Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has long been used as a natural remedy to treat yeast infections, one of the most common bacterial infections. However, many different types of microorganisms cause yeast infections, including Candida albicans, so it’s important to know that while coconut oil is effective in killing off yeast cells in the lab, some strains may not be killed by it in the body.
How coconut oil kills off yeast infections can be explained by its fatty acids. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are better absorbed by cells than other types of fat. Therefore, when applied topically, these medium-chain fatty acids can permeate through the layers of skin and into the cell membranes.
In the cell membrane, they disrupt the structure of the membrane and allow water to enter. Pressure builds up inside as more water enters the cell from the outside. The pressure and other changes cause the cell and its contents to rupture, killing them off.
