DO KETONES HAVE ANTI-AGING EFFECTS?

There is a tiny worm that may tell us a big story about ketones. Called Caenorhabditis elegans, or C. elegans for short, this is a transparent free-living nematode (roundworm) less than 1/8 inch long (1 mm) that moves like a snake. The worm lives only about 2 to 3 weeks and emits a blue fluorescence when it dies.  It is one of the simplest organisms that has a nervous system, consisting of 302 neurons (brain cells) and has been used extensively since 1963 in medical research.  Every type of cell in this worm has been thoroughly studied and its entire genome has been mapped out.  C.elegans is a regular passenger on space flights and on the space station and actually survived the space shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003.  It has been used to study conditions like nicotine addiction, effects of zero gravity on muscle atrophy, sleep and aging. 

            

So, what does this have to do with ketones?  A recent research study using C.elegans strongly suggests that ketones extend lifespan and have anti-aging effects.  As we age, our cells deteriorate, often leading to chronic medical conditions and brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Dietary restriction of calories slows the process of aging down and increases the lifespan of many organisms including primates and C.elegans. Dietary restriction is known to increase ketone levels and this could at least partly explain its effects on prolonging life.  Researchers in the anti-aging field look for substances that mimic dietary restriction and lead to longer lifespan and delay the onset of diseases of aging.  It turns out that the ketone betahydroxybutyrate, found in ketone salts (marketed by the Pruvit company), is one of those anti-aging substances. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil and MCT oil, partly convert to betahydroxybutyrate as well.

            

In 2015, researchers at the University of South Florida published their study in which they found that high levels of D-betahydroxybutyrate extended the lifespan of C.elegans by 26% and that this effect was likely due, at least in part, to suppressing certain enzymes involved in inflammation and damage from reactive oxygen species. They then studied the effects of betahydroxybutyrate on models of the worm that were engineered to represent Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.  They further found that betahydroxybutyrate delayed the onset of signs of Alzheimer’s in the worm by 15% and also delayed the formation of clumps of the abnormal protein found in Parkinson’s disease by 35%.    The bottom line here is that betahydroxybutyrate prolonged the lifespan and was found to protect brain cells in the worm.

            

In an article published in 2017, Dr. Richard L. Veech and his associates at the National Institutes of Health further explain how these findings in C.elegans might be translated to prolonging human lifespan and delaying effects of aging on the brain.  The likely ketone effects involved include anti-inflammatory effects, reduction of damage from reactive oxygen species, and reducing levels of glucose and insulin.  My summary here is just a simple explanation for the very technical, complicated biochemistry involved.

            

We gigantic humans share many of the same chemical pathways as C. elegans, including those studied in the University of South Florida experiments. Do ketones have anti-aging effects?  Based on the latest information from studying this little worm, the answer to this question appears to be yes!

References:

Edwards C, J Canfield, N Copes, et al. D-beta-hydroxybutyrate extends lifespan in C. elegans. Aging Vol. 6 No. 8 (2014):1-24.

Edwards C, N Copes, PC Bradshaw. D-beta-hydroxybutyrate: an anti-aging ketone body. Oncotarget Vol. 6 No. 6 (2015): 3477-8.

Veech RL, PC Bradshaw, K Clarke, et al. Ketone bodies mimic the life span extending properties of caloric restriction. IUBMB Life Vol. 69 No. 5 (2017):305-314.

ON COCONUT OIL AND THE AHA: RESPONSE BY MARY NEWPORT MD TO THE AHA  ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIETARY FATS AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

The media has irresponsibly taken viral a fragment of information purporting that coconut oil may be bad for your heart from an article published in the medical journal "Circulation" 2017, 135:e1-24, as a presidential advisory committee report from the AHA, "Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease". The coconut oil industry on the other side of the world, mainly comprised of small farmers who grow and sell their coconuts, is reeling from the effects of this latest careless media campaign. They have only recently been recovering from the previous advisory put forth by the AHA.

There are some serious problems with the conclusions of the advisory committee. The four "core studies" this committee relied on were all conducted in the 1950s, were relatively small groups of "men only" in three of the four studies, were conducted in populations that almost certainly were not consuming coconut oil on any regular basis, and were studies comparing diets with ANIMAL saturated fats to diets with polyunsaturated fats. Animal and human fat is well known to store hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and other environmental substances, which could be factors in heart disease, whereas vegetable fats such as coconut oil would not be so likely to contain these potentially harmful substances.

The authors do not mention whether age and smoking were controlled for in these studies; smoking, which was very prevalent in the 1950s compared to the 2010's is a major contributor to heart disease. The raw numbers of how many people in each group had cardiac events was not presented, making the summaries difficult to evaluate. The clincher in this article is that they state on page e13, under the section on coconut oil, "Clinical trials that compared direct effects on CVD [cardiovascular disease] of coconut oil and other dietary oils have not been reported." They rely on studies of individual saturated fatty acids that show a miniscule increase in LDL (so called "bad") cholesterol but rationalize away a similar small increase in HDL (so called "good") cholesterol and an improved LDL to HDL ratio. For example, lauric acid (50% of coconut oil) resulted in a less than 1 mg/dl point increase in both LDL and HDL cholesterol, with typical LDL values ranging from less than 100 to 160 mg/dl. Could a change of less than 1 mg/dl really have that much impact?

