Although animals and plants are different, their chemical composition is not so different after all. In fact, they are more alike than we all think. Apart from the basic food chemistry that is fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, etc., goats and coconuts have a very important compound which is a great benefit to humans. This chemical is called caprylic acid.

Caprylic acid (also called octanoic acid) is made of eight carbon atoms making it a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA). Being one of the beneficial, saturated fatty acids it shows antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it works effectively in the prevention of UTIs (urinary tract infections), bladder infections, (STDs) sexually transmitted diseases, Candida, oral infections for instance gingivitis and multiple other conditions.

One of the commonest uses of caprylic acid, whether ingested as part of food or taken orally in pill form, is prevention of yeast like fungus overgrowth which can thrive within intestines.

Caprylic acid can be found in foods with healing properties such as coconut together with coconut oil, cow's milk and human breast milk. Caprylic acid is not a probiotic, but it shows to be supportive with gut health and the internal environment all of us possess.

Regardless, of more research needed to confirm its potential applications, research implicates positive applications of caprylic acid such as anti-inflammatory properties, anti-cancerous properties, age-linked cognitive decline involving Alzheimer's disease, autism as well as circulatory problems.

 

Health benefits

Antibacterial, antiviral & antifungal properties Caprylic acid is commonly used as an ingredient in topical fungicides, household cleaners, perfumes and dyes. Taking into consideration all the coconut oil uses, it is not surprising that caprylic acid's popularity is increasing due to its healing properties.

It aids natural decrease of yeast growth in the gastrointestinal tract while helping good bacteria survival. Moreover, caprylic acid is natural and does not imply the same risks as antibiotics or chemical treatments. While antibiotics lead to death of all bacteria in the gut environment (both good and bad) caprylic acid contributes to prevention of bacterial imbalances.

 

Candida Candida is a condition which happens due to overgrowth of yeast fungus within the gut. It is a commonly occurring condition (especially among women) presenting with abdominal bloating, fatigue, constipation, sugar cravings, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and depression. Caprylic acid works as a natural yeast-fighting agent and can go through cell membranes of candida yeast cells leading to their death hence detoxifying the digestive tract and speeding up healing processes.

 

Prevention and treatment of yeast infections Apart from candida, yeast give rise to different types of internal and external yeast infections which are present on the skin, genitals, toes and elsewhere. Caprylic acid aids fighting yeast inflections including toe fungus, oral infections, vaginitis (in females), jock itch (in males) as well as ringworm which all are examples of yeast infections which can be cured with little or no side effects.

 

Treatment of skin infections and acne Caprylic acid, together with its derivatives named monocaprylin and sodium caprylate respectively, can fight bacteria that live on the skin and lead to infections including Dermatophilus congolensis and acne.

Dermatophilosis is a skin condition which affects a lot of domestic species as well as wild animals like horses and cattle in addition to humans. IOt leads to bacterial infection which creates painful dry scabs on the skin surface and can be irritating being similar to eczema and acne.

 

Treatment of inflammatory digestive disorders The caprylic acid triglyceride could aid with some digestive disorders. Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs or MCT oil) are commonly administered to patients suffering from Crohn's disease or short-bowel syndrome. Studies show that these fatty acids help with decreased secretion of inflammatory enzymes and cells leading to reduction of symptoms which include bloating, pain, bleeding, discomfort and bowel problems. MCTs help with protection of epithelium providing a line of defensive lining within the gut which acts like a border against multiple substances involving toxic residents and pathogenic micro-organisms. In individuals who show inflammatory conditions where a healthy mucus barrier is compromised (including patients with Crohn's disease) their intestinal epithelial cells release cytokines with pro inflammatory cytokines and bacterial products.

 

Reduction of risk for antibiotic resistance Concerns related to antibiotic resistance have been on the rise all over the world. This pushed health experts to search for natural alternative therapeutic approaches to antibiotics which can serve as treatment of infections in humans as well as animals. One of the greatest concerns linked to usage of antibiotics is increased resistance which develops over time. Dangerous pathogens and bacteria become resistant to medication and continue mutation in order to survive.

Different types of safe, natural, free fatty acids together with their monoglyceride derivatives have been shown to exert antibacterial and antimicrobial activity against multiple microorganisms involving caprylic acid and its monoglyceride and monocaprylin compounds. These lead to inactivation of common mastitis pathogens such as Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

 

Food and supplement sources Coconuts are the main source of caprylic acid especially coconut oil. Moreover, it can be found in full-fat cow's milk, peanut butter, palm fruit oil together with human breast milk. Coconut oil happens to be the ideal way in order to obtain beneficial fatty acids like caprylic acid as they present plenty of other benefits.

Some of the proven advantages linked to coconut oil involve:

• Boosting of immune system
• Cancer prevention
• Healing of skin and acne
• Weight loss
• Allergies management
• Improvement of heart health
• Thyroid gland support
• Fatigue reduction

 

Renald Blundell is a biochemist and biotechnologist with a special interest in Natural and Alternative Medicine. He is a professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta.

Andrea Weronika Gieleta is a registered nurse and is currently a medical student at the University of Malta.