Parada, Rodrigo Antonio J.

Coconut Oil and Alzheimers

Coconut Oi l and Al zhei mer s Di sease were a Hot News I tem i n 2012
2012 was the year that the news about coconut oil and Alzheimers disease started making it
into the mainstream media. This is not surprising, as it coincided with news about the failure of
drugs in treating Alzheimers also making headlines. In January 2012, drug companies Pfizer and
Medivation admitted that the new drug they were developing for Alzheimers, dimebon, not
only did not help patients in trials, but made patients worse. The expensive drug had already
reached phase III trials. So as the development of this drug has now been abandoned, and so
many other potential drugs have also failed, many are beginning to look at the role of diet in
Alzheimers and focusing on prevention. People are also beginning to see positive results in
using coconut oil to reverse the effects of Alzheimers.

Most of these reports focus on the action of ketones, which indeed offer great promise for
Alzheimers sufferers. But what has NOT made it into mainstream media reports, is how we
have come to have so many of our seniors develop Alzheimers in the first place. There is now
good evidence that the low-fat diet theory is partly to blame, as well as the over-prescription of
statin drugs, which artificially lower cholesterol. Cholesterol is a key component to our brains,
comprising 25% of its mass. The lipid theory of heart disease is crumbling fast, leaving a terrible
carnage in its path, as people wake up to the fact that the highly profitable statin drugs might
just be the biggest medical scam of our generation.
How Coconut Oi l can Hel p Wi th Al zhei mer s Di sease
Coconut oil, by contrast, is highly saturated, and in its natural unrefined form has a shelf life of
more than 2 years. Unlike unsaturated oils, it is not prone to oxidation.
Also, the study from the European Journal of Internal Medicine referenced above notes that
Alzheimers, Parkinsons disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) all have an association
with mitochondrial dysfunction. A study published in 2010 used coconut oil to show that a diet
enriched in the saturated fatty acids of coconut oil offered strong advantages for the protection
against oxidative stress in heart mitochondria.


Much research is also being uncovered now on the advantages of high HDL cholesterol levels,
besides the study we mentioned above in direct relation to Alzheimers. A study appearing in
the American Journal of Cardiology in February 2011 showed that the higher mens HDL
cholesterol levels, the longer they lived and the more likely it was that they would reach the
age of 85.
4
A diet with adequate amounts of saturated fat is essential to keeping HDL high
cholesterol levels. Those with deficiencies and suffering from neurological disorders need to
consider a diet that is high in saturated fat, in stark contrast to the mainstream dietary advice
for low-fat diets that might be causing many of these late-in-life diseases.
Another major advantage the saturated fat of coconut oil provides is its ability to provide the
brain with an alternate source of energy in ketones. Ketones are high energy fuels that nourish
the brain. Our body can produce ketones from stored fat while fasting or in starvation, but they
can also be produced by converting medium chain fatty acids in certain foods. Coconut oil is
natures richest source of these medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). A study done in 2004 took
MCTs from coconut oil and put them into a drink that was given to Alzheimers patients while a
control group took a placebo.
5
They observed significant increases in levels of the ketone body
beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB) 90 minutes after treatment when cognitive tests were
administered. Higher ketone values were associated with greater improvement in paragraph
recall with MCT treatment relative to placebo across all subjects.

As coconut oils use becomes more accepted and widespread, and as people begin to realize
the dangers of the low-fat dietary belief, we expect to see more testimonies in relation to
diseases like Alzheimers. One of the most widely published reports recently was from Dr. Mary
Newport as reported by the St. Petersburg Times on October 29, 2008
6
. Dr. Newports husband
had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers and was watching her husband quickly
deteriorate. After using drugs that slowed down the effects of Alzheimers, she looked into
clinical drug trials and found one based on MCTs that not only slowed the progression of
Alzheimers, but offered improvement. Not being able to get her husband into one of these
trials, she began to give him Virgin Coconut Oil, and saw incredible improvement in his
condition.

Di etary Advi ce f or Al zhei mer s Suff erers

Coconut oil does offer hope as natures most abundant source of MCTs, and it is an easily
convertible fuel source for ketones. In addition, it is one of natures richest sources of saturated
fat which is needed to produce HDL cholesterol to feed the brain. People suffering from
Alzheimers should immediately start avoiding polyunsaturated forms of oil such as soy and
corn oils, especially if they are hydrogenated and in the form of trans fatty acids. These are
prone to oxidation and potentially mitochondrial dysfunction. Other healthy fats would include
butter from the milk of cows that are grass-fed, and Omega 3 fatty acids from high quality fish
oil, cod liver oil, or krill oil.
Refined carbohydrates in the form of refined wheat products and refined sugars should be
strictly avoided! High protein foods such as eggs from pastured chickens (preferably fed a soy-
free chicken feed), pastured poultry, and grass-fed meats are all desirable proteins for brain
health.


The Success and Struggles of Filipino Geriatric Nurses in Nursing Homes
de Guzman, Allan B.; Coronel, Rona Denise V.; Chua, Kannerin O.; Constantino, Mariz G.;
Cordova, Ericsann James C.
Educational Gerontology, v35 n4 p356-375 Apr 2009
Geriatric nursing is a physically and emotionally demanding job in healthcare. It is a neglected
field despite the growing population of the elderly, and the experiences of geriatric nurses are
one of the unrecognized aspects of this field. This qualitative study purports to explore the
successes and struggles of the lived experiences of a select group of Filipino geriatric nurses
working in nursing homes. A total of five registered nurses selected from Philippine geriatric
homes were the subjects of this qualitative study. Data were gathered from a two-part
instrument: namely, a researcher-made robotfoto and a semistructured interview. Through the
use of a repertory grid involving both cool and warm analyses, field texts were
phenomenologically reduced in order to establish distinct conceptual clusters. Summarily, two
roles were found to be the defining elements of Filipino geriatric care nurses' sense of success
and fulfillment. These include the instrumental and developmental, which describe the nurses'
appreciation of their unique place in the lives of their elderly patients and, at the same time,
their experiences of personal and professional growth and expansion as nurses. In regard to
their struggles, the contextual conditions in the workplace typify the roadblocks of their
efficient and effective delivery of quality healthcare services.














ALZHEIMERS DELAYED BY HIGHER EDUCATION
A high level of education keeps the mind young and fresh it delays the onset ofAlzheimers
disease and reduces symptoms of memory impairment, suggests a study published
in Neurology last 2008.
EDUCATION SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON ALZHEIMERS DISEASE: ACCORDING TO THE COGNITIVE
RESERVE THEORY, IN PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMERS DISEASE, THOSE OF HIGH EDUCATIONAL
ATTAINMENT EXHIBIT BETTER MENTAL PERFORMANCE
Dr. Valentina Garibotto spearheaded the study which was done in Vita-Salute San Raffaele
University. She shared a theory on the value of education in the development of an adequate
mental reserve, in case dementia sets in later in life.
COGNITIVE RESERVE THEORY
Dr. Garibottos research revealed that both education and a mentally-challenging job help
create a buffer against dementia. A person who has a higher educational attainment tends to
exercise his brain more and creates a cognitive reserve that can be tapped when dementia
occurs. Below is more information on the cognitive reserve theory and Garibottos research.
Positron-emission tomography scans proved that the brain of an educated person can
withstand more tissue damage before signs and symptoms of Alzheimers disease and
other forms of dementia start to manifest.
The author of the study explained that education may help strengthen a persons
mental capacities. Alternately, genetic factors that urged a person to seek higher
education may have contributed to his higher brain reserve. Either way, high educational
attainment is linked to a beneficial delay in Alzheimers disease.
Aside from education, career is also an important factor that increases brain
reserve. A job that requires thorough mental exercise has the same effect on cognitive
reserve as a high level of education.

ALZHEIMERS DISEASE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Several societies in the Philippines provide support to people diagnosed with Alzheimers
disease; these include the Alzheimers Disease Association of the Philippines (ADAP) and
the Dementia Society of the Philippines (DSP).
ADAP, composed of people with Alzheimers disease and their relatives, offer educational
programs and other services to improve the quality of life of affected patients as well as family
members who take care of them.
On the other hand, DSP, comprised of health professionals, aims to help patients with dementia
through health care provision, research, and education of health care personnel.





