In addition, the problem here is that natural fats such as coconut oil and even lard do not come as individual fatty acids but rather as combinations of many fatty acids with different properties, which may balance each other out. Completely ignored in this report are the saturated fats in coconut oil known as medium chain triglycerides that could balance out the longer chain fats. Coconut oil also contains some mono- and polyunsaturated fats, tauted as healthy by this committee. One of the most important details that the AHA is missing here is that 70% of the saturated fats in coconut oil are medium chain triglycerides (C6 through C12) which are either converted to ketones or burned immediately as fuel by muscle and other organs and not stored as fat. Lauric acid has some properties of medium chain and longer chain fatty acids. Ketones come from breakdown of fat and provide an alternative fuel to the brain and most other organs during starvation or fasting or to cells that are insulin resistant. In a recent study conducted in Japan, lauric acid was found to potently stimulate ketone production in astrocytes in cultures; astrocytes are brain cells that nourish other brain cells. By comparison, butter, lard and animal fat contain minimal medium chain triglycerides and medium chains are not found in soybean, olive, corn, safflower and most other oils. There are hundreds of studies of potential benefits of coconut oil; for example, lauric acid, which makes up about 50% of coconut oil, is antimicrobial - there are numerous studies showing that lauric acid kills many bacteria, viruses, fungi like candida and protozoa. Lauric acid is not found in any significant amount in soybean, corn, canola and olive oils.

A few small cholesterol studies looking at coconut oil were conducted decades ago in animals or a few men over short term and used hydrogenated coconut oil - any hydrogenated oil will increase cholesterol. Also, the diets were deficient in omega-3 fatty acids which can also increase cholesterol levels. There are studies of entire populations for whom coconut oil provides 1/3 to 2/3 of the diet showing that they were of normal height and weight, had normal blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol levels at all ages.

The committee surmises that people who eat saturated fats likely have other bad eating habits without any proof. These days, many, if not most, of the people who embrace coconut oil are likely embracing healthier foods as well and a healthier lifestyle in general and eating fish and/or taking omega-3 fats, which weren’t on the radar in the 1950s when the so-called “core studies” for this report were conducted.

The folks in the AHA and other organizations who perpetuate these myths about coconut oil need to really do their homework and learn more about medium chain triglycerides and study the other beneficial effects of coconut oil, which they choose to ignore. The point that some people may benefit from eating more polyunsaturated fat in place of animal fat may be very valid. However, coconut oil is not animal fat and, nevertheless, the bottom line that came out of their lengthy report is that “coconut oil is bad for your heart”, which has now been perpetuated by media who jumped on this conclusion that is not even based on direct research of coconut oil and heart disease. This message has gone viral worldwide. The impact of this could take a devastating toll on the economies of countries that produce coconut oil, mostly made up of individual farmers and their families trying to make a living. These economies were devastated in the 1960s and have been slowly recovering from the initial similar AHA statement on saturated fats in 1961 based on the same four “core studies". It is irresponsible and unconscionable for this advisory committee to make such sweeping claims without direct proof that coconut oil causes heart disease.

The AHA advisory committee should consider the negative impact their report has already had on the communities on the other side of the world, and issue a clarification that there is no direct proof that coconut oil has a negative effect on the heart. Then the committee needs to figure out how to make the clarification statement go viral.

COMBINING KETONE SALTS WITH A LOW CARB DIET TO LOSE FAT

While my highest priority is to increase awareness of ketones as alternative fuel for the brain for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, reducing sugar in the diet can help support that. Also, there are very many people dealing with being overweight to obese and/or with type 2 diabetes, which increases the risk of developing dementia later in life. So embracing a low carb ketogenic lifestyle could go a long way to reducing the risk and improve health overall.

Until about thirty years ago, if you wanted to lose weight, the doctor would likely tell you to cut down on sweets and starchy foods. Then along came the concept of the “low fat diet” based on, what has turned out to be, flawed research.  Rates of obesity and diabetes in the USA and many other countries have been steadily climbing ever since. Added sugar in the diet has increased from about 6 pounds per person per year in the early 1800’s to more than 130 pounds now for the average person in the USA. That is a lot of extra sugar! For most people, eating a low fat diet turns into eating a high carbohydrate (sugar) diet, and eating too much sugar is a big problem for many reasons (which will be the subject of another blog post). When you eat sugary foods, your body will crave more sugar.

So the simplest way to think of a low carb diet is to…cut down on sweets and starchy foods!  These include the obvious sweets like candy, pies and cakes, added sugars (including agave and honey), starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn and peas, rice and other grains, anything made with wheat or rice flour (breads, pasta, pastries, crackers, cookies, cereals, pancakes, muffins), fruit juices and most fruits. Berries such as blueberries and strawberries are relatively low in sugar, so would be good choices in limited amounts.  Aiming for less than 50 grams per day is reasonable and will support ketosis for most people.  Dropping to less than 20 grams per day for the first 2 or 3 weeks can hasten fat burning.  You can accomplish this by getting most of your carbs from vegetables and perhaps choosing ¼ to ½ cup of berries or a slice of whole grain bread or ¼ cup of whole grain rice per day as part of a meal.  See Carb Chart below.

