In the name of public service, the MMSU takes part in the promotion of relevant research-result to enrich knowledge sources accessible to the people.

This promotion on the use of Virgin Coconut Oil as adjunctive therapy for probable and suspect cases of COVID-19 is a support to the call penned by Cabinet Secretary, Karlo Nograles, of the Office of the President of the Philippines, in disseminating information and technologies that help in coping with the challenge of the time.

Virgin Coconut Oil is effective in reducing inflammation to COVID cases with mild symptoms

“VCO could be used as an adjunct supplement to probable and suspected cases of COVID-19 due to its anti-viral and immunomodulatory properties”, said researchers from the DOST-FNRI and Ateneo de Manila, Philippines.

Fifty-seven individuals participated in this evaluation of the effects of the virgin coconut oil among suspect and probable cases of COVD-19 in two isolation facilities, the Santa Rosa Community Hospital (SRCH) and the Santa Rosa Community Isolation Unit (SRCIH). the research was conducted by Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Ph.D., Jacus S. Nacis, MBA-H., Mario V. Capanzana, Ph.D., Fabian Antonio M. Dayrit, Ph.D., Carl Vincent C. Cabanilla, ken Jaime Montoya, M.D., with Dr. Agdeppa who is also the director of DOST-FNRI as project leader.

This research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology—Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the DOST-CALABARZON.

Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin Coconut Oil is an edible from the milk of fresh and mature kernel of coconut. It has been used for various diseases. It is considered a functional food, food with higher benefits than their nutritive values because of antiviral and immunomodulatory properties, or their ability to help the body against cancer, infection, and other diseases. Recently, it has emerged as an effective weigh management supplement, good for diarrhea and skin infection. Studies have also shown that VCO has bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, sterols, and polyphenols. The antiviral activities in VCO is attributed to the lauric acid and monolarium it contains through disintegration of the virus envelope, inhibiting the early maturation stage of virus replication cycle, and preventing the binding of virus proteins in the cell membrane of the host. It also contains capric acid and monocaprin that show promising antiviral properties against HIV-1 infection from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV(, human parainfluenza virus type-2 (HPIV-2), and influenza-A virus.

Design 

The individuals involved in the study were divided into two groups, the intervention group primarily receiving meals mixed with VCO and the control group receiving the same meals, using randomized double-blind controlled intervention. The meals were prepared by the DOST-FNRI, VCO incorporated depended on the patient’s weight and recommended daily consumption of VCO. From Days 1-3, the patients in the intervention group received an initial dose of 0.6 mL VCO / kg body weight during breakfast. From Days 4-28, the patients received 1.2 mL VCO / kg BW distributed daily during breakfast and lunch.  The VCO used were analyzed by the Laboratory Services Division of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to ensure product quality and compliance to Philippine National Standards.

Primary indicators of the patient’s condition include the occurrence of signs and symptoms (coughing, colds, body aches, headache, loss of taste, fever) monitored by the patients daily, and the C-Reactive Protein (CRP) monitored by the researchers by collecting blood samples on Day 1, Day14, and Day 28. C-reactive protein is a quantitative marker used to monitor inflammation or infection. As the CRP level goes back to values equal of less than 5 mg/L, this signifies recovery from inflammation or infection.

Results

On the Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19. According to the study, five out of 29 patients in the intervention group have manifested improvement in the signs and symptoms as early as the second day of intervention while only one from the control group. Patients in the intervention group also showed no more CoVID-19-related symptoms at Day 18, indicating faster recovery, as compare to patients in the control group with symptoms persisting until Day 23.

On CRP level. The mean CRP levels of the participants in the intervention group normalized to equal or less than 5 mg/L as early as Day 14. While the reduction to normal in the CRP level of the patients in the control group was evident from Day 1to Day 14, it remained at the borderline of 5 mg/L from Day 14 until the end of the intervention. This means that the participants in the intervention group experience improvement from infection or inflammation approximately 14 days after being subjected to VCO intervention.

Moreover, 10 patients form the intervention group had CRP level higher than 5 mg/L that indicates infection or inflammation. After 28 days, this number decreased to five. In the control group, 10 patients also had CRP level higher than 5 mg/L. After 28 days, this number increased to 12.

The researchers concluded that faster recovery in the intervention group is supported by the early improvement in the C-reactive protein levels among the participants. Data shown support the effectiveness of VCO in regulating the inflammatory effect which the researchers attribute to the phytochemicals present in virgin coconut oil. Phytochemicals are antioxidants which help scavenge free radicals and reduce inflammation.

Adjunct Therapy 

Researchers suggest that VCO could be used as adjunct supplement to suspect and probable cases of CoVID-19. It can regulate CoVID-19-related symptoms such as cough, colds, headache, body aches, loss of taste, and fever. It could prevent CoVID-19 positive cases to become severe.

While VCO is considered as ‘generally recognized as safe’ (GRAS) by the US FDA in 2020, the researchers recommend more studies to gather more confirmatory evidence on the benefits of VCO for CoVID-19.

When taken orally, recommended dose in the use of VCO is one tablespoon of VCO every meal, three times a day, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is also possible to use VCO as a gargle during the day and at night before sleeping. It is to be noted that too much use of VCO can lead to diarrhea in some patients. It is advised to take the supplement in moderation in the first two to three days.

Virgin coconut oil is not the cure for CoVID-19. Instead, it is a supplement to help the body reduce inflammation and severity of signs and symptoms experienced.

 For more information, access: 

Agdeppa, I.A., Nacis. J.S., Capanzana, M.V., Dayrit, F.M., Cabanilla, C.D., & Montoya J. (2021). Virgin coconut oil is effective in lowering C-reactive protein levels among suspect and probable case of COVID-19. Journal of Functional Food. 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104557

Visit the social media page of the Extension Directorate for its counterpart in the Ilokano langauge at https://www.facebook.com/105321891368327/posts/283064223594092/ 

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