Caprylic acid is an 8-carbon fatty acid that is produced in the body, and is a component of coconut oil, palm nut oil, butter fat and other vegetable and animal sources.

Caprylic acid is commonly used to inhibit the growth of fungi, especially the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans, the organism responsible for candidiasis (‘yeast infection’). Many apparently healthy men and women have some Candida in their gastrointestinal tract, but it is usually kept in check by Lactobacillus bacteria. When this check fails, the result can be acid stomach, abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, itching, or symptoms of intoxication.

Caprylic acid has antitumor activity. In a 1991 experiment with rats, an 8-day treatment with caprylic acid obliterated liver tumors without affecting normal tissue.

Caprylic acid can affect blood pressure. A supplement high in caprylic acid reduced diastolic blood pressure in volunteers with normal blood pressure; it remains to be studied in people with hypertension.

Customary dosages range from 300 to 1200 mg/day. No anti-tumor dosage has been established for humans — 300 mg/day was used in rats.

LifeLink’s Caprylic Acid is a time-release formulation.

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Pronunciation: caprylic (cap-RILL-ick)