Another study proved that virgin coconut oil (VCO) promotes fast recovery of mild to moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) symptoms, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) confirmed on Friday, Jan. 21.

In a virtual presser, DOST said that another study held in Valenzuela City proved that VCO alleviates mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms, confirming the encouraging results of the first study held in Santa Rosa, Laguna in 2020.

“Ang virtual presser na ito sa ikalawang VCO study na ginawa ng DOST Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), ay hangad na makatulong dito sa ating dinaranas (This virtual presser, in the second VCO study held by DOST-FNRI aims to help us during the pandemic),” said DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña.

During the second trial held in Valenzuela, VCO was given separately in medicine cups along with specially prepared meals.

This is in contrast with the initial VCO study held in Santa Rosa, Laguna which was conducted by mixing VCO with the meals of COVID-19 patients.

While both studies showed effectiveness in reducing COVID-19 symptoms, DOST said that the trial held in Valenzuela promoted faster recovery of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients.

“Like in Santa Rosa, Laguna, VCO was again confirmed to significantly lower the C-Reactive Protein (CRP), which is a biomarker for inflammation and infection. In Valenzuela, the CRP went down from 8.8 milligrams (mg) at Day 0 to 2.5 mg at endpoint or Day 28,” he added.

DOST said that CRP values higher than five mg per liter indicate the presence of infection or inflammation.

Trial participants & criteria

Meanwhile, according to the DOST, the selection criteria for study participants were like those in the Santa Rosa, Laguna trial, but only patients who tested positive using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test were included in the Valenzuela study.

Seventy-seven participants joined that said trial in Valenzuela.

Of this number, 39 individuals were given meals and VCO, while the remaining 38 were only given meals.

Patients with heart disease, hyperlipidemia, elevated blood lipid levels, as well as those pregnant, vaccinated against COVID-19, and taking medications for heart disease were excluded from the study.

Among the unique features of the VCO study held in Valenzuela is that it had a more accurate measure of VCO intake and it was a randomized single-blind study where only participants and the hospital staff know that the patients are taking VCO but the research team and statistician don’t know the grouping, said DOST.

In contrast, the Santa Rosa study added VCO in the meals of the experimental group and it was a randomized double-blind trial where both the research team and participants don’t know the grouping.

Resolution of COVID-19 symptoms

The DOST disclosed that in the Valenzuela trial, all patients among the VCO group had a total resolution of signs and symptoms at Day 14. Meanwhile, it took 26 days for all patients among the non-VCO group to recover and show no signs and symptoms of the disease.

Moreover, DOST reported that in the Santa Rosa, Laguna trial, it took 18 days for all patients among the VCO group to recover from COVID-19 and render no signs and symptoms, while its non-VCO group took 23 days to fully recover.

Ending the virtual presser, the Department concluded that VCO is an “effective adjunct therapy” in managing COVID-19 signs and symptoms. It also added that both trials confirmed that VCO alleviates mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.