Caprylic Acid 600 mg | 100 Softgels | NOW Foods

Caprylic Acid 600 mg from NOW Foods

Do you want to use caprylic acid specifically at a fixed dose? This Caprylic Acid from NOW Foods provides 600 mg of caprylic acid per softgel. Caprylic acid, also known as octanoic acid, is a medium-chain fatty acid (MCT) naturally found in coconut oil and palm oil. One jar contains 100 softgels.

What is Caprylic Acid

Caprylic acid is a fatty acid, specifically of the medium-chain type. Fatty acids are classified by the length of their carbon chain: short, medium, or long. Caprylic acid has a chain of eight carbon atoms, which is why it is also known as C8, and its chemical name is octanoic acid. This medium length places it in the MCT family: medium-chain triglycerides. It is one of the shortest members of this family, alongside caproic acid (C6), capric acid (C10), and lauric acid (C12). Caprylic acid is found naturally in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and in small amounts in the milk of mammals, including breast milk and goat's milk. In coconut oil, caprylic acid represents only a portion of the total; the largest share goes to lauric acid (C12). This explains why a pure source of caprylic acid differs from simple coconut fat.

Caprylic Acid from Coconut and Palm Oil

The caprylic acid in this product is extracted from coconut oil and palm oil, two vegetable oils that naturally contain relatively large amounts of medium-chain fatty acids. In its pure form, caprylic acid is isolated from these oils, so you get a specific fatty acid rather than the complete mixture found in a bottle of MCT oil or coconut fat. This is what differentiates it from a classic MCT oil: the latter generally contains a mixture of C8 and C10, whereas these softgels focus solely on caprylic acid, in a measured amount of 600 mg per unit. What distinguishes medium-chain fatty acids from the long-chain fats found in most foods is their shorter chain length: they are more soluble and are processed differently by the body. This is a physical property of the molecule, not an additive to the product.

It is precisely this pure form of C8 that explains why caprylic acid has become available separately in recent years, in addition to classic MCT oil bottles. Where MCT oil is a liquid mixture that you measure and mix, for example, with coffee or a smoothie, a softgel is a measured portion that you take without complication. For those who specifically want caprylic acid and not the entire fatty acid mixture, the isolated C8 form is therefore a more targeted choice.

Softgel Form and Composition

Caprylic acid is an oily substance, and a softgel is the logical form for it: the liquid content is contained in a soft, leak-proof capsule. The formula is short. In addition to caprylic acid, the softgel consists of gelatin, glycerin, and water. It contains no broad herb blend or multi-ingredient mix, so you know exactly what you are getting per softgel. Important to note: due to the gelatin in the softgel, this product is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. As caprylic acid is a fatty acid, it counts towards your total fat intake, a point to keep in mind if you combine it with other MCT products.

Who These Softgels Are For

This Caprylic Acid is intended for those who specifically want to use this MCT fatty acid alone, in a fixed amount per softgel, without having to measure powder or oil. You receive caprylic acid and nothing else. This makes intake predictable and easy to follow as a supplement to your diet. In summary: a targeted C8 softgel from a brand known for its clear labels and controlled production.