PCHRD eyes further study on VCO’s use for Covid-19

MANILA – An official of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) on Tuesday said further study is being eyed on the use of virgin coconut oil (VCO) as an adjunct therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients.

In a webinar, PCHRD Executive Director Jaime Montoya said they may be looking at the inflammatory markers, to see the degree of inflammation among patients.

“We will look at whether the VCO could do something to minimize or lower the inflammatory markers (among Covid-19 patients),” he said.

Meanwhile, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña announced that data from the VCO clinical trial at the Philippine General Hospital is not yet established since an analysis of the results is still ongoing.

Further study “at the molecular level” is needed to see the actual effects of VCO among Covid-19 patients, he said.

De la Peña, however, noted that in terms of relief from Covid-19 symptoms, the study had a favorable result.

Despite this, he acknowledged that the difference between patients who took VCO and those who were not given the VCO is “not statistically significant”.

“We already see lagundi in the market as relief for cough and asthma. Likewise, we already see VCO on store shelves, (being offered) for its wide range, from health to cosmetics. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, we were forced to find solutions that are accessible and affordable,” Montoya said.

Montoya reported that based on the community trial on VCO as an adjunct therapy for Covid-19 that was conducted in Santa Rosa, Laguna, it has showed that the VCO helped the study participants to lessen or totally eradicate the symptoms.

“The study found out that VCO helps in hastening the treatment of symptoms among mild (Covid-19) cases. VCO as an additional supplement helped them (participants) to recover faster,” he said.