Coconut Oil is a safe, natural antifungal that you can use to overcome your Candidiasis. It is useful for people that have adverse reactions to antifungal drugs as well as people that do not like to take pills. A few tablespoons of oil per day is all it takes!

The active ingredients in Coconut Oil are Caprylic Acid, Capric Acid and Lauric Acid. These medium-chain saturated fatty acids are potent antimicrobial agents. They kill bacteria, viruses and fungi by causing their cell walls to disintegrate.

There are studies¹ that show how all the fatty acids work together to kill Candida albicans. Another study ² shows that Coconut Oil is as effective as fluconazole (Diflucan). It goes so far as to say "Coconut Oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species."

Research also shows that these medium-chain fatty acids boost the body's metabolism, raises the body's temperature, and help provide greater energy, all of which can lead to weight loss. They have anti-tumor and immune system supporting properties as well.

Palm Tree Full of Coconuts

Caprylic acid is one of the medium-chain fatty acids which has been used for quite some time in fighting Candida yeast infections. William Crook, M.D., the author of The Yeast Connection, reports that many physicians have used Caprylic acid to successfully treat yeast infections. It works especially well for those patients who have adverse reactions to anti-fungal drugs. Caprylic Acid is so potent that it is extracted and sold as a natural anti-fungal.

Capric Acid is the second medium-chain fatty acid. According to a study done at the University of Iceland Capric Acid causes the fastest and most effective killing of all three strains of Candida albicans tested.¹ Capric Acid disrupts or disintegrates the plasma membrane, which leaves the cytoplasm disorganized and shrunken. In other words it kills Candida!

The third saturated fatty acid, Lauric Acid, was the most active at killing Candida at lower concentrations. Lauric Acid could be called an essential fatty acid because it is made only by the mammary gland and not in the liver like other saturated fats.⁴ We must obtain it from one of two dietary sources — small amounts in butterfat or large amounts in Coconut Oil.

Coconuts Ready to be Processed

When buying Coconut Oil, you should look for Virgin or Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. You want a product that is cold pressed from fresh coconut meat. Some products are made from copra, you do not want these!

Manufacturers of Virgin Coconut Oil use the same method the older generation used to extract the oil. They grate the fresh coconut, extract the coconut milk, and then let the coconut milk stand in a covered container for about a day. After 24-36 hours, the oil naturally separates from the water producing a crystal clear oil that retains the full scent and taste of coconuts.

Non-virgin oil is made from copra which is coconut meat that has been dried. You want to avoid copra for a couple of reasons. The oil made from copra must be refined and it sometimes contains trans-fats.

Copra can be made by smoking, sun drying, kiln drying or any combination of these three. Oil made this way must be refined before it is consumed. This is because the drying methods are sometimes unsanitary. High heat is used in the refining process which destroys many of the essential nutrients of the coconut.

Refined Coconut Oil is sometimes hydrogenated which creates trans-fats. Trans-fats may lead to heart disease and other chronic health problems. Avoid copra - Only buy fresh, cold-pressed oil!

Coconut Oil has a higher smoking point than Olive Oil so it can be used for any cooking that takes high heat. It is also very stable with a shelf life of several years. Coconut Oil, Olive Oil and Grape seed Oil are extremely healthy oils for cooking. You should look into trading your unhealthy vegetable oils for one of these healthy oils today.

If you are the type that needs a step by step checklist for treating your Candida overgrowth including recommended brands and dosages, you will be interested in my new book "Candida Albicans - The Hidden Disease".

Dosage

Orally - Four tablespoons per day - one with each meal and one at bedtime.

Start with one teaspoon the first day and increase by one teaspoon per day until your reach four tablespoons. By building up slowly, you will avoid some of the "die-off" symptoms.

Capsules - one 1000-mg tablet 4 times daily.

Topically - Apply directly to skin rashes or infections. Rub it in thoroughly until it absorbs completely.

Contraindications and Adverse Effects

The most common side effect is diarrhea.

Another side effect most Candida sufferers will experience is "die-off" otherwise known as Herxheimer's Reaction. This is a detoxification reaction and not a counteraction to the product.

If any of these symptoms should occur - greater fatigue, diarrhea, headaches, muscle/joint aches or flu-like symptoms, temporarily discontinue taking Coconut Oil or cut back on the amount taken until the body can eliminate the toxic waste.

A few individuals have reported a slight headache due to detoxification. If this should occur, any common pain reliever seems to work to curb the discomfort.