Possible Role of Butyrylcholinesterase in Fat Loss and Decreases in Inflammatory Levels in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis after Treatment with Epigallocatechin Gallate and Coconut Oil: A Pilot Study.

(1) Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterised by the loss of muscle throughout the course of the disease, which in many cases is accompanied by obesity and related to inflammation. Nonetheless, consuming epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and ketone bodies (especially ß-hydroxybutyrate (ßHB)) produced after metabolising coconut oil, have exhibited anti-inflammatory effects and a decrease in body fat. In addition, butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), seems to be related to the pathogenesis of the disease associated with inflammation, and serum concentrations have been related to lipid metabolism. Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the role of BuChE in the changes caused after treatment with EGCG and ketone bodies on the levels of body fat and inflammation state in MS patients. (2) Methods. A pilot study was conducted for 4 months with 51 MS patients who were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group received 800 mg of EGCG and 60 mL of coconut oil, and the control group was prescribed a placebo. Fat percentage and concentrations of the butyrylcholinesterase enzyme (BuChE), paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity, triglycerides, interleukin 6 (IL-6), albumin and ßHB in serum were measured. (3) Results. The intervention group exhibited significant decreases in IL-6 and fat percentage and significant increases in BuChE, ßHB, PON1, albumin and functional capacity (determined by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)). On the other hand, the control group only exhibited a decrease in IL-6. After the intervention, BuChE was positively correlated with the activity of PON1, fat percentage and triglycerides in the intervention group, whereas these correlations were not observed in the control group (4). Conclusions. BuChE seems to have an important role in lipolytic activity and the inflammation state in MS patients, evidenced after administering EGCG and coconut oil as a ßHB source.

Progressive cerebellar atrophy in a patient with complex II and III deficiency and a novel deleterious variant in SDHA: A Counseling Conundrum.

BACKGROUND: Complex II is an essential component of the electron transport chain, linking it with the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Its four subunits are encoded in the nuclear genome, and deleterious variants in these genes, including SDHA (OMIM 600857), are associated with a wide range of symptoms including neurological disease, cardiomyopathy, and neoplasia (paraganglioma-pheochromocytomas (PGL/PCC), and gastrointestinal stromal tumors). Deleterious variants of SDHA are most frequently associated with Leigh and Leigh-like syndromes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we describe a case of a 9-year-old boy with tremor, nystagmus, hypotonia, developmental delay, significant ataxia, and progressive cerebellar atrophy. He was found to have biallelic variants in SDHA, a known pathogenic variant (c.91C>T (p.R31*)), and a variant of unknown significance (c.454G>A (p.E152K)). Deficient activity of complexes II and III was detected in fibroblasts from the patient consistent with a diagnosis of a respiratory chain disorder. CONCLUSION: We, therefore, consider whether c.454G>A (p.E152K) is, indeed, a pathogenic variant, and what implications it has for family members who carry the same variant.

Improvement of Main Cognitive Functions in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease after Treatment with Coconut Oil Enriched Mediterranean Diet: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder (mainly in women), and new therapies are needed. In this way, ketone bodies are a direct source of cellular energy and can be obtained from coconut oil, postulating that coconut oil could be a new non-pharmacological alternative in AD patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to detect changes in the main cognitive functions of patients with AD after following a coconut oil enriched Mediterranean diet, and to determine whether there are differences in function of stage or sex. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, qualitative, analytic, experimental study was carried out in 44 patients with AD, who were randomly divided into two homogenous groups of 22 patients each: an experimental group of patients who followed a coconut oil enriched Mediterranean diet for 21 days and a control group. In order to determine the cognitive changes after the intervention, we carried out the 7 Minute Screen, which analyses temporal orientation, visuospatial and visuoconstructive abilities, and semantic and episodic memory. RESULTS: After intervention with coconut oil, improvements in episodic, temporal orientation, and semantic memory were observed, and it seems that the positive effect is more evident in women with mild-moderate state, although other improvements in males and severe state were also shown. CONCLUSIONS: The isocaloric coconut oil enriched Mediterranean diet seems to improve cognitive functions in patients with AD, with differences according to patient sex and degree of severity of the disease, although more studies in this line are needed.

