Experiments in the Philippines have shown evidence that virgin coconut oil may defeat the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Science Secretary Fortunato de la Pena said in a statement: “There are still alternative solutions against Covid-19 aside from vaccines.

“Although further investigation is needed before we develop a possible prevention or treatment option, we aim to give Filipinos hope through our ongoing local research initiatives.”

After six months of experiments, results showed that compounds from coconut oil and virgin coconut oil, or VCO, a readily available commodity in the Philippines, decreased coronavirus count by 60 to 90 per cent at low viral load.

Researchers also discovered that the compounds were observed to improve cell survival.

More experiments, however, are needed to determine whether higher concentrations of these compounds will further reduce the replication rate of the virus.

Dr Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development said: “The results are very promising, as not only does it show that VCO, by itself, can destroy the virus, but it also has a key mechanism in regulating the immune response against Covid-19.

“Indeed, we look forward to the results of clinical trials on the various uses of VCO as an adjunct for the treatment of Covid-19.”

Funded by the Department of Science and Technology, the research led by Ateneo de Manila University’s Dr Fabian Dayrit sought to investigate if coconut oil compounds are effective antiviral agents to prevent or reduce Covid-19 infections, following reports of previous research that VCO compounds were effective at killing other viruses.

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK