Case Study:

Dietary Intervention Using Coconut Oil to Produce Mild Ketosis in A 58 Year Old Apoe4+ Male with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Newport, M.T. Neonatology, All Children’s Hospital, Spring Hill, United States.

25th International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), March 10-13, 2010, Greece.

Objectives and Study: To determine if mild ketosis from ingestion of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) in coconut oil will improve effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Methods: An APOE4+ 58 year old Caucasian male with probable early onset Alzheimer’s disease received coconut oil 35 ml daily with breakfast. On day 35, dosing was increased to twice per day and on Day 54 to three times per day. MMSEs were administered on Day 0, four hours after Day 1 dose and on day 65. On Days 0, 14 and 37 the Clock Test was repeated. On day 52, plasma ketones acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate levels were measured before and at several intervals following 35 ml of coconut oil at two meals.

Results: On Day 0, SJN scored 14/30 on MMSE. Four hours after Day 1 dose of coconut oil, MMSE increased to 18/30 and on Day 65, 20/30. Accompanying image shows clock drawings on Days 0, 14 and 37. Day 52 levels of acetoacetate/beta-hydroxybutryate (mM) peaked at 0.14/0.03335 grams 180′ after 35 gram dose coconut oil at breakfast and increased to 0.217/0.135 180′ after dinner dose. By Day 90 SJN reported resolution of visual disturbance that interfered with reading, and author/caregiver noted normalization of gait, near resolution of facial and intention tremor, improvements in interaction, conversation, sense of humor, memory of recent events, task completion, renewed interest in exercise and learning, and expression of hope for the future.

Conclusions: Previous studies using 20 gm of MCT oil have shown improved cognition in persons with AD. Similar improvement may occur using equivalent amount of MCFA as coconut oil, more widely available to world populations.