Background
While a certain amount of candida yeast is present in a healthy individual, this yeast can cause medical problems when it becomes present in large amounts. The most common problems caused by an excess of this yeast are vaginal infections, mouth thrush and nail fungus. While the symptoms of each of these problems can be treated with products such as fungal creams, it is also important to treat the overgrowth of yeast within the entire body to prevent a recurrence of these problems. One product that may be beneficial in fighting this overgrowth is caprylic acid.
Description
Caprylic acid is a fatty acid that occurs naturally in coconut oil and breast milk. It is fat soluble, which means it dissolves in fat, but not in water. Because caprylic acid is an antifungal, it is thought to kill candida yeast, which is a fungal infection.
How It Works
While the exact reason caprylic acid works as an antifungal is not known, according to FungusFocus.com it is thought to assist in the elimination of yeast from the body for two reasons. First, it is possible that caprylic acid breaks down the membrane of the candida cell. Second, caprylic acid is not water soluble. The mucosal membranes in which many candida cells are embedded are wet. For this reason, caprylic acid can reach candida cells that are deep within these membranes. Many of the other supplements used to treat candida are water soluble, and are therefore dissolved in this wet environment and excreted from the body before reaching these deeply embedded candida cells.
Availability
Caprylic acid can be purchased in liquid or tablet form, and is also an ingredient in many supplements produced to fight yeast infections. According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Herbal Healing," a proper dose of caprylic acid would be 1000 to 2000 mg per day. It is best taken with meals to help absorption. According to Elson M. Haas, M.D., caprylic acid must be used for two or three months to work effectively.
Considerations
Caprylic acid works best when it is used in combination with an anti-candida diet, in which sugar, dairy and yeast are typically avoided. It is often used with other natural supplements, such as the herb pau d'arco and probiotics.
You should always consult a physician before taking any natural supplements, as they can often interfere with prescription and over-the-counter medications.
References
- Fungus Focus
- Prescription for Herbal Healing; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2002
- Staying Healthy with Nutrition; Elson M. Haas, M.D.; 1992
