There is evidence that coconut oil may be a potent weapon in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia and, perhaps, psychological problems such as depression.

Not just any coconut oil will do the trick, though. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is extracted from fresh coconut meat without the use of high heat or chemicals, preserving its natural nutrients, flavor, and aroma. VCO is typically pressed from fresh, moist coconut flesh, a process called “wet-milling,” or by cold-pressing dried coconut meat (copra). VCO is solid at room temperature, but melts in your mouth above seventy-six degrees Fahrenheit.

Refined coconut oil, on the other hand, has been through processing that often leaves it deodorized, bleached, or otherwise altered, diminishing its appeal.

Alzheimer’s disease

Several studies have explored the potential of coconut oil to improve brain function in Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments.

In 2019, Canadian researchers evaluated more than eighty volunteers to determine whether a coconut oil-based drink could improve cognitive function. Half of the participants received the special formula, while the others consumed a placebo for more than six months. Those who drank the coconut oil beverage experienced significantly improved memory and language function, as reported in this study.

In 2024, Saudi Arabian scientists reviewed medical literature and concluded that the bioactive ingredients in coconut oil may improve memory in those with Alzheimer’s disease and significantly slow disease progression, according to their analysis.

Coconut oil is rich in medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are linked to improved metabolism and antimicrobial properties. Up to sixty-five percent of coconut oil is comprised of MCTs—primarily lauric acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid. MCTs are rapidly converted to ketones in the liver, providing the brain with an alternative energy source when glucose metabolism is impaired, as in Alzheimer’s disease. Ketones from MCTs may bypass glucose deficits, reduce oxidative stress, decrease amyloid-beta plaque formation, increase cerebral blood flow, and support mitochondrial function.

The beneficial effects of MCTs on Alzheimer’s disease are most pronounced in those with two copies of the APOE4 gene.

Apolipoprotein E is a protein that helps transport cholesterol and fats in the bloodstream and brain. The APOE gene has three common variants: APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4. The APOE4 variant is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular issues.

Depression

In 2023, Chinese researchers conducted an animal study suggesting that virgin coconut oil may have antidepressant-like effects. Rats were induced to exhibit depressive behavior through elevated blood levels of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), then treated with VCO. The treatment significantly alleviated depression-like behaviors and reduced neuroinflammation, while improving mitochondrial function in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, as described in this study.

In 2024, Iranian researchers randomized sixty volunteers to receive either VCO or a placebo for eight weeks and found that the VCO group experienced a significant increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as reported in this trial.

BDNF is a protein that supports the function of the hippocampus and basal forebrain, encouraging the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses. It also enhances the survival of neurons in degenerative diseases. In Parkinson’s disease, for example, BDNF supports dopaminergic neurons, improves neurotransmission, and enhances motor performance. Low levels of BDNF are well established in depression.

Other options

Numerous studies have suggested benefits of purified MCTs in Alzheimer’s disease. In 2019, Japanese researchers gave patients with Alzheimer’s disease a ketogenic formula based on MCTs. Participants showed significant improvements in memory and executive function, as measured by the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale.

Purified MCT oils are used in specially engineered ketogenic formulas, which are more concentrated and produce higher ketone levels than coconut oil. One well-known formulation is Axona, a medical food containing caprylic acid, marketed for Alzheimer’s disease.

Before adding coconut oil to your diet, keep in mind that its high saturated fat content—eighty to ninety percent, primarily lauric acid—may increase LDL cholesterol, posing cardiovascular risks.

Marc Arginteanu is a neurosurgeon and author of Azazel’s Public House.