Medium-chain Triglyceride (MCT) oils are made of triglycerides with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) having 8 and 10 carbons in their chains. MCFAs are naturally found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and milk fat. It is comprised of primarily caprylic (C8:0) and capric (C10:0) acids with a very small percentage of caproic (C6:0) and lauric (C12:0) acids, which are esterified to a glycerol backbone. This fat is metabolized differently than long-chain triglycerides (LCT). Complete hydrolysis to MCFAs and small amounts of monoglycerides occurs in the stomach with very little secretion of pancreatic lipase or bile acids. After MCFAs are absorbed into the intestinal mucosal cells, they are not resynthesized into triglycerides and incorporated into chylomicrons, as are long-chain fatty acids. MCFAs bypass the lymphatic system, and are carried by the portal vein directly to the liver, where they are metabolized to produce carbon dioxide, ketones, and acetate. They are readily converted to energy and unlikely to be stored as fat.
MCT oil can be used to add calories to a formula or diet in the case of malabsorption syndromes, due to a more rapid digestion and absorption. Since it requires lower concentrations of bile or pancreatic lipase for digestion and absorption, patients producing too little bile acid and pancreatic lipase benefit from adding this fat source to the diet. MCTs comprise the lipid component in many infant formulas because infants rely on lingual lipase for lipid digestion when pancreatic function is not fully developed. It may be worth noting that lauric acid delayed the onset of clonic convulsions in mice in a dose dependent manner.
MCTs rev up the body’s sluggish metabolism increasing body temperature and promoting weight loss in those with Hypothyroidism, but they are contraindicated for people with diabetes due to the risk of hyperketonemia. They are generally not recommended for people who have compromised hepatic function because a diseased liver does not have the ability to clear the increased levels of MCFAs. Additionally, those who are zinc deficient should limit MCTs due to possible contribution to a fatty liver. Essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins must be added to MCT oil if it is a significant source of fat in the diet.
For Moms with sluggish thyroids looking to lose fat
consider also Tamarind root, which has been used in the East for centuries
to increase energy. The dried rind of the tamarind root stops excess sugar
from being converted into fat. In one study, participants lost an average of
11 pounds over 8 weeks. (Patrick
MCT oil may cause diarrhea when it is consumed in large amounts (small amounts throughout the day promote greater tolerance). The most important MCT, lauric acid (12 carbons), is not found in the commercial MCT oils, from which lauric acid has been extracted for special use by the soap, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. It is only found in the natural oils such as coconut oil and palm kernel oils, butter (all at about 50%), and Roquefort cheese. The desired MCTs (in coconut oil) are saturated. In other oils, they may not be; so, one must be careful when buying MCT oil. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid (at 50%), that is said to convert in the intestines to an antiviral substance, monolaurin, but monolaurin is not formed in the body unless there is a source of lauric acid in the diet. Dr. Darryl See, immunological researcher, found no antiviral activity indicated for monolaurin against one representative-type virus (Coxsackie virus B4, strain E2),\; however, he did establish that it is not toxic to the liver or Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, and does not affect Phase I liver enzymes.
It seems, however, that it is effective against envelope bacteria and viral infections like Klebsiella, herpes simplex, Cytomegalovirus, measles, mumps, influenza A, hepatitis C, Hemophilus influenza, Staphylococcus epidermidis and aureus, Group B gram positive Streptococcus, Streptococcus agalactiae, gram-positive organisms, and some gram-negative organisms, (vibrio parahaemolyticus and Helicobacter pylori), Listeria monocytogenes, and HIV-1. The Chlamydia trachomatis, herpes virus, and the Cytomegalovirus are inhibited by the antimicrobial lipid monolaurin as is sexually transmitted viruses such as HSV-2 and bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhea. A number of fungi (several species of ringworm), yeast (Candida albicans) and protozoa (Giardia lamblia) are inactivated or killed by monolaurin. Monolaurin appears not to be effective against Polio, Coxsackie, Rhinovirus, and Rotavirus. One mother’s son tested “zero” on lauric acid. When she gave Monolaurin, he began to speak in complex sentences for the first time in his 18-year life! Dr. Robert Atkins recommends that for treating cold and the flu one should use 1,800-3,600 mg for four or five days, then taper the dosage to 600-1,200 mg daily. “Lauricidin® is the only monolaurin clinically tested. “The dosage is somewhat critical, and this is where I can help based on our initial discovery of monolaurin and our 30 years of experience with this interesting material. Please write jonkab@aol.com, or call me at (815) 777-1887 for information and a supply of monolaurin (Lauricidin®) from Med-Chem Labs”—Dr. Jon J. Kabara.
