Hi All,
One of my customers just got checked into memory care with T3 (Alzheimer’s). I spoke with her family this morning. It is a very sad situation: heart breaking.
Now since my wife and I are of that age and are both strict Keto (I am T2) for the last ten years, its occurs to me I’d better make sure both of us are consuming a lot of MCT’s (medium chain triglycerides). We do eat a lot of meat.
Am I over thinking this?
Many thanks,
-T
No. Listen to Mary Newport, MD, and podcasts with her. She’s been on The Metabolic Link and Metabolic Mind.
The best sources of MCTs are coconut oils. Or I should say, they give you the most MCTs.
If your customer is not too far gone, they want to also go keto. And they want their ketones relatively high if they can get them there.
I was looking for more sources of MCT’s. The customer is a vegetarian and frightfully skinny. I did mention to the family member I spoke with about MCT’s, but I can only push it so far.
I do cook with coconut oil. I am looking for more sources of MCT’s in the things I eat.
That person might need relatively high MCTs. Dr. Newport had her husband on 12+ tablespoons of MCT and regular coconut oils, and I think she might have added in exogenous ketones too (though I can’t remember the sequence of events).
I’m sure some food has MCTs, but to get the amount you’d need for dementia (what Dr. Newport’s husband had) or Alzheimer’s, you’re probably not going to get them through food.
From time to time, I warm up coconut oil at low temp to liquid, mix in 100% cacao powder and a squirt of pure stevia extract. Then pour into mini molds, or into a single deep dish for subsequent carving, as you would a large brownie pan.
Refrigerate and/or freeze until solid. Pop them out and store in the fridge or freezer. They make great treats - and they’re essentially coconut oil in solid form with chocolate flavor and a touch of stevia sweetness.
I just purchased some MCT powder, it has 60 calories and 6g MCT in what I’d estimate is a 2T scoop. Sourced from coconut and acacia. This is flavorless and not greasy, making it easy to add to nearly anything. It could probably go into keto baked goods. I usually use MCT oil but it does make for a greasy cup of coffee, there’s a limit to how much you can put in before it gets gross. This powder you could probably make some sort of smoothie and load it with an extra 180 cal or more.
I’ll second the idea of exogenous ketones. At this point, that brain needs ketones no matter how a person gets them there. Very likely, it is starving for fuel.
Having come from a particular religious denomination that pushes veganism (left years ago but not before plenty of damage), it was / still is alarming that the rate of Alzheimer’s was HIGHER than the average person eating the SAD. I wish I had a source for the info but it’s been enough years since I left that I didn’t keep a lot of that stuff. It was one of the flies in the ointment that eventually opened my eyes to a whole lot of things.
One of the best sources of MCTs, coconut oil contains over 60% MCTs, specifically lauric acid. Add a spoonful to your morning smoothie or use it for cooking to reap the benefits.
A concentrated source of MCTs, MCT oil is derived from coconut or palm oil. It can be easily added to beverages or used in salad dressings for a quick energy boost.
Rich in MCTs, avocados also offer numerous other health benefits, including heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber. Enjoy them sliced on toast or blended into a creamy smoothie.
Butter from grass-fed cows is a good source of MCTs, particularly MCTs such as caprylic and capric acid. Use it in cooking or spread it on whole-grain bread for a tasty snack.
Another excellent source of MCTs, palm kernel oil is often used in cooking and baking. However, be mindful of its high saturated fat content and use it in moderation.
Whole milk contains MCTs in the form of medium-chain fatty acids. Opt for organic or grass-fed varieties to ensure higher nutrient content and better overall quality.
Certain types of cheese, such as cheddar and gouda, contain MCTs along with protein and calcium. Enjoy cheese as a snack or include it in your meals for a delicious source of energy.
Full-fat yogurt is a good source of MCTs, as well as beneficial probiotics for gut health. Pair it with fruit and nuts for a balanced and energizing snack.
Eggs are a versatile and nutrient-dense food that contains MCTs along with high-quality protein. Whip up some scrambled eggs or make a veggie-filled omelette for a satisfying meal.
Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content provides MCTs along with antioxidants and mood-boosting compounds. Indulge in a square or two for a guilt-free energy pick-me-up.
Almonds are a nutritious source of MCTs, fiber, and vitamin E. Snack on a handful of almonds or add them to salads and stir-fries for extra crunch and energy.
Fatty fish like salmon are rich in MCTs, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. Include salmon in your diet regularly to support brain health, energy production, and overall vitality.
Chia seeds are a powerhouse of nutrition, providing MCTs, fiber, and essential minerals. Mix chia seeds into yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies for a boost of sustained energy throughout the day.
Ah, yeah. Anytime I see “heart-healthy”, I ignore this. There’s literally no evidence that MUFAs are “heart-healthy”, and even less evidence about fiber.
Add to that “Keto”, “Keto Friendly”, Paleo", “Super Food”. That that they do not exist, they are just never marked that way. For example: eggs, meat, fish, etc…
Can’t say you are, but if you’ve been ketogenic for the past 10 years, then it is highly likely that your brains are in good shape. It’s not for nothing that Alzheimer’s disease is now being called Type III diabetes, given that it is a problem of hyperinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia.
My guess is that anyone eating enough protein and fat doesn’t need exogenous ketones or MCT oil/powder, but on the other hand, what have we got to lose, except money?
I figured. My main concern is for my sister, who is a vegetarian. (I have to be careful choosing my words concerning how much I think that lifestyle is foolish and stupid, especially in aggregate, more animals are killed in producing the extra vegitable matter they consume versus the rest of us.) I am already a medical caretaker for one other person, I am not sure I could physically handle two. And the local memory care facility, where they feed you tons of carbs and warehouse your until you die, is 8,500.00 U$D a month. And I really, really, really can’t afford that. So I am after all vegetable sources of MCT I can possible get her to eat.
If she is just vegetarian, not vegan, there may be animal sources too. Of course it depends on the actual style. I had a high protein, very high fat vegetarian diet with plenty of animal food 
It was nice but it turned out, I can do better, even keto wasn’t good enough until I had much plant matter. I felt healthy like ever but carnivore showed there were room for improvement ;). It’s not poor plants’ fault, it’s just how my body and mind works.
Full veganism is way trickier, some people seem to handle it well but many don’t. Still, much depends on the person in question and their efforts and one can do it better and worse. Of course, if it turns out a woe can’t work really well for us, no matter what, we should change. Too bad we may not be aware if that is the case, I felt quite well on every diet of my life, good thing I like experimenting a bit.
She eats cheese (the animals are pampered). That is the extent of it.
No eggs? Not even cage-free eggs? My hens are VERY pampered.
They have a large area to wander around in every day, get scratch and mealworms every morning and my husband takes them yogurt (I make it), tomatoes and lettuce every afternoon. Plus all the bugs that wander into their outer run area. They talk to us everytime we go to the garden, which is adorable.
Those kind of eggs are so stinking yummy it is shameful. I try to get they organic, range free eggs from the super, but they are just not as good as yours.
Do your hens eat those accursed squash (stink) bugs?
I hear you, and that is a use for MCT oil and exogenous ketones that is definitely worth the money. I no longer remember whose study it was, but it has been shown that elevated ketones help the brain even on a high-carb, low-fat diet. Whether the cognitive decline can be reversed or not, it can certainly be kept from worsening.
I thought there was a study of coconut oil in Alzheimer’s patients, but can’t find it. I do see resistance online to the idea, though a lot of that is by organizations who have a monetary benefit to say that coconut oil isn’t helpful.
Exogenous ketones will produce much higher levels, but they’re also a lot more expensive.
Last night, I had 1 Tbsp of C8/C10 coconut oil and also had a dessert that had coconut oil in it, and my ketones were 0.7 mmol/l in the morning. Assuming that’s correct (can’t trust the accuracy of a ketone meter), that’s a very high level for me. I’m usually 0.2-0.3 in the morning. Of course, I ate these, had a small amount of alcohol (also helps raise ketones a bit), and immediately went to bed. But at least this seems to be a pattern. I haven’t been great at testing during the day though to see what a Tbsp of coconut oil does for my ketones.