Coconut oil and dementia have been linked for years, largely because of claims that the oil may provide the brain with an alternative source of energy.
Interest grew after personal reports and some early studies suggested that coconut oil or medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) might improve thinking or memory in people with dementia.
However, the evidence is much more complicated than some of the early claims suggested.
Research into coconut oil, MCT oil and ketogenic approaches is continuing. Some studies have reported possible cognitive benefits, while others have found no meaningful improvement.
Most importantly, coconut oil has not been proven to cure, reverse or prevent dementia.
This article looks at why coconut oil became associated with dementia, what clinical research has found, how coconut oil differs from MCT oil, and what people should consider before adding large amounts to their diet.
Can Coconut Oil Treat or Reverse Dementia?
At present, there is not enough reliable evidence to recommend coconut oil as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
There is also no evidence that coconut oil can reverse dementia or restore brain cells that have already been damaged by a neurodegenerative disease.
This does not mean researchers have found nothing of interest.
Several small studies involving coconut oil or MCTs have produced encouraging results. However, other better-controlled research has failed to show an overall improvement in cognition.
Alzheimer’s Disease International does not currently recommend coconut oil as a proven treatment for dementia.
People should therefore be cautious about claims that coconut oil can cure Alzheimer’s disease, stop its progression or restore memory.
Why Are Coconut Oil and Dementia Linked?
One reason researchers became interested in coconut oil relates to how the brain uses energy.
Normally, glucose is an important fuel for the brain. Researchers have observed changes in glucose metabolism in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
This led to interest in whether ketones might provide an alternative energy source.
The body can produce ketones when it metabolizes certain fats. Medium-chain triglycerides can increase ketone production more readily than many other dietary fats.
A scientific review of coconut oil and MCTs has explored whether this alternative fuel source could potentially help compensate for some of the changes in brain energy metabolism associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
That is a plausible area of research, but a plausible biological mechanism is not the same as evidence that a treatment works.
Coconut Oil and MCT Oil Are Not the Same
This distinction is important because discussions about coconut oil and dementia often combine evidence from two different products.
Coconut oil contains a mixture of fatty acids.
MCT oils used in clinical research are often more concentrated preparations containing specific medium-chain triglycerides, particularly caprylic acid (C8) and capric acid (C10).
These concentrated MCT products can produce different metabolic effects from ordinary coconut oil purchased at a supermarket.
For this reason, a study showing a possible benefit from an MCT preparation does not automatically prove that eating coconut oil will produce the same effect.
This distinction is sometimes lost when research findings are discussed online.
What Does Research on Coconut Oil and Dementia Show?
The evidence has developed considerably since coconut oil first became widely promoted as an alternative dementia treatment.
The results remain mixed.
Small Studies Have Reported Possible Cognitive Benefits
A 2018 pilot study involved 44 people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Participants in the intervention group followed a Mediterranean-style diet enriched with coconut oil for 21 days.
Researchers reported improvements in several measures, including episodic memory, temporal orientation and semantic memory.
These findings attracted attention, but the study was small and short. It could not establish whether coconut oil produced a lasting clinical benefit or affected the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Earlier small studies have also reported improvements in some cognitive test scores after coconut oil supplementation.
These findings helped generate interest in larger and better-controlled trials.
A Larger Randomized Trial Found No Overall Cognitive Benefit
More recent research has produced less encouraging results.
A 2023 double-blind randomized controlled trial studied 120 people over age 65 with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Participants received either 30 mL of virgin coconut oil or a similar amount of canola oil each day for 24 weeks.
Overall, researchers found no significant improvement in cognition in the coconut oil group compared with the control group.
An improvement was observed in one genetic subgroup involving APOE ε4 carriers, but subgroup findings need further confirmation and should not be taken as evidence that coconut oil is an effective Alzheimer’s treatment.
The study is particularly important because it was larger, longer and better controlled than many of the earlier coconut oil studies.
What Did the 2024 Review Find?
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis examined studies involving coconut oil and related bioactive compounds in Alzheimer’s disease.
The pooled analysis reported an improvement in cognitive scores among people receiving coconut-oil-related interventions compared with controls.
This is encouraging enough to justify further research.
However, the available studies remain relatively few, with differences in study design, intervention, duration and cognitive testing.
A pooled improvement in cognitive test scores also does not prove that coconut oil slows Alzheimer’s disease, reverses dementia or provides meaningful long-term improvement in everyday functioning.
For now, the research should be described as promising but inconclusive.
What Does Research on MCT Oil and Dementia Show?
Research into MCT oil may be somewhat more developed than research into ordinary coconut oil.
A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis examined studies of medium-chain triglycerides in people with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease.
Across the included studies, MCT supplementation was associated with an improvement in general cognitive function.
