Clinical trials set on virgin coconut oil as anti-COVID agent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVC-WLXVzg8

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will conduct research studies to determine whether or not virgin coconut oil (VCO) can help speed up the recovery of individuals infected by the novel coronavirus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Science Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said Friday that the agency has received the go signal to start clinical trials of VCO as a health supplement for COVID-19 patients.

In pushing for the clinical trials, Dela Peña cited prior studies claiming that VCO has anti-viral properties.

“Ang hangarin po namin ngayon ay maipakita na mas mabilis ang recovery ng mga magte-take ng VCO,” Dela Peña said in a virtual Laging Handa Public Briefing.

(The objective of this study is to prove that those who will take VCO will recover faster.)

The study will involve COVID-19 patients from the Philippine General Hospital in Manila and the Santa Rosa Community Hospital in Laguna.

Patients who would agree to take part in the clinical trials will be administered VCO as part of their daily diet and find out if they would recover faster than non-VCO patients.

To date, health experts around the world have yet to find a treatment or vaccine for the infectious respiratory disease, which originated in Hubei, China.

The World Health Organization has already organized a global “solidarity trial” in a bid to come up with a treatment for COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, President Duterte announced a P50-million reward to any Filipino who can come up with a vaccine against COVID-19.

GSG