Are saturated fats from plants healthier?
Nutrition Diva
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Coconut Oil as a Brain Health Booster for Alzheimer's
The primary argument for coconut oil as a brain health booster is that it is rich in medium chain triglycerides or MCTs. These are metabolized a little differently than most types of fat and break down into ketones, which can be used by the brain cells for fuel. In Alzheimer's disease, brain cells can become resistant to the effects of insulin, meaning they don't take up glucose very effectively. But pet scans of Alzheimer's patients show that areas of the brain that are having trouble utilizing glucose will readily take up ketones. So the idea that coconut oil could help people with Alzheimer's by providing an alternate source of fuel is completely plausible.
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