PHILIPPINES. Manila. COVID-19 patients participating in an official research study have recovered 100% after the use of virgin coconut oil treatment (VCO). The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) funded the project and the patients recovered before completion of the treatment period, which was 14 days.
While COVID-19 vaccine trials in the US experience setbacks, virgin coconut oil treatment completed their first and second trials. However, it will take months to complete a third trial.
Government funded human clinical trial
The DOST funded the project for PH₱5 million (US$102.8 thousand) in the human clinical trial for using VCO treatment. The trials started after Dr. Fabian Dayrit published research on VCO being used to treat COVID-19. People have already used VCO as an unofficial treatment for other viral and bacterial diseases.
Participants in the trial have shown positive signs of recovery. An astonishing 75% of COVID-19 patients using the VCO treatment went home after their therapy was completed in Santa Rosa Community Hospital.
Success rate shows positive results
The Philippine government sent VCO samples to the National University of Singapore to test against the coronavirus. They completed an in-vitro test, or a laboratory test, without a COVID-19 patient. The DOST published the results, claiming compounds from VCO decreased coronavirus numbers by 60-90% at the low viral count.
The next step was the human clinical trial, which started in August. The trial included COVID-19 patients with mild cases and the 56 patients recovered 100% after the VCO treatment.
The third trial for severe and critical cases is ongoing. Randomly selected COVID-19 patients are used at the Philippine General Hospital. In these cases, the VCO treatment will take several months.
The DOST plans to publish the final report for the first trial and they are finishing the write up for the second clinical trial.
Photo credit: Marco Reyes ©2020
Treatment outside the trials
Hospitals, doctors, and people are aware of the benefits of VCO, which has led to high demand for VCO in the markets.
In an unofficial study, infected inmates and jail guards of the Cebu Provincial Detention Center used VCO as a treatment for the virus. All COVID-19 patients recovered after using VCO, but with strict and perfect compliance with the recommended dosage.
Clinical trials face distinct challenges
“The patients opted out in the second trial because they are not used to drinking oil,” Marco Reyes of VCO Philippines said. The human clinical trial replaced these patients with other COVID-19 sufferers. The VCO treatment requires three tablespoons (45ml) for each meal every day.
The ethical board took three months to approve the third and final trial. Mr. Reyes said, “It complicates the ethics issues, like what to do when the patient dies.” Thus, the ethics board involves the medical experts of the Philippine General Hospital. They will conduct human clinical trials for severe and critical COVID-19 patients.
Patient shares their experience
Mr. Reyes told Transcontinental Times about the positive feedback from COVID-19 patients in Cebu Provincial Detention Center. Inmate and patient 017 said they found the medicines very good. He claimed they were tasteless, but got used to the flavors later. The inmate also said they now enjoy drinking the VCO, nebulization, steam inhalation, and all the vitamins they were provided.