Your body needs a certain amount of protein to maintain muscle and other lean tissues, especially while on a fat losing diet, but if you eat too much protein, some of it may be converted to sugar. Our goal is to lose fat, not muscle.  The best way to accomplish this is to adopt a ketogenic diet, which is a diet that raises levels of ketones.  This is a diet that is low in carbs and higher in fat, with just enough protein to maintain our muscle mass.  With a ketogenic diet, we switch from mainly burning glucose (sugar) for fuel to burning fat, and do not have to tap into muscle so much to compensate for eating fewer calories. 

Supplementing with ketone salts, can enhance fat burning by raising ketone levels even more. Ketones lower glucose levels, which lowers insulin levels (insulin puts and keeps fat on our bodies), and ketones also stimulate fat burning.

A reasonable amount of protein per day for most people is ½ gram for each pound that you weigh. So that would be 75 grams of protein for someone who weighs 150 pounds. 75 grams of protein provides about 300 calories. A couch potato might need less and an athlete or body builder might need up to twice as much.  See Protein Chart below.  Think of 3 ounces of meat or fish as about the size of a deck of cards.

One very important part of ketogenic/low carb dieting often overlooked is eating enough fat, which will help keep ketone levels elevated and promote burning fat as our primary fuel.  Medium chain triglycerides are converted by the liver to ketones, so ketone levels can be enhanced by adding MCT oil and coconut oil, which is 60% MCTs to the diet.  Some other sources of healthy fats include olive oil, olives, avocados, nuts and nut butters or milks.  If you like cow or goat milk and milk products like yogurt or soft cheeses, choose full fat versions, which contain some MCTs, and look for no added sugar.  A reasonable goal is to aim for between 60 and 100 grams of fat per day, which equates to 540 to 900 calories per day – the higher the percent of fat as the total calories in the diet, the higher you can expect your ketone levels to be.  A tablespoon of oil contains about 14 grams of fat, one large avocado has 27 grams of fat and an ounce of nuts (a small handful) has about 10 to 15 grams. Check package labels for milk and milk products.

And don’t forget your vegetables!  Vegetables contain carbohydrates but most are high in important fiber and they are a great source of many vitamins and other important nutrients. Eliminate or minimize the starchy vegetables like white and sweet potatoes, corn and peas. Include at least two cups of leafy green vegetables (1-2 grams of carbs total) and several servings per day of various colors of other fresh veges such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peppers, onions, tomatoes, squash. Most of these vegetables contain 2 to 4 grams of non-fiber carbs per one-half to one cup servings. Frozen veges are nearly as good as fresh as far as providing nutrients. Organic is even better.

Putting It All together -  

                                                                                               

Get rid of tempting high carb foods from your home.  Plan out your meals for several days at a time and shop for the foods you will need. Keep a record of what you are eating to keep you honest and help you find problems and tweak the diet if you aren’t losing weight. Get a good book that will give you total calorie and gram counts for carbs, fat and protein. Find your favorite foods and write them down for easy reference.  There are also great books and websites available now to support ketogenic dieting with tasty recipes for meals, snacks and some amazing desserts.

Consider adding coconut oil and/or MCT oil to coffee or tea in the morning to get off to a ketogenic start. Pruvit KetoKreme is a delicious and easy way to accomplish this.

Use a ketone salt supplement, such as Pruvit KetoMax or Keto//OS, to increase ketone levels. Ketones have been shown in studies to promote fat burning and suppress appetite as well. Drink plenty of water 8 to 10 glasses per day.

Eat only when you are hungry and stop when you begin to feel full. Think mainly protein, vegetables, and oil for your meals.  Consider low carb snacks once or twice a day such as cheese, nuts, coconut milk or almond milk, or veges with cream cheese or high fat dip.

You might not need to count calories to be successful, but if you do, aim for between 1250 and 1600 calories per day depending on how big you are.  If you are starting out at more than 250 to 300 pounds, you might even lose weight on 1800 to 2000 calories per day. As you lose weight you can adjust the calories downward to keep losing.

Aim for 20 to 50 grams of carbs per day, mainly as vegetables, ½ gram of protein per day for each pound that you weigh (or more if you are an active athlete), and 60 to 90 grams of fat per day.

Go one step further and add exercise to your plan.  A recent study by Dr. Stephen Cunnane and associates reported that 30 minutes of walking three days per week can triple ketone uptake in the brain!  

For more information on ketones and a link to research ketone salts, please see my website at www.coconutketones.com.  

