I've been lucky enough to have lots of support from an organisation which provides occupational health. My contact there suggested I tried coconut oil, which has been shown to help some people with Alzheimers. Has anyone else tried this and what were the results?

interseting - the idea is to replace glucose with ketones from fat (any biologists out there?).An earlier article
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_9_167/ai_n13595718/
suggest a ketone diet (lot sof butter, mayonaise, oil, lard etc) might be beneficial for parkinsons.
Funnily enough when I first got symptoms of P I had been on a very sucessful (in terms of weight loss) diet of low carbs. since then I have wondered if this diet caused or triggered PD.
Which leaves me in a quandry - fat or carbs??? protein is difficult because of the l-dopa problem.
hmmmmmmmm.

After some research I started to take Coconut Oil on a regular basis and still do because I am convinced it helps towards the good health and maintenance of the nerve cell tissue. In particular,(in theory as know one seems to know exactly what goes on within the nervous system)assisting in the cell wall structure towards ensuring the synapse routes are directed along the nerve fibres.

While I do not know how it truly works, I know that I have been able to reduce the levels in medication, while seeing vast improvements in coordination, dexterity and improved sensitivity in touch.

hello beauxrelets
That is very interesting, it would good if some research was done or a trial because anything that helps and enables a possible to cut on the meds would really help, especially those people who have had pd for a long time. If it was proved that coconut oil did make a difference even for some people that would be another tip for the pd mag subject to their approval of course. Anything is worth a try!
best wishes
vivian

the original coconut story was a Dr who treated her husband with coconut oil for alzhiemers http://www.coconutketones.com/biography.html
the theory seems to be a lack of glucose getting to the brain is replaced by ketones. why coconut rather than any other source is not clear.
there does seem to be evidence of glucose problems with pd but as cause or effect isnt clear. it would explain the seeming beneficial effect of chocolate and cheese - both high in fat giving the brain cells the energy their not getting from glucose. perhaps we should all eat more fat!

Among many articles, I found lots of interesting bits to read here - http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/ - and accordingly gave it a go to find it improved my condition no end (to the point that I know if or when I have forgotten a dose).

In general I take about one level teaspoon full (or a slightly rounded one when in more solid form at room temperature)once a week straight off the spoon or spread on a piece of bread like butter. Apparently heat does not effect or alter the oil so adding it into a curry or stew would probably be just as useful.

I think if it was not so expensive I would even consider upping the dose

its the Medium-chain triglycerides that are the important bit seemingly. wonder rif eating bounty bars counts? probably not.

Hi this brings me back to when my uncle was alive, he always said he felt better after eating one of his many bounty bars he had a very sweet tooth

i shall bravely volunteer to experiment tomorrow with a bounty bar. if i survive i shall report back.

very very very interesting article here
http://www.phschool.com/science/science_news/articles/ketones_to_the_rescue.html

I have been on a near-ketogenic diet since wednesday - as expected have lost 2 litres of excess water (2kg weight loss). oedema has decreased significantly and breathlessness improved.stopped water tablet. walking improved as ankles less sore.
blood pressure ok. less sleepy during day.

had been eating lots of sugar and putting on 1kg every month or two so had to do something.

theory:
glucose not available for brain cells in pd
sn cells die off
ketones replace glucose so cells remain active and pd slows
brain works better with required energy supply
sugar craving may be an effect of glucose problems

best source of ketones: coconut oil, palm oil, butter, goat/sheep cheese

concerns: heart conditions, constipation

THIS IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE HEART PROBLEMS