Dr. Kabara recommends these lower servings be used regularly as preventive. These reports inform us about these vital oils: Kabara (1978), and others have reported that certain fatty acids (e.g., Medium-Chain Saturates) and their derivatives (e.g., Monoglycerides) can have adverse effects on various microorganisms. Those inactivated include bacteria, yeast, fungi, Mycoplasma, and enveloped viruses. The medium-chain saturated fatty acids and their derivatives act by disrupting the lipid membranes of these organisms (Isaacs and Thormar 1991) (Isaacs et al. 1992). In particular, enveloped viruses are inactivated in both human and bovine milk by added fatty acids and monoglycerides (Isaacs et al. 1991) as well as by those that are endogenous (Isaacs et al. 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992; Thormar et al. 1987).
Sadeghi, et al., has demonstrated that coconut oil in combination with fish oil decreases levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF (a)) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) while stimulating production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-10 (IL-10). So, to control Tumor Necrosis Factor and other cytokines and improve the sulfation pathway, to generate IgA and IgG, to protect myelin, to relieve depression, to reduce anemia, and to balance the Immune Function get adequate sleep and supplement Ambrotose AO™ (vital sugars, vitamin C, and antioxidants), Bromelain, ginger, garlic, magnesium, selenium, chromium (not picolinate), melatonin, cod-liver oil (vitamins A and D and fatty acids EPA/DHA), glycine, vitamins B-complex and K, coconut oil, and possibly colostrum, butyrate, and probiotics (acidophilus, bifidus, and S. boulardii - a yeast that eats yeast and controls gut denizens).
All three monoesters of lauric acid are shown to be active antimicrobials. Additionally, it is reported that the antimicrobial effects of the fatty acids and monoglycerides are additive, and total concentration is critical for inactivating viruses (Isaacs and Thormar 1990). In other words, use enough to do the job. Preliminary results on a small trial with adults indicated that when using 3-4 tablespoons of coconut oil in their daily diet to yield 25 grams of lauric acid per day, greater than 50% of the patients had a reduced viral load and one-third of the patients had a favorable increase in their CD4/CD8 ratios. For Children, Dr. Waring speaks of 1/3 tablespoon twice a day. Dr. Kabara recommends that you start on low dose and build the amount slowly until benefit is seen. There may be die-off reactions,.and too large an intake of Coconut oil at the first may cause diarrhea. Some may never tolerate the larger amount.
The properties that determine the anti-infective action of lipids are related to their structure (e.g., the monoglycerides are active, diglycerides and triglycerides are inactive). Of the saturated fatty acids, lauric acid has greater antiviral activity than either caprylic acid (C-10) or myristic acid (C-14), but caprylic acid is more effective against Candida, killing both the yeast and fungal forms while not affecting the “good guys” of the gut.
The action attributed to monolaurin is that of solubilizing the lipids and phospholipids in the envelope of the virus causing the disintegration of the virus envelope. In effect, it is reported that the fatty acids and monoglycerides produce their killing/inactivating effect by lysing the lipid bilayer plasma membrane. However, there is evidence from recent studies that one antimicrobial effect is related to its interference with signal transduction (Projan et al. 1994).
Marvelous news is reported by Dr. Julian Whitaker in relation to Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders:
Six years ago, Steve Newport, a 59-year-old accountant and bookkeeper, began having problems at work. As the months went by, he became increasingly disorganized, error prone, frustrated, and depressed. He eventually consulted a neurologist and was told he had early dementia.
