Potential of coconut oil and medium chain triglycerides in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Chatterjee P, Fernando M, Fernando B, Dias CB, Shah T, Silva R, Williams S, Pedrini S, Hillebrandt H, Goozee K, Barin E, Sohrabi HR, Garg M, Cunnane S, Martins RN · Mechanisms of Ageing and Development · 2020 March
DOI 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111209
Objective
To explore the potential therapeutic use of coconut oil (CO) for Alzheimer's disease (AD), considering its unique fatty acid composition rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) that can provide an alternative energy source for the brain.
Conclusions
The review discusses how the metabolism of CO and MCFA might compensate for glucose hypometabolism observed in the AD brain. It highlights the neuroprotective properties of CO, including its antioxidant effects attributed to polyphenolic content. The evidence regarding the impact of CO on cognition, amyloid-β pathogenicity, inflammation, and oxidative stress in AD is presented. Additionally, the review addresses the influence of CO/MCFA on other chronic disorders that are risk factors for AD and identifies gaps in the existing literature on the potential use of CO/MCFA as a treatment for AD.
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