The Philippines’ Department of Health reported more than 32,000 new Covid-19 cases on Friday. Of the positive cases, around 98 percent are mild or moderate.
These patients could benefit from the researches of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on the benefits of virgin coconut oil (VCO) as an adjunct therapy against Covid-19.
The second study conducted by the DOST on VCO showed that its “direct intake” resulted in the faster resolution of mild to moderate symptoms of confirmed positive cases of Covid-19 compared to the control group.
A sequel to the Sta. Rosa, Laguna, study in 2020, the second VCO clinical trial was held at the Valenzuela Emergency Hospital in Valenzuela City. It was led by the DOST’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).
“For the Valenzuela VCO group, at Day 2, seven patients, or 18 percent of the 39 patients, showed decreasing Covid-19 symptoms. At day 14, all patients had total resolution of signs and symptoms,” said Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña during a webinar on January 21 that disclosed the results of the Valenzuela City study.
Dubbed, “Effects of VCO among Mild and Moderate Covid-19 Cases in Selected Metro Manila Areas,” the webinar said that the Valenzela City study “again confirmed” that, like in the Santa Rosa study, VCO, “significantly lower the C-Reactive Protein or CRP, which is a biomarker for inflammation and infection.”
CRP values higher than 5 milligrams per liter indicate presence of infection or inflammation.
“In conclusion, VCO can be an effective adjunct therapy in managing COVID-19 signs and symptoms, whether mixed in nutritious meals or taken separately,” de la Peña pointed out.
“Both VCO trials by DOST-FNRI confirmed that VCO hastens resolution of Covid-19 signs and symptoms,” he added.
Valenzuela and Sta Rosa processes
De la Peña noted that in the Valenzuela City study, VCO was given separately in “medicine cups” together with specially prepared meals.
In the Sta. Rosa study in December 2020, he explained that the VCO was mixed in nutritious meals specially prepared for suspect and probable Covid 19.
The Sta. Rosa study group, who consumed meals with VCO, exhibited faster relief from Covid-19 symptoms and quicker CRP level normalization than the control group.
The VCO given to the Valenzuela City experimental group was 0.6 milliliters per kilogram of body weight for the first three days to let the gut adjust.
It was increased to 1.2 ml/kg of body weight from day 4 to 28, which was the same dose given to the Sta. Rosa group, de la Peña explained.
He further explained that the selection criteria for study participants were similar in the Sta. Rosa study, but only patients who tested positive using RT-PCR test were included in the Valenzuela City study.
Study participants
The DOST-FNRI said that a total of 77 participants completed the study, 39 of whom belong to the VCO group and 38 patients did not receive VCO (control group).
In the Valenzuela study, only patients “with positive RT-PCR test results” were included, while in the Sta Rosa study, patients who were suffering from Covid-19 symptoms were included but the RT-PCR test to confirm Covid-19 infection was done later.
Other inclusion criteria were adults 20 years and over; admitted to the health facilities within three days before the start of data collection; controlled hypertension, and a slight elevation in SGOT and SGPT (due to antibiotics)
Excluded from the studies were pregnant; was diagnosed with heart disease; taking statins and other medications for heart disease; elevated blood lipid; elevated fasting blood sugar levels; and individuals who had been vaccinated
Monitoring
The DOST-FNRI said that signs and symptoms (cough, difficulty of breathing, fever, etc.), and dietary assessment (nutrient content, weighing of food waste, and 24-hour food recall) were monitored on a daily basis.
The following biomarkers—CRP, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, liver enzyme SGPT and SGOT and complete blood count—were analyzed at day zero before the start of VCO intake (baseline), at day 14 (midline), and at day 28 (end line).
These were measured similarly as has been done in the Sta. Rosa study.
All of the participants were subjected to Covid-19 RT-PCR testing during these three timepoints to monitor their infection status.
Difference between Sta. Rosa and Valenzuela tests
The DOST-FNRI said that the main differences between the first study in Sta. Rosa and the second study in Valenzuela were:
- In the Sta. Rosa study, the VCO was added to meals while in the Valenzuela study, the VCO was given in a measured cup, that ensured a more accurate measurement of VCO intake.
- In the first study, the subjects did not know whether they were taking VCO, while in the second study, the subjects were aware they were taking VCO.
- In the Sta. Rosa study, no supportive medicines were provided, while in the Velenzuela study, antibiotics and other medicines were provided to both groups.
- The SARS-CoV-2 variants during the first and second studies can be assumed to be different. The subjects in the first study which was conducted in 2020 can be assumed to be infected with the original Wuhan virus, while those in the second study, which was conducted in 2021, may have been infected with the Delta variant.
Results
VCO group Valenzuela: At Day 2, seven of patients, or 18 percent of the 39 patients, experienced decreasing signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
On Day 14, all patients demonstrated total resolution of signs and symptoms.
VCO group Sta Rosa: At Day 2, five patients, or 17 percent of the 29 patients manifested decreasing signs and symptoms.
At Day 18, all patients had total resolution of signs and symptoms.
Control group Valenzuela: At Day 2, four, or 10.5 percent, of the 38 patients experienced relief of signs and symptoms of Covid 19.
At Day 26, all patients experienced total resolution of signs and symptoms.
Control group Sta Rosa:
At Day 2, only one, or 4 percent of the 28 patients experienced decreasing signs and symptoms of Covid-19.
At day 23, all of the patients showed total resolution of signs and symptoms.
CRP levels:
VCO group Valenzuela study: The CRP normalized by Day 14 and continued to decrease until Day 28.
VCO group Sta Rosa study: The CRP normalized by Day 14 and continued to decrease until Day 28.
Control group Valenzuela: CRP normalized only at the endpoint (Day 28).
Control group Sta Rosa: CRP stayed above the cut-off point until Day 28 (5 mg/L).
Quality standards
The VCO products used in the study adhere to the quality standards, the DOST-FNRI said. They were proven compliant to the Philippine National Standards and were analyzed by the Laboratory Services Division of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
The VCO products were provided by accredited VCO producers.
“This study is one of DOST-FNRI’s collaborative responses with the medical and scientific community on research and development interventions and solutions in preventing, managing, and possibly eradicating Covid-19,” de la Peña said.
“VCO provides a safe, effective and affordable food supplement to combat COVID-19,” he added.
This development can also help boost the VCO industry and provide other livelihood options for coconut farmers, he said.
The study was in collaboration with the DOST-National Capital Region, DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, PAC, and the Ateneo de Manila University, in partnership with the local government of Valenzuela City.