Over the next few years, Steve’s dementia rapidly progressed. He was diagnosed with probable Alzheimer’s disease and was started on Aricept, the first of several drugs he would eventually take. By the time an MRI revealed evidence of brain atrophy and confirmed that he had Alzheimer’s, he was unable to do simple math, type, or use a calculator. He even had to be reminded to eat and take his medications. Well aware of Steve’s dire prognosis, his wife, Mary Newport, MD, was constantly on the lookout for new therapies that might help.
Last spring, she came across a recruitment notice for a clinical trial evaluating a new Alzheimer’s drug. She learned that about half of the patients who had taken the medication in a 90-day pilot study had remarkable improvements, and the other half held steady compared to a placebo group that continued to decline. Intrigued, she searched the Internet and discovered that the drug’s active ingredient was medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), natural fatty acids that are abundant in coconut oil.
Steve didn’t qualify for the clinical trial, but Dr. Newport was undeterred. She went to her health food store, purchased some coconut oil, and began giving it to her husband. After the very first dose, “a light switch came on.” As Steve continued to take the oil over the next two months, he became more alert and talkative, and his sense of humor slowly returned. His attention and ability to stay on task improved, and at a family reunion, he remembered the names of relatives he couldn’t recognize the year before.
Today, a year and a half after beginning treatment, Steve volunteers in a hospital warehouse and enjoys his job and coworkers. His previously impaired gait has normalized, and he is able to run-something he couldn’t do for well over a year. He can read again, with decent comprehension, and his short-term memory is gradually getting better. His conversational skills continue to improve, and he’s no longer depressed. In short, he feels as if he “got his life back.”
How in the world could an inexpensive oil facilitate such a turnaround? It’s all about ketones. Medium-chain triglycerides don’t behave like the more common long-chain fats. Thanks to their shorter, chemical structure, they are easily absorbed and rapidly metabolized in the liver. And, rather than being stored as fat, they are converted into ketones.
Ketones are your body’s alternative energy source. When glucose stores are exhausted, ketones are synthesized from (body) fats (through the action of the hormone, glucagon) and delivered to the cells, where they’re burned for energy. But, because glucose is the preferred fuel, ketones are produced only as a backup - when you’re fasting, for example, or eating a very-low carbohydrate diet (there must be little or no insulin present - this is the principle behind the Atkins’ weight-loss program.)
Unfortunately, in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, neurons lose their ability to properly use glucose. Inefficient glucose metabolism in specific areas of the brain is an early feature of these disorders, present long before symptoms appear. Many experts believe this is due to insulin resistance - Alzheimer’s is sometimes referred to as “type 3 diabetes.” Neurons deprived of energy obviously cannot function normally and they eventually die, contributing to the degenerative process.
Affected neurons can, however, use ketones for energy, and when they’re made available, starving brain cells perk right up. When this fuel source is supplied on a consistent basis, remarkable things can happen - as evidenced by Steve’s initial and ongoing progress.
Actually, the therapeutic effects of ketones for the brain are old news. Ketogenic diets have been used since the 1920s to effectively prevent or reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy, and a handful of studies suggest that such a diet would also improve other neurodegenerative conditions. The ketogenic diet, however, is hard to swallow. It requires eating lots of fat and almost no carbohydrates, and it’s difficult to stick with over the long term.
That’s the beauty of MCTs and coconut oil. When you supplement with these oils, they are converted into ketones, even if you don’t change your diet. In other words, you can have your carbs and ketones, too.
When Dr. Newport first began giving Steve this therapy, she didn’t realize that refined MCT oil was available, so she gave him non-hydrogenated, coconut oil instead (note the caveat above about commercial MCT lacking Lauric acid). Coconut oil is about 60 percent MCTs by weight, so she figured that to get the dose of MCTs used in the drug trials (20 g), he’d have to take 35 g of coconut oil (7 teaspoons).
She’s since learned that ketone blood levels peak about three hours after taking coconut oil and are out of the system within eight hours. She also discovered that MCT oil is available, and it produces a peak, blood level at 90 minutes that clears within three hours. Now, Steve takes 4 teaspoons of MCT oil and 3 teaspoons of coconut oil three times a day with meals to ensure that his brain has access to a more or less constant source of energy. When he misses a dose, he may develop a transient tremor or feel temporarily “dazed and confused”; but once he makes it up, he’s back to “normal.”
