Dr. Mary Newport may have found a cure for Alzheimer’s disease with coconut oil. Dr. Newport has published the book “Alzheimer’s Disease: What If There Was a Cure?” (2011) and travels around the US preaching the benefits of coconut oil. Dr. Newport has also been interviewed by several notable programs about this “cure.” Using coconut oil as a potential cure for Alzheimer’s has been making news within the last few years by several notable doctors other than Dr. Newport; since it is still a relatively new development, there is no entire consensus among the medical field about the possible benefits or the possible health risks.

Dr. Bruce Fife, also known as the “Coconut Doctor,” presented his evidence in his book, “Stop Alzheimer’s Now.” Fife believes that coconut oil is the cure for Alzheimer’s and has even established a nonprofit organization called the Coconut Research Center in order to educate the public about the miracles of the coconut. He has documented his researches in two books, “Coconut Cures” (2005) and “Coconut Water.”

Dr. Mercola, a highly respected osteopathic physician and New York Times bestselling author, discussed Dr. Newport’s findings and presents his own explanations and reasoning why coconut oil may truly work towards curing Alzheimer’s. In his article, Dr. Mercola stated, “Dr. Mary Newport discusses ketone bodies, an alternative fuel for your brain which your body makes when digesting coconut oil, and how coconut oil may offer profound benefits in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.” This could be life-changing because if coconut oil is truly the cure for Alzheimer’s disease, this will be one of the most impressive natural health finds in years. Dr. Newport backs up her claim that coconut oil is the key because of the remarkable recovery of her own husband.

The main reasoning why coconut oil could cure the disease is because there are several substances that can prevent brain atrophy, which is the main reason Alzheimer’s progresses. However, there is one substance is different from others because “it may even restore and renew neuron and nerve function in your brain after damage has set in. The substance in question is called ketone bodies, or ketoacids. Ketones are what your body produces when it converts fat (as opposed to glucose) into energy. And a primary source of ketone bodies are the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) found in coconut oil!” The reason coconut oil may work is because it “contains about 66 percent MCTs.”

Not only will ketone bodies help Alzheimer’s disease, but it “may also extend to a number of other health conditions”, according to Dr. Newport:

“Further, this is a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclero­sis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), drug resistant epilepsy, brittle type I diabetes, and diabetes type II, where there is insulin resistance. Ketone bodies may help the brain recover after a loss of oxygen in newborns through adults, may help the heart re­cover after an acute attack, and may shrink cancer­ous tumors.”

The proper amount of coconut oil to take is very scientific. According to Dr. Newport’s calculations, just over two tablespoons of coconut oil (about 35 ml or 7 level teaspoons) would supply you with the equivalent of 20 grams of MCT. Taking this amount would work either to prevent against Alzheimer’s or to treat the already existing disease. Dr. Mercola suggests to start with taking one teaspoon of coconut oil with food in the mornings and gradually add more coconut oil every few days until you are able to tolerate four tablespoons. Dr. Mercola also suggests repeating the dose of four tablespoons of coconut oil twice a day if you already have pre-Alzheimer’s or Alzheimer’s.

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Menlo Park, California, U.S.A. — The Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded SRI International a one-year grant to develop a novel therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune nervous system disease that affects about 400,000 people in the United States and more than two million people worldwide. There is currently no cure for this disorder, which can impair vision and movement.

The grant, funded through DoD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, will support the development of an oral drug that targets miR-326, a molecule recently found to stimulate the production of immune system mediators known as T-helper 17 (Th17) cells. Patients with MS have high levels of miR-326, and Th17 is thought to play a critical role in causing MS and other autoimmune diseases.

The new therapy will inhibit miR-326 and block the production of Th17 cells. The novel, orally administered drug will be more convenient for patients than currently available treatments. MS treatments today often require frequent hospital visits for injections or intravenous infusions.

The new drug could also help patients who do not respond to existing medications, or who experience significant side effects as a result of taking them. ”New and more convenient and effective therapeutics for multiple sclerosis are greatly needed,” saidJennifer Lam, Ph.D., a research scientist in SRI’s Biosciences Division who is spearheading the project. “Our research is directed toward the development of a novel oral therapeutic as well as a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to MS.”

Innovations from SRI International have created new industries, billions of dollars of marketplace value, and lasting benefits to society—touching our lives every day.

The project described was supported by Award Numbers W81XWH-11-1-0736 from the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity. The content of the information does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Government, and no official endorsement should be inferred

For more information about SRI International please visit www.sri.com

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Transparency Life Sciences (TLS), the world’s first drug development company based on open innovation and crowdsourcing, announced that it has concluded an agreement with Stanford University giving the company an exclusive option to license intellectual property covering the use of lisinopril as a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Separately, TLS announced that MS expert Dr. Lawrence Steinman, the George A. Zimmermann Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences & Pediatrics at the Stanford School of Medicine and Chair of the TLS Scientific Advisory Board, presented preclinical data on the potential of lisinopril in MS at a recent Gordon Conference.

“This is an exciting development for those of us who have been exploring the potential of lisinopril as a treatment for MS,” noted Professor Steinman. “We have assembled a substantial body of preclinical data that confirms the role of the angiotensin system in the pathology of MS, along with evidence that the widely used ACE inhibitor lisinopril can modulate those effects in target-specific ways.

We are delighted that drug development game-changer Transparency Life Sciences has chosen lisinopril as its first development candidate, enabling us to test whether these provocative preclinical findings can translate into a safe and affordable new therapeutic option for MS patients.”