How does coconut oil affect cognitive performance in alzheimer patients? / Influencia del aceite de coco en enfermos de alzhéimer a nivel cognitivo

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative dementia in developed world. This fact, coupled with the lack cure, makes new no pharmacological therapeutic strategies such as nutrient management to investigate. In this regard, it stresses the possible influence of coconut oil as alternative energy source capable of stopping the progressively neuronal death that occurs in this disease. Objectives: To assess the cognitive impact of coconut oil in Alzheimer's patients, and specifically in orientation, language-building, fixing, calculation-concentration and memory areas. Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, qualitative, analytical and experimental study through a clinical trial where 44 patients with Alzheimer's in region of Ribera (Valencia), of which half was selected to receive during 21 days, 40 ml coconut oil daily divided between breakfast (20 ml) and food (20 ml). Before and after administration of the oil, they were evaluated through cognitive test Mini-Mental State Examination to determine possible changes. Results: It was observed in patients who received coconut oil, that cognitive improvement after completion of the intervention, statistically significant improved in the orientation and language-construction areas. Conclusions: Coconut oil appears to improve cognitive abilities of Alzheimer's patients, with different intensity depending on the cognitive area.

Introducción: la enfermedad de Alzheimer es a día de hoy la demencia neurodegenerativa con mayor prevalencia en el primer mundo. Este hecho, unido a la falta de tratamiento farmacológico que cure la enfermedad, hace que se estudien nuevas estrategias terapéuticas no farmacológicas como es la administración de nutrientes. En este sentido, destaca la posible influencia del aceite de coco como fuente energética alternativa, capaz de frenar la muerte neuronal que se produce de modo progresivo en esta enfermedad. Objetivos: valorar el impacto del aceite de coco a nivel cognitivo en pacientes de alzhéimer, y concretamente en las áreas de orientación, lenguaje-construcción, fijación, cálculo-concentración y memoria. Métodos: estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, cualitativo, analítico y experimental a través de un ensayo clínico, donde se seleccionaron a 44 pacientes con alzhéimer de la zona de la Ribera (Comunidad Valenciana), de los cuales a la mitad se le administró durante 21 días, 40 ml diarios de aceite de coco repartidos entre desayuno (20 ml) y comida (20 ml). Antes y después de la administración del aceite, se les valoró a través del test cognitivo Mini-Examen Cognoscitivo, para determinar los posibles cambios. Resultados: en los enfermos que tomaron el aceite de coco se observó una mejora cognitiva tras finalizar la intervención, siendo estadísticamente significativa en las áreas de orientación y lenguaje-construcción. Conclusiones: el aceite de coco parece mejorar la capacidad cognitiva de los enfermos de alzhéimer, variando la intensidad de la misma en función del área cognitiva.

Influencia del aceite de coco en enfermos de alzhéimer a nivel cognitivo / How does coconut oil affect cognitive performance in alzheimer patients?

