Bad News For The Coconut Oil Diet

[Mark Thorson]

The theory behind using a diet rich in medium-chain
triglycerides from coconut oil or from synthetic
fats like Axona is that 1) insulin resistance occurs
in the AD brain, 2) insulin causes glucose uptake,
3) lack of glucose starves brain neurons of energy,
and 4) medium-chain triglycerides can be used as an
alternative energy source by brain neurons. 2 is
accepted science, and 4 is supported by studies.

A recent ex vivo study (in human brain slices) finds
insulin resistance in the AD brain as indicated by
its effect on signalling pathways. This is the
first reported demonstration of insulin resistance
in the AD brain. So, this study strongly supports 1.
But no effect was found on brain glucose uptake,
which strongly refutes 3. Insulin resistance may be
responsible for AD pathology, but almost certainly
not because of inhibition of glucose metabolism.

Demonstrated brain insulin resistance in Alzheimer�s
disease patients is associated with IGF-1 resistance,
IRS-1 dysregulation, and cognitive decline
Konrad Talbot, Hoau-Yan Wang, Hala Kazi, Li-Ying Han,
Kalindi P. Bakshi, Andres Stucky, Robert L. Fuino,
Krista R. Kawaguchi, Andrew J. Samoyedny, Robert S.
Wilson, Zoe Arvanitakis, Julie A. Schneider, Bryan A.
Wolf, David A. Bennett, John Q. Trojanowski, and
Steven E. Arnold
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
Volume 122, Number 4, April 2012

http://ibg.colorado.edu/pdf/Halter3_2012.pdf

A hyperlipidemic diet induces endothelial dysfunction
in animals. Several lines of evidence suggest
endothelial dysfunction has a central role in AD.
The suggested level of consumption of coconut oil
is 4 to 8 tablespoons daily, which is a huge amount
equivalent to from half to a whole stick of butter.
In the absence of studies that show a clear benefit
to high consumption of coconut oil, caution should
be exercised with regard to this diet.