Decanoic acid - benefits of keto

[corybroo]

[Decanoic acid] new dietary approach could manage a range of diseases

New research has identified that a particular fatty acid called decanoic acid may be responsible for the therapeutic effects of the ketogenic diet

found that decanoic acid may reverse cellular changes found in cancer, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders 

Our research also suggests that the diet may function through direct activity of decanoic acid, rather than the generation of ketones or reduced insulin/glucose signaling, providing the potential for using less restrictive dietary approaches for disease treatment.

CB.  A quick look up found this:

Decanoic acid is a C10, straight-chain saturated fatty acid. It has a role as an antibacterial agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, a human metabolite, a volatile oil component, a plant metabolite and an algal metabolite. 

Capric acid occurs naturally in coconut oil (about 10%) and palm kernel oil (about 4%), otherwise it is uncommon in typical seed oils. It is found in the milk of various mammals and to a lesser extent in other animal fats.

Al posted on it years ago:  February 1, 2017

[omarino]

Thanks for sharing. It seems to me that they are assuming that by following a ketogenic diet you are taking some kind of MCT oil, otherwise I don't see why you'd necessarily consume more decanoic acid, or am I missing something?

[Ron Put]

I wouldn't get too excited (and this is not exactly new, either):

Here is something on coconut oil, which is rather rich in C10:
 

• A literature review on the use of coconut products (oil, milk, flesh, or cream) included 21 observational and clinical studies. [2]
  • The epidemiological studies observed people from Samoa, the Philippines, New Zealand, and New Guinea consuming whole coconut as part of their traditional diets. Overall their diets were similar: coconut flesh and milk, fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish. Studies found that those who ate higher amounts of coconut oil had increased beneficial HDL cholesterol levels but also increased total cholesterol and triglycerides.
  • Eight small short-term clinical trials lasting from 5-8 weeks with a range of 9-83 participants were examined with an intervention of a coconut oil diet. When compared with a butter or unsaturated fat (olive or safflower oil) diet, coconut oil raised total cholesterol, HDL, and harmful LDL levels more than unsaturated oils, but not more than butter. Coconut oil was also found to raise total and LDL cholesterol to a greater or similar degree as other saturated fats like beef fat and palm oil.
  • The authors concluded that because of coconut oil’s effects on raising blood cholesterol including harmful LDL and in some cases triglycerides, and because its cholesterol-raising effects were comparable to other saturated fats, the oil should not be viewed as a heart-healthy food and should be limited in the diet.
• In a meta-analysis of 16 clinical trials, coconut oil was found to increase both LDL and HDL cholesterol levels in participants, compared with nontropical vegetable oils (e.g., sunflower, canola, olive). [3] Coconut oil increased total cholesterol by about 15 points, LDL by 10 points, and HDL by 4 points. Coconut oil also increased these values when compared with another tropical oil, palm oil: total cholesterol increased by about 25 points, LDL by 20 points, and HDL by 3 points. The analysis did not find that coconut oil versus other vegetable oils had any significant effect on body weight, waist circumference, or body fat percentage.
• The American Heart Association (AHA) issued a scientific advisory statement in 2017 to replace saturated fats (including coconut and other tropical oils) with unsaturated fats. Based on a review of seven controlled trials, coconut oil was found to raise harmful LDL cholesterol levels. The AHA advised against the use of coconut oil, and suggested limiting all saturated fat. For those at risk for or who have heart disease, they advise no more than 6% of total calories from saturated fat, or about 13 grams based on a 2000-calorie diet. One tablespoon of coconut oil comes close to that limit at about 12 grams of saturated fat. [4]