Introducción: la enfermedad de Alzheimer es a día de hoy la demencia neurodegenerativa con mayor prevalencia en el primer mundo. Este hecho, unido a la falta de tratamiento farmacológico que cure la enfermedad, hace que se estudien nuevas estrategias terapéuticas no farmacológicas como es la administración de nutrientes. En este sentido, destaca la posible influencia del aceite de coco como fuente energética alternativa, capaz de frenar la muerte neuronal que se produce de modo progresivo en esta enfermedad. Objetivos: valorar el impacto del aceite de coco a nivel cognitivo en pacientes de alzhéimer, y concretamente en las áreas de orientación, lenguaje-construcción, fijación, cálculo-concentración y memoria. Métodos: estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, cualitativo, analítico y experimental a través de un ensayo clínico, donde se seleccionaron a 44 pacientes con alzhéimer de la zona de la Ribera (Comunidad Valenciana), de los cuales a la mitad se le administró durante 21 días, 40 ml diarios de aceite de coco repartidos entre desayuno (20 ml) y comida (20 ml). Antes y después de la administración del aceite, se les valoró a través del test cognitivo Mini-Examen Cognoscitivo, para determinar los posibles cambios. Resultados: en los enfermos que tomaron el aceite de coco se observó una mejora cognitiva tras finalizar la intervención, siendo estadísticamente significativa en las áreas de orientación y lenguaje-construcción. Conclusiones: el aceite de coco parece mejorar la capacidad cognitiva de los enfermos de alzhéimer, variando la intensidad de la misma en función del área cognitiva (AU)

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative dementia in developed world. This fact, coupled with the lack cure, makes new no pharmacological therapeutic strategies such as nutrient management to investigate. In this regard, it stresses the possible influence of coconut oil as alternative energy source capable of stopping the progressively neuronal death that occurs in this disease. Objectives: To assess the cognitive impact of coconut oil in Alzheimer’s patients, and specifi cally in orientation, language-building, fixing, calculation-concentration and memory areas. Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, qualitative, analytical and experimental study through a clinical trial where 44 patients with Alzheimer’s in region of Ribera (Valencia), of which half was selected to receive during 21 days, 40 ml coconut oil daily divided between breakfast (20 ml) and food (20 ml). Before and after administration of the oil, they were evaluated through cognitive test Mini-Mental State Examination to determine possible changes. Results: It was observed in patients who received coconut oil, that cognitive improvement after completion of the intervention, statistically significant improved in the orientation and language-construction areas. Conclusions: Coconut oil appears to improve cognitive abilities of Alzheimer’s patients, with different intensity depending on the cognitive area (AU)

[COCONUT OIL: NON-ALTERNATIVE DRUG TREATMENT AGAINST ALZHEIMER´S DISEASE]. / ACEITE DE COCO: TRATAMIENTO ALTERNATIVO NO FARMACOLÓGICO FRENTE A LA ENFERMEDAD DE ALZHEIMER.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's dementia is the most prevalent nowadays. As for treatment, there is no definitive cure drug, thus new therapies are needed. In this regard the medium chain triglycerides are a direct source of cellular energy and can be a nonpharmacological alternative to the neuronal death for lack of it, that occurs in Alzheimer patients. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the impact of coconut oil in the development of Alzheimer's dementia, in any degree of dementia. Also determine whether this improvement influences within variables such as sex and suffering or not Type II Diabetes Mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a prospective study was conducted in patients with Alzheimer's dementia, with a control and an intervention group which was administered 40 ml/day of extra virgin coconut oil. The parameters evaluated were the mini test scores Lobo cognitive test, pre and post intervention in both groups. RESULTS: it was observed in subjects taking the product, a statistically significant increase in test score MECWOLF and therefore an improvement in cognitive status, improving especially women's, those without diabetes mellitus type II, and severe patients. CONCLUSION: this study, although preliminary, demonstrated the positive influence of coconut oil at the cognitive level of patients with Alzheimer's, this improvement being dependent on sex, presence or absence of diabetes and degree of dementia.

