Alzheimer's disease

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• February 14, 2013 10:44 p.m.

  I am a firm believer! My mother, post open heart bypass surgery has not recovered well at all. At age 75 she was seeing people who weren't there, forgetting family, standing in the room but didn't know where she was or which way to her room, all of this post surgery and within a year. One doctor diagnosed Parkinson's, I'm not convinced. But anyhow, I purchased a book Awakening from Alzheimer's, and WOW , we began a coconut oil regimen. Within two weeks, she was again able to go to the salon, no more hallucinations, began sleeping better, too. She was faithful on it for three months and had to be hospitalized for CHF fluid overload. Now after just over a week, no coconut oil, sadly she cannot keep her thoughts together and adds random words in wrong places. She has a lot of confusion. She has been put in SNF so I hope to sneak it back in to her. I have seen it go full circle and I testify of its amazing benefits whenever I can. I just wonder if there are capsules as effective?? It would be easy to get this form back into her diet. Any comments welcome!!

  - Cecilia

• September 19, 2012 4:49 p.m.

  COMPLEMENTING: Two research articles about benefits of extravirgin coconut oil : 1) EFFECTS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION WITH COCONUT OIL ON LIPID AND CARDIOVASCULAR PROFILE OF DYSLIPIDEMIC SUBJECTS (from the journal : Brasília Med 2011;48(1):42-49) “ … Conclusion. The results suggest that dietary supplementation with extra virgin coconut oil is able to exert benefits on lipid profile and cardiovascular hypercholesterolemic subjects. However, randomized controlled trials are needed …” 2) EFFECTS OF DIETARY COCONUT OIL ON THE BIOCHEMICAL AND ANTHROPOMETRIC PROFILES OF WOMEN PR ESENTING ABDOMINAL OBESITY - LIPIDS - VOLUME 44, NUMBER 7 (2009) (A randomised, double-blind, clinical trial that involved 40 women aged 20–40 years , using coconut oil versus soy oil ) “ ... group C (group C – it is the COCONUT oil group–EVCO) presented a higher level of HDL (48.7 ± 2.4 vs. 45.00 ± 5.6; P = 0.01) and a lower LDL:HDL ratio (2.41 ± 0.8 vs. 3.1 ± 0.8; P = 0.04) ... “. “ ... Group S ( group S – it is the SOY oil group ) presented an increase (P < 0.05) in total cholesterol , LDL and LDL:HDL ratio, whith HDL diminished (P = 0.03). Such alterations were not observed in group C (coconut oil group) ...” Coclusion : It appears that dietetic supplementation with COCONUT OIL (EVCO) does NOT cause dyslipidemia and seems to promote a reduction in abdominal obesity

  - Carlos

• September 19, 2012 4:40 p.m.

  Heart benefits of extra virgin coconut oil : About extravirgin coconut oil and heart health , I found two brazilian articles .I guess that any universities and institutions around the world , that works with research of dementia , can makes similar researches with extravirgin coconut oil and MCTs , to get their own conclusions. The first article , showed strong benefits to protect against heart and other vascular diseases with the use of extravirgin coconut oil , as I paste bellow . The study was made by the Universidade Paulista (UNIP), Campus Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil ,and was found on line in march 2011. EFFECTS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION WITH COCONUT OIL ON LIPID AND CARDIOVASCULAR PROFILE OF DYSLIPIDEMIC SUBJECTS (from the journal : Brasília Med 2011;48(1):42-49) Objective. To evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with extra virgin coconut oil on lipid profile and cardiovascular dyslipidemic subjects. Method. This is an intervention research conducted in a cardiology clinic of Valparaiso de Goiás. The sample consisted of 32 patients with hypercholesterolemia, 50% female, mean age 48 years. All patients were supplemented with 30 mL/day coconut oil for three months. The authors analyzed body weight, body mass index, abdominal perimeter and abdomen-hip ratio, dietary intake (24 hour recall), as well as full lipid profile, fasting glucose, apolipoprotinein AI and B, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] and fibrinogen before and

  - Carlos

• August 29, 2012 4:05 p.m.

