Isn't Coconut Oil Fattening ?
I've been reading your articles and the discussions about coconut oil and MCT oil for dementia and I'm wondering, isn't coconut oil very high in calories? If I give it to my husband who is already overweight, won't it cause him to gain more weight? I'm concerned that any weight gain will make it more difficult for me to take care of him.
What do you recommend?
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Email11/22/2010 Hi Elena
Read your article concerning coconut oil and hypothyroidism. But, this website is here to provide a forum for people who either are caregivers or have Alzheimer's or another type of dementia. The thread you posted to is one that was started because of concerns of someone's husband who suffers from a dementia.
I think it is good for people to come to Alzheimer's Weekly forum and join in the various discussion topics. But, I would hope people posting would be staying with the general purpose of Alzheimer's Weekly website --- providing help to those suffering from or caregivers dealing with loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's or another type of dementia.
My Mom has very advanced Alzheimer's.
Nancy
First, there is a new article with great 
information on fat 
in coconut oil. Click on the following:
Coconut Oil's Fat Dangers vs. Brain Benefits
Second, regarding Elana's links (in the comment above), they don't seem to mention Alzheimer's or even dementia. Notwithstanding, they do discuss hypothyroidism, which can cause dementia. The big news in hypothyroidism is that the dementia it causes is reversible.
Apparently, if the thyroid is not doing its job, neither does the brain. A doctor might diagnose it as dementia without checking a patient's thyroid. While technically the diagnosis is correct, it can be considered as worse than useless, because we usually don't think of dementia as reversible. BUT dementia from hypothyroidism IS reversible. Hypothyroidism IS usually treatable. Here's an article with a good, down-to-earth explanation:
Dementia Due to Hypothyroidism
Though Elana's pages may have indirect connections to the subjects of dementia and Alzheimer's due to its discussions of hypothyroidism and coconut oil, the connections are real ones.
Research points to the seed oil companies as having a vested interest in this successful misinformation program. If it's pure virgin coconut oil, it causes you to lose, not gain weight! Some farmers, hoping to "fatten up their livestock" before slaughter, were disappointed to discover feeding it to livestock before sale caused a loss in profit from their loss in weight. However, if you "hydrogenate" the coconut oil, all bets are off on this processed "Franken-food". Just google up Dr. Mary Enig and read up on her research. Our ancestors ate it and they had virtually no heart, brain and health complications. It was only after Mr. Proctor and Mr Gamble introduced Crisco (Crystalized Cotten-seed Oil), that required a new branch of Medical practitioners to be needed... Cardiologists.
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Your question is an excellent question and one that concerns many people considering adding coconut oil to their dementia diets.
Coconut oil is just as fattening as any other oil. Most edible oils, such as olive oil, canola oil and safflower oil, contain approximately 120 calorie per tablespoon. Coconut oil is no different.
Here's another alternative. As discussed in our Keto-dementia Diet Series, the ingredients in coconut oil that help people with dementia are called MCTs. Many companies separate the fattening part of coconut oil (lauric acid) from the part that offers the benefits to people with dementia (caprylic acid and capric acid) to make MCT oil.
Speak with your husband's doctor about trying MCT oil. MCT oil is metabolized differently by the body and will not cause a person to put on weight. MCT's are quickly converted by the liver into ketones which serve as back up fuel for the brain. They are not converted into body fat. While coconut oil is fattening, MCT oil is not.
I hope this clears things up,
Dina