Caprylic acid against candida
This is a medium chain fatty acid (C8H16O2), also called octanoic acid, that is found naturally in coconut oil, palm oil, butter fat as well as in human breast milk. It is known to have anti-fungal as well as some anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
Some medical doctors argue that the anti-fungal properties have only been proven in vitro – that
is, in an artificial laboratory environment – but there is “no
significant clinical evidence” to support its use against candida or
yeast infection.
Many nutritionists and
natural health practitioners, however, have reported excellent results
with caprylic / octanoic acid for the treatment of candidiasis.
One of the
difficulties with caprylic / octanoic acid is that, being a medium
chain fatty acid, it is very easily digested and absorbed by the body.
Thus, it often gets absorbed in the stomach and small intestines before
it reaches the large intestines, where it it most needed – because that
is where most of the candida overgrowth is found.
The better brands of caprylic acid come in
enteric coated or timed-released capsules to ensure that it gets
released only when it reaches the colon – and that it is released slowly
there, so that it goes through the entire length of the large
intestines.
Caprylic /
octanoic acid comes in both liquid form (sold in capsules) and tablets
and the general agreement among natural health practitioners is that the
liquid form is better.
The tablet
form is usually derived from dairy products and might not be suitable,
since people suffering from candida infection are often sensitive to
products like diary and wheat.
Caproyl
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One brand of caprylic
acid that it highly regarded by many natural health practitioners is
Caproyl. This combines the acid with psyllium husk and safflower oil.
Psyllium is a seed
grown commercially in India, where it is also called isabgol. The husk
is very high in fibre and widely used as a bulk forming laxative. When
psyllium absorbs water, it expands greatly and forms a gel. People who
take psyllium often report passing out very large, well-formed stools.
Psyllium or isabgol is thus very effective
as a colon cleanser – and cleaning the colon is one of the most
effective ways to fight candida infection.
Safflower oil is high
in oleic acid, another medium-chain fatty acid which, like caprylic, is
known to have anti-fungal properties.
The three substances thus interact in an interesting way to enhance the anti-fungal effects of any single component.
Firstly, as the
psyllium expands and presses against the intestinal wall, the caprylic
acid is released at a rate determined by the gel, not by the acidity of
an individual's intestinal environment. Thus, the caprylic acid is
released slowly, along the entire length of the colon.
Secondly, the fibre
acts as a brush or scrub to clean the intestines while, at the same
time, it delivers caprylic acid to intestinal walls. This is like using a
toothbrush with toothpaste. The brush does the cleaning job, the paste
acts on the gums and teeth to deliver whatever benefits it may have.
And
because candida yeast is often buried deep in the slimy toxic substances
that accumulate in the intestines, this brushing action helps ensure
that the caprylic / octanoic acid reaches the candida.
As with all medicines
and remedies, whether natural or otherwise, there is no guarantee that
one particular treatment will work on all people all the time.
We have
to bear in mind that candida infection is a difficult condition to treat
– and an important part of the treatment involves changing the diet to
avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates and other foods that tend to promote
the growth of candida yeast.
Thus, the best approach to caprylic acid is to regard it as a highly useful remedy, to be used in conjunction with an anti-candida diet, probiotics supplements and other natural cures for candida apart from caprylic acid.
It is
not a cure-all. But it is one of the first remedies to consider before
resorting to powerful anti-fungal drugs that might produce harmful side
effects.
No known toxicity
Caprylic
/ octanoic acid is not known to be toxic and is generally safe to use.
However, it has an unpleasant rancid taste and may cause mild
gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
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