Many people are looking at creative ways to improve their memory. Between age, stress, and potential genetic factors, people’s memories often fade over time. With it making up a vital part of life, anything that could be used to reinforce it could be extremely useful. This is especially the case in the aftermath of serious brain injuries, where any help is sorely needed.
There are many products on the market that claim to assist with cognitive issues. Some have been cleared by the FDA and others are just breaking into the market now. Some have no clearance whatsoever and may offer a risk to the user. With so many products entering into the market and giving the consumer choice, it’s vital that all options and potential benefits are considered.
One such product that is being offered as a help for patients with fibromyalgia. Many patients suffer from the so called “fibro fog,” leaving trouble concentrating and even communicating. Other patients that have suffered from Alzheimer’s have also seemed to benefit from coconut oil. The medical journal Neurobiology of Aging has even conducted a study to determine whether the medium chain triglycerides, or MCTs in the oil is able to assist Alzheimer’s victims. The link between the MCTs and the disease showed that subjects’ memories improved with the use of the use of coconut oil.
So the science is settled, right? The study cited was only tested in the short term. There’s still tests going on to determine if there are long term benefits from such a treatment. It is possible that the MCTs are processed in the brain due to issues with the metabolism. Long term use may not bring the same result. The oil’s medium chain fatty acids, or MCFAs also offer a potential benefit, also being found in breast milk.
Is it time to go out and invest in coconuts? Maybe or maybe not. The initial tests appear to be promising, which could be a great comfort for issues with mental and cognitive issues due to brain injury. However, until further studies are conducted it may be just one part of a much bigger puzzle.