# GRAMS PROTEIN PER SERVING	PROTEINS
25	3 ounces of cooked beef,  pork, poultry, lamb or tuna 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta
21	3 ounces of most fish (except tuna and cod) or lobster 1 cup boiled green soybeans
15	3 ounces cod, crab or shrimp  OR 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
8	2 tablespoons peanut or almond butter
7	1 ounce hard cheese
6	1 egg  OR 8 ounces of milk OR 1 ounce soft cheese, such as brie or blue cheese OR 1 to 1 ½ ounces nuts OR ½ cup most beans
2 or less	½ cup most cooked vegetables or 1 cup leafy green vegetables 1/3 cup undiluted coconut milk or 1 ounce grated coconut 2 slices of bacon
0-1	Nearly all fruits, 1 medium or typical serving

# CARBOHYDRATE  PER SERVING (minus fiber)	SOME FOODS WITH CARBOHYDRATES
25	½  medium white potato (flesh and skin)
20	½ cup cooked whole wheat egg noodles or pasta ½ cup most beans (except green string beans) ½ cup  long grain brown or white rice, cooked
15	½ large (6 ½” diameter) whole wheat pita ½ medium whole grain bagel (3” diameter for whole bagel)
14	3 cups popcorn OR ¼ cup granola OR ½ medium sweet potato
13	½ medium banana OR 4 ounces orange juice ½ cup regular cream of wheat, prepared
12	1 medium orange OR ½ cup baked potato, flesh only 1 x 4” pancake
11	1 slice whole wheat bread (1 oz)
10	1/4 cup long grain brown rice, cooked OR ½ medium pear
9	1/4 cup cooked corn OR 1 medium peach OR ½ medium apple
6	½ cup plain Greek yogurt
4	½ cup halved strawberries
3	½ cup raspberries OR ½ cup ricotta or cottage cheese
2-4	1 medium apricot, ½ cup raspberries, 1 medium avocado 4 asparagus spears 1 ounce almonds, peanuts, Brazil nuts, walnuts, macadamias ½ cup cooked broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, green or string beans, or turnips, chopped bell or sweet peppers 1 cup boiled, chopped kale or other “greens” 1 cup chopped cucumber or celery 1 tablespoon catsup or sweet relish
0-1	1 cup of most lettuces, spinach, other leafy greens and cabbages 1 medium carrot or radish 1 cup cooked yellow or zucchini squash 1 ounce pecans or pistachios 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, mustard, dill relish, vinegar

BURNING FAT THROUGH KETOSIS – 

A SIMPLE EXPLANATION

Ketones act as a very basic fuel that can be used by nearly all of the cells in our bodies to produce the energy molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is needed by every single cell to carry out its functions. Our cells can easily switch between using glucose (sugar) and ketones as fuel. As living beings, our metabolism is an extremely complex process involving hundreds of pathways and thousands of chemical reactions that operate on a continuous basis 24/7.  While most organs in our bodies can use fatty acids (breakdown products of fat) as fuel, fatty acids don’t easily cross over into the brain.  During fasting or starvation our energy hungry brains are especially dependent on the ability to use ketones as an alternative fuel. Without the availability of glucose or ketones as fuel to drive metabolism, we just simply wouldn’t exist.

But ketones are much more than fuel, not to diminish how important that is.  Ketones also enter other pathways in our metabolism. One of those has to do with BURNING FAT.   When we eat more food than we need, we store fat.  Insulin is key in making this happen.  When we eat carbohydrates (sugary and starchy foods), insulin levels rise, which allows glucose to enter cells to act as fuel.  But insulin has many other functions and is a key player in depositing fat on our bodies and keeping it there. This is a big problem for people who are prediabetic or have type II diabetes since they struggle with insulin resistance and tend to have very high insulin levels.  Very many people have insulin resistance and just don’t know it.  It can be extremely difficult to lose weight when insulin resistance is involved. When it comes to fat, ketones have the opposite effect of insulin by directly promoting the breakdown of fat to be burned as fuel.  Ketones also lower blood sugar and consequently lower insulin levels as well, making it easier to burn fat.

Taking exogenous ketones, especially when combined with a low carbohydrate, higher fat diet, will help shift us from burning glucose to burning to fat. People often lose muscle when they are on a typical high carbohydrate, low fat diet to lose weight because they will convert certain proteins in muscle to glucose. However, this is much less likely to happen with using a ketogenic strategy to burn fat, because there will be less need to use glucose as fuel.

As an added benefit, ketones signal the brain that our stomachs are full and appear to suppress the hormones that make us feel hungry.  How could it be any easier?

Pruvit Keto//OS and KetoMax contain the very important ketone beta hydroxybutyrate and many people find it easier to burn fat when taking ketone salts as a nutritional supplement.  If losing fat is your goal, combine ketone salts with a lower carbohydrate higher fat diet. Using coconut oil and MCT oil in your food can further support and sustain ketosis. Take it one step further and add vigorous exercise to the equation (which also raises ketone levels!) to find your best formula for burning fat.

For more information on ketones as alternative fuel for the brain and other ketone effects, look at my website at www.coconutketones.com.

USING PRUVIT KETONE SALTS IN THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS

by Mary T. Newport, M.D.

I receive emails and Facebook messages from many people who are using or want to use ketone salts for themselves or their loved ones, many of whom are elderly or may have medical conditions and want to make their life better.  Here is some guidance for how to get started with ketone salts:

HOW KETONES COULD HELP

Pruvit ketone salts are nutritional supplements and have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA to treat any medical condition.  On the other hand, there is plenty of scientific evidence that raising ketones can provide alternative fuel to the brain, reduce inflammation, and burn fat.  Many people report increased energy, endurance, focus and mental clarity, improved mood and sleep, fewer aches and pains, and fat loss.

TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

As with any nutritional supplement, it is important for elderly people and people with medical conditions to consult with their physician before using ketone salts.  The doctor could monitor your blood pressure and check blood levels of electrolytes, glucose and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium) before you get started and after 3 to 6 weeks or so.  Pruvit ketone salts are the first product marketed widely to the public that contains the actual ketone body betahydroxybutyrate attached to the mineral salts sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.  Many people need to watch their sodium intake, may be on diuretics that may cause loss of minerals from the body, and/or may be taking potassium.  Keto//OS 2.1 and 3.0 have 1400 mg to 1600 mg per serving packet (or full scoop if you have a can of product).  Keto//OS 3.0 (chocolate swirl) also has 490 mg of potassium, compared to just 47 mg in Keto//OS 2.1 (orange dream). 

                

Another option to reduce sodium and potassium intake with ketone salts is to use KetoMax, which contains much less sodium per full serving at 925 mg and minimal potassium at 75 mg.  Another great reason to use KetoMax is that it contains a higher percentage of the circulating form of betahydroxybutyrate and may be even more effective than Keto//OS.  I recommend KetoMax especially for people with medical and neurologic conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. It costs more but the value is there. Your doctor or a dietician can help you factor the mineral salts into your diet and adjust, for example, your potassium supplement to account for the amounts in ketone salts.

                

People with diabetes taking medications and/or insulin need to be aware that raising ketone levels with ketone salts may result in a significantly lower blood sugar along with a drop in the amount of insulin the body produces. To avoid abnormally low blood sugar, I recommend that you monitor your blood sugar closely and work with your doctor to make changes in your medications.  Many diabetics report that they are able to reduce their medications, including insulin, rather quickly over days to several weeks, especially if using ketone salts is combined with a low carbohydrate diet. Pruvit ketone salts contain minimal sugar and are sweetened with stevia and/or erithritol, a sugar alcohol.

Regarding diabetic ketoacidosis, this is an abnormal condition that occurs with very elevated blood sugar and inadequate insulin.  Levels of ketones are many times (20 to 50 times higher) than the levels you would get by taking a serving or two per day of ketone salts.  The risk is extremely low, but could be a problem for someone on the brink of diabetic ketoacidosis.   Ketone levels can easily be monitored with a Precision Xtra or NovaMax glucose/ketone monitor using ketone strips, available online without a prescription.  Ketone salts usually produce betahydroxubutyrate levels in the 0.5 to 2 mmol range, compared to 10 to 25 mmol in diabetic ketoacidosis.

START SLOWLY AND INCREASE AS TOLERATED

While it is tempting to start with a whole serving in hopes of seeing maximum benefits right away, I recommend in elderly people and those with medical conditions, to start with 1 or 2 level teaspoons per day, which would be equal to about 1/8 to 1/4 of a serving, and if there is no issue, such as intestinal distress, you could increase by the same amount every few days until arriving at ½ to 1 full serving per day.  The total amount could be divided into smaller portions throughout the day.

                

Also, it is very important that the person taking ketone salts take plenty of water and other clear liquids.  Ketone salts can have a dehydrating effect in some people, especially in the beginning.

                

Ketones can suppress appetite, which is great if you need to lose weight.  If you are very thin you might consider adding more calories to your diet with calorie dense foods such as coconut oil, olive oil, butter, cream, avocado and nuts.

BRING THESE GUIDELINES TO YOUR DOCTOR

Ketone salts are so new that most doctors don’t know about them yet much less the potential of ketones to provide alternative fuel to the brain and other organs, reduce inflammation, and burn fat.  I suggest that you take a copy of these guidelines to your doctor.  Many doctors decide to pass this information on to other patients when they see improvement in just one of their patients.  Some doctors may even decide to help their patients by providing ketone salts as samples or ordering them through their office.

                

For more information see:  www.coconutketones.com and www.marynewport.pruvitnow.com. 

Fuel for Thought

Many people ask me to suggest a convenient way that does not involve cooking to provide coconut and MCT oil for their loved ones who are in assisted living, or are looking for a convenient way to take it at home, or carry along while travelling or just out and about.  One such product is called Fuel for Thought and is available directly from Cognate Nutritionals by way of  www.cognatenutritionals.com or by calling  (855) 453-8663.  The company is located in the USA in Connecticut.  In the first edition of my book, the working name of this product was Cocomul but is now called Fuel for Thought.

Steve and I have had the opportunity to try out Fuel for Thought and it is a delicious, creamy vanilla flavored liquid that is easiest taken as is but can also be mixed into other foods and liquids.  Fuel for Thought® has been scientifically designed to provide a high concentration of MCTs which are partly converted in the liver to ketones that act as alternative fuel for brain cells.  In this regard, it has been designed to support cognitive health.  The makers state this product contains NO cholesterol, gluten, transfats, soy, dairy, or fructose, is vegetarian and very low in sodium. 

