Monolaurin is a component of coconut oil. People say it increases their immune response, making them more resilient to bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Does science back them up? Read on to find out and be ready for a few surprising drawbacks of using monolaurin regularly.
What is Monolaurin?
Overview
Monolaurin is a naturally-occurring fat present in both coconut oil and breast milk [1, 2].
Monolaurin, also known as glyceryl monolaurate, glyceryl laurate, or 1-Lauroyl-glycerol, is a monoglyceride (a single molecule of glycerol attached to a fatty acid) [3].
Coconut oil is 48% lauric acid, which is valued for its use in the food and health supplement industries. Lauric acid converts to monolaurin in the body [4, 5].
Some scientists believe monolaurin might be a promising antimicrobial. Ongoing research is exploring its antibacterial and antiviral effects and safety [6].
Uses
- Food production: used as a food additive, emulsifier, and as a preservative in ice cream, margarine, spaghetti, and other processed foods [7, 8, 9, 10].
- Manufacturing: commonly used in deodorants, cosmetics, detergents, and insecticides and as an equipment sanitizer in manufacturing [7, 8, 9, 10].
- Dietary supplement: some people take monolaurin as a dietary supplement [11].
Monolaurin supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use. Supplements generally lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for them but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. Speak with your doctor before supplementing.
Despite a lack of evidence, people use monolaurin to prevent bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Allegedly, it also helps with skin conditions, strengthens the immune system, and balances bacteria in the gut. However, clinical studies are lacking [12, 13, 11, 14].
Mechanism of Action
Antiviral Activity
Monolaurin might be active against viruses that has a fat (lipid) membrane on the outside [15, 16].
Since monolaurin is the same size as the fat molecule of the virus, it absorbs into the cell’s fat layer. As it has poor binding power, the skin envelope breaks apart. This prevents the virus from attaching and entering host cells, stopping infection and replication. Have in mind that this is only a theory based on cellular studies [15, 16].
Scientists think monolaurin might disrupt virus replication by blocking DNA replication signals. In the lab, when monolaurin binds to the viral envelope, it makes the virus more recognizable to the immune system [17, 18].
Antibacterial Activity
Researchers hypothesize that monolaurin incorporates itself into the cell membrane of gram-positive bacteria and destroys them by breaking down the cell membrane. Theoretically, this stops bacteria from replicating and spreading, making it easier for the immune system to destroy them [19].
In cells, monolaurin also stops the production of most Staphylococcal toxins and other proteins at the bacterial DNA level. It also blocks the production of beta-lactamases, which are responsible for resistance to penicillins, extended-spectrum cephalosporins, monobactams, and carbapenems. Its effects on humans, however, are unknown [20, 21, 22].
Ongoing research is determining its effects on decreasing the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, IL-1α and IL-1β [23].
Claimed Health Benefits of Monolaurin
Lacking Evidence:
No clinical evidence supports the use of monolaurin for infections or any of the conditions listed in this section.
Below is a summary of the existing animal and cell-based research, which should guide further investigational efforts.
However, the studies listed below should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit. Monolaurin should not be used for any of the conditions described below due to the complete lack of safety and efficacy data in humans.
1) Bacteria
Monolaurin was studied against bacteria in cells and mice [24, 25, 26, 27].
Gram-positive bacteria
Scientists hypothesize that it may inhibit the activity of gram-positive bacteria such as [8, 28, 29, 30, 18, 31]:
- Bacillus subtilis
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Bacillus anthracis, which produces toxins and is abused in bioterrorism
Gram-negative bacteria
Monolaurin might not be active against most gram-negative bacteria like Salmonella, which has a different kind of outer cell membrane than gram-positive bacteria [6].
In contrast to this general finding, monolaurin was able to inhibit the growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in skin cells [6].
Additionally, the ulcer-causing Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacteria. Monolaurin was active against it in some cell-based studies [32, 27, 33, 34].
Resistance
A cell study compared monolaurin and 6 common antibiotics (including penicillin, oxacillin, and vancomycin) against bacteria causing skin infections. Monolaurin showed promise and animal studies are needed [6].
However, there are various super strains of vancomycin–resistant Enterococcus (VRE) that have developed partial (up to 70%) resistance to monolaurin. Mutated Enterococcus bacteria had learned to tighten their cell walls, making it more difficult for monolaurin to get in [35].
Monolaurin had no adverse effect on gut bacteria in dishes. Its effect on gut bacteria in humans is unknown [11].
Staph Infections
In bacteria, monolaurin combined with monocaprin, lauric acid, or monomyristin had better results against Staphylococcus aureus [36].
Untreated mice injected with Staphylococcus aureus died within a week. However, 50% of mice given vancomycin and monolaurin daily survived for 30 days [5].
Additionally, over 60% of mice survived when receiving a daily combination of origanum oil and monolaurin [5].
In another mice study, the groups receiving vancomycin, monolaurin, or a combination of both showed some protection against S. aureus (50 to 70% survival rate) [26].
Lyme Disease
Monolaurin was active against the bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) that causes Lyme disease in dishes. Some people with recurrent Lyme disease take coconut oil, as recommended by some alternative practitioners. Evidence doesn’t support this practice, as clinical data are nonexistent [37, 32].
2) Viruses
Scientists investigated whether monolaurin inhibits several fat-coated viruses that infect humans and animals. Fat-coated viruses can live in your body fat for years and interfere with your metabolism. Monolaurin is hypothesized to weaken or disintegrates viruses’ fat coatings and kill them. However, its effects in humans are unknown [38].
In dishes, monolaurin showed activity against the following viruses, which have fat envelopes [39]:
- Cytomegalovirus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- HIV-1, HIV+
- Measles virus
- Herpes simplex virus-1 and 2
- Herpesviridae (all)
- Human lymphotropic viruses (type 1)
- Vesicular stomatitis virus
- Visna virus
- Influenza virus
- Pneumovirus
- Sarcoma virus
- Syncytial virus
Other Viruses
Monolaurin was investigated against Herpes viruses, which cause cold sores and genital herpes, in cells [11].
It was also researched against the swine flu and Herpes varicella-zoster virus (causing chickenpox and reactivating to cause shingles), which has a fat envelope. However, no human trials were ever carried out [40, 41].
Monolaurin shows antiviral activity in animals against Herpes simplex virus (which causes cold sores) [42].
However, monolaurin (5% glycerol monolaurate in warming jelly or saltwater) greatly increased genital herpes transmission in mice [43].
There are many anecdotal reports of monolaurin helping combat the flu. There is no valid evidence to back them up. Monolaurin from human breast milk was effective against cytomegalovirus (CMV) but was not effective against the cold-causing virus, rhinovirus [2].
3) Yeast
Researchers are investigating if monolaurin may inactivate or destroy various fungi and yeasts. These include several species of ringworm. It was studied against Candida albicans, which is present in the mouth, gut, and female reproductive system [38, 23, 44].
In a study of 36 women with yeast vaginal infections, monolaurin was effective against Candida albicans. More research is needed [45].
4) Parasites
Monolaurin was researched against the parasite Giardia lamblia [38].
Animal research indicates that the intestinal parasites Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica may respond to a combination of metronidazole (an anti-parasitic drug) and monolaurin [46].
5) Immune Defense
Some people take monolaurin as an immune booster. Monolaurin is also a supplement users say improves immune function in chronic fatigue syndrome. Clinical evidence is lacking to support this use.
Scientists are investigating monolaurin’s effects on T-cell function. Better T