Modern medical and technological advancements have increased the average life expectancy hugely, but are we living a healthier life because of our ‘state of the art’ medical system? We have widespread heart disease, obesity, diabetes, arthritis and cognitive impairment to name just a few of the chronic illnesses that we are suffering.
We live in the land of processed foods, sugar, environmental toxins, GMO foods and mercury-laced vaccines and dental fillings. The impact is extreme and neurological degeneration is occurring at progressively younger ages. I find in my practice that many of my patients are complaining of some form of mental fog, lack of concentration, or fatigue even as teenagers. Some are even experiencing the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease as early as in their forties!
Your brain consumes 20% of all your calories, and it’s time to fuel your mind with brain food! Fortunately, Mother Nature provides a 100% natural coat of armour to protect us from neurological decline, among other health conditions.
The blood-brain barrier is a protective sheath that separates the brain from the rest of the body’s blood. It works so well, that essential nutrients like healthy fats can’t get across to nourish and fuel your brain. There is one type of fat, however, that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and revitalise the brain and it is Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), which are also the perfect brain food.
MCTs provide an alternative fuel source to glucose. Glucose can certainly feed your brain, but it also creates inflammation, the root cause of cognitive degeneration. So giving the brain MCTs, boosts levels of ketones in the brain, and ketones have great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, boosting blood flow in the brain, neutralising free radicals, and reducing inflammation.
One of the markers of Alzheimer’s disease is a decline in the brain’s ability to effectively use glucose for fuel. A study published in the journal ‘Neurobiology of Aging’ suggests that MCTs as an alternative to glucose can significantly boost brain function. Researchers gave 20 patients with Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment emulsified MCTs for 90 minutes. They found elevated levels of ketones in their brains, and test scores increased dramatically as long as ketone levels remained steady.
Coconut oil is one of the top sources of MCTs, with a concentration of approximately 66%. Taking just 2 tablespoons of coconut oil a day can sharpen your mind, raise your energy levels, improve your mood, and protect against neurological degeneration. It also helps with weight loss, immune support, hormone balance, heart health, cholesterol imbalances, wrinkles, thyroid function, and more!
Getting your daily dose of 2 tablespoons of coconut oil is quite easy. Stop using vegetable and seed oils full of trans fats and cook with coconut oil instead. It is heat stable and won’t turn rancid. You can also add coconut oil to your smoothies, or use it to bake with.