Caprylic Acid
Description
Caprylic acid has become a controversial substance. Popularized recently by Dr. William Crook(1984) because of its antifungal properties in his books on yeast ( “candidiasis” / candida/monilia albicans) the FDA regard claims as “unproven” so some manufacturers have ceased producing it. All producers, of course, have withdrawn all claims on the containers of this-as well as every other product.
The first clinical report of a candicidal effect from an orally administered caprylic acid preparation was made by Dr. Irene Neuhauser in 1954. She utilized resin delivery which has been endorsed by Dr. Crook, however, other manufacturers feel that this requires too many pills and too much resin for practical purposes, citing advantages of calcium/magnesium combinations.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases does not recognize candida albicans as a disease.
Method of Action
Caprylates are primarily known for their ability to combat fungal overgrowth. Merrill found they also enhance the absorption of calcium and magnesium. Caster reported a reduction in cholesterol levels.
Therapeutic Approaches
Caprylic acid is used to augment other therapeutic strategies, including, frequently: a yeast control diet; boosting favorable microorganisms within the digestive tract by supplementing with bifidus and acidophilus; including garlic as a food ingredient or in supplemental form; and possibly, with a prescription, Nystatin (another antifungal) .
Candida overgrowth is often related to antibiotic use, something Neuhauser warned about, long before the current crisis of drug-resistance. Women are most at risk.
Birth control pills and antibiotic use appear to encourage yeast overgrowth, while the progesterone phase of the menstrual cycle also seems to favor yeast development.
These factors contribute to vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections being epidemic, these days. In the mouth, this overgrowth is called “thrush”.
Toxicity Factors
While the disease entity (at least semantically) and hence, efficacy, of caprylic acid remain controversial, no toxicity has been reported.
References
Caster, W.O. : J. Nutrition, 1975(105):676.
Crook, W.G.: The Yeast Connection. 1984.
Liefaard-G. et al: Prospective evaluation of the absorptive capacity of the bowel after major and minor resections in the neonate. J-Pediatr-Surg. 1995 Mar; 30(3): 388-91
Maes-BD et al: Influence of octreotide on the gastric emptying of solids and liquids in normal healthy subjectsAliment-Pharmacol-Ther. 1995 Feb; 9(1): 11-8.
Merrill, A.R. et al: Biochem.Biophys. Acta. 1986,855:337.
Neuhauser, I.: Successful treatment of intestinal Monoliasis with fatty acid-resin complex. AMA Archives of Medicine 1954,93:53-60.
Pfaffenbach-B et al: [Non-invasive 13C octanoic acid breath test for measuring stomach emptying of a solid test meal--correlation with scintigraphy in diabetic patients and reproducibility in healthy probands] Z-Gastroenterol. 1995 Mar; 33(3): 141-5.
Truss, C.O. : J Orthomolecular Psych. 1978(7): 17-43.
Truss, C.O. : The Missing Diagnosis. Birmingham, AL. 1983.
Vizek-K et al: [Serum fatty acids in premature neonates] Sb-Lek. 1993; 94(1): 19-24.
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