  You would think that in investigation would take place when specialists hear of the 'coconut oil treatment' that people are giving to their loved ones with AD. And not just say ...'As it stands however, there's been limited research on coconut oil. Any existing evidence lacks scientific confidence that it helps. The individuals who have experienced such incredible results remain too few to get our hopes up just yet. But, like many of you, I'll remain cautiously optimistic and pay attention to what unfolds.' Ya know....some of us cannot just wait, so we take this coconut oil treatment and apply it and pray it helps while others wait and see what unfolds...

  - RJM

• August 22, 2012 7:22 a.m.

  I would like to be part of any research that will stop this disease. I feel normal but my mom has late stage AD and Lung Cancer.

  - Debbie

• August 11, 2012 7:06 a.m.

  My father 86 with A|D started taking coconut oil initially 1 to 2 tbsps a day in food. We daughters and wife feed him. After about 10 weeks all of us and my mother saw an improvement in alertness and communication plus hands opening more. So she gives him another tbsp at lunch most days. There have been no other changes with his Respiridone and Lexapro. Wishful thinking?? We do not think so. This communication we are getting is a blessing as he used to just keep his eyes closed with being fed. He was and still is a great man. Please continue with more research into this.

  - Lynne

• August 6, 2012 4:33 p.m.

  My husband is 58 years old and was diagnosed 2 years ago with Early-Onset Alzheimers. He is taking Aricept, Vitamin B-12, folic acid and coconut oil. We have found promise in this regimine. After reading many articles and speaking with Dr. Mary Newport who has been a leader in the use of coconut oil for her husband, also diagosed at age 58, I was convinced that we needed to try this. The use of coconut oil may not be for everyone, but we have seen that there has not be a significant increase in his symptoms since beginning the oil. He currently takes 1 tablespoon, three times a day. With his next mini-mental test, we may bump up the amount to see what it does.

  - Debbie

• July 9, 2012 9:10 p.m.

  My daddy died last week after being diagnosed with AD over 8 years ago. My sister got him into a Geriatric Assessment Program (GAP)early on and I think this program and drug regime slowed the progression of AD in him drastically. He lived at home until January of this year when a bout of aspiration pneumonia and UTI was more than he could recover from and he had to be placed in a facility. We had help come in 3 days a week prior to that which both my parents resisted but it worked out great.

  - vicki

• May 11, 2012 5:43 a.m.

  I Love your articles guys keep it up. coconut oil

  - coconut oil

• April 25, 2012 5:33 p.m.

  I would love to get my mom (shes 81) into a clinical trial but shes has progressed so quickly that the doctors said there is nothing they can do for her. She was diagnosed at 77 with AD because she was having problems with word retrieval. Otherwise she was fine. They put her on Aricept and Namenda and I believe it made her progress very quickly. She started getting terrible seizures (like twitches) and they said it was just the diease. One neurologist didn't even know what it was. After alot of frustration and anger I researched a new doctor who said it was from the Aricept and took her off it but they haven't stopped. My dad doesn't do anything to help her. My sister and I live far away and my dad is very stubborn so she basically deteriorated to nothing. Shes in a wheelchair all the time and the caregiver uses a lift to move her. She doesn't talk at all and doesn't know us. she just stares at the TV all day. The doctors say this is the disease and there is nothing you can do. I put her on coconut oil but she doesn't take any other supplements. I think that is a mistake but my dad refuses. The doctor said she is to far gone to put her in any clinical trials. So basically everyone but me has given up on her and are waiting for her to die. I don't accept that. Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I love her so much and if she knew what her life is like she would have killed herself.

  - Laurie

• March 4, 2012 3:49 p.m.

  Does coconut hold promise for memor or dementia disorders? How can we get into the research studies at Mayo? joyjonesleyh@aol.com

  - Joy

• February 27, 2012 11:41 a.m.

