What is caprylic acid?

Caprylic acid is a medium-chain fatty acid (MCT) that occurs naturally in coconut oil and palm oil. It is also found in small amounts in human breast milk. Caprylic acid is thought to have a number of health benefits, including antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties and has been used as a natural remedy for various health conditions.

How does it work?

It may also help to improve gut health by improving the balance of gut bacteria and reducing inflammation.

What forms does it come in?

• Capsule
• Softgel
• Liquid
• Topical creams
• Topical products

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

The use of caprylic acid for medicinal purposes dates back several thousand years, with evidence of its use in traditional medicine practices in various cultures. It was first used for medicinal purposes Modern Western Cultures in the 1970s to treat candidiasis, a type of yeast infection.

What does Caprylic acid help with?

Caprylic acid is a fat found in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It is also sold as C8 or MCT oil. The body turns it into ketones faster than it does other fats.

The human evidence here is thin. The few human studies on file used MCT blends, not caprylic acid alone, and no sizes or doses are recorded. Much of the rest is lab-dish work.

• Seizures that do not respond to epilepsy drugs
  Early evidence — small human studies in children and adults on supervised ketogenic diets. Caprylic acid has been studied as a ketogenic supplement in children and adults with drug-resistant epilepsy. In that work it raised ketone levels well. All of it sat inside a supervised ketogenic diet plan, not on its own. No trial sizes or doses are on file here.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Memory loss and thinking problems in Alzheimer's disease
  Early evidence — early clinical work with MCT supplements, sizes not on file. Brains affected by Alzheimer's often use glucose poorly. Early clinical work found modest gains on thinking tests with MCT supplements. Ketones made quickly from C8 oil may act as a second brain fuel, but that is metabolic research, not proof of benefit.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Extra weight and a big appetite
  Early evidence — human studies of MCT oils, mostly C8, against long-chain fat controls. Studies of MCT oils, mostly C8, found modest drops in calorie intake and body weight. The comparison was long-chain fat. Researchers think MCTs may nudge fullness hormones, but that is a proposed mechanism, not a settled finding. Study sizes and doses are not on file.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• High triglycerides
  Early evidence — human studies comparing MCTs with olive oil or long-chain fats. Studies found MCTs lowered triglycerides next to olive oil or long-chain fat controls. The whole lipid profile improved a little. Medium-chain fats are also thought to be stored as body fat less readily, though that is general nutrition science, not a trial of this remedy.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Candida (yeast) overgrowth and an out-of-balance gut
  Not yet tested in people — lab studies on yeast cells plus practitioner use; no human trial on file. In lab studies, caprylic acid broke down the outer wall of Candida albicans cells, which then burst. Lab work also suggests it hits harmful yeast and some bad bacteria harder than friendly bacteria. Many integrative practitioners reach for it first in gut yeast plans, often with probiotics. No human trial is on file here.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T0
• Brain fog and fuzzy thinking
  Not yet tested in people — user reports and biochemistry; no human trial on file. It is well established that the brain can run on glucose or on ketones. Caprylic acid turns into ketones faster than any other MCT. Many people say their thinking feels sharper within hours of taking C8 oil. Those are reports, not trial results.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T0
• Low energy and daily fatigue
  Not yet tested in people — established biochemistry and popular use; no human trial on file. Caprylic acid skips much of the usual fat digestion and goes straight to the liver. That route is established biochemistry. People add it to morning drinks and pre-workout mixes for quick fuel without caffeine. No human trial of energy or fatigue is on file here.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T0
• Leaky gut (a gut wall that lets too much through)
  Not yet tested in people — indirect, preliminary research; no human trial on file. Some research suggests medium-chain fats support the gut lining. The idea on file is indirect: cut the yeast and harmful bacteria, and the gut wall takes less wear. That chain of steps has not been tested in people here.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T0
• Bacterial infections of the skin or gut
  Not yet tested in people — laboratory studies only. In lab settings, caprylic acid slowed several common germs. These included Staphylococcus aureus and Helicobacter pylori. Some people put it on minor skin infections or take it in gut antimicrobial plans. What happens in a dish does not tell you what happens in a person.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T0

What Caprylic acid has not been shown to do

• No human trial on file shows it clears a diagnosed Candida infection.
• It has not been shown to replace prescription antifungal or antibiotic drugs.
• It has not been shown to control seizures on its own, apart from a supervised ketogenic diet.
• It has not been shown to stop or reverse Alzheimer's disease; early work found only modest test-score changes.
• It has not been shown to cause large weight loss; the changes seen were small.
• It has not been shown to heal a leaky gut lining in people.
• No human trial on file shows it clears a skin infection.

How to read this:

Grades here rate the evidence for each use, not how strong the product is. A means steady results across randomised human trials. B means one good human trial. C means small or early human work. D means weak or mixed human results. Insufficient means no human study on file, only lab work, animal work or long use. This page lists options and what studies found. It is not medical advice, and it is not a promise of results. Talk with your doctor before you start, above all if you take other medicines.

What can it help prevent?

• Yeast infections
• Bacterial infections
• Inflammation in the gut
• Candida overgrowth
• Intestinal permeability
• Acne breakouts
• Fungal skin infections
• Allergic reactions
• Psoriasis outbreaks
• Thrush

Which foods are rich in it?

• Coconut oil
• Palm kernel oil
• Butter
• Cheese
• Milk
• Yogurt
• Ghee
• Cream
• Kefir
• Cheese whey

What are possible side effects?

Caprylic acid is generally considered safe when used as directed, but possible side effects could include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Stomach cramping
• Gas
• Bloating

These side effects are typically mild and resolve on their own within a few days.

What's the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of caprylic acid varies depending on the individual's health condition and the intended use. A typical dose for digestive health is 1,000-3,000 mg per day, taken with meals.

How many days does it take to work?

Some people may notice improvement within a few days, while others may take several weeks to see results. The length of time it takes for caprylic acid to work varies depending on the individual's health condition and the intended use.

What time of day is best to take it?

There is no specific time of day that is best to take caprylic acid. It can be taken at any time, as long as it is taken consistently.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Caprylic acid can be taken with or without food. It is recommended to take it with a meal to reduce the risk of digestive side effects.