Alzheimer's Disease: What If There Was a Cure?: The Story of Ketones: What If There Were A Cure? The Story of Ketones Paperback – 15 Aug. 2011

This is an important book.Mary T Newport "Alzheimer's Disease: What If There Was a Cure?”Mary Newport is an MD (neonatal care practitioner), whose husband Steve was diagnosed with alzheimer’s aged 58 in 2003.The underlying biochemistry behind her advocacy of Virgin Coconut Oil as the best means of delivering ketones, is clear and well supported scientifically. It is clearer and more credible than the “scientific” explanations behind the Memory Healer Program; though the wholefood diet she advocates is almost exactly the diet which the Memory Healer Program provides. This is mainly wholefoods, with raw salads & veg as a priority, some protein, and as few sugars & carbohydrates and as little processed or refined food as possible.This is why that diet, with the addition of daily intake of Coconut Oil, is working so well for my Mum.Basically what happens in Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia & Parkinson’s Disease, is that the glucose (from carbohydrates) which is the normal fuel for the brain cells, (and all the cells in the body), can no longer get across the blood-brain barrier, so the brain cells are deprived and start to die. Hence the MRI Brain scans of advanced Alzheimer’s sufferers show brain shrinkage, and areas of destruction of brain cells, as well as the plaques & tangles associated with the brain being starved of fuel. The reason for the failure of the transport of fuel (glucose) to the brain, is lack of insulin or a resistance to insulin in the mitochondria in the brain cells. The brain requires massive supplies of energy to continue to function properly. The tiny mitochondria in the brain cells normally process this energy.The body has a natural way of dealing with this problem on a temporary basis, by producing ketones, which seems to be a fuel which can pass through the blood brain barrier without needing the insulin transporter, and therefore fuel the brain cells. Normally we only produce ketones when we are starved for 48 hours or more. As soon as we eat again, the ketones levels drop and we go back to processing carbs to make glucose, with the insulin produced in the pancreas to transport the glucose. But where the latter process is not happening, as in Az sufferers, then ketones which the body can quickly synthesise from Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil, come to the rescue, and allow the brain cells to be fuelled, and new cells to grow and replace the dead or damaged ones.The best available source of ketones is Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil and other Coconut based products, as well as MCT Oils from palm oil or coconut oil, or synthesized forms of these powerful fatty acids.Because Coconut Oil is a medium chain fatty acid (ie MCT), even though it is a saturated fat, it will not raise LDL cholesterol levels, and is not harmful to the diet. In fact, it has other great benefits in addition to supplying the ketones needed for Alzheimer’s sufferers. It has anti-oxidants, vitamins, fights infections, especially fungal problems, and herpes simplex problems and it boosts the immune system. It is good for the skin and hair; and is an excellent preventative health supplement.Because the effects of Ketones are short term, they must be replaced daily to ensure the brain cells are being fuelled. Hence the need to take the Coconut oil every day. Mary Newport incorporated moderate doses into Steve’s meals, 3 times a day. He showed remarkable improvements, and only had setbacks when other illnesses or meds taken for them, prevented the taking of, or absorption of the ketones in the coconut oil.This does mean that the subtitle of her book is rather misleading, because there is no permanent cure for Alzheimer’s. If you stop producing the ketones ie stop taking the coconut oil, then you deteriorate again, as your brain is not being fuelled properly. But we can say that the symptoms can be arrested, and the sufferer can lead a fairly normal life.Here is a passage from the publisher’s blurb, which is not very clear, but it does get some of the background to the Newport’s story across…..This is an this updated second edition Dr. Newport, a neonatal practitioner, continues the story of Steve's progress and provides the most recent research on such topics as possible causes of Alzheimer's due to the herpes simplex virus and nitrosamine substances and how infection, inflammation and genetic makeup may affect an individual's response to fatty acid therapy. Among many other updates, she details the latest clinical trials aimed at removing beta amyloid that accumulates in the Alzheimer's brain.Dr. Newport's story of Steve's reprieve from Alzheimer's provides a real breakthrough for carers eager to learn about readily available fatty acids in foods that may reverse the ravages of this dreaded disease. Changes in loved ones may take many forms, including improved memory, return of personality, resumption of activities and social interaction and relief from certain physical symptoms.Carers of those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease are searching desperately for hope, relief and a cure. They will find all that in this book that summaries Dr. Newport's research and Steve's reprieve, the importance of medium-chain fatty acids and how Alzheimer's patients can make the transition to a healthy diet rich in these vital fatsDr. Newport has become an ardent advocate for ketone ester research, with FDA approval her final goal.These are my (Stewart McFarlane) further COMMENTS for this reviewI have been giving virgin coconut oil capsules & paste/oil daily in food for 5 weeks to Mum. Her short term memory & verbal accuracy have improved, as well her joints, skin, appetite & mood. She is walking 90 minutes a day and is reading novels again in the evening, her bridge playing has improved.I recently gave Mum 2 standard memory tests. Pretty much the same test as those used in her diagnosis. She scored 10/10 in one (ie the Clock Face Test) & 98% in the other (Standard Sage Test). So she would be declared clear of AZ’s if these were her first tests. She had been on coconut oil, beetroot juice and the Memory Healer Diet for 5 ½ weeks when she took these tests.Mum's blood pressure has returned to normal, though this may be due to the organic beetroot juice she is taking daily, along with beetroot in salads & soups.It is important to use virgin coconut oil, not the refined or processed stuff. The refined oil is no good as a food or supplement.Don't store the coconut oil in fridge or cool places, as it gets very hard. Best mixed with warm foods just before eating, or warmed by placing the jar in a bowl of hot water, or on a warm hob or heateror even microwave for a second, so it can liquify, then you can mix it with cold things such as yoghurt or ice cream.The compulsion to eat chocolate, biscuits, ice cream & other sweet is common in Alzheimer's sufferers: because the brain is telling them it is starved of glucose (fuel) so they eat the sweet stuff to supply it, but it doesn't work because the glucose cannot fuel the brain cells because of the insulin deficit or insulin resistance, so the sweet stuff just gets turned to fat, rots the teeth, as well as supplying some energy to other parts of the body, but not much, often due insulin deficiency.I have noticed that Mum's craving for those things has diminished, because the fuel to the brain is being supplied by the ketones from the Coconut Oil.NOTE:If you are starting yourself or a loved one on coconut oil, go easy to start with, it can cause diarrhoea if you take too much, too early. Build up gradually & you will have no problem. If you get the runs, reduce intake until your stomach adjusts.Mum & I have had no problem, but we always liked coconut anyway.Anyway, better to have the runs for short spell, than a permanently malfunctioning brain.I should add that my general approach to my Mum's illness has been strongly influenced by the person centred care method advocated by the Contented Dementia (SPECAL) as advocated in Oliver James " Contented Dementia: 24-hour Wraparound Care for Lifelong Well-being"[Kindle Edition]. The Contented Dementia Trust is based in Burford, Oxfordshire. Though they do not advocate any specific diets, as far as I know.______________________________________________________________________________________________________VIRGIN COCONUT OIL, restores memory & and helps mental functioning. Great for skin and hair; and protects against many infections and fungal rashes. Boosts the immune system & provides many other benefits. Mum doing very well on this.As an alternative to the Suma brand, these 2 are good brands for spreads or adding to warm food or even with ice cream."Groovy Food" extra virgin organic coconut oil. £5.99 jar, or Waitrose own brand cold pressed virgin coconut oil (in a plastic tub)...£5.00 quid. Amounts are about the same as Suma’s ie 320 grammes.___________________________________________________BEETROOT JUICE“Beet It” Organic Beetroot Juice by James White Co. is on offer at Waitrose. 1 litre carton 2.20, 75cl Bootle..£2.39 (usually 2.99). This is the best brand.Beetroot , especially the juice, is an essential part of Mum's Memory Diet, & known to regulate blood pressure,& has powerful antioxidants & vitamins. It is really working for Mum. One glass with a Memory healer meal, & sometimes another glass later in the day.

