How Coconut Oil May Rescue The Brain From Alzheimer's Disease

by Sayer Ji | Green Med Info

Image: greenmedinfo.com

A promising new study soon to be published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease titled, "Coconut Oil Attenuates the Effects of Amyloid-β on Cortical Neurons In Vitro."[i]  The study lends fresh experimental support to an accumulating body of anecdotal reports that coconut oil may alleviate and/or regress cognitive deficits associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's.

Medical researchers from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada, undertook a pilot study to investigate the effects of coconut oil supplementation directly on cortical neurons treated with amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in vitro.  Aβ peptide is the main component of certain deposits found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease believed to contribute to the disease.

The researchers noted that a recent clinical trial, which we reported on in our article MCT Fats Found in Coconut Oil Boost Brain Function in Only One Dose, reported significant improvements in Alzheimer's disease patients after 45 and 90 days of treatment with medium chain triglycerides from coconut oil.  They pointed out that this trial led to the marketing of the FDA-approved 'medical food' caprylidene (trade name Axona), but that the public has shown greater interest in coconut oil itself as a potential therapy, owing to its far greater affordability and availability.

The researchers sought to test the hypothesis that coconut oil is beneficial for neurodegenerative conditions using a cell model.  Live rat neurons were exposed to various combinations of Aβ peptide and coconut oil, with the result that Aβ peptide reduced survival of neurons and coconut protected against this Aβ-induced reduction in survival time.  The researchers noted that coconut treated Aβ cultured neurons appeared "healthier," and that coconut oil "rescued" Aβ-treated neurons from mitochondrial damage caused by their toxicity.  The researchers observed coconut oil preventing Aβ-induced changes in mitochondrial size and circularity. These findings have great significance, as mitochondria function is often compromised in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients.

According to the researchers, "The rationale for using coconut oil as a potential AD [Alzheimer's Disease] therapy is related to the possibility that it could be metabolized to ketone bodies that would provide an alternative energy source for neurons, and thus compensate for mitochondrial dysfunction."  The researchers proposed that ketone bodies formed as a byproduct of coconut oil metabolism may offset Aβ-induced impairment of mitochondrial function and thus energy metabolism.  Considering that the medium chain triglyceride found in coconut known as caprylic acid does cross the blood-brain barrier, and has recently been found to have anti-convulsant, in addition to, ketogenic effects, coconut oil likely does have a neuroprotective effect.[ii]

Continue reading at greenmedinfo.com

Make your own organic dairy free coconut yogurt

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Dairy Free Coconut Yogurt:

Homemade raw vegan coconut yogurt is a great addition (and replacement) for regular dairy yogurt. It will not create mucus or inflammation in your body (like dairy yogurt does) and it tastes about 500 times better than regular yogurt (who doesn't like the taste of coconut?!)! There are many additions you can make to the yogurt after it has finished culturing - you may add your favourite raw granola, some berries, pineapple, peaches, or perhaps some raw walnuts or almonds - pretty much anything that comes to mind!

Image: www.yogurtculturecompany.com

Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut meat (from young thai coconut, or mature coconut - if it is from mature coconut then you should for sure have a vitamix blender to properly blend)
- 1/2 tbsp. coconut kefir
- 1/2 tsp. dairy free probiotics
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 cup young thai coconut water

Directions:
1. Blend all of the above ingredients in a Vitamix blender (or other high speed blender like Blendtec), until smooth and creamy with no chunks.
2. Take this mixture and pour into a bowl (or jar) and cover with a cheesecloth or lid NOT tightly sealed, but simply lightly placed on top.
3. Let your coconut yogurt to culture on the tabletop at room temperature for 8-16 hours. The longer it sits, the more sour, and more like yogurt it will taste (this is SAFE).
4. The yogurt should last one week after this point, in the fridge! Enjoy!



Additions (add to your yogurt after it has cultured):
- For SWEET yogurt, add:
-3-4 pitted medjool dates

- For Herbed yogurt, add:
- your favourite herbs! Dill, basil, mint, etc.

- For Fruity yogurt, add:
- Berries, peaches, nectarines, etc.


