Information On Caprylic Acid & Its Benefits

Caprylic acid, also known as octanoic acid, is a fatty acid compound that has an eight-carbon structure and is sold commercially as a nutritional supplement in capsule or liquid form. In nature, caprylic acid can be found in milk, coconut milk and palm kernal oil. As a nutritional supplement, caprylic acid has been used to treat certain types of infections, reduce inflammation, destroy bacteria and protect the colon.

Infections

Caprylic acid has been used as a treatment for infections due to the fungus, candida albicans, a leading cause of yeast infections in women. Caprylic acid has been combined with a time release formula designed to slowly release the acid into your bloodstream and neutralize the fungus causing your infection. Although the research regarding caprylic acid and its effect on yeast infections is ongoing at the time of publication, it may be an effective alternative for individuals with allergies to anti-fungal medications for treatment of yeast infections.

Inflammation

Caprylic acid may be used to treat chronic inflammatory conditions that affect your intestinal tract, particularly Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease can cause chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, malnutrition, skin rashes and fatigue. Caprylic acid may block the inflammatory responses of your intestines by limiting the function of the gene that stimulates inflammation in your bowels. In blocking the gene that causes inflammation, you may be able to reduce the severity of the symptoms related to Crohn's disease.

Bacteria

Caprylic acid has been used in the food industry as an additive to certain food items to help them resist spoiling as a result of bacteria. Caprylic acid naturally helps milk, coconut oil and palm kernel oil resist spoiling and has been added to some processed foods for the same purpose as well. Because of its ability to neutralize bacteria, caprylic acid has occasionally been used as an additive to antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers commercially sold in the United States.

Colon Health

Caprylic acid has been used as a supplement for improved colon health, particularly when combined with safflower oil. This may allow caprylic acid to be released slowly into the intestine, helping the body destroy harmful bacteria that may line the walls of the intestinal tract. Caprylic acid has also been combined with fiber supplements and marketed as a colon cleanser. Fiber acts as a scrub that cleans the intestine, while slowly delivering caprylic acid to the body through the colon.