2nd Clinical Trial for Virgin Coconut Oil to Start in Valenzuela City

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has announced that the Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) trial study among 120 coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients in Valenzuela City is set to start this February. DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña disclosed this during his weekly report on Friday, February 05.

He noted that the VCO clinical trials are set to start following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the City of Valenzuela, DOST-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR), and DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), in collaboration with the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).  The study targets 120 volunteers to participate in the study. The Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital and Dalandanan National High School Isolation Facility have been identified as sites for the VCO clinical study.  

Citing the recent studies conducted by the DOST-FNRI, dela Peña said the VCO was identified as a potential supplement that prevents the worsening of condition in patients afflicted with the COVID-19 virus. “To evaluate the effects of VCO intake in positive symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, VCO trials in Valenzuela City will serve as a confirmatory study following the completion of the trials in Sta. Rosa Laguna,” he said.