The Impact of Coconut Oil Supplement on Cognitive Function in Young Adults St. Edward’s University School of Natural Sciences Department of Biology Jacob Boos*, Lauren Heller, Dr. Fidelma O’Leary

Measurement of Cognitive Abilities

●Nutrition ●Brain Foods o Fish (Omega-3) o Antioxidants o Vitamins E & B12 ●Coconut Oil in patients with AD Brain Enhancement

●Medium-Chain Triglyceride ●Ketogenesis ●Increase in HDL and LDL ●Cholesterol and the brain Biochemistry of Coconut Oil

Research Question Does coconut oil increase cognitive function AND brain activity in undergraduate students?

1.Speed and Accuracy in cognitive tasks 2.Beta wave activity Objectives

Methods

Lumosity

Timeline Baseline EEG Cognitive Test 2 and EEG Consume 2000mg coconut oil Cognitive Test 3 and EEG 60 minutes Cognitive Test 1 and EEG

Lumosity Accuracy Cognitive Test Results N=20

* α=0.05 ** α=0.01 Lumosity Speed Cognitive Test Results ** N=20

*α=0.05 EEG Speed Cognitive Test Results N=20 *

In young adults we can conclude: ●With coconut oil, cognitive speed is increased 60 and 120 minutes while maintaining accuracy after taking the supplement ●Beta wave activity is increased 60 minutes after taking the supplement In addition to the elderly, coconut oil increases cognitive function in young adults. Conclusion

Works Cited Reger M, Henderson S, Craft S, et al. Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate on cognition in memory-impaired adults. Neurobiology Of Aging [serial online]. March 2004;25(3): Available from: MEDLINE, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 23, Fukao T, Lopaschuk G, Mitchell G. Pathways and control of ketone body metabolism: on the fringe of lipid biochemistry. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, And Essential Fatty Acids [serial online]. March 2004;70(3): Available from: MEDLINE, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 24, University of Kansas Medical Center. Lipid Metabolism. Available at: MSS/Study/lipids.htm. Accessed June 24, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. APOE-4: The Clue to Why Low Fat Diet and Statins may Cause Alzheimer’s. Available at: Accessed June 24, 2014.

Acknowledgements ●Dr. Richard Kopec ●NSF Grant # ●Dr. Fidelma O’Leary ●Lauren Heller ●All Subjects

Thank you St. Edward’s University Thank you. St. Edward’s University Thank you. St. Edward’s University Thank you. St. Edward’s University Thank you. St. Edward’s University