Philippines fails to reduce maternal mortality over 10 years - DOH
By: Philippine News Agency | InterAksyon.com
June 18, 2012 9:03 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Over the last decade, the rate of maternal mortality in the Philippines has
failed to improve, Health Secretary Enrique Ona bared on Monday.
From 2006 to 2010, there were 221 deaths for every 100,000 live births recorded. The rate is
higher than the 162 deaths per 100,000 live births from 2000 to 2005, but statistically rounds
out to the same maternal mortality ratio, Ona said. Whatever the case, it is clearly not an
improvement.
"This is a challenge for us," the health secretary said. "Despite efforts, our interventions to
lower maternal deaths have no progress because the numbers haven't changed," Ona told
reporters.
The DOH has been working to lower the maternal mortality rate to 54 per 100,000 live births.
For the past two years the DOH has upgraded hospital birthing facilities and added birthing
centers, Ona noted.
But maternal and child health advocates also tie to maternal mortality to broader concerns and
discussions revolving around reproductive health. Such concerns involve lobbies for sex
education, and greater access to affordable and subsidized artificial contraceptive products and
services - advocacies that face stiff opposition from religious leaders, particularly the still
dominant Catholic hierarchy in the Philippines.
The latest figures on maternal mortality will likely provide more fodder for the RH lobby.











PHILIPPINES RANKS # 48 IN MATERNAL MORTALITY
230 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
The United Nations established a high-level commission to develop an accountability
framework for the Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health. "Strengthening
accountability is critical if we are to save the lives of more women and children," said UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "We must ensure that partners deliver on their promises but,
in turn, it is crucial that they know whether investments are leading to sustainable progress. In
September, at the Summit in New York, stakeholders committed US$40 billion in resources to a
global effort to save the lives of 16 million women and children by 2015.
Adopted by world leaders in the year 2000 and set to be achieved by 2015, the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) provide a framework for the entire international community to
work together towards a common end making sure that human development reaches
everyone, everywhere.
According to the 2009 UN Childrens Fund report, The State of the Worlds Children, the
Philippines has an MMR average of 230 per 100,000 live births. Health officials predict the 2015
Millennium Development Goal of 55-60 per 100,000 live births will not be met.
Some 230 women die here for every 100,000 live births, compared with 110 in Thailand, 62 in
Malaysia and 14 in Singapore, according to United Nations figures.
Causes of maternal deaths are hemorrhage, sepsis, obstructed labour, hypertensive disorders in
pregnancy, and complications of unsafe abortion most of which are preventable with proper
diagnosis and intervention, health specialists said.
The maternal mortality ratio in the Philippines is listed as the Millennium Development Goal
least likely to be achieved by 2015, said Vanessa Tobin, the UNICEF country representative for
the Philippines. The country has an adjusted maternal mortality ratio of 160 per 100,000 live
births against a goal of 55-60 deaths per 100,000 live births
Crucial to reducing maternal deaths is having a skilled attendant present during a delivery. Only
60 percent of the births in the Philippines are supervised by a skilled birth attendant, who can
be a physician, a nurse or a midwife with 18 months to two years of adequate training. What is
not accepted in this definition is a traditional birth attendant [who have had no formal training],
the UNICEF official said.



EMPOWERING MIDWIVES TO CURB MATERNAL DEATHS
There is a need to increase of the number of skilled birth-attendants, including midwives,
nurses and doctors, to improve maternal health. In the Philippine Framework for Maternal
Mortality Reduction, health workers are identified as playing an integral part in achieving a
lower MMR in the country. However the lack of professional health practitioners (such as
doctors and nurses) in rural areas in the country is a major concern. The gap between health
need and the available services is being bridged by the midwives. Although trained only to
provide maternal and child health care services, midwives are currently implementing all public
health programs.
Giving midwives access to further training in life-saving skills could prevent up to 80 percent of
maternal deaths in the Philippines, says Rosalie Paje, division chief of the Family Health Office
under the Department of Health (DOH).
Midwives play a crucial role in providing maternal healthcare, especially in geographically
isolated and disadvantaged areas and those affected by armed conflict where doctors and
nurses are scarce, Paje said.
The Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP) Inc. called for government
support for the training and education of additional midwives in the country.
Midwives can help prevent up to 90 percent of maternal deaths when they are supported to
provide basic life-saving skills in functioning health systems, Patricia Mines Gomez, IMAP
president, said.
CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT FOR MIDWIVES ON MATERNAL AND NEWBORN CARE
In 2010, the Philippine Obstetrical & Gyneocological Society launched a training program on
Maternal and Immediate Newborn Care for Midwives, focusing onlife saving skills and
interventions of the Midwifery Act of 1992.
With the Registered midwives in government or private practice as its target audience, the
general objectives were: To strengthen the basic knowledge, skills and attitude of midwives in
providing the added skills of midwives under the Midwifery Law (repair of 1st and 2nd degree
perineal lacerations, insertion of intravenous fluids during obstetric emergencies, internal
examination during labor, administration of oxytocin after delivery of the placenta, and
injection of Vitamin K to the newborn) for the improvement of maternal and newborn care.



