Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a tremendously versatile antifungal that is really easy to add to your diet. You can drink it as a supplement, or just use it as a replacement for other cooking oils. It is an incredibly healthy supplement that should be one of your first choices as an antifungal.

Coconut oil contains 3 different fatty acids (Caprylic Acid, Capric Acid, Lauric Acid) that have each been found to be effective against the Candida yeast (see the research studies here and here).

Caprylic acid in particular is a popular and effective antifungal, which you can buy in supplement form. Alternatively you can follow the whole food approach and integrate the natural coconut oil into your diet for much the same effect.

Why is coconut oil useful for a Candida diet?

For Candida sufferers, the most important ingredient in coconut oil is caprylic acid. This potent antifungal kills the Candida yeast cells by interfering with their cell walls. Capric acid and lauric acid have a similar effect, creating a powerful combination of antifungal treatments. This also means that the Candida yeast is unlikely to build up resistance to coconut oil, unlike other antifungals which can lose their effectiveness over time.

As an entirely natural antifungal, coconut oil is a safe and effective way to prevent your Candida overgrowth from returning. Make it a part of your long term diet plan and you will find it has many other health benefits besides its antifungal properties. Even better, combine it with other coconut-based products like coconut flour (for baking) and coconut aminos (for salad dressings and as a substitute for soy sauce).

How do you take coconut oil?

Adding coconut oil to your diet can be as quick and easy as taking 1-2 tablespoons of the oil each morning. If you don’t recognize any Die-Off symptoms, increase your dose gradually up to 5 tablespoons daily. Don’t worry, coconut oil is a natural food and perfectly safe. Your body will quickly let you know if you drink too much of it. Diarrhea and stomach cramps are the sign that you should cut back your dosage.

Alternatively, you can use coconut oil as a substitute for other oils in your cooking. Coconut oil is actually a really heat-stable oil, meaning that it does not break down into unhealthy trans fats when it is cooked to high temperatures.

To get the most benefit from your coconut oil, you should buy an high quality, organic, virgin coconut oil. Here is a good example.

Other benefits of coconut oil

Coconut oil has many other benefits for your body, besides just inhibiting your Candida overgrowth. After a week or two of coconut oil you may notice shinier hair and healthier skin. Your doctor might tell you that your cholesterol levels are lower, and you may stop getting ill so often (coconut oil is great for your immune system).

For Candida dieters in particular, coconut oil is a great way to increase calorie intake. Thanks to the strict and healthy diet, many Candida sufferers find that they lose weight during their treatment. Sometimes this is a good outcome, but if you are already slim then you probably want to maintain your weight. Coconut oil is high in calories (‘good’ calories, not like junk food), so if you feel like you are losing too much weight, coconut oil is a great way to boost your calorie intake. One tablespoon contains approximately 120 calories.