Coconut Oil and Candida:
Is this a natural cure for yeast infections?
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Can you use coconut oil on candida and yeast infections?
Yeast infections are typically treated with antifungal medications called antimycotics. The problem with some medications is the risk for side effects and a rebound infection.
Coconut oil has been reported to have anti-fungal properties because it contains lauric acid and caprylic (capric) acid. Both lauric acid and caprylic acid are converted in the body to form powerful antimicrobials known to kill specific strains of fungi, bacteria and viruses.
The big question is, can you eat coconut oil to fight off yeast infections without resorting to prescription drugs?
How Ingredients in Coconut Oil kill Candida
Coconut oil contains |
Researchers discovered coconut oil contains substances that kill the Candida yeast.
Biology scientists at the University of Iceland found coconut oil contains caprylic (capric) and lauric acid.
Lauric acid is naturally found in mother's milk; this powerful nutrient is passed from mother to baby during breast feeding and it's reported to help boost a growing baby's immune system.
Subsequent studies indicate these 2 fatty acids were effective at killing 3 different strains of candida organisms.
1. Breaking Research! Fats Kill Nasty Infections!
Kentucky, USA - Researchers at the Center of Oral Health, University of Kentucky compared the antimicrobial activity of fatty acids (including lauric acid and capric acid) against different oral micro-organisms.
Scientists demonstrated that lauric acid was more effective than capric acid against C. Albicans; lauric acid was also found to display broad anti- bacterial properties.
Researchers concluded that specific fatty acids may play a role in inhibiting oral micro-organism growth and further studies are needed to determine their full potential.
2. How to Kill Yeast with Fatty Acids
Iceland - A study published in the November 2001 edition of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy looked at the effects of capric and lauric acid on the yeast strain, C. albicans.
Researchers found capric acid displayed the fastest and most effective killing of 3 strains of C. albicans. Lauric acid was the most active at lower concentrations and longer incubation periods.
Another study from the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology in Nigeria found coconut oil to have 100% effectiveness against the Candida albicans strain, when compared to the prescription antifungal fluconazole.
3. Ingredient in Coconut Oil Destroys Powerful Bacteria
Investigators at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Iceland performed a series of surface tests on monocaprin (a monoglyceride of caprylic acid) on various strains of micro-organisms, including C. albicans, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Caprylic acid is a fatty acid normally found in coconut oil and mammal milk.
Test strains indicated C. albicans was the most sensitive to monocaprin and researchers believe it may be an effective agent for preventing yeast-borne oral infections.
So it appears that ingredients in coconut oil are effective against specific strains of C. Albicans and other yeast infections. However, the question is how do you use coconut oil to kill yeast infections?
How to Use Coconut Oil for Candida Infections
Can coconut oil cure |
Dr. William Crook, author of the book, The Yeast Connection: A Medical Breakthrough
He reports that coconut oil works well in patients who didn't respond traditional anti-fungal medications; or they experienced negative side effects from prescription drugs.
Although there are no documented medical studies on people who've used coconut oil on Candida infections, you can find internet testimonials from people who've successfully treated Candida infections.
A very popular site among Candida sufferers is Healing Naturally by Bee. She's published two very popular articles on naturally healing Candida with coconut oil and other dietary/lifestyle changes.
Along with making appropriate food choices and lifestyle changes, she also provides info on using coconut oil for yeast infections and how you can naturally cure yourself.
Due to the wide variety of symptoms and how this condition presents itself, your individual results may vary and you may or may not experience any results from using coconut oil on Candida infections.
Please remember to consult your physician or health care provider before using coconut oil in your treatment of Candida or yeast infections.
Coconut Oil and Candida Research References:
Short- and medium-chain fatty acids exhibit antimicrobial activity for oral microorganisms. Archives of Oral Biology. 2011 Jul;56(7):650-4.
In vitro killing of Candida albicans by fatty acids and monoglycerides. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 2001 Nov;45(11):3209-12
In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria.Ogbolu DO, Oni AA, Daini OA, Oloko AP. Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2007 Jun;10(2):384-7
Antimicrobial activity of monocaprin: a monoglyceride with potential use as a denture disinfectant. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2006 Feb;64(1):21-6.
Caprylic acid in the effective treatment of intractable medical problems of frequent urination, incontinence, chronic upper respiratory infection, root canalled tooth infection, ALS, etc., caused by asbestos & mixed infections of Candida albicans, Helicobacter pylori & cytomegalovirus with or without other microorganisms & mercury. Acupuncture and Electrotherapy Research. 2011;36(1-2):19-64.
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