The beauty of Fuel for Thought is that it is packaged in one ounce single-serving bottles that do not require refrigeration, and are  sold as a case containing 60 doses.  For someone in assisted living, rather than trying to provide food containing coconut oil or getting the staff to give the patient coconut oil, the loved one's physician could order that Fuel for Thought be provided to the patient at set times of day, with meals, for example.

The recommendation from the company is to take one bottle twice a day, beginning with a portion of the bottle initially and increasing as tolerated.  The product is designed such that the amount of ketones produced by taking one ounce is equal to three tablespoons of coconut oil but with only 100 calories, as opposed to about 360 calories from the equivalent amount of coconut oil.

The product is currently being studied in a clinical trial of Alzheimer's and coconut/MCT oil versus placebo at the Byrd Alzheimer's Institute at University of South Florida in Tampa.

It is comparable to my idea of mixing coconut oil and MCT oil to reach higher levels of ketones while retaining the many health benefits of coconut oil.  I am giving Steve this mixture several times a day to try to keep ketones available to his brain 24/7.  For that reason I am involved with the company as a scientific advisor.

 

The concept here is that MCT oil is partly converted in the liver to ketones which act in the brain as an alternative fuel to glucose. People who have insulin deficiency or insulin resistance have difficulty getting glucose, the usual primary fuel for the brain and other organs, into the cells and eventually they malfunction and diet. This product would be useful not only for people who suffer from Alzheimer’s, but also, Parkinson’s, ALS, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Huntington’s, and most other conditions where there is insulin resistance or decreased glucose uptake into cells.

TED x USF talk link

I have been having trouble getting by drafts to publish on my blog lately but now appear to be okay!

Here is a link to a TED talk I did in February at TEDxUSF in later February - 18 minutes long:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvh3JhsrQ0w

Tampa Bay Times Article - Byrd Alzheimer's Institute to study coconut oil in people with Alzheimer's!

Here is a link to the story:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/spring-hill-couple-inspires-research-into-coconut-oil-for-alzheimers/2124596

This story spawned a similar TV story on ABC Action News that aired in the Tampa Bay area.  I will post a link when I receive it.

Sorry I have not posted here much lately!  I have been more active on Facebook.  Just look up Mary Newport and ask to be friends.

The second edition of my book was released a couple of months ago.  There is a link to order from Amazon on my website www.coconutketones.com.

New Interview Series - Ketones and Alzheimer's

I had the opportunity to give an interview for Scott Peters of iHealth Tube Video while at a conference where I was speaking. Here are links to the various segments:

#1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFYLtFglXHg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqcxVbVTuXg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfux-5Z4COo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DfZnS4hYBs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkkY4NH8SiU

#6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKshbKPB2gM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSIWqXBh-cA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5npwXlT0ccc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snCIzrzO7_4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAnWX1DQ5-g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0zKamdNaek

#12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkDB6UFnI_0

The 700 Club in the USA and the Daily Mail in London

The 700 Club aired a wonderful follow-up story today about coconut oil and Alzheimer's but this time featuring a man with Parkinson's and another man with ALS (Lou Gehrig's) who have also seen improvement with coconut oil.

Coincidentally, the Daily Mail in London is publishing a story by reporter Jerome Byrne on the subject of Alzheimer's disease and coconut oil on January 8, 2013.  This article will feature Kal Parmar a filmmaker whose father responded to coconut oil rather dramatically.  Mr. Parmar has volunteered to help others in the UK who want further information (kparmar81@gmail.com).

Information about how to use coconut oil is in Diet Guidelines that can be printed from my website at www.coconutketones.com. There are many other materials that can also be printed out there.



The 700 Club story from Jan 7, 2013

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2013/January/Alzheimers-Doctors-Taking-Note-of-Coconut-Oil-/

Daily Mail Article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2258665/Alzeimers-Can-coconut-oil-ease-Families-whove-given-loved-ones-swear-it.html

The 700 Club - Upcoming Shows on Coconut Oil, Ketogenic Diets and Diseases

On Thursday morning, November 29, 2012, The 700 Club on CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) will begin a series of three stories from health reporter Lorie Johnson that relate to the use of ketones as an alternative fuel to treat disease.  The original story on The 700 Club can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZOR-Qd3QSg.

The first story will feature Dr. Vince Tedone, a retired orthopedic surgeon, and his daughter Deanna in Tampa, Florida, USA who have developed what he calls "The Deanna Protocol" for ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).  His daughter, Deanna, who is in her mid thirties has responded well (improvement and then minimal deterioration over a year) to taking an over the counter supplement called alpha-ketoglutyrate, 18 to 20 grams per day.  They are also massaging her with coconut oil and she is taking some coconut oil at present.  Alpha-ketoglutyrate is several metabolic steps down the pathway in the Kreb's cycle from where ketones enter the cycle.  Another man with ALS who has responded very well is also featured in this story.  Dr. Tedone has a website www.winningthefight.net where more information can be found about The Deanna Protocol.

