Coconut Oil-Based Supplement Shows Promise In Improving Heart Health For Rare Condition

A natural supplement, tricaprin, has shown positive results in improving long-term survival for individuals with a rare heart disease called triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TDCV). This condition, recently discovered, affects the heart’s ability to break down triglycerides, leading to heart failure.

Tricaprin, a medium-chain triglyceride found in coconut oil and MCT oil, has been shown to improve heart function, including fat breakdown and heart failure recovery. Researchers are now looking for ways to address new heart diseases like TDCV and are optimistic about tricaprin’s potential.

A recent study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research explored the effects of tricaprin on patients with TDCV. It compared the health outcomes of 22 participants who received the supplement to 190 participants who did not. The group receiving tricaprin showed significant improvements in heart health, including better fat breakdown, recovery from heart failure, and enhanced function of the left ventricle. The tricaprin group also demonstrated higher survival rates, with 100% survival at three and five years, compared to the control group’s survival rates of 78.6% and 68.1%, respectively.

TDCV is a heart condition caused by the body’s inability to properly process triglycerides. This results in a buildup of lipids in the heart’s muscle cells and blood vessels, ultimately leading to heart failure and coronary artery disease. In some cases, TDCV is inherited, though the cause remains unknown in others.

Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist, explained that TDCV causes dysfunction in both the heart muscle and coronary arteries, leading to severe health complications. Although treatments have been lacking, recent studies are focusing on ways to improve outcomes for those affected by this rare condition.

The study followed participants diagnosed with TDCV, starting their treatment after age 20. Those who received tricaprin showed promising results. Researchers observed that tricaprin helped improve fat breakdown within the heart cells, contributing to better heart function and recovery from heart failure. Additionally, the left ventricle, responsible for pumping oxygenated blood, showed improved ejection fractions.

Overall, the survival rates for the group receiving tricaprin were notably higher. For example, the tricaprin group had a 100% survival rate at both three and five years, while the control group had significantly lower survival rates. Among participants with heart failure, the survival rates remained high in the tricaprin group, compared to the controls.

Dr. Scott C. Feitell, a heart failure expert, praised the study for its rigorous design, highlighting the improved heart function and enhanced lipid metabolism observed in participants treated with tricaprin. The study also used advanced imaging techniques to track the breakdown of fat, showing that tricaprin can significantly improve fat metabolism.

While the results are promising, the study has some limitations. It primarily focused on a Japanese population, and further research is needed to explore the effects of tricaprin in other groups. Additionally, the small sample size and variations in the timing of diagnosis and treatment could introduce bias, although the researchers used sensitivity analysis to minimize this risk.

The study also raises questions about the role of new heart failure medications for TDCV patients, as only a small number of participants received these treatments. Larger studies with more diverse populations and a focus on heart failure medications will help provide more clarity.

Despite these limitations, the findings suggest that tricaprin could benefit people with heart failure in general. Cardiologists are hopeful that, if further studies confirm these results, tricaprin may be a viable treatment for those with elevated triglyceride levels, even if they do not have TDCV.

Dr. Randy Gould, a cardiologist in New York, noted that tricaprin’s ability to reduce triglyceride buildup in the heart could have wide-reaching implications for patients with heart failure. He emphasized the need for future studies to explore tricaprin’s effects on a broader range of cardiovascular conditions.

In conclusion, the study highlights the potential of tricaprin as an effective supplement for people with TDCV and possibly other forms of heart disease. As research progresses, tricaprin could offer a new avenue for treatment, offering hope for better outcomes for those battling heart failure.