Recipe source: Raw Edibles

How to make a raw and vegan chocolate coconut creme torte

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Raw Vegan CHOCOLATE COCONUT CREAM TORTE by :Eric Rivkin Recipe from Eric new E-book :TO LIVE FOR.

Image: To Live For

Bottom Layer Crust:1 cup raw almonds or pecans, soaked 2 hours, rinsed 1 cup fresh or dried finely shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
¼ tsp cinnamon
Dash of cayenne

In a food processor with the S blade, mix until a crumb texture is reached. Set aside.

Coconut Cream Filling
2 cups firm young coconut pulp
5 bananas
1/4 cup coconut oil
4-5 pitted medjool dates
½ tsp vanilla extract or caviar scraped from 1 bean
Blend ingredients until creamy. Set aside and refrigerate.

6-8 large firm strawberries, de-stemmed and sliced 1/8” thick

Top Chocolate Layer
1 cup young coconut pulp
3 Tbsp coconut oil
½ cup raw cacao powder
3 pitted medjool dates
3 black mission figs
½ tsp vanilla extract or caviar scraped from 1 bean
¼ tsp cinnamon
Dash of cayenne
Blend ingredients until thick and smooth, adding just enough coconut water to turn over in blender. Set aside.

Garnish
1 cup assorted berries - raspberry, blueberry, sliced strawberries
1 tsp honey
Mint leaves (optional)
Blend the honey with about a few of the strawberries to make a glaze. Toss gently with the berries and mint and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Assembly:
1. Press crust recipe evenly into a 9” spring-form torte pan with a removable side greased with a little coconut oil.
2. De-stem, then slice the strawberries the long way and press the large pieces against the inside of the torte pan. Use the smaller heels in the garnish..
3. Pour in and spread the Coconut Cream Filling.
4. Freeze for 2 hours to firm up.
5. Pour on and spread the top chocolate layer mix. Refrigerate or freeze again until firm.
6. When ready to serve, first arrange the fruit garnish on top.

Source: vivalaraw.org
RawForBeauty.com

Natural DIY Juices For Cellular Regeneration

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"Chlorophyll will be the principle protein for the coming light bearing age. When freshly made in a drink, it contains synthesized sunshine, plus the electric current necessary for the revitalization of the body, and it will open areas of the brain that man yet known nothing about."-Dr. Ann Wigmore, 'Let There Be Light'

Image: Live Love Fruit 

The fresh juice of plants is very much like the juice of our cells. Drinking the juice of fresh greens be it herbs or foods is like drinking the nectar of the rejuvenation of youth. The essential elements that may be lacking in your body cells- particularly the live enzymes, bioactive vitamins, minerals, trace minerals and other unknown factors that- can be easily assimilated through daily green sunlight transfusion of fresh green juices that are often destroyed by processing.

Use organic produce as much as possible, and drink immediately after extracting. Be sure to drink slowly and swish around in your mouth for around 30 seconds to activate the enzymes in your mouth and prevent bloating and digestive upset. Be creative with these recipes and use whatever greens and produce you have in your garden and what's in season. When juicing greens balance them with pleasant sweet tasting vegetables such as: carrot, beets, squash, celery or a few apples to give it that familiar taste you are familiar with.

Lemon Water:
Drink lemon water in the morning to help flush out toxins. Squeeze 1 lemon into 1 litre of water to do a full-body flush.

Orange Juice:
A little later in the morning prepare 4 large freshly pressed oranges and 1 cup young thai coconut water (don't drink pasturized orange juice! This is heated to high temperatures so the enzymes are destroyed). Oranges are great for pulling out toxins from our cells and the natural sugars help feed our glucose-hungry brain. Coconut is great for replenishing electrolytes we require throughout the day.

Green Juice:
The chlorophyll molecule closely resembles hemin (a component of hemoglobin), the pigment that combines with protein to form hemoglobin. The latter is present in the red corpuscles of the blood and by carrying oxygen to the tissues makes the production of energy and life possible. The major difference between chlorophyll and hemin is that chlorophyll contains magnesium while hemin contains iron as its central atom.