  I have read about Coconut Oil (the ketones) helping alzheimer victims. What does Mayo have to say about that?

  - Joan

• February 22, 2012 8:50 a.m.

  Liz, thank you for your interest. Please see Angela's suggestions for who to contact at the bottom of this blog posting. If you're interested in Mayo Clinic clinical trials go to the "Research'' link at the top of this page, or at this URL: http://clinicaltrials.mayo.edu/ Thanks again.

  - MayoClinic.com staff

• February 22, 2012 7:39 a.m.

  the first thing i would say to you francis is change your attitude approach to your attitude about ad or mini stroke dementia this is the hardest ( or maybe easiest) thing that anyone can do. you can't change your husband he has ad or mini stroke dementia or is it related to alcohol whatever you cant change him so any changes to be made must be you. if you cant do this then you have a problem and any thing any one will suggest will not work because you are not open to ways of helping your partner if you are willing to change then i am willing to offer potential ways to help you

  - liz

• February 22, 2012 7:22 a.m.

  i would be only too willing to join any research project to help i have been a rn i have taught classes of nurses aboutdementia now i try to teach my friends coping skills for caring with people with dementia or alzheimers eg get in their space but how do you teach the every day nurse" go to work come home done my job " if only for some very few simple skills their day at work would be easy and what about the person with ad their day would be better so if their is someone doing research i want to help

  - liz

• February 19, 2012 7:49 p.m.

  My husband of 57 years has dementia. He was diagnosed about 3 years ago, although I saw signs at least 10 years ago. From then on, I tried to get him to talk to his doctor. He would tell me he did and the doctor said it was nothing wrong. I then wrote letters to his doctors, becasue he would not let me go with him. He said he gave the letter to the doctor but I found out much later, he did not. the doctor did suggest he take fish oil pill and omeg 3. He told me the doctor said only if he wanted to, to please me so he did not. Finally 3 years ago, I got him to go to my primary doctor and she sent him to a geriatic, that ran the test to determine he had had a numerous mini strokes. He is now on medication but he is very angry with me for getting him into taking the test, the medicine he has to take is my fault, yet, he has to depend on me to see to his medicine, food, clothes, and most everything. And all this, he still think he is in better shape than me. He has to be in charge. I can not get any private time, as he will not stay with anyone else. Has anyone else had a problem like this? Even after three different doctors, all types of test determine he has dementia and he will say at time, I don't rememeber and still think he is fine and does not have dementia? I am at a lost as to how to deal with this.

  - Frances

• February 15, 2012 10:33 p.m.

  I've just heard that coconut oil helps with alzheimers. Is that true?

  - Sandy

• February 15, 2012 9:12 a.m.

  Please everyone do what you can about volunteering for research, this disease is going on without real help way to long, ( I for one am tired of hearing about cancer patients(they can see what they are up against)I apologize I have friends who have "beaten cancer" even relatives, I am envious I guess. I have early onset AD otherwise now known as MCI, dementia (because you need an autopsy to confirm AD later) I know Very well what is going on and what will go on.I am at the present fighting every step of the way,praying to be one of the % that does not progress too bad. However you doctors and authors are all right about one thing . It is the "most devastating disiese" there is. I know, I saw it first hand, cared for it first hand and now I will get to experience it first hand. As I walk down the beach in the sand, I turn and look, even my foot prints are dissappearing. Please get involved in Research for our children and grandchildren, we are. - not ready to leave my mind behind

  - not ready to leave my mind behind

• February 13, 2012 4:32 p.m.

  My wife has early onset AD. Now 65, she is well into moderate to severe AD. Issue with clinical trials is the treating physician. PHYSICIAN needs to automatically encourage participation. Instead, they seem to put one on the defensive when suggesting participation; they make you feel like you are questioning their ability to treat the patient. The treating physician would know or should know what clinical trial would benefit the most based on his patient's current status.

  - Andy

• February 13, 2012 3:57 p.m.