Teenage pregnancy among todays Filipino youth
By Carin Van der Hor |Philippine Daily Inquirer
12:07 am | Thursday, May 15th, 2014
The National Youth Commission, supported by the Department of Health and the World Health
Organization, convened the 2014 National Summit on Teen Pregnancy last April 24. This
summit, which saw the active participation of adolescent youth, delivered a clear message:
Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), or the lack thereof, is fast becoming the
defining issue of this generation of young Filipinos. Without a robust response from all
stakeholders, the Philippines is on track toward a full-blown, national teenage pregnancy crisis.
Staggering facts support this call for concern. Recent (2014) data from the Philippine Statistical
Authority (PSA) reveal that every hour, 24 babies are delivered by teenage mothers. According
to the 2014 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality (YAFS) study, around 14 percent of Filipino girls
aged 15 to 19 are either pregnant for the first time or are already mothersmore than twice
the rate recorded in 2002. Among six major economies in the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations, the Philippines has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies and is the only country
where the rate is increasing, per the United Nations Population Fund.

According to Josefina Natividad, YAFS coordinator and director of the University of the
Philippines Population Institute, young Filipinos have limited access to sex education and ASRH
services, especially if they are underage and unmarried. Seventy-eight percent are not using
any form of contraception or protection against sexually transmitted diseases and infections
when they are having sex for the first time. While government programs aim to delay the
beginning of childbearing and hasten fertility decline, teenage pregnancies continue to
increase. Perhaps it is really time for a new and more collaborative strategy?
Data show that pregnant teenagers in the Philippines are mostly 17 to 19 years old. They live
with their mothers, parents, or relatives. The father of the child is, in most cases, a teenage boy.
Reasons for becoming pregnant among teenagers include: unplanned sexual encounters
(getting caught up in the moment) and peer pressure; lack of information on safe sex;
breakdown of family life and lack of good female role models in the family; and absence of
accessible, adolescent-friendly clinics.

Teenagers from poor backgrounds are disproportionately represented among pregnant
teenagers. However, experts have argued that teenage pregnancy should be understood as a
symptom of dire economic conditions rather than a cause of it. Teenage pregnancy perpetuates
the cycle of poverty and inequality because most pregnant teenagers have no source of income
and face greater financial difficulties later in life. This is because they drop out of school and are
less likely to pursue further education or skills training.

Teenage mothers face critical health risks, including: inadequate nutrition during pregnancy due
to poor eating habits; dangers associated with the reproductive organs not ready for birth; and
maternal death due to higher risk of eclampsia, among others.
Alarmingly, while maternal deaths are decreasing in the Philippines, teenage maternal deaths
are increasing. Ten percent of pregnant teenagers died in the last year, according to the PSA.
Data from the WHO also show a high and increasing incidence of fetal death in Filipino mothers
under 20.

At the end of the teenage pregnancy summit, the participants strongly endorsed a
comprehensive sexual education curriculum; forging a Batang Ina social movement; and
establishing adolescent-friendly spaces. The enactment of the Responsible Parenthood and
Reproductive Health Act was also recognized as an important step to make ASRH services more
accessible to those in need.

As an international child rights organization, Plan International believes that the rights and
needs of adolescent girls and boys, including their right to access ASRH services, must be
ensured. In our work in the Philippines, ASRH continues to be a priority in line with our global
Because I am a Girl campaign and national Batang Lusog program.

We are implementing ASRH interventions in Southern Leyte and Eastern Samar, where cases of
teenage pregnancy are increasing. Youth-Friendly Spaces are being established to provide peer
education and counseling on ASRH and rights. This is complemented by our response to
eliminate gender-based violence in communities by establishing Women-Friendly Spaces. These
measures help prevent teenage pregnancy by disseminating the right information about the
risks and impacts of teenage pregnancy on the teen mom and the infant. An exploratory study
by Plan International on the rising incidence of teenage pregnancy in Yolanda-affected areas
is also being designed.

In the face of numerous challenges that Filipino adolescents face every daydiscrimination,
gender-based violence, harmful gender stereotypesthey must be equipped with the life skills
and assets to help them make the best decisions for themselves and their community. When
adolescents choose to have sex, they have a right to access not just information but also
inclusive ASRH services.

At the end of the day, when an adolescent, especially a girl, knows her rights, is empowered to
choose, and is heard, she can improve not only her life but also the life of her immediate and
future families. So, maybe its time to have this discussion with your (grand) daughter or niece
now?

Carin Van der Hor is the director of Plan International Philippines and is the mother of two
teenage girls