A) C8:0 Caprylic Acid : (1.20%)
- Eight-carbon saturated fatty acid. It is a medium chain fatty acid.
- Caprylic acid has been found to possess numerous therapeutic properties, including an ability to help treat infections such as candidiasis, ringworm,    gastroenteritis and salmonella. Well known benefits linked to Caprylic acid is its ability treat fungal infections e.g. Ringworm.
B) C10:0 Capric Acid : (2.50%)
- Ten-carbon saturated fatty acid. It is a medium chain fatty acid
C) C12:0 Lauric Acid : (2.70%)
- Twelve-carbon saturated fatty acid. It is medium chain fatty acid.
- Antimicrobial properties[3]. Able to raise metabolism, believed to be due to its activation of 20% of thyroidal hormones. Lauric Acid’s release of    enzymes in the intestinal tract which activate the thyroid.
- Though it is a fat, it actually promotes weight loss because it is a healthy medium chain fatty acid.
- The health benefits of Lauric Acid include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increase immunity, proper   digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care and bone   strength.
D) C14:0 Myristic Acid : (11.80%)
- Fourteen-carbon, saturated fatty acid. It is a long chain fatty acid. Enhances immuno system.

E) C16:0 Palmitic Acid : (36.70%)
- 16-carbon saturated fatty acid. It is a long chain fatty acid.
F) C16:1 Palmitoleic Acid : (3.30%)
- 16-carbon, omega-7 monounsaturated fatty acid. It is a long chain fatty acid.
- It can help in weight loss.
- Acts as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Also    help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide and balance certain hormones in the body.
G) C18:0 Stearic Acid : (12.50%)
- 18-carbon, saturated fatty acid. It is a long chain fatty acid.
- Acts as a powerful lubricant and having softening properties
H) C18:1 Oleic Acid : (26.20%)
- 18-carbon, mono-unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. It is a long chain fatty acid. Helps in boosting memory.
- Hinders the progression of ALD a fatal disease that affects the brain and adrenal glands.

With this information the claims for the value of ghee can be better understood
Most of the saturated fats in ghee are short-chained and only 11% are long-chained. Up to 27% of its total fatty acid is monounsaturated and only 4-5 % polyunsaturated fatty acids. We require both saturated and unsaturated fats in the right ratio and ghee comes closest to having this ideal ratio (60-66% saturated fats and 27% monounsaturated fats & 2-3% Polysaturated fatty acids. This shows that Cow Ghee is much superior to the commonly used cooking oils - groundnut & sunflower oil.

OMEGA FATTY ACIDS IN GHEE
Despite the potential health problems associated with poor quality PUFAs, they are also vital in providing the essential Omega fatty acids now famed for their health giving anti-oxidant properties. Ghee contains linoleic acid, an Omega-6 oil and alpha-Linoleic acid, an Omega-3 EFA. EFAs are only used for energy if present in excess, generally play the role of stimulating metabolism.[6] Correlations with ghee’s effects of increasing agni are of great interest in this regard. Despite their benefits, there are dangers associated eating the wrong ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3. These include CVD, mental disorders (ADHD, depression, MS and Schizophrenia), and inflammatory diseases. Most of us eat more Omega-6 than 3 but ghee provides both in an ideal ratio of 1:1.

Ghee as a Yogvahi-A Catalytic agent -
It carries the medicinal properties of herbs into the seven dhatus or tissues of the body.

Ghee aids absorption -
Since ghee is an oil with short chain fatty acids, it is absorbed directly in blood via intestinal capillary. Ghee increases digestive fire and improves absorption & assimilation.

Ghee acts as bio enhancer -
It increases the potency of herbs by carrying the active component to the interior of the cells where they impart the most benefits.

Ghee boosts mind and memory -
Ghee increases Dhi (intelligence), refines the Buddhi (intellect) and improves Smruti (memory)

Ghee aids healthy skin -
Ghee builds aura, makes all the organs soft, increases rasa so skin becomes soft, smooth, lubricating & glowing. It also has anti ageing properties.

Ghee boosts immunity -
It is a great immunity booster. It nourishes ojas, the subtle essence of all the body tissues. Ghee is very important in regards to free radical scavenging health & longevity.

Ghee acts as dosha balancer -
Ghee balances both Vata (the dosha that controls movement in mind and body) and Pitta (the dosha that controls heat and metabolism). Ghee with herbal formulations becomes great medium for balancing & revitalizing tonic for female reproductive system.

Ghee is a Lubricant -
It is a powerful lubricant which lubricates the connective tissue & makes the body more flexible.

Ghee increases vitality & vigour -
Herbal Ghee is considered as medicine for restoration physical strength, vitality and vigour.

THE REAL 21ST CENTURY VILLAINS: FREE RADICALS?

Free radicals are “almost perfect candidates for the honour of casual villain in the biochemical drama of degenerative diseases”. They are known to damage DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, membranes, eventually causing death. Beyond CVD, they are now thought to play a significant role in rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory gut disorders, connective tissue disorders, strokes, acute renal necrosis, cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetes and the ageing process. Not only does ghee appear to help lower serum cholesterol levels, but it also contains anti-oxidants (Vitamins A and E) which prevent free radical damage. Within the body, Vitamins A and E are only bio-available when taken with fats. Ghee is thus an ideal delivery vehicle, especially for lacto-vegetarians. It serves to take anti-oxidants to cell membrane and cell structures made of fat , protecting against free radical damage.

REFERENCES:
[1] Lide, D.R. (Ed) (1990) CRC Handbook of Chemisty & Physics (70th Edn.), Boca Raton (FL):CRC Press.

[2] Nair MK, Koy J, Vasudevan P, Hinckley L, Hoagland TA, Venkitanarayan KS (Oct. 2005). “Anti bacterial effect of Caprylic acid nonocaprylin on major bacterial mastitis pathogens (J Dairy Sci 88(10):3488-95 (pub med).

[3] Hoffman KL, Han IY, Dawson PL(June 2001) “Antimicrobial effect of corn zein films impregnated with nisin, lauric acid & EDTA”. J. Food Prot. 64(6) : 885-9, PMID 11403145.

[4] Oleicacid (http://membership.acs.org/c/ccs/pubs/ (LIPS/JCE 20020024.pdf) Chemical Laboratory Information Profile, American Chemical Society (retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/oleic-acid).

[5] www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/fattyacids1.html

[6] Erasmus U. Fats that heal, Fats that kill, Canada : Alive Books, retrieved from 1993.230. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC(1780156)

[7] Bharat Bhaisajya Ratnavali

[8] ipedia.net

[9] A 21st Century look at Ghee - ayurvedic nevtar or heart disease risk factor? (Ayurvedicyogi.com)