Metro News

Coconut oil helps reduce symptoms of suspected virus patients
Virgin coconut oil has helped reduce the severity of symptoms of suspected COVID-19 patients, a community-based study by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute has found, according to a report by CNN Philippines.
"VCO could be used as an adjunct supplement to probable and suspect COVID-19 cases," DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said Thursday in a briefing on the results of the VCO study in Laguna. However, dela Peña noted that more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of VCO in COVID-19 cases with pre-existing medical conditions.
Researchers tested the effectiveness of VCO on 57 probable and suspected COVID-19 cases at the Santa Rosa Community Quarantine Facility and at the Santa Rosa Community Hospital in Laguna for 28 days.
The trial did not include probable and suspected cases with a history of heart ailment, those taking medications for heart diseases, those with high cholesterol levels, those who are pregnant, and those who are asymptomatic.
The VCO group or around half or 29 participants received standard meals containing VCO, while the control group consisting of 28 cases got the same meals without VCO.
For the first three days of the trial, the VCO group was given .6 milliliters of VCO per kilogram of body weight, Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, lead of the VCO study, said in the same virtual briefing. The dose was increased to 1.2 milliliters of VCO per kilogram of body weight beginning day four to day 28, Angeles-Agdeppa added.
Dela Peña noted that positive effects were observed in the VCO group as early as the second day of the study while the control group did not show improvement until the third day. He added that the VCO group was free of symptoms on day 18, while the control group only stopped exhibiting symptoms on day 23.
These findings were supported by the participants' C-reactive protein, which is a marker used to find inflammation in the body, the DOST chief said.
Share your thoughts with us
Related Articles

EcoWaste finds spray paint product with toxic lead
The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition is warning consumers against buying and using an imported spray paint, which is loaded with lead, a potent neurotoxin banned in the manufacture of paints. Ecowaste said that marked “made in PRC&rdqu...

DOH lauds anti-tuberculosis program in Las Pinas
The Department of Health (DOH) lauded the Las Piñas City government for developing and implementing anti-tuberculosis initiatives which contributed to the attainment of National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) targets, according to a report...

Parañaque, Pasay to experience water interruption
The Maynilad Water Services Inc. announced that seven barangays in Parañaque City and six in Pasay City will experience water service interruption today, Jan. 24, up to Jan. 25, according to a report by Manila Bulletin. In its Facebook p...

Foodpanda supports SIM card registration
Leading online quick commerce digital platform foodpanda welcomes the implementation of Republic Act No. 11934 otherwise known as the SIM Registration Act and supports the initiative to empower government agencies and Filipinos with the necessary too...