The second story will feature Dr. Dominic D'Agostino, a researcher at University of South Florida in Tampa who is working with Dr. Tom Seyfried of Boston College to study the use of ketogenic diets, ketone esters alone and in combination with hyperbaric oxygen, and other substances that lower blood sugar to treat cancers (he also is involved with studies of ketones and Alzheimer's, ALS, wound healing, oxygen toxicity and epilepsy).  The concept here is that nearly all cancers require glucose, or the amino acid glutamine to make glucose, to survive and cannot use ketones, however normal cells can use ketones.  Potentially, if a person undertakes a strict ketogenic diet and calories are also restricted to reduce the blood sugar as much as possible, the tumor will shrink over a matter of weeks and metastases may outright die, while the brain and other normal tissues survive.   A large tumor, therefore, could become smaller and more amenable to surgery. This dietary approach can be used in conjunction with other treatments and can be enhanced by starting with a period of fasting (water is still consumed to avoid dehydration, and other supplements can be taken to ensure adwquate electrolytes, minerals and vitamins, for example, are provided).  They have had considerable success with animals and some people have now tested this strategy with success.  Hopefully, more organized studies will follow quickly.

The third story will be a follow-up to our story on coconut oil and Alzheimer's that aired on The 700 Club on January 5, 2012.  This story will feature Butch Machlan, a man with familial ALS (Lou Gehrig's) who has been stable for three years taking 9 tablespoons per day of coconut oil and magnesium chloride, and will also feature a man from Connecticut with Parkinson's who has had considerable improvement since shortly after the first story aired, taking a mixture of coconut oil and MCT oil (new product coming out Fuel for Thought from www.cognatenutritionals.com).


I am thrilled that Lorie Johnson and the Reverend Pat Robertson of The 700 Club have picked up the gauntlet to help spread this important message about ketones.

When I have specific dates for the second and third stories, I will add them to this post.

Alzheimer's Weekly and Dementia Weekly Newsletter

 The Alzheimer's Weekly and Dementia Weekly Newsletter (www.alzheimersweekly.com) has carried information for quite some time about the use of coconut oil and MCT oil for people with Alzheimer's and dementia.  Recently they have nicely organized a considerable body of information on the subject, including some videos of people who have responded, and good information on how to use coconut oil, including recipes for the what they call the "Keto-dementia diet".

My book available now in German

I am very pleased to report that my book has been translated into German and is now available.  the title is:

Alzheimer - vorbeugen und behandeln: Die Keton-Kur: Wie ein natürliches Fett die Erkrankung aufhält

It is available through Amazon. If you copy and paste the title above it will come up on the German version of the Amazon website.  Today it is #1 for top 100 sellers for Alzheimer's on the German Amazon website!

Fourth Anniversary of Steve's Ketone Rebirth (May 21, 2012)

Yesterday, May 21, 2012, was the fourth anniversary of the day Steve started taking coconut oil to provide ketones as an alternative fuel to glucose for his brain, with very positive results.  He is now 62 years old and in his eleventh years of symptoms related to early onset Alzheimer's disease.  Much has happened in these four years, both setbacks and recoveries. Fortunately, we are in a recovery phase.  We have surprises all of the time that lead me to believe that everything he was is still in there, but he has a problem getting access to it.
I will post a point by point update in the near future.
In the meantime, here is a little bit of my funny old Steve coming out to visit yesterday:

ALS Patient two year update on coconut oil and magnesium chloride

This is an email I received from Butch Machlan who has familial ALS.  He has given me permission to post this in my blog:

April 13, 2012

To whom it may concern:

From: C. (Butch) Machlan

Subject: Coconut Oil and Magnesium Chloride Personal, Social Clinical Trial

Purpose: To Update June 5, 2011 status

Background:  On March 9^th 2008 I started a journal to track my ALS symptoms.  It was also when I started the diagnosis process, which ended in September 2008 with the official diagnosis of FALS.  In late 2009 I started taking coconut oil and magnesium chloride to see if they would have any affect on my symptoms.  After a little over one year of taking these two things, and having some positive changes I decided I needed to do a better job of tracking my symptoms.  So in February 2011 I started tracking my symptoms each month on a special form created from several ALS Web-pages and related sources. 

The original motivation for tracking my progression was to be able to compare my ALS progression with that of my mother’s so I could be prepared for each step in the process.  Mother died of ALS in 1986 after 8 years and the loss of all muscle functions including her ability speak.  For over a year her breathing was done by a respirator.  The last 2 to 3 months of her life her only method of communicating was by blinking and moving her eyes.  At the time of her death the doctors were adamant ALS could not be inherited.  Now we know they were wrong!

After having some positive changes due to adding coconut oil (CO) and magnesium chloride (MgCl) to my diet my motivation changed.  It is now to see if I can continue to get more improvements, and to continue recording my status in what one doctor called “a Personal, Social Clinical Trial.”   “Personal” and “Social” because it’s similar to a conventional clinical trial even though it is not sanctioned or requested by any medical or research professional, nor is it done for any company or organization.  It is done just for me to help document the “before CO & MgCl” and “during CO & MgCl” for myself, the doctors, and others who may be interested.  Unfortunately, my experience has confused the doctors because they, like many others, “know” there is currently nothing available anywhere to help people with ALS.  This includes approved medicines, supplements, voodoo medicines, etc.