A wonderful book for an ordinary wife, like me, who has a husband suffering from Dementia.. It gives positive things to do, things to take orally, and most of all HOPE. Hope that what you can do, to try and help your loved one, may really and realistically make a difference. Always with the help of GOD.

I have a relative who is, unfortunately, suffering from the beginning effect of Alzheimer. It's an absolutely dreadful and cruel disease. I've just been reading up on a lot of different papers and books trying to find out if there's anyway to alleviate or slow down symptoms that conventional medicine hasn't fully researched. It feels a hopeless cause but this book has provided some hope.Taking some of the advice in these pages My relative has begun a regime that includes coconut oil as well as their prescribed medicines. This could be placebo, this could be the effects of those medicines but with he coconut oil we've seen improvements.I can only suggest to you to buy this book and read it for yourself to make up your own mind. You may find that the information provided is compleeing enough for you to try something that you may not have and it may well as it did for my family help

My father suffered from Alzheimer's and I meet many people in the course of my work with the same disease. This book documents a real life experience of using Coconut oil to help stop the deterioration that accompanies Alzheimer's. My husband and I were convinced and now have our daily coconut oil dosage.

brilliant book. coconut oil working a treat for my husband over the past two months. Read and follow. better than using Manufactured chemicals which sent him over the edge and changed his personality. Get the proper oils though and use consistently in everything, no taste, epecially good in porridge and scrambled eggs, roast potatoes. Please try ......

Friends in America sent me a video of this woman who has dragged her husband back from being unable to talk sensibly and inability to walk. She read research which lead her to believe that brain cell death was a sort of Diabetes of the brain. Nutrients from sugar were unable to feed brain cells so they were dying. According to this book, the human liver can make something called ketones from coconut oil and this product can get through to offer nutrition to brain cells. In the book she refers to similar effects on cancers and Parkinson's Disease. One of my friends was developing noticeable and worrying hand tremors and now, thanks to consuming coconut oil on his morning toast, the tremors have gone!

A complex subject, I find from practice experience in working with peopl with Alzheimer,s that if you start the coconut treatment when first discovered in the person it will delay the decline by at least half, if used much later it has little effect. The main problem is the medical profession ignor it and even the society have no working experience other than offering advice to use cross words and mind games which in my opinion do nothing to combat the disease. I started a friend on the coconut diet 12years ago when first diagnosed, she has survived to date while I not others have succumbed within 4to 5 years, so follow the diet in the hope a cure will be found in time f

It is very good book with a lot of observational info. It may need further medical exploration to conclude that MCT may have therapeutic touch on brain cells.