Page 42 - Summer 2019 Journal

in the brain. Specifically, the MCT oil increased NAD+ by 3.4 percent and reduced NADH by 13 percent, producing an 18 percent increase in the NAD+/NADH ratio. These results provide clues as to how nutritional ketosis might contribute to the preservation of brain health. It is reason- able to expect that fifty to ninety grams per day of MCT oil may more than double the NAD+/ NADH ratio, with no adverse side effects.
NAD PRECURSORS
Pharmaceutical companies are currently
manufacturing and selling supplements that contain NAD+ precursors (such as nicotinamide or nicotinamide riboside) with the intent of in- creasing endogenous NAD+ levels and enhanc- ing metabolic resilience. These outcomes may also be achieved physiologically by ketogenic strategies. Moreover, while both NAD supple- ments and ketogenic MCTs can increase serum NAD levels, the MCTs also provide an alterna- tive brain energy source for those who have inadequate absorption of brain glucose. Further, the ketone-producing MCT oils have been found to have many other benefits including improved muscle and cognitive function.
CONCLUSIONS
The health benefits of ketones can be opti-
mized through intermittent use of the ketogenic diet together with daily use of MCT oil. Using the low-carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diet one or two days a week will establish autophagy that clears damaged cells from the body, thereby improving health and increasing lifespan. Limit- ing the ketogenic diet to no more than two days a week avoids the adverse effects that are pos- sible with a very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet, which can result in nutrient deficiencies.
Daily consumption of one to four table- spoons per day of ketogenic MCT oil, best taken several hours apart, will provide a variety of health benefits. To summarize:
1. Ketones from MCT oil will offset possible brain glucose deficiency in the elderly and in those with Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Ketones will improve cognitive function in those with normal brain function.
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3. Ketones from MCT oil will increase energy-producing NAD+, thereby increasing the seven NAD-dependent sirtuin enzymes. These enzymes, associated with longevity and inflammation, have clinical potential in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia, osteoporosis, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease and numerous other conditions.
Altogether, an intermittent ketogenic diet, together with a daily intake of ketogenic MCT oil, can improve cognitive and muscle function and provide remarkable health benefits. My wife and I are in our eighties. We normally eat a Weston Price-style Wise Traditions diet, take no drugs of any kind and are in good health for our age. We take ketogenic caprylic MCT oil daily to extend our good health.
Jack Cameron, a professional engineer with a master’s degree in envi- ronmental engineering, worked in the design of water and wastewater systems until his retirement. Jack became a member of the Weston A. Price Foundation in 2006. Jack and his wife Patricia, who have been married for more than sixty years, have endeavored to maintain a diet that compensates for age-related changes in nutritional needs while remaining consistent with WAPF dietary recommendations.
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Wise Traditions SUMMER 2019