VCO decreased COVID-19 symptoms of suspect and probable cases in study, according to DOST.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) had seen a positive result on a study wherein virgin coconut oil (VCO) was used as a supplement for suspect and probable cases of coronavirus disease.
In a virtual conference, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said that there had been 58 quarantined participants from Sta. Rosa Community Hospital in Laguna, adding that the said participants had been divided into two groups.
According to a report on GMA News Online, the group who had been given virgin coconut oil mixed in standard meals for 28 days showed significant and faster improvement compared to those who had been given food without virgin coconut oil.
During the course of the said study, they monitored the C-Reactive Protein (CRP) among the patients at Day 1, 14, and 28.
The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) was an indicator of inflammation or infection.
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Colds, fever, cough, headache, body pain, and loss of taste were among the symptoms that were monitored among the participants.
Dela Peña said that the results of the virgin coconut oil study showed that five of the 29 patients in the VCO group manifested decreasing signs and symptoms as early as the second day, while only one from the control group showed similar improvement.
“The VCO group showed no COVID-19-related symptoms anymore at Day 18 while symptoms are still persistent in some patients of the controlled group until Day 23,” Dela Peña added.
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In addition, those who had been administered with virgin coconut oil had recovered from inflammation 14 days into the trial.
Moreover, Dela Pena said that the virgin coconut oil could be used as “an adjunct supplement” to suspect and probable COVID-19 cases, adding that it could prevent COVID-19 cases of becoming severe.
However, he added that more studies were needed in order to determine the effectiveness of virgin coconut oil as an “adjunct therapy” for COVID-19 — particularly to those who had co-morbidities.
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