Introducción: la enfermedad de Alzheimer es la demencia más prevalente en la actualidad. En cuanto al tratamiento, no existe cura farmacológica definitiva, con lo cual son necesarias nuevas alternativas terapéuticas. En este sentido, los triglicéridos de cadena media suponen una fuente directa de energía celular y pueden ser una alternativa no farmacológica a la muerte neuronal por falta de la misma, que se produce en los enfermos de Alzheimer. Objetivo: evaluar el impacto que tiene el aceite de coco en la evolución de la demencia tipo Alzheimer, en cualquier grado de demencia. Asimismo, determinar si existe influencia en dicha mejora, de variables como el sexo y padecer o no diabetes mellitus tipo II. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo realizado en pacientes con demencia tipo Alzheimer, con un grupo control y un grupo de intervención al que se le administró 40 ml/día de aceite de coco virgen extra. Los parámetros evaluados han sido las puntuaciones del test del miniexamen cognoscitivo de Lobo, pre y postintervención en ambos grupos. Resultados: se observó en los sujetos que tomaban el producto un aumento estadísticamente significativo de la puntuación del test MEC-LOBO y, por consiguiente, una mejoría del estado cognitivo, mejorando sobre todo las mujeres, los que no tenían diabetes mellitus tipo II y los pacientes graves. Conclusión: este estudio, aunque preliminar, demuestra la influencia positiva del aceite de coco a nivel cognitivo en los pacientes con Alzheimer, siendo esta mejoría dependiente del sexo, de la existencia o no de diabetes y del grado de demencia.

Aceite de coco: tratamiento alternativo no farmacológico frente a la enfermedad de Alzheimer / Coconut oil: non-alternative drug treatment against alzheimer´s disease

Introducción: la enfermedad de Alzheimer es la demencia más prevalente en la actualidad. En cuanto al tratamiento, no existe cura farmacológica definitiva, con lo cual son necesarias nuevas alternativas terapéuticas. En este sentido, los triglicéridos de cadena media suponen una fuente directa de energía celular y pueden ser una alternativa no farmacológica a la muerte neuronal por falta de la misma, que se produce en los enfermos de Alzheimer. Objetivo: evaluar el impacto que tiene el aceite de coco en la evolución de la demencia tipo Alzheimer, en cualquier grado de demencia. Asimismo, determinar si existe influencia en dicha mejora, de variables como el sexo y padecer o no diabetes mellitus tipo II. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo realizado en pacientes con demencia tipo Alzheimer, con un grupo control y un grupo de intervención al que se le administró 40 ml/día de aceite de coco virgen extra. Los parámetros evaluados han sido las puntuaciones del test del miniexamen cognoscitivo de Lobo, pre y postintervención en ambos grupos. Resultados: se observó en los sujetos que tomaban el producto un aumento estadísticamente significativo de la puntuación del test MEC-LOBO y, por consiguiente, una mejoría del estado cognitivo, mejorando sobre todo las mujeres, los que no tenían diabetes mellitus tipo II y los pacientes graves. Conclusión: este estudio, aunque preliminar, demuestra la influencia positiva del aceite de coco a nivel cognitivo en los pacientes con Alzheimer, siendo esta mejoría dependiente del sexo, de la existencia o no de diabetes y del grado de demencia (AU)

Background: Alzheimer’s dementia is the most prevalent nowadays. As for treatment, there is no definitive cure drug, thus new therapies are needed. In this regard the medium chain triglycerides are a direct source of cellular energy and can be a nonpharmacological alternative to the neuronal death for lack of it, that occurs in Alzheimer patients. Objective: to evaluate the impact of coconut oil in the development of Alzheimer’s dementia, in any degree of dementia. Also determine whether this improvement influences within variables such as sex and suffering or not Type II Diabetes Mellitus. Material and methods: a prospective study was conducted in patients with Alzheimer’s dementia, with a control and an intervention group which was administered 40 ml/day of extra virgin coconut oil. The parameters evaluated were the mini test scores Lobo cognitive test, pre and post intervention in both groups. Results: it was observed in subjects taking the product, a statistically significant increase in test score MECWOLF and therefore an improvement in cognitive status, improving especially women’s, those without diabetes mellitus type II, and severe patients. Conclusion: this study, although preliminary, demonstrated the positive influence of coconut oil at the cognitive level of patients with Alzheimer’s, this improvement being dependent on sex, presence or absence of diabetes and degree of dementia (AU)