Coconut oil controls Candida albicans fungal pathogen overgrowth in GI tract

Coconut oil can help control the fungal pathogens in Candida albicans – yeast infection. The findings come from Tufts University where researchers conducted their study on mice and found that coconut oil was successful in controlling pathogen overgrowth. Candida albicans found in human gastrointestinal tracts (GI) can lead to infections of the blood, including invasive candidiasis. The research suggests that dietary approaches may be a viable alternative to antifungal drugs to help decrease infection.

Candida albicans is commonly found in the GI tract, but when the immune system becomes compromised it can spread outside of the GI tract, which leads to disease. Antifungal drugs are commonly used to treat Candida albicans within the gut and prevent it from spreading to the bloodstream.

The research team conducted their investigation on mice to determine the effects of three different dietary fats on Candida albicans: Coconut oil, beef tallow and soybean oil. A control group was fed a standard diet for mice.

The mice that consumed the coconut oil saw a reduction in Candida albicans in the gut compared to the other groups. Coconut oil, or coconut oil mixed with beef tallow, reduced Candida albicans nearly 90 percent more than just beef tallow alone.

Research lead, Carol Kumamoto, Ph.D., said, “Coconut oil even reduced fungal colonization when mice were switched from beef tallow to coconut oil, or when mice were fed both beef tallow and coconut oil at the same time. These findings suggest that adding coconut oil to a patient’s existing diet might control the growth of C. albicans in the gut, and possibly decrease the risk of fungal infections caused by C. albicans.”

Continue reading - How coconut oil is effective against Candida infections