However, significant improvements were not demonstrated consistently in individual areas such as memory, language and attention.
Researchers also found considerable differences among studies and concluded that better-designed clinical trials are needed before firm recommendations can be made.
This means there is an important difference between saying:
“MCTs are being investigated for possible cognitive benefits”
and saying:
“Coconut oil treats dementia.”
The first statement reflects the research. The second goes beyond what the evidence currently supports.
What About the Mary Newport Coconut Oil Story?
Much of the public interest in coconut oil and Alzheimer’s disease can be traced to Dr. Mary Newport, a physician who documented her experience giving coconut oil and MCT oil to her husband after he developed Alzheimer’s disease.
She reported noticeable improvements in some aspects of his functioning and subsequently wrote about their experience.
Personal stories such as this can be valuable because they may inspire researchers to investigate new ideas.
However, an individual experience cannot establish that a treatment works.
Symptoms of dementia can fluctuate, people respond differently to dietary changes, and improvements observed by family members can have many possible explanations.
Clinical trials with comparison groups are needed to determine whether an intervention itself caused an improvement.
For that reason, the Newport story is best viewed as part of the history behind interest in coconut oil rather than proof that coconut oil treats Alzheimer’s disease.
Is Coconut Oil Safe for People With Dementia?
Coconut oil is a common food, but that does not mean consuming large amounts is appropriate for everyone.
One important issue is its high saturated fat content.
The American Heart Association explains that diets high in saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol, which increases cardiovascular risk.
Coconut oil is one of the tropical oils that contains a high proportion of saturated fat.
This is particularly relevant because cardiovascular health and brain health are closely connected. Conditions affecting blood vessels can contribute to vascular dementia and may also influence a person’s overall risk of cognitive decline.
The older claim that coconut oil is automatically a “heart-healthy oil” because it can increase HDL cholesterol is therefore misleading.
People with high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or other medical conditions should speak with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before substantially increasing their coconut oil intake.
Is There a Recommended Amount of Coconut Oil for Dementia?
No medically established dose of coconut oil has been shown to treat dementia.
Different studies have used different products, quantities and durations, making it inappropriate to turn one research dose into a general recommendation.
The same caution applies to MCT oil.
MCT supplements can also cause digestive side effects such as diarrhea, nausea or abdominal discomfort in some people, particularly when larger amounts are introduced quickly.
Anyone considering coconut oil, MCT oil, a ketogenic diet or another substantial dietary change for someone living with dementia should discuss it with their doctor or dietitian.
Dietary supplements and alternative approaches should not replace prescribed dementia treatment.
What Type of Diet Is Better Supported for Brain Health?
Rather than relying on one particular oil or supplement, evidence increasingly supports looking at the overall dietary pattern.
Eating patterns emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish and unsaturated fats are generally more consistent with cardiovascular and brain-health recommendations.
The Mediterranean-style eating pattern is one example.
This does not mean a particular diet can cure or prevent every case of dementia. Dementia has many causes and risk factors.
However, maintaining cardiovascular health, adequate nutrition and a balanced diet for people with dementia is generally more evidence-based than depending on a single food as a treatment.
You can also read our guide to foods that may support a healthy diet for people with dementia.
Should You Try Coconut Oil for Dementia?
For most people, using a small amount of coconut oil as part of normal cooking is very different from taking large quantities in an attempt to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Current research does not provide enough evidence to recommend therapeutic doses of coconut oil for dementia.
If a person or caregiver is interested in trying coconut oil or MCT oil, it is worth discussing the idea with their healthcare professional first.
This is especially important if the person has:
- High LDL cholesterol
- Heart or blood vessel disease
- Diabetes or other metabolic conditions
- Difficulty maintaining a healthy weight
- Problems eating or swallowing
- Digestive problems
- Other medical conditions that require a specific diet
A healthcare professional can help assess the person’s nutritional needs and whether a dietary change is appropriate.
Coconut Oil and Dementia: The Bottom Line
Research into coconut oil and dementia is more nuanced than either “it works” or “it is a myth.”
Some small studies and a recent meta-analysis have reported improvements in cognitive test scores. Research into concentrated MCTs has also produced some promising results.
At the same time, a larger 24-week randomized trial found no overall cognitive benefit from virgin coconut oil, and the available evidence remains too limited to establish coconut oil as a dementia treatment.
There is currently no good evidence that coconut oil cures, reverses or prevents dementia.
Researchers may eventually learn more about ketones, MCTs and brain energy metabolism. For now, coconut oil should be viewed as a food being studied for possible effects rather than a proven therapy.
People interested in making significant dietary changes should discuss them with a doctor or registered dietitian, particularly because coconut oil is high in saturated fat.
For related topics, you can also read our articles on olive oil and dementia and CBD oil and dementia.
