Health Benefits of Caprylic Acid

Caprylic acid and caprylic acid supplements are popular natural treatments for a wide range of conditions and are used for general nutritional supplementation as well. Capyrilic acid is is a naturally occurring fatty acid that is found in human and bovine milk and in the natural oils of the palm and coconut fruits. It is considered a medium chain fatty acid and it is reported to have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal characteristics. Lets take a look at some of the possible health benefits of caprylic acid that have been studied by science.

Caprylic Acid and Candida

One of the most popular uses for caprylic acid in modern alternative medicine is as remedy for the yeast fungus candida albicans. According to Leon Chaitow, in his book "Candida Albicans," caprylic acid has been found to effectively destroy intestinal infection of the candida yeast when administered in a time-release formula. According to Chaitow, if the caprylic acid is not packaged in such a way to allow a timed release into the digestive system, the active ingredients will be absorbed in the upper intestines before they have a chance to affect the lower intestines and bowels. There are many companies that produce and sell various forms of caprylic acid specifically for candida yeast infections.

Caprylic Acid and Inflammation

Another area where caprylic acid is showing promising results is in the treatment of inflammatory intestinal conditions like Crohn's Disease. In a study done at Chiba University in Japan, researchers tested caprylic acid on the genes, specifically IL-8, that cause inflammatory responses in the human intestines and bowels. The researchers concluded that caprylic acid inhibited the IL-8 transcription process and led to a decrease in the inflammatory response in the host. Medium chain fatty acids have been reported to help sufferers of Crohn's disease and other inflammation-related conditions.

Caprylic Acid and Bacteria

Caprylic acid is also known to help milk, coconut and palm oils resist spoiling, and this is thought to be due to its antibacterial action. In a study done at University of Georgia, researchers tested caprylic acid on drinking water that had been fecally contaminated with the E. coli bacteria. They found that when caprylic acid was present at concentrations higher than 0.1 percent, there was "substantial" inactivation of the E. coli bacteria. Supplementation with caprylic acid may therefore be a way to control bacterial infection in humans as well.

Chemistry

Caprylic acid is called octonic acid in chemistry because it is a eight carbon saturated fatty acid. Along with lauric acid, which is also present in coconut oil, caprylic acid is considered a medium chain acid that penetrates easily into cell walls. This ability to penetrate into the cells walls allow fast and easy absorption and digestion of caprylic acid.

Types

Caprylic acid is available at health food shops and online retailers in capsule form as well as in formulas that are targeted to specific conditions and include other ingredients. Coconut and palm oil are also popular health foods that are readily available at health and ethnic food stores, and they are excellent and cheap sources of caprylic acid and other medium chain fatty acids.