Virgin Coconut Oil More Effective than Drugs in Combating Stress and Depression

[donnay]

Virgin Coconut Oil More Effective than Drugs in Combating Stress and Depression

Written By: Brian Shilhavy

Is it time for a new paradigm in mental health? Are non-drugs, like virgin coconut oil, a safter and more effective alternative to stress and depression?

A new study conducted in Malaysia looked at the effects of consuming high-antioxidant virgin coconut oil on mental health.

Published in the journal Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine and believed to be the first study of its kind, researchers evaluated the anti-stress and antioxidant effects of virgin coconut oil in mice with stress-induced injuries. The title of the study is "Antistress and antioxidant effects of virgin coconut oil in vivo."

The researchers performed several stress tests on groups of mice. Control groups included untreated mice and mice not subjected to stress, and virgin coconut oil was compared to a commonly prescribed psychiatric drug, Diazepam.

Their results were quite impressive, and suggest that using a high quality virgin coconut oil can rival antidepressant drugs without the dangerous side effects. The researchers attributed the success in treatment to the unique mixture of medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil, rich in saturated fats, and to the antioxidants present in higher grade, less processed virgin coconut oils.

While we do not endorse the supposed "science" behind psychiatric drugs, which attempts to measure such things as "neurotransmitters" and "biochemical profiles" as true indicators of mental health that can be altered by chemical drugs, it is encouraging to see researchers consider natural foods as alternatives, given the fact that they do not have all the serious side effects that psychiatric drugs do.

One of the more interesting tests conducted in this study was a measurement of "immobility time" after a forced swim test. The researchers found that the untreated mice had a longer immobility time than mice treated with virgin coconut oil. They attributed this to the high medium-chain fatty acid content of coconut oil, which is known to produce thermogenesis and increased energy.

One area where virgin coconut oil (VCO) really outperformed the drug Diazepam was in the area of oxidation and elimination of free radicals. This is something that can be measured with lipid peroxidation (MDA) and antioxidant enzyme SOD levels. Stress is known to increase oxidation and the creation of free radicals, leading to neuronal cell damage and death. Antioxidants, on the other hand, reverse this trend and help prevent further neuronal damage.

Continued...

[puppetmaster]

This I know from experience.

[Suzanimal]

I'm trying to convince my uncle to start taking coconut oil everyday. He has mild dementia, depression, and he's a bit chubby from eating out all the time.

[Ronin Truth]

Hey

Another really GREAT reason to get to keep on eating my Mounds bars.

[donnay]

Hey

Another really GREAT reason to get to keep on eating my Mounds bars.

Almond Joy's are better.

[angelatc]

: Virgin Coconut Oil More Effective than Drugs in Combating Stress and Depression

If you're taking it to combat stress and depression, then by definition it is a drug. So how can it be more effective than a drug?

While we do not endorse the supposed "science" behind psychiatric drugs, which attempts to measure such things as "neurotransmitters" and "biochemical profiles" as true indicators of mental health that can be altered by chemical drugs, it is encouraging to see researchers consider natural foods as alternatives, given the fact that they do not have all the serious side effects that psychiatric drugs do.

This sentence is a comedic gift that just keeps on giving. Just for kicks, who paid for this study?

[donnay]

Study: Virgin Coconut Oil More Effective than Drugs in Combating Stress and Depression

Antistress and antioxidant effects of virgin coconut oil in vivo

[puppetmaster]

I'm trying to convince my uncle to start taking coconut oil everyday. He has mild dementia, depression, and he's a bit chubby from eating out all the time.

take it to him. Tell him it will work in a day.

[presence]

If you're taking it to combat stress and depression, then by definition it is a drug. So how can it be more effective than a drug?

let thy food be thy medicine?

[Dianne]

What's the dosage per day?

[presence]

What's the dosage per day?

I consume about 2 tsp of nutiva organic coconut oil daily usually at breakfast;

nutiva is by far the good $#@!

I emulsify one tsp in my coffee.
I fry my eggs in a tsp.

[dannno]

let thy food be thy medicine?

That's against her religion.

[jj-]

By the way, even refined coconut oil works. It's the type of fat what produces the effect. Refined is easier to cook with because it doesn't provide an unwanted coconut taste to some foods.

[jj-]

I'm trying to convince my uncle to start taking coconut oil everyday. He has mild dementia, depression, and he's a bit chubby from eating out all the time.

If he has excess iron stores, he would benefit from donating blood.

Unfortunately ferritin is rarely tested so he won't see documentation to know what's going on either way. The test is not even among the most expensive.

[donnay]

I consume about 2 tsp of nutiva organic coconut oil daily usually at breakfast;

nutiva is by far the good $#@!

I emulsify one tsp in my coffee.
I fry my eggs in a tsp.

Ditto here.

I love it in my coffee.

[puppetmaster]

2 table spoons here.

[jj-]

2 table spoons here.

I read you used coconut oil for a relative, I think. Checking their ferritin may be good, to see if they have a lot of iron stores and in that case donate blood. It could benefit too.

[puppetmaster]

I read you used coconut oil for a relative, I think. Checking their ferritin may be good, to see if they have a lot of iron stores and in that case donate blood. It could benefit too.

yes my mother. She is frail and would not do well to donate blood

[jj-]

yes my mother. She is frail and would not do well to donate blood

There is a thing called therapeutic phlebotomy, with this approach one can remove small amounts of blood gradually.

It might be worth it if she has a lot of iron stores (measured by ferritin). Not saying she does, but women are more likely to have it as they get older.

[opal]

Valium qualifies a psychiatric drug too? I thought it was a basic tranquilizer.

[donnay]

Valium qualifies a psychiatric drug too? I thought it was a basic tranquilizer.

Valium is a common brand name for Diazepam, which is an anti-anxiety, anti-convulsant, and muscle relaxant.

What is diazepam?

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.

Diazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or muscle spasms. Diazepam is sometimes used with other medications to treat seizures.

Diazepam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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