Supporting Brain Health & Memory with Ketones
Discover how coconut oil, MCT oil, and ketones could support memory & brain health during the aging process.
Every cell needs fuel to work, and the brain normally runs on glucose. In Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, other dementias, neurological and even psychiatric disorders, brain cells don’t use glucose efficiently. Ketones provide an alternative fuel that the brain can use—even when glucose can’t. Consistent use of ketogenic oils or other ketogenic strategies could slow cognitive decline, improve memory, reduce brain fog. And might even delay, slow down, or prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Looking for an easy food-based approach? See Coconut Oil & MCT Oil for Brain Health
How ketones work in the brain
Image adapted from Medscape Education PP. R Isaacson. Brain glucose hypometabolism, ketosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. July 26, 2014
In Alzheimer’s disease, some other types of dementia, and Parkinson’s disease, certain parts of the brain don’t take up glucose normally. Insulin resistance is a major part of the problem. And this problem may start 10 or 20 years before symptoms appear.
Abnormal glucose uptake in the brain is also a problem in epilepsy, autism, other neurodegenerative disorders, and psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Inflammation is also a key factor in the same disorders.
Ketones provide fuel directly and immediately to starved cells in the brain. Therefore, increasing blood ketone levels through a high-fat low-carb diet, eating coconut or MCT oil, or by taking exogenous ketone supplements — ketone esters or ketone salts — could potentially help people with Alzheimer’s.
Coconut oil and MCT oil naturally produce ketones in the liver — regardless of whatever else you eat — which the brain and body can use right away for energy. Polyphenols in coconut oil, MCTs, and ketones also help reduce inflammation, a key factor in Alzheimer’s and many other brain disorders.
Steve & Mary Newport with Lori Johnson on The 700 Club in 2013.
Two videos that explain how ketones work
About 3 1/2 years after my husband Steve with early-onset Alzheimer’s responded dramatically to coconut oil, health reporter Lori Johnson interviewed us at our home. The five-minute story aired on The 700 Club on nationwide television in early 2013.
Dr. Mary Newport talks on Alzheimer’s and ketones at TedX USF event in 2014.
In 2014, The University of South Florida selected me to give an 18-minute TedX presentation which goes into much more detail. This video has at least 2 million views!
For best results, consider combining strategies that increase ketone levels
Ketone salts moderately increase ketone levels up to 2 to 3 x higher than coconut and MCT oil. Taking ketone esters can rapidly boost ketone levels 5 to 10 x higher than MCT and coconut oil depending on the serving size. Using coconut and/or MCT oil with meals helps sustain a steady ketone level that can be enhanced with ketone salts or a ketone ester for several hours. Overnight or intermittent fasting and moderately vigorous aerobic exercise (walking, swimming, running) can all raise ketone levels. Caffeine can also slightly bump up ketone levels.
People who report the best results often combine several of these approaches. Some of these people who stay in touch with me improved and have been stable for 10 years or longer.
Ketone research is exploding
Some organizations claim that the idea of increasing ketones, such as with coconut or MCT oil, hasn’t been studied. Not true! The Alzheimer’s Association has funded studies of ketogenic diets and MCT oil for people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s that had promising results. The findings of these studies have been presented at several Alzheimer’s Association International Conferences (AAIC) in ketone sessions since 2017. I presented two peer-reviewed posters on precision nutrition for Alzheimer’s and my analysis of responses of 288 people to coconut and MCT oil at the 2023 AAIC in Amsterdam, which was subsequently published.
At least 17 studies of MCT oil and three of coconut oil reported that these strategies can support memory, thinking, and other functions in people with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related conditions. More than 90 studies of ketone esters are exploring the benefits of ketones for cognition, but also for diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer, and many other disorders.
The Metabolic Coalition for Health, founded by Dave and Jan Baszucki, supports research on the ketogenic nutritional approach to psychiatric disorders and recently expanded to include other chronic diseases related to poor metabolic health.
Reference list for studies and reviews (9 pages)
Prefer a moderate approach? Ketone Salts for Brain Health & Fitness
Want a stronger option? Look at Ketone Esters for Alzheimer’s & Brain Health
Ready to go full keto? Cut Carbs and Increase Healthy Fats
Case Report on Ketones for Alzheimer’s by Dr. Newport, 2008
Original 2008 article on coconut oil for Alzheimer’s:
About 2 months after my husband’s dramatic improvement with coconut oil in July 2008, I wrote this article to encourage immediate research of MCT and ketone esters for people with Alzheimer’s.
What If There Was a Cure for Alzheimer’s and No One Knew? (English)(Spanish)
Next Steps: Choose Your Ketone Strategy
Coconut Oil & MCT Oil for Brain Health
Ketone Esters for Alzheimer’s & Brain Health
Ketone Salts for Brain Health & Fitness
Ketogenic & Low-Carb Diets for Brain Health & Glucose Control
Books by Mary T. Newport, M.D.
Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure? The Story of Ketones, 3rd Edition
- My Husband Steve’s Remarkable Reprieve from Alzheimer’s Using Ketogenic Oils
- The Discovery of Ketones as Therapy for Alzheimer’s and Other Diseases
- How to Add Ketogenic Oils and a Low-Carb Diet to Your Lifestyle
Explore Options to Boost Ketone Levels
How Ketones Help Alzheimer’s & Memory (Overview)
Coconut, MCT oil, Ketones for Brain Health
Pair Coconut & MCT Oil with a Low-Carb or Keto Diet
Consider Ketone Esters for rapid therapeutic ketosis
Build on Coconut & MCT Oil with Ketone Salts
Return Home – Introduction to Website
Also on this website:
Videos/Podcasts
Articles by Dr. Newport
Ketone Research Articles
Ketone Supplements
Books & Keto Monitors
Supplies for Caregivers
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