Dr. Newport, that's wonderfully encouraging news! I gave DH coconut oil for several weeks and then started giving MCT oil along with the coconut oil. After DH's heart attack last month, we stopped the coconut oil. I continued the MCT oil until 2 or 3 weeks ago when we obtained the Axona.
Our insurance covers Axona so it's actually less expensive than the oils. I feel that I'm seeing additional improvement after starting Axona. It's difficult to tell if Axona is the reason since AD is such an up and down disease but your DH's continued improvement, even after a year, is very impressive. We have another appointment the last of this month when he will be tested again. The journal is a very good idea. I wish I were better about writing things down. Please keep posting here with your DH's progress.
Great news and updates Dr Newport! i whish i could give more of the mct/coconut oil combo but DH has severe diahreah with even 1 teasp of mct oil so i backed off it again. so i am only doing min amount of coconut oil. even on that hes calling me by name every day now. anything is good at this point. best of luck! divvi
Divvi, It is wonderful that even the smallish amount helps your husband. I wonder if he would handle grated unsweetened (or sweetened, if you prefer) coconut, which he might digest more slowly to release the oil? I add 1/4 cup to each serving of our oatmeal, which gives 12 grams of oil and therefore about 7 grams of MCTs. Since he has diarrhea, once again start with a much smaller amount. Another alternative would be as coconut macaroons, which are just grated coconut, egg white and honey. You can substitute stevia for part of the honey if there is a sugar issue, if you make them; or look for Jenny's brand in the health food stores. The large macaroons have 16 grams of coconut oil (about 9.5 grams MCTs) and the small versions have 7 grams coconut oil each (3.5 grams MCTs).
You could look for any brand that has limited ingredients, such as coconut, egg white, and honey or sugar, then you will know that all of the "Fat" in it is from coconut oil - it should say on the label how many grams of fat per serving. I usually see Jenny's in the heatlh food stores either the large ones individually wrapped or the small ones in a yellow can.
Recipe: This is from Bruce Fife's "Coconut Lover's Cookbook" - 2 egg whites Dash of salt 1/2 tsp vanilla 2/3 cup sugar OR 1/4 cup sugar + 1-2 dashes of Stevia extract 1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened preferably)
Beat egg whites with salt and vanilla until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar (and Stevia), beating until stiff. Fold in coconut. Coat cooking sheet with generous amount of butter. Drop by the rounded teaspoon onto cookie sheet. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes. Makes about 18 small cookies. Each cookie this size would have 4 grams of coconut oil (equals about 2 1/2 grams MCTs.) I have made this recipe a few times and we like them a lot.
GEEEEEZZZZZZ. Wouldn't you have to eat all the cookies? Not that I couldn't do that but I am trying to watch my sweets somewhat. Maybe the raw coconut counts for more?
after calling around today i found the Jennies macaroon cookies at a local health food store Sun Harvest! the canned ones are the smaller ones there were 2cookiesx9servings in the can for 3.79ea can. so 18cookies or i intend to give him 2 small cookies with breakfast. they are SO DELICIOUS!!! wow- i also found the larger 2oz cookies for around 26dol for a case of 24!! at glutenfree.com if you cant find in your town. DH just gobbled up the 2 macaroons in the car on the way home and was ooh/ahhhing.. haha. thanks for the tip. i intend to use these daily. i got the last 3 cans in the store and told the mgr i would be back for more! haha. i dont think i can make these small cookies for .20cent a peice with fresh coconut. i will eat them too they are just wayyy too yummy to pass on. and no chemicals or glutens and just whole ingredients. i am very happy with them. i hope they give DH the boost like the coconut oil. i may alternate days to see. divvi
I happpened to have the ingredients, so made the coconut macaroons early last week and they are really good too. DH has been eating them all week. Maybe I'm delirious - but he has been lots better the last few days - even through the full moon period. I'm eating them too! I made the small ones (afraid of stomach problems) and have been giving him 4-5 a day. He seems to be more "with it" all day long now - whereas, before, he was good in the mornings, but got antsy later in the afternoon. Haven't had that in several days now.
Vickie, were you already giving coconut oil? I have been making popcorn (for myself, dh doesn't care for it) every evening for a week using 1 T. MCT oil in a microwave popcorn maker along with salt. After a few days, I noticed stomach aching in the night, which is unusual for me. No diahrea, just stomach ache. I discontinued the oil and stomach ache stopped. DH has never complained of stomach problems with the MCT oil.
No, Imohr, I haven't been giving him anything else - just his Aricept and Namenda, as usual. Don't know if it's just a phase, or what, but I'll keep it up and see what happens. I do plan to get some coconut oil to use though.