Since some of my symptoms have improved the doctors have been saying I have a “form” of ALS called Benigh Monomelic Amyotrophy.  This form is very rare, only affects one area or muscle group, and normally affects younger people.  I’m a 64 year old American!  After doing some research I went back to the doctors and asked a few questions, such as What about my muscle’s increased size and strength?  and What about my age, race, etc.  They had no response.  So my conclusion is; this disease is the closest they can find to match my current symptoms, and they’ve ignored the changes listed below.  However, they do say “Keep doing whatever you’re doing,” and “See you next year.”  I plan to do both! 

Diet Details:  I started taking 4 oz’s of magnesium chloride on Sept. 15, 2009, and started taking 3 tbsp of coconut oil on Oct. 31, 2009.  On Dec. 4, 2009 I increased my daily intake of coconut oil to 6 tbsp.  On February 8, 2010 I increased it to 8 tbsp per day.  From January 28, 2011 until now I’ve been taking 9 tbsp of coconut oil, (with my meals) and 2 oz’s (1/8 cup) of magnesium chloride/water twice daily (100 gms MgCl per 3 liters pure water).  I’m not had any problems taking the coconut oil because I started slowly.  From some research I’ve found it is important to start with 1 to 3 tbsp per day.  The reason is most people’s digestive systems cannot tolerate more in the beginning, and coconut oil is anti-viral, anti-fugal, and anti-bacterial, among other things.  Some people will have terrible “die-off” reactions as the coconut oil begins to kill these micro-organisms.  They might mistakenly think they are allergic to coconut oil, but they need to just start a LOT more slowly.  Sometime even start with only 1 teaspoon a day with meals.  It is very important to mix the coconut oil with food, and not try to take it straight!!!

Coconut oil Massage:  On Dec. 16, 2010 I started massaging coconut oil on my legs, feet, etc. because I read body builders and weight lifters use it to take the soreness out of their muscles.  It worked so good I now massage it on twice a day, once after my morning shower and just before bed.  It does stain the sheets, but the wash. 

Symptoms:  Following is a list of the “Before” and “Current” symptoms recorded on my journal and monthly status reports.  Not listed are the results of my March 2012 EMG which the doctors say shows no change from last year’s EMG.  Thus the doctors say there has not been any noticeable progression in the disease.  This is another reason why I think they say I have Benign Monomelic Amyotrophy, but they still can’t explain the muscle improvements, and all the other criteria I don’t fit.  The good thing is they now say I can live another 5, 10 or more years!

Before:  As of Sept. 15, 2009	Current:  As of April 3, 2012
1. Difficulty walking due to weakness in right leg; had to use canes to walk.	1. Still have difficulty walking due to weakness in right leg, and use canes or crutches to walk.
2. Right leg felt asleep and non-responsive when walking or trying to move it.	2. Normal feelings in right leg, and somewhat more responsive when walking, etc.
3. Right thigh muscles shrunken so bones could be easily felt through muscles on underside.	3. Increased strength and size in both legs, and can no longer feel bones through muscles.
4. RH thigh @ 14 1/4” & LH @ 15 3/8”	4. RH thigh @15 5/8” & LH @ 16 7/8”
5. Weight @ 148 lbs	5. Weight @ 152.9 lbs
6. ALS Functional Measurements @ 18%	6. ALS Functional Measurements @ 13%
7. Drop-foot	7. Slight drop-foot due to weak ankle muscles.
8. Can not tip right foot up or down, nor pivot it side to side as much as left.	8. Can tip right foot up and down, and side to side, but not as much as left.
9. Cannot move toes much at all.	9. Can move toes up and down
10. When sitting cannot raise right thigh upward to put on pants.	10. When sitting am able to raise right thigh upward to put on pants.
11. Extreme difficulty putting on right shoe.	11. Less difficulty putting on right shoe.
12. Right ankle very purple and bruised almost all the way around it.	12. Right ankle no longer has bruised appearance anywhere on it.
13. Unable to raise right foot when laying face down on stomach with legs outstretched.	13. Can slightly raise right foot when laying face down with legs outstretched.
14. Extreme difficulty rolling over in bed because right leg cannot move on its own.	14. Can roll over in bed with a minimum of difficulty.
15. Right leg cannot push downward at all.	15. Right leg can push down with some force.
16. Excess and thick saliva primarily at night.	16. No problems anytime with saliva.
17. Excessive yawning.	17. Normal yawning.
18. Cannot walk on toes of right foot.	18. Still cannot walk on toes on right foot.
19. Cannot stand on right leg at all because the knee will give way.	19. Can stand on right leg a while because it has gained some strength.
20. When sitting cannot pull right foot backwards at all.	20. When sitting can pull right foot backwards, although not yet as far as the left.
21. Mild insomnia	21. No insomnia
22. Moderate stiffness in right leg and foot.	22. Mild stiffness in right leg and foot.
23. Cramps in different areas of both legs	23. No cramps in either leg
24. Spasms in different areas of both legs	24. No spasms in either leg
25. Weakness in right buttocks, thigh, calf, ankle, foot, and toes	25. Still have slight weakness in right buttocks, thigh, calf, ankle, foot, and toes.
26. Weakness starting in both hands.	26. No more weakness in either hand.