  As a follow up to the current posting on participating in research I want to offer a couple of links to websites where you can search clinical trails that are currently available, as well as review the criteria for being considered. The National Institute of Aging is the lead Federal agency for Alzheimer's disease research and continues to study new drugs to reverse Alzheimer's disease. http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers The Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch™, is a free service for people with Alzheimer's, caregivers, families and physicians to locate clinical trials based on personal criteria (diagnosis, stage of disease) and location. www.alz.org/TrialMatch or (800) 272-3900. Thanks for your interest and support.

  - Angela Lunde

• February 13, 2012 1:33 p.m.

  For Betty- May God give you the strength to care for your husband, but do ask for help otherwise you will be physically and emotionally exhausted. Is there any way you can get involved in some type of prayer meeting,support group, or ask friends to help out?

  - Martha

• February 11, 2012 7:00 p.m.

  For Darlene--Re: bladder drugs: My father (90), who has Lewy Body dementia, has similar problems with frequent urination, especially at night. I, too, was aware of the association between anticholinergics and confusion, and decided (with dr's. permission ) to take him off his Ditropan temporarily, to see if that would make a difference. At the time, I also questioned the efficacy of the drug, since he was still frequently wet, both day and night. I found out two things with this trial and error experiment; the first was that YES, the drug was working, because without it, he was twice as wet and twice as often, and secondly, even after a period off the Ditropan, he was just as confused as he had been on it. So I happily resumed giving it to him, and believe that his quality of life is better with the drug. You might want to ask your dr. if she would be willing to do just do a trial on Ditropan or something similar--it may be that it affects different people in different ways. I also told myself that everytime Dad gets up at night (not to mention during the day), it increases his fall risk by several times, so that was a factor, as well. I wish you luck.

  - No name given

• February 11, 2012 3:57 p.m.

  Have been caring for my husband who has AD for the past 6 years, and as I look back, even longer, just not as severe. He had a stroke 3 years ago, and since that time, can not remember anything, but is mobile. Thank the good Lord for that. Days get long, and lonely. I long for someone to have a normal conversation with. He doesn't understand most things. I am hoping to get some help to come and give me a break, tried adult day care, they wouldn't keep him as he walked out and they don't have staff for one on one to watch. I don't think he he quite ready for the memory care unit, but it's close, and that will take all our resources. I know he will fuss when I get some relief, but I am going to give it a try. Those of us who are caregivers are fighting such a losing battle. I pray for us all.

  - Betty

• February 11, 2012 10:04 a.m.

  Marie, your suggestion is so very right.If I could share some things I experienced. I helped care for may people with AD, including my father for 9 years ( he started at 57).He loved to play cards,so we would play cards with him,I had always found "quiet" better than noisy, no distractions, soft voice over raising a voice. When I took care of "Lolly" she was a music teacher in her well time,and liked to try on hats, so when it was time for a shower (I was the only one to be able to give her one) I would put on some familiar piano music softly and she would change her mood almost instantly,(tv off)then I would tell her "as soon as she can gets her shower finished she could try on hats, it was amazing. It does take un-ending patients for caregivers. I found in my past too of caregiving....don't ever "rush a person", don't use the word "we" there can be misconceptions on your intentions to an AD patients,( had it happen several times with my friend Lolly until I (cought on what was upsettig her) when I used we she apparently thought I meant WE! What you say is not what they interpret. Be patient and kind as you can as a caregiver, find some peace in caregiving, our lives are what they are now, not in the past. I myself have MCI,I have only to keep letting people know we need Research, I am waiting to hear on a Research program and we have spoken to my Dr at Mayo in regards to testing and brain donation, that is my prayer for anyone af

  - Catherine

• February 11, 2012 8:39 a.m.

  Being new to this circle of "care-givers", the idea that we might be able to join a research project offers some sort of validation to our journey. The future can be brighter as we make our contribution. We offer prayer daily that others might be spared this condition.

  - Hazel