Coconut oils. full moons reaping havoc, mct oil, coconut macaroons, if we told the HBO documentary how we are trying to 'stop time' and AD with our own scientific concoctions, i bet then they'd listen:) they'd think it was catching and we'd lost our minds too.:)
Has anyone tried the Edy's frozen fruit coconut bars.....I don't know if they work for ad, but they sure are great for the caregiver.....real nice treat on a hot day, and lots of coconut slivers in them....Walmart $3.98 for 6 bars....enough medication for at least 1 hour////
lmohr, starting with 1 tablespoon is an awful lot. I started trying this on myself with one teaspoon and even that was too much. I cut back to 1/2 t., have worked it up to one teaspoon now. Maybe you could mix some MCT in with some other kind of oil to pop the corn, to build up your tolerance.
Perhaps those of us who do not have AD don't tolerate it as well as those who do.
You might have to try different foods. My hb puts the coconut oil on his bagel, then jam. I mix MCT in scrambled eggs. I put some MCT when I cook rice. I find with my hb it does make a difference with what food it is eaten in. Weird - no rhyme or reason to it.
If nothing else, the coconut macaroons must be giving DH energy! This morning while I was at work for a couple of hours, on his own, he vaccumed our outdoor carpets on our wrap-around front porch! He had moved all the furniture off and did it! Good job, too. We moved the furniture back together. Now, he just asked me what we are having for dinner so he can set the table! I told him and he set it just right. Maybe I'm crazy, I can't believe it's the macaroons - but, there you go!
vickie i am with you, i am completely shocked. i just started the jennie macaroons yesterday morning and my DH did not nap yesterday or today. hes been up and awake all day and looking at tabloid mags and 'writing' stuff in a small black booklet... huh?? for the last week hes been napping ALL day like comatose on the couch from 9am-sundown. he did nothing not even pace in the early pm. today hes not ansy just smiley and interested in stuff. i am thrilled.. haha. call me nuts but i see a difference in 6 cookies in 2 days.. and hes tolerating them stomach wise very well 'so far'...xxx fingers. divvi
Divvi, so happy to hear about your success too! I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. After dinner tonight, he took the dog out - without being asked - took a long walk (I always lag behind where he can't see me - just in case). Came back and in a great mood. Said he thought he'd watch a little TV downstairs before coming up to the bedroom! I've been giving him 4 cookies per day. Right -xxxfingers.
I made my own with Dr. Newport's recipe. I couldn't find Jennies or even our Kroger didn't have ANY macaroons! Couldn't believe it, so just made them myself. They are so easy. Made 18 small ones, so I give him 4 a day.
Why couldn't you just eat a scant 1/4 c. of shredded coconut by itself or stir it in cool whip or whatever? I think I might try it and see. Be no problem for me to just eat it. I love coconut. DH is another matter, but I think he would be ok with cool whip. That would be easier for me than baking the cookies. I would have to hide the cookies or he would eat all of them.
I think you are right, Imohr, you could do that. I love coconut plain myself. But DH doesn't. So I went with the cookies. I told him he could only have 4 each day since it might mess up his bowels. So, he sticks to the 4. He's not crazy about them since he doesn't really like coconut, but he eats them since I told him they might help his memory. Thought I'd start with that - and then may vary the "menu". LOL
I remember as a child there was an adopted grandparents in our neighborhood. She always made these no bake chocolate/coconut cookies. I have seen them made with oatmeal, but the coconut was much better. They were so good. Wish I had her recipe.
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk 3 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 can (3 1/2 ounces) flaked coconut, about 1 1/3 cups 1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional PREPARATION: In a large bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and cocoa; stir in the sweetened condensed milk and the vanilla, mixing thoroughly. The mixture will be quite stiff. Stir or knead in coconut and nuts, if using. Chill the mixture for about 30 minutes, then shape into 1-inch balls. Chill balls for at least 2 hours, or until firm. Store in tightly covered containers. Makes about 5 dozen 1-inch balls.
well in my case, the coconut macaroons are a blessing!! they actually can constipate you..haha.. nope not going to that topic, sorry! but i think if you can get natural coconut and shred it may be better, the bakers stuff is processed. divvi
Hmm -- I have no idea whether this would work, but what would happen if you put some raw, unprocessed coconut in the blender with some liquid or fruit? Could you make a "coconut smoothie"? I don't know if the coconut would be too fibrous to be pulverized.