Now, everyone “knows” that saturated oil raises
cholesterol; but if you add just a little EFAs, it doesn’t work like that.
If you use the natural coconut oil, then it will raise low cholesterol, but
lower high cholesterol. Additionally, saturated fat reduces children’s
allergies while trans-fats increase them, according to a team of researchers
from
Other factors influence cognitive disorders: “Alzheimer's disease was more than twice as common among the women with the highest levels of homocysteine than among those with the lowest, and the risk for any kind of dementia was 70 per cent higher,” revealed Dr Zylberstein. “These days, we in our clinical practice use homocysteine analyses mainly for assessment of vitamin status. However, our results mean that we could use the very same analysis for assessment of individual’s risk profile for dementia development.” Supplementing vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid normalize Homocysteine.
And another: Alzheimer’s-diseased (AD) mice found substantial benefit in high doses of a common nutrient in the vitamin B family, nicotinamide (niacinamide), a form of vitamin B3. So startling were the results—memory loss was restored in the AD mice—that the researchers are now conducting a clinical trial to determine if it can help to keep memory normal in humans. At the end of the trial, the AD mice performed as well in memory testing as healthy mice, a remarkable result strongly suggesting that nicotinamide had protected their brains from memory loss, and restored memory that would have been lost. “Cognitively, they were cured,” first author of the study, Dr. Kim Green said.
And finally: Vitamin B12 deficiency, also called cobalamin deficiency, becomes more and more common as people get old. Yet because few clinicians are trained to look for its symptoms, many elderly who SHOULD be screened for this simple vitamin deficiency are, instead, diagnosed with `incurable` neurologic diseases. These mental changes from vitamin B12 deficiency were first described as far back as 1902, with much research having been done since that time. Many times, lesions and degeneration of the brain and spinal cord accompany these changes, as shown on medical imaging that doctors use as evidence of the Irreversible nature of this disease. Astoundingly, when these degenerative changes are caused by vitamin B12 Deficiency, they are actually REVERSIBLE if high dose therapy is started soon after diagnosis! “Fortunately, dementia secondary to B12 deficiency is eminently reversible if the etiology of the dementia is recognized early and therapy instituted promptly and vigorously.” - Dementia and vitamin B12 deficiency
Hypercoagulability (Sludged Blood): Chronic illnesses have a demonstrable basis in the blood coagulation system. Hypercoagulation reduces blood flow to certain parts of the brain, especially the speech centers, causing many of the problems of autism. This study was published in the international journal Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis, 1999, 10:435-438. The blood is not only sludged, but the vessels become coated with fibrin. Fortunately, there are supplements that can unsludge the blood, dissolve free fibrin, and clean fibrin off artery walls. One can lower blood viscosity and remove fibrin with vitamin C and enzymes such as Bromelain, Vitalzym™, and Wobenzym N™. Nimotop™ or Trental ™ are not required! (Nimotop™ is a calcium channel blocker. Magnesium and manganese are Nature’s calcium channel blockers! Use them.)
To prevent platelet clumping and thus prevent stroke or heart attack use 400 I.U., or more, of vitamin E. Vitamin E, ginger, bromelain, and a citrus bioflavonoid supplement are most effective in preventing platelet clumping. Use of niacin, vitamin E, bromelain, and ginger (in cooking, or by drinking ginger tea) would certainly be wise if you have suffered “mini–strokes”. Vitamin E greatly aids those with circulatory problems. Patients receiving vitamin E required far fewer amputations than those receiving other blood thinners. It may take a while to see results. Unhealing ulcers account for gangrene and amputation and can be healed by sprinkling pure sugar into the wound and bandaging it there. This kills all bacteria. This should work on bedsores also.
Blood grows thick when there is a lack of water. A lack of water in the upper stomach is a frequent cause of reflux also. Many of these children are dehydrated; so, drinking more water will have immediate results! According to a study of 34,000 Seventh Day Adventists, those who drank a minimum of five glasses of water a day had half the risk of heart attack and stroke as those who drank only two glasses daily! The researchers reported that adequate hydration decreased the viscosity, or stickiness, of the blood and improved blood flow. The anionic substances with higher valence, like 1:2 and 1:3, have a greater dispersing effect. So, if one were to take a proper amount of something like potassium citrate which is a 1:3 electrolyte and mix it in pure distilled or reverse osmosis water and drink it up, that would act like a dispersing agent for the blood stream.
Citrate forms of nutrients metabolize to their bicarbonate forms and thus become pH buffers, tending to alkalize an over-acid body. These may not be the best forms to give a child already overly alkaline. Additionally, citrate forms of certain minerals are laxative. Potassium and magnesium citrates are particularly laxative. This knowledge can be used to meet your child’s needs for bowel control and for pH control.
The introduction of any bacteria or bacterial filtrate, alive or dead (vaccine), causes a reaction of the body that results in blood clots from intense microbial action. These clots may be small adhesions that attach to the blood vessels or organs impairing their function or complete obstructions resulting in organ death. They are particularly common in kidney, lung, liver, and brain. This intravascular coagulation from vaccines is readily apparent in an examination of the blood vessels in the sclera (whites) of the eyes. This is known as the Sarannelli/Schwartzman phenomena. There are several hundred references to its occurrence in the National Library of Medicine. Dr. Robert Rowan, MD, says that Fibromyalgia is caused by a minor clotting disorder that impedes circulation. Probably, the most effective clot buster and preventive is Nattokinase, an extract of fermented soybeans. It will dissolve blood clots, and it remains active for a remarkable 2 to 8 hours. This, and adequate intake of water, can solve many health problems relating to “sludged” blood.
Much fear and anguish is being caused by
Inflammation is the major cause of hypercoagulation and poor blood flow to all parts of body and brain. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a marker for systemic inflammation. CRP levels indicate chronic, low-grade inflammation, with linkage to blood vessel damage and vascular disease (Pasceri et al. 2000). It is now recognized to be a more accurate risk assessment for heart attack than elevated LDL cholesterol levels. Previous studies have shown that inflammation may be an aggravating factor in creating the blood clots that commonly lead to cardiovascular events. Subjects with the highest CRP levels were more than twice as likely to experience an adverse cardiovascular event than those with the lowest levels of CRP. A report at http://jama.ama-assn.org indicated a 65% increase in age-related, macular degeneration for those with the highest CRP! These high levels are related to high cytokine levels (Tumor Necrosis Factor and others).
Chronic inflammation is caused by a number of factors common to today’s diets and lifestyles: a diet lacking Omega-3 fats coupled with an overabundance of Omega-6 fatty acids and transfatty acids, environmental toxins, medications such as synthetic hormone replacement and birth control-pills, chlorinated/fluoridated water, a chronic load of viruses and bacteria, and stress. Perhaps the worst contributor is the high-carbohydrate, grain diet (the Pyramid) foisted upon us that produces a chronic, high-insulin level, with resultant insulin resistance, leading to overweight and diabetes. A recent study showed that normal weight individuals showed elevated CRP levels in 25%, while those overweight and obese showed greatly elevated levels in 51% and 75% respectively. Fat cells produce CRP! This can all be controlled by lifestyle changes that lower insulin levels and reduce fat cells.
Researchers at the University of Parma in Italy found that the total antioxidant capacity of the diet was significantly higher in those who had low plasma C-reactive protein levels than in those whose CRP levels were considered high at 4.2 milligrams per liter and higher. Individuals whose CRP levels were high had increased levels of white blood cells, greater weight and waist circumferences, less insulin sensitivity, lower levels of HDL and beta-carotene, and were more likely to have hypertension than those whose CRP levels were low and antioxidant levels were high.
An editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine by Lori Mosca, M.D., states that CRP has been associated with obesity and insulin resistance. She said that an intake of omega-3 fatty acids (preferably from eating more fish or taking cod-liver oil, a proven reducer of inflammation) (and plant sterols - WSL) has been associated with lower levels of CRP. Studies have shown that a high fiber intake reduces CRP levels by 41%, mixed tocopherals lower CRP by 50%, CoQ10 by 20%, (1000 mg a day of vitamin C by 34% - WSL), and functional foods, such as almonds, by 25%! A Comprehensive Cardiovascular Report (CCR) is available from Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories (GSDL). Eating tomatoes or watermelon (lycopene) several times a week is reported to reduce CRP also. Ensure that there is a generous intake of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients (Ambrotose AO™ by Mannatech™ is an outstanding source of antioxidants and glyconutrients).
Additionally, saturated fats are needed for proper calcium utilization in the bones. Saturated fats stimulate the immune system and are the preferred food for the heart and other vital organs; and, along with cholesterol, add structural stability to the cell and intestinal wall. They are excellent for cooking, as they are chemically stable and do not break down under heat. If you try the coconut oil, start with a very small amount—one teaspoon per day for an adult. Four tablespoons per day is a therapeutic amount for an adult. Increased intake of oils requires increased intake of antioxidants, particularly vitamins C and E and Selenium.
To utilize these MCT oils requires coenzyme B6 (Pyridoxal 5’ Phosphate, often referred to as P5P), and magnesium. Some might have essential fatty-acid deficit symptoms, but the problem could really be a lack of vitamin B6 and magnesium. You must supplement vitamin B6, zinc, and magnesium, especially when using coconut oil. Remember, that a zinc deficiency adversely influences coconut oils tending to a fatty liver. P5P is apt to be more effective because a large majority of “healthy” people do not convert the regular vitamin B6 to its metabolite form. One study showed 19% were deficient in one or more B-vitamins, but 62% were deficient in the necessary metabolites. Zinc deficiency can also look like a fatty acid deficiency, and children with milk intolerance have been shown to be deficient in EFAs. I suggest that you supplement magnesium, zinc, and P5P before doing the essential fatty acids. Be aware that many P5P preparations contain supplemental copper to prevent pyridoxal retinopathy in copper-deficient people. The maximum of vitamin B6 supplemented should be 500 mg Pyridoxine or 100 mg P5P.
Unsaturated fatty acids are subject to rapid oxidation forming great amounts of free radicals. So, when supplementing them, you must supplement Ambrotose AO and selenium, or vitamins E, C, and selenium, preferably before beginning to use the oils. This is necessary to avoid an increase in the risk of cancer and other cellular damage by countering this new source of free radicals that is being added to those already produced by these over-stressed bodies. A failure to supply these needed antioxidants will deplete your antioxidant levels, especially selenium.
Fatty acids have been used to control asthma, yet some fear to use Evening Primrose Oil. It is probably the lack of antioxidants or an excess of GLA that caused the reported seizures. You can precipitate an asthma attack or seizure in those susceptible by giving high EPO intake when GLA levels are already high. Usually, one 500 mg capsule of EPO is safe for children. You need the EPAs of cod-liver oil to help get the inflammation down, but you don’t want to overdo these either. You must seek to balance the GLA/EPA.
In addition to the fatty acids to control asthma, we need to note that vitamin C, zinc, garlic, half one’s body weight in ounces of pure water with a dash of salt on the tongue after each glass of water, all have relieved asthma as has a sugarless, low carbohydrate, high-protein diet supported by desiccated adrenal glandulars. Conversely, excess GLA or GLA without sufficient antioxidants, environmental toxins, especially the high levels found in the home, fluoride, and Candida all tend to asthma. One in five children now have either asthma or eczema in childhood. Many babies today seem to be born with eczema or asthma, or to develop it within a few days of birth. Asthma and eczema are known clinical reactions to latex allergy, but it is possible that other allergic diseases might be traced to the same source. Remarkable restoration of respiratory function is had with glyconutrients and phytonutrients. Use them for three months at retail price, and I will refund your full purchase price if you are not satisfied!
If the stool is light in color, shiny, unformed, frothy, floats, and is foul smelling you must supplement a digestive enzyme containing lipase and ox bile to digest the fats and these oils. Consider a small supplemental intake of the amino acids taurine and glycine to improve bile formation in the liver.