Interested individuals are invited to contribute to the design of the protocol for the Phase II trial of lisinopril in multiple sclerosis. The protocol template is currently available on a prototype of the company’s crowdsourced web platform that allows patients, physicians, researchers and others to participate in the design of clinical studies for compounds that TLS has in-licensed for development.

Tomasz Sablinski, M.D., Ph.D., founding CEO of TLS, noted, “Lisinopril is an inexpensive and effective drug that has been used safely by millions of people around the world to control their high blood pressure. A growing body of evidence suggests that it could also play an important role in helping to control the complex immunological and inflammatory processes associated with MS.

Lisinopril is an ideal candidate for our strategy of radically redesigning the clinical trial process to assess the potential of drugs that might otherwise never be tested. We invite anyone with an interest in helping to advance MS therapy to visit our website and contribute to the design process.”

The work of Dr. Steinman and others has demonstrated that both angiotensin receptors and an angiotensin-producing enzyme are abundant at sites of disease and inflammation in brains affected by multiple sclerosis. In animal models of MS, studies have shown that blockade of these receptors with the angiotensin inhibitor lisinopril reduces the areas affected by pathology and provides significant clinical benefits, including reduction in paralysis and improved mobility.

In these studies, lisinopril reduced molecular measures of inflammation that accompany MS, yet it did not inhibit overall immune function. In addition, lisinopril triggered proliferation of regulatory T cells, which are known to help moderate or prevent autoimmune disease.

Transparency’s game-changing approach is based on three principles. First, crowdsourcing is being employed to design clinical protocols with the participation of patients, medical experts, front-line physicians and others, which is expected to result in protocols focused on those parameters most relevant to actual clinical practice.

Second, Transparency is leveraging telemedicine and related technologies to reduce burdens on clinical trial subjects, enhance data quality and reduce costs. Third, TLS is committed to demonstrating how data transparency can accelerate and improve the drug development process.

Professor Steinman’s talk, “New Targets for Old Arrows: Potential for Angiotensin Blockade in Multiple Sclerosis”, was presented at the Gordon Conference Angiotensin: Emerging and Evolving Paradigms In the Renin-Angiotensin Systemin Ventura, CA on March 1, 2012.

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Bill Edwards Presents and  the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) will celebrate the life and legacy of “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali at the 16th annual Power of Love Gala on Saturday, Feb. 18, while raising funds in support of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Center. ABC will televise the event nationally on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. EST/ 4 p.m. PST.

On Feb. 18, Bill Edwards Presents and Keep Memory Alive, the fundraising arm of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, will transform the MGM Grand Garden Arena into a 70th birthday celebration for Ali designed to honor the boxing legend’s contribution to the world and raise awareness for Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s, the disease “The Champ” has been battling since 1984.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s work toward enhanced treatments and research of neurocognitive disorders and the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ky.

Performers and celebrity supporters slated to appear at the celebration include Lenny Kravitz, Sean Combs, Anthony Hopkins, John Legend, Queen Latifah, Cee Lo Green, David Copperfield, Andre Agassi, Stefanie Graf, Jim Brown, Randy Courture, Brad Garrett, Kelly Rowland, Robin Leach, James Gandolfini, Steve Schirripa, Chazz Palminteri and Sammy Hagar.

Boxing icons scheduled to attend the celebration include Sugar Ray Leonard, Ken Norton, Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, Roberto Duran, Angelo Dundee, and Leon Spinks. Even more big names from the entertainment and sports worlds will be added to the lineup as the event nears.

“This year’s Power of Love Gala will bring attention and funds to the important work being done at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health on a whole new scale,” said Larry Ruvo, Chairman, Keep Memory Alive. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to shed light on the fight to knock out neurocognitive disorders while celebrating the life and ongoing contributions of the legend, Muhammad Ali.”

“Muhammad Ali has been an inspiration to millions of people all over the world including me,” said Bill Edwards. ”My favorite Ali quote, ‘If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it!’ I am honored to be associated with such a great event for a great cause that honors The Greatest of All Time.”

In keeping with its 16-year history, the Power of Love Gala will showcase a celebrity-chef-packed dinner featuring Tom Colicchio, Scott Conant, Michael Mina and Wolfgang Puck, a Dom Perignon reception and one-of-a-kind live and silent auction items. In addition, the evening will also include a birthday celebration for Ali, featuring performances and heartfelt tributes from some of the world’s hottest entertainers and sports icons.

The gala’s celebration for Ali aligns with the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s recent launch of a landmark study examining the long-term brain health of professional fighters.

Aiming to improve the safety and health of fighters, the study will help determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, along with other tests, can detect subtle changes in brain health that correlate with impaired thinking and functioning.  Researchers hope the information uncovered by this research will eventually result in better ways to prevent permanent brain injury in not only fighters, but also in others who may suffer from brain trauma.

“We are thrilled to bring together some of the biggest entertainers, sports figures and celebrities in the world to salute Muhammad on this monumental evening.  Again, the People’s Champion is raising his fists high to support and bring awareness to these important organizations,” said Kraig Fox, Chief Operating Officer of CKx.

Scott Sibella, President and COO of MGM Grand, said, “Hosting this event is an incredible honor for all of us at MGM Grand and our parent company, MGM Resorts International.  The work that these organizations do to combat diseases that impact all of us is tremendously humbling and we’re thrilled to be playing a small role in the fight.”

“Promoting a Muhammad Ali fight sparked my career in 1966 and I’ve had the very fortunate opportunity to be involved in his legendary journey,” said Bob Arum, the founder and CEO of Top Rank, a professional boxing promotion company based in Las Vegas. “I’ve seen my career come full-circle by celebrating the remarkable life of a boxing legend and supporting his fight to end brain disorders.”

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