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“The Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil among Suspect and Probable Cases of Covid-19” is a study the Department of Science and Technoloy (DOST) conducted as part of the Philippine government’s ongoing battle against the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19). DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña leads today’s unveiling of the results through a virtual media briefing.
By EDD K. USMAN
(SDN) December 3, 2020 — ERSTWHILE President Fidel V. Ramos would be happy with this!
The former Philippines Chief Executive has been a prominent user of virgin coconut oil (VCO), taking a spoonful of the sticky substance every meal — that’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Ramos is also known to be mixing it on his cup of coffee, according to former peace adviser secretary Jesus Dureza.
In one trip to Davao City, on board a Philippine Airlines (PAL) jumbo jet, Ramos told this journalist his penchant for taking the VCO in his meals. He was then flying to Mindanao in September 2007 to join the 11th anniversary celebration of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA).
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“You know, I am taking a spoonful of Virgin Coconut Oil every meal,” he revealed, unsolicited. We were standing on the plane’s aisle, 33,000 feet high, his arms on my shoulders.
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Mainly because he consumes VCO, he would surely welcome the encouraging results of the study on “The Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil among Suspect and Probable Cases of Covid-19” conducted by the Department of Science and Technoloy (DOST).
Now, before anyone gets it wrong, the former President has no coronavirus infection.
But long before the coronavirus pandemic, Ramos is a VCO believer of its potentials for a healthy life. There are many like him in the country.
On Thursday, December 3, de la Peña led the unveiling of VCO study implemented for 28 days in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, for 57 “suspect or probable” cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the pathogen that causes Covid-19. In particular, it was done at the Sta. Rosa Community Hospital Isolation Unit and Sta. Rosa Community Isolation Unit in collaboration with the DOST CALABARZON (Region IV-A) under Regional Director Alexander R. Madrigal.
Study participants showed coronavirus signs and symptoms. Asymptomatic were not included.
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) conducted the study as the government steps up efforts aimed at containing the pandemic.
As to why the VCO, the DOST explained it.
“Virgin coconut oil or VCO has been reported in several scientific studies to have anti-viral activities against several viruses, like in the research of Dr. (Fabian) Dayrit of the Ateneo de Manila (University) among HIV patients,” the DOST chief pointed out.
De la Peña added the said studies presented “an affordable and readily available supplement to help minimize the symptoms caused by these viruses, thereby preventing severity of illnesses.”
In fact, the DOST through the FNRI as enunciated by DOST Assistant Scientist Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa will recommend VCO as “adjunct food supplement for suspect or probable” Covid-19 case. She described the results of the study as “significant.” In saying “adjunct”, she meant VCO added to treatment of those are suspect or probable coronavirus cases.
Why so?
In his introductory remarks, de la Peña said the study respondents were divided into the Intervention or VCO Group and the Contolled Group.
The VCO Group was given VCO mixed in meals with the recipes FNRI prepared. For the Controlled Group they got the said standard meals but without VCO. It was conducted in 28 days.