Safeguard your internal environment with the powerful protection of Undecylenic Acid. A natural unsaturated fatty acid produced by vacuum distillation of castor bean oil, Undecylenic Acid provides uniquely effective support for a healthy inner ecosystem. In fact, out of the many fatty acids that have been shown to have a positive impact on the natural flora of the GI tract, undecylenic acid has the greatest potency, estimated to be six times more effective than caprylic acid.What makes Undecylenic Acid so uniquely effective compared to caprylic acid and other fatty acids is its unique chemical composition. The protective power of fatty acids depends largely upon the number of carbon atoms their molecules contain. In general, the more carbon atoms they have, the more effective they are up until they reach an eleven-carbon threshold, after which poor solubility tends to diminish their protective capabilities. As an eleven-carbon unsaturated fatty acid (C11H20 O2), Undecylenic Acid sits right at the threshold of peak effectiveness for dietary fatty acids. In the form of a calcium salt (calcium undecylenate) it can be even more effective because it can be used at higher intakes without irritating mucus membranes in the digestive tract. However, calcium undecylenate works best when it reaches the lower GI tract at a slightly acidic pH level, so it should be combined with a mild acid in a delayed-release form that delivers it safely to its target site. Swanson Premium Undecylenic Acid combines calcium undecylenate with betaine hydrochloride in advanced DRcaps® which are designed to release in the lower GI tract.