Here are the pros, cons of coconut oil

When it comes to eating coconut oil, despite claims that it is good for your heart and other organs, it’s important to do some fact — and fat — checking.

Pros or cons? When it comes to the claim that coconut oil can be heart healthy, a recent study in Circulation found that compared with other plantbased oils, it doesn’t help reduce waist circumference or body fat, and consumption increases lousy LDL cholesterol levels, upping your risk for heart disease.

Another recent trial, published in BMJ Open, examined the potential benefits of EVCO — yup, that’s extra-virgin coconut oil — and found that over a four-week period, neither EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil) nor EVCO increased LDL levels. But there’s not enough research to say if EVCO is comparatively healthier than regular coconut oil in the long run. We’re betting it’s not, and may be downright less healthy than omega-3’s 7’s and 9’s in fish oil, avocado oil, walnuts and extra virgin olive oil.

As for the claim that coconut oil is used in traditional cuisines where people have lower rates of heart disease than the U.S. — those societies also eat heart-healthy, plant-based diets and more fish. Coconut oil is not the likely cause of their heart health.

Your diet choices can help prevent Alzheimer’s

The MIND — or Mediterranean-dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay — diet calls for eating at least three servings of whole grains and at least one dark green leafy salad and one other vegetable daily, along with a glass of wine.

Beans and legumes should be eaten at least every other day; poultry and berries, at least twice a week; fish once a week; and for snacks, go nuts (an ounce a day).

The diet guidelines also say it’s equally important to avoid butter, cheese, fried or fast food, and red meat. The diet allows less than a serving a week for them. We say none.

The researchers tracked almost 1,000 people ages 58 to 98 for four and a half years. They found that reliably sticking to the MIND diet reduced participants’ risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 53 percent. It fell by 35 percent if they followed guidelines moderately well.

MIND reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, and the phytochemicals it contains may help prevent the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques, associated with Alzheimer’s. So if you mind developing dementia, adopt the MIND diet.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.