but that tends to be problematic since the oil solidifies at between 65 and 75 degrees (F). As a solid, it’s nearly impossible to incorporate without leaving lumpy bits behind, but this article provides a great tip for getting around the pesky clumping issue.

When buying, be sure to look for organic, cold pressed, virgin coconut oil. This heart healthy oil is non-hydrogenated, contains no trans-fats, and provides plenty of health benefits in addition to improving brain health. Here are a few: