Research on Dementia and Alzheimer's

I get this e-mail newsletter from Vitacost.com where I buy the MCT coconut oil. Here is what research found:

• Smokers are 70% more likely to develop dementia than nonsmokers.
• Those with high blood pressure are 60% more likely.
• Those with diabetes are twice as likely. (Even moderate weigh loss helps prevent type 2 diabetes.)

I also read Dr. David Snowdon's classic Alzheimer's study Aging With Grace. In this book he studies nuns over many years and has access to their early records. He also emphasizes cardiovascula health and avoiding smoking. He finds that a positive attitude early in life was a characteristic of those who did not get dementia.

One of my favorite quotes from Snowdon's book is from Sister Laura. She says, "Do you know what my worst fear was? That I was going to forget Jesus. I finally realized that I may not remember Him, but He will remember me." (p. 120)

MCT Coconut Cream Pie

Why not put coconut oil in coconut cream pie, I thought and it worked! I adapted a Coconut Cream Pie recipe making it more diet conscious except for the MCT oil. Instead of the liquid for the milk (3 cups), I used 2 cups milk and 1 cup of the liquid MCT. My husband likes this pie.

Two 9 inch pie crusts
Two small boxes of sugar free vanilla pudding
2 cups milk
1 cup MCT
14 ounce package of shredded or flaked coconut
16 ounces of Light Cool Whip or whipped cream
Directions: In a large bowl, beat the pudding, milk, and MCT with an electric mixer until the pudding mixture thickens. Fold in 2 cups of coconut flakes and 1 cup of Cool Whip. Pour into prepared pie crusts. Spread the remaining Cool Whip on top. Sprinkle with the remainder of the coconut flakes. Refrigerate and serve chilled.

I think the coconut oil my husband is getting is helping him be more cheerful and ambitious.