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:

• Decreases cholesterol levels; increases HDL (good cholesterol)
• Acts as a natural antibiotic
• Improves the body’s use of insulin
• Boosts thyroid function for increased energy
• Acts as an antioxidant
• Acts as a great skin and hair moisturizer
• Helps psoriasis

If you’ve incorporated coconut oil into your diet, leave a comment sharing your favorite ways to use it!