The role of dietary coconut for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease: potential mechanisms of action
Coconut, Cocos nucifera L., is a tree that is cultivated to provide a large number of products, although it is mainly grown for its nutritional and medicinal values. Coconut oil, derived from the coconut fruit, has been recognised historically as containing high levels of saturated fat; however, clo...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press
2015
|
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30671 |
| _version_ | 1848753154248671232 |
|---|---|
| author | Fernando, W. Martins, I. Goozee, K. Brennan, C. Jayasena, Vijay Martins, R. |
| author_facet | Fernando, W. Martins, I. Goozee, K. Brennan, C. Jayasena, Vijay Martins, R. |
| author_sort | Fernando, W. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Coconut, Cocos nucifera L., is a tree that is cultivated to provide a large number of products, although it is mainly grown for its nutritional and medicinal values. Coconut oil, derived from the coconut fruit, has been recognised historically as containing high levels of saturated fat; however, closer scrutiny suggests that coconut should be regarded more favourably. Unlike most other dietary fats that are high in long-chain fatty acids, coconut oil comprises medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). MCFA are unique in that they are easily absorbed and metabolised by the liver, and can be converted to ketones. Ketone bodies are an important alternative energy source in the brain, and may be beneficial to people developing or already with memory impairment, as in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Coconut is classified as a highly nutritious ‘functional food’. It is rich in dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals; however, notably, evidence is mounting to support the concept that coconut may be beneficial in the treatment of obesity, dyslipidaemia, elevated LDL, insulin resistance and hypertension – these are the risk factors for CVD and type 2 diabetes, and also for AD. In addition, phenolic compounds and hormones (cytokinins) found in coconut may assist in preventing the aggregation of amyloid-ß peptide, potentially inhibiting a key step in the pathogenesis of AD. The purpose of the present review was to explore the literature related to coconut, outlining the known mechanistic physiology, and to discuss the potential role of coconut supplementation as a therapeutic option in the prevention and management of AD. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:20:00Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-30671 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:20:00Z |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-306712017-09-13T15:10:07Z The role of dietary coconut for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease: potential mechanisms of action Fernando, W. Martins, I. Goozee, K. Brennan, C. Jayasena, Vijay Martins, R. Coconut, Cocos nucifera L., is a tree that is cultivated to provide a large number of products, although it is mainly grown for its nutritional and medicinal values. Coconut oil, derived from the coconut fruit, has been recognised historically as containing high levels of saturated fat; however, closer scrutiny suggests that coconut should be regarded more favourably. Unlike most other dietary fats that are high in long-chain fatty acids, coconut oil comprises medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). MCFA are unique in that they are easily absorbed and metabolised by the liver, and can be converted to ketones. Ketone bodies are an important alternative energy source in the brain, and may be beneficial to people developing or already with memory impairment, as in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Coconut is classified as a highly nutritious ‘functional food’. It is rich in dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals; however, notably, evidence is mounting to support the concept that coconut may be beneficial in the treatment of obesity, dyslipidaemia, elevated LDL, insulin resistance and hypertension – these are the risk factors for CVD and type 2 diabetes, and also for AD. In addition, phenolic compounds and hormones (cytokinins) found in coconut may assist in preventing the aggregation of amyloid-ß peptide, potentially inhibiting a key step in the pathogenesis of AD. The purpose of the present review was to explore the literature related to coconut, outlining the known mechanistic physiology, and to discuss the potential role of coconut supplementation as a therapeutic option in the prevention and management of AD. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30671 10.1017/S0007114515001452 Cambridge University Press unknown |
| spellingShingle | Fernando, W. Martins, I. Goozee, K. Brennan, C. Jayasena, Vijay Martins, R. The role of dietary coconut for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease: potential mechanisms of action |
| title | The role of dietary coconut for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease: potential mechanisms of action |
| title_full | The role of dietary coconut for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease: potential mechanisms of action |
| title_fullStr | The role of dietary coconut for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease: potential mechanisms of action |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of dietary coconut for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease: potential mechanisms of action |
| title_short | The role of dietary coconut for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease: potential mechanisms of action |
| title_sort | role of dietary coconut for the prevention and treatment of alzheimer's disease: potential mechanisms of action |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30671 |