I am thrilled to hear that the macaroons appear to be helping! I have had so many people contact me about the oil and diarrhea and I have suggested trying macaroons or grated coconut, but have not gotten any feedback until now. I have tried grated coconut in a number of things, even in scrambled eggs, and I put flaked coconut in with the vegetables when I stir fry. I put 1/4 cup in our oatmeal or other hot cereal pretty much every day. I actually make a "concoction" now for breakfast of about 1/3 to 1/2 cup dry oatmeal or multigrain hot cereal per serving, a dash of salt, plenty of cinnamon, 5-6 drops stevia (could use honey or sugar), 1/2 scoop whey protein (to make sure we get all of the essentail amino acids), 1/4 cup grated ccoconut, and 1 tablespoon of ground flax meal (contains omega 3s). I cook it in about 1 cup of boiling water for each serving. Normally I just double all of the above for Steve and I. This breakfast sticks to your ribs. I add part of the additional oil to Steve's serving and the rest of his oil to kefir (liquid yogurt) which he loves. For a late evening snack, I like to add 1/4 cup of grated coconut to 1/2 cup of ricotta, some flavoring (usually vanilla), 5 drops stevia (could use honey or sugar), cinnamon, and sometimes sliced almonds. I got the ricotta idea from the South Beach diet - they add flavorings and sweetener to it to make one of their standard deserts. I add the grated coconut to make it filling and get more fiber.
It helps to have a big glass of water with this much grated coconut to avoid constipation.
Those chocolate coconut cookies sound delicous - must try!!
Someone contacted me by email to ask if I minded if she sent a copy of my article to Maria Shriver. Of course, I am happy she would do this. I handed a copy directly to her myself in Washington and spoke with her about it but haven't heard anything since. I wonder if it would help if she received this and reports of how our loved ones are doing from a number of people? The same for the producers of the Alzheimer's Project on HBO.
I took my LO to her family Dr this week for a 6 mo. Medicine check. Gave blood and urine. She does have some UTI but does not seem to be serious. I did tell the Dr abou Coconut Oil and MST Oil and all the conversation on this thread. Dr had not heard of it so I sent her the Dr. article and several days she answered me and suggested that I up her dosage to 7 tsp/ day. And----she said she wanted to do more research. Seemed very positive about the subject. so I am now upping the MST. find that easy places to use it are, cereal, toast, salads, pototoes, any food on her plate that will absorb the oil. Will now try to put some in her milk and juice. You think it would work in a coke????? I have been using 2-3 tsp / day bu have not noticed any improvement in sypmtoms.
I decided to try Dr. Newharts cookies with a few revisions. I have on hand a couple sugar-free angelfood cake mixes that need used and really that is basically just sugar and egg whites and no fats. I bought a couple pkg. of sweetned shredded coconut and folded 5 cups in the mix. I baked some and they were delicious but spread out too much so for the last pan full I added a couple handfuls of quick oats and that made them stiffer and better. Next time I am going to try for more coconut and more quick oats. With the oats you can eat more :) I also recently bought parchment (first time in my 72 years) so tried it with the cookies and you don't use any butter on it. They remove pretty easily with a turner. Keep track of how many cups of coconut you use, remembering scant 1/4 cup per serving. I had 36 large cookies at 2 per serving. Bake at 325 for 20-25 min.
I bought some double chocolate muffins at Costco. I cut it into four slices and covered the slices with sweetened coconut (could not find unsweetened). They were delicious - chocolate and coconut!! Yum yum
After almost two weeks of eating 4 small coconut macaroons per day, DH is still doing better! I just can't believe the difference. Whether it's the macaroons or not - whatever it is, I'll take it! He now makes the bed every morning; removes dirty dishes from table and loads the dishwasher (correctly); unloads them and puts them away (correctly); takes dog out for walks at various times without being asked; will ask me if there is anything I need for him to do! Seems to have more energy, thinking is clearer, not so confused. I guess I need to get some coconut oil so I can vary our "menu". LOL
After making all those macaroons yesterday, today dh turned them down. Says they are too sweet, duh...this from a chocolate addict...more like...you know I don't care for coconut. Tomorrow back to the MCT oil and coconut oil.
Vickie, I am so thrilled for you both. It is amazing isn't it?
vickie, iwas having good vibes too about the macaroons but had to discontiue for a couple days as DH got bad case of acid reflux again and chokes on foods that arent pureed til hes better - the macaroon with all that coconut were a worry to me so i quit yesterday. will start again mondya but giving 1 tesp coco oil w/breakfast! i am going to alternate the two as well. good for your DH. hope it lasts. divvi
OK, everyone...I have a confession to make. I cannot stand coconut. When I hear or even READ the word, I get this watery kind of sicky taste in my mouth. I have to laugh at this site. (Not putting down the benefits of coconut, PLEASE understand)..but subconsciously I keep hoping it will go away and off of page one. But nooooooooooooooooo, it's up to an amazing 599 posts. I think I may make it 600. I'm obviously in the minority to feel this way about that yukky white stuff.
I may be the only person in the world who can taste the teeniest bit of coconut flavor in anything, be a cake, pie, ice cream, cookie or cocktail. The DuPont Hotel in Wilmington (a sacred holy place to my husband who was a DuPont Co. man for 38 years) is world famous for their Macaroons. Poor guy, ... never got a single macaroon after I entered his life 18 years ago.
Y'all just keep on posting about your Coconut stuff and I'll try to keep opening and closing the site to 'reset it to "0". :-)