VCO might be the (COVID) cure we’re looking for
As the mass COVID-19 vaccination in the country seems “so near and yet so far,” boosting one’s immune system and adhering to safety protocols have become a tall order, especially now that the more transmissible variant of the coronavirus has reached our shores.
You know the drill: Observe physical distancing, keep your hands clean and wash up with soap and water once you get home, exercise daily and eat right. Add to that including virgin coconut oil (VCO) in your diet. That’s because VCO has been reported to be an effective therapy against COVID-19.
A community-based study in Laguna conducted by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Institute (DOST-FNRI) last year showed that VCO helped reduce the severity of symptoms of suspected COVID-19 patients.
According to reports, 29 out of the 57 participants of the study were provided with meals mixed with VCO for 28 days, while the remaining 28 in the “controlled group” did not receive VCO.
The results of the VCO study showed that “five of the 29 patients in the VCO group manifested diminishing signs and symptoms as early as the second day of the trial. The VCO group has recovered from infection and inflammation approximately 14 days after being subjected to the intervention.”
“While further studies are still needed to determine the effectiveness of VCO as an adjunct therapy for COVID-19 patients, tapping the therapeutic benefits of VCO, especially against the new coronavirus, could ease concerns on a surge of COVID-19 cases while waiting for the vaccines,” notes Dr. Ed Lalusis, the patented inventor of Growrich VCO in capsule form, during a virtual round-table discussion.
VCO’s anti-viral properties
Unlike basic coconut oil, virgin coconut oil (VCO) is derived from copra or dried coconut flesh.
“The oil is extracted from a single press of fresh coconut meat that’s been grated and dried for two hours at a temperature lower than 40 degrees Celcius,” explains Dr. Lalusis.
It is more premium than other coconut oil because there is no second press, so the yield per kilo is lower than those produced from other processes.
“VCO is an oil, which is suitable for consumption without the need for further processing,” he adds.
Considered a saturated fat, some considered coconut oil a “bad fat” that causes high cholesterol.
But not all saturated fats are “bad fats.”
“They come from two sources: vegetables and animals. Coconut oil is a form of saturated fat that comes from vegetables. It contains medium-chain fatty acids (triglycerides), which are easy to digest and absorbed by the body,” explains Dr. Mari-Ann Bringas, chairperson of the Dept. of Biochemistry and Nutrition, FEU-NRMF.
Unlike other fats, which go to the other organs and get stored there, medium-chain triglycerides go directly to the liver, where they can be used as an instant energy source.
“In the past years, however, clinical and pre-clinical trials have been carried out on coconut oil. And reports showed that VCO exhibited positive outcomes on human health,” notes Dr. Lalusis. “This is due to evidences that the fatty acids found in VCO — like lauric acid — have anti-viral properties.”
For instance, the lauric acid in VCO is used by the body to make monolaurin, the acid newborn babies get from their mothers’ milk, which keeps them from getting viral or bacterial infections.
“Monolaurin enhances the baby’s immune system,” adds Dr. Lalusis. “Sodium lauryl sulfate, a common surfactant that is made from lauric acid, has also been shown to have potent anti-viral properties as well.”
And so what makes VCO a viable adjunct therapy for COVID-19 patients?
“The anti-viral properties of lauric acid and monolaurin cause the disintegration of the virus envelope. Both can also inhibit late maturation stage in the virus’ replicative cycle, and can prevent viral protein binding to the host cell membrane,” explains Dr. Lalusis.
Although lauric acid accounts for much of the reported anti-viral activities of coconut oil, capric acid has also shown potential in “fighting viruses like HIV-1 and influenza A.”
“Capric acid accounts for seven percent of coconut oil,” says Dr. Lalusis. “Lauric acid and capric acid found in coconut oils make VCO a potent anti-viral potion.”
VCO now comes in capsule form
If you’re like me who can’t take VCO in its original form because of its taste and texture, fret not. We can now enjoy its health benefits — lower LDL cholesterol, enhanced weight loss and relief of the symptoms of indigestion, asthma, diarrhea, diabetes, and sepsis in infants — even COVID-19 — as VCO now comes in capsule form.
The first patented VCO capsule that’s FDA-approved, Growrich Virgin Coconut Oil Capsule, is the only VCO you can easily pop in your mouth. The recommended dosage is one to two capsules daily with meals.
“With Growrich VCO Capsules, the aftertaste that comes when taking liquid VCO is eliminated, the dosage is more controlled and the quality of the oil is maintained,” explains Dr. Lalusis.
Every Growrich VCO Capsule contains saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and essential fatty acids that are heart-friendly and have antioxidant properties. Not only that, VCO has also been found to have anti-fungal properties.
Who knows? VCO might also be the COVID cure we’re looking for.
