The following is a summary of “Lipid Profile in Multiple Sclerosis: Functional Capacity and Therapeutic Potential of Its Regulation after Intervention with Epigallocatechin Gallate and Coconut Oil,” published in the October 2023 issue of Neurology by Orti et al. 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients often have high cholesterol and triglycerides (TG), and these problems can lead to difficulty moving and other disabilities. Two compounds, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and coconut oil, may help to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides.

Researchers performed a retrospective study to assess the impact of EGCG and coconut oil on lipid profiles, fat consumption, and functional disability in MS patients.

The study was conducted on 45 MS patients, and they were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). The IG received 800 mg of EGCG and 60 mL of coconut oil daily. Lipid profiles, dietary habits, and inflammatory markers measured functional capacity before and after the intervention.

The study revealed no correlation between dyslipidemia and patients’ fat consumption. Following the intervention, TG levels decreased more in the IG compared to the CG. This reduction positively correlated with improved functional disability, assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and negatively correlated with high-density cholesterol (HDL) and apolipoprotein A1. IG also showed significant positive correlations between EDSS and C-reactive protein (CRP). These changes in the IG may be linked to a decrease in body fat percentage, which positively correlated with CRP and TG levels and negatively correlated with HDL levels.

The study found that EGCG and coconut oil may improve MS symptoms by decreasing TG levels.

Source: mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/20/3730