Fresh green juices used without any additional dietary changes have a great effect on a wide range of diseases. The human being dies from over 250 known diseases, whereas grass-eating animals in the wild, such as the horse, deer, steer or elephant are prone to only five or ten diseases. The only explanation that scientists have been able to come up with is that these animals are living on a diet that is fresh and grown naturally by the earth without the use of chemicals.

You may choose any of the green juices from this blog (or whatever you can come up with). Include some kind of sweeter root vegetable or apple for some sweetness, and at least 1 lemon and ginger or turmeric to add a full-body detox kick. Add a bunch of leafy greens (either kale, romaine, or some other leafy green), and neutral vegetables like celery, cucumber and fennel.

Beet Juice:
Beet juice helps to replenish our blood cells and prevent anemia. There are plenty of juice recipes on this blog that feature beets. Typically, a great beet juice recipe includes 3-4 beets, a handful of carrots, 3-4 inches ginger, 1 lemon and 5-6 stalks celery.

Source: Live Love Fruit

7 Remedies To Keep Skin Clear

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Growing up, particularly in our teens, we are constantly told that eating fruits and vegetables will keep our skin clear. But there is more to it than just eating them and some of them can be used as a great natural alternative to medicine. 

Modern lifestyles often have a tremendous impact on our skin.

 We eat food and drink beverages that clog up our arteries, cause slow digestion and damage our cells. It is a well known fact that whatever damage we do to our bodies on the inside, will show on the outside.  Too often we run to the local pharmacy or doctor to treat problems such as acne, blemishes, pigmentation and infections. The treatments are often chemical concoctions that treat the symptoms and not the cause. 

Listed below are some natural treatments that provide a refreshing alternative.

1. Cucumbers contain vitamin k which is great for reducing puffiness to eyes and vitamin c which can aid in promoting collagen growth. 
2. Turmeric is high in antioxidants which can be great for lightening dark blemishes such as acne scars and age/sun spots.
3. Papaya is another rich antioxidant. it can also be used to remove dead skin cells when applied to the skin topically.
4. Lemon is great for removing dead skin cells and also acts as a moisturizer. It has antioxidant properties and can be eaten, added to salad dressings or applied direct to the skin.
5. Coconut water has anti-fungal properties, high in vitamin c and also in vitamin b which can aid in the repair of skin tissue. It can be taken as a drink or simply washing your face or body in it will help to improve your skin.
6. Mint, in particular peppermint is a great way to treat skin infections and is soothing relief for insect bites and stings.. It can also be used to help eradicate scabies mites but there is very little research to show the effectiveness of this. 
7. Neem goes way beyond cleaning blocked pores and eliminating pimples. It has anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also an analgesic, which means it can be used as a pain killer when used topically (applied to the skin). This is a little powerhouse and the essential oil and leaves are perfect for healing skin problems.

Always remember when trying any of these, do a skin test first. As with anything, sometimes sensitivity can occur.

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Make Your Own Chemical Free Shampoo and Rinse

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The good fat?

We live in a fast food culture and multiple health problems are being tied to the fats contained in the meals.  Health insurance costs are crushing and quality of life is diminished by chronic illness.  What may surprise you is that many foods that you buy in grocery stores contain these fats too.  Now, what if fat was actually good for you instead?  It is, depending on the type.  Did you know that monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are actually good for your heart and have multiple positive health impact for those who consume them on a regular basis.  Maybe it's time to switch to "the good fat."

Here are some sources of healthy fats:
Olive oil
Safflower oil
Peanut oil
Flax seed
Coconut
Avocado

So, now that you know where to find healthy fat for your diet, why should you actually make the switch?  Here are a few reasons:

• Reduce the risk of Alzheimer's
• Reduce the risk of cancer
• Help skin look more healthy
• Lower cholesterol
• May help manage blood sugar levels
• Help prevent heart disease
• Metabolize stored fat
• Maintain energy levels

For more nutrition info check out thescienceofeating.com

How To Lose Weight Naturally

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Anti-inflammatory Pain Relief Smoothie

Anti Inflammatory Pain Relief Smoothie!

RawForBeauty.com

1/2 cup Coconut flesh

1-2 cups of Coconut water or water

1 tablespoon of Chia or Hemp seed

1 cup frozen Cherries

5-8 fresh Basil leaves

Oh it looks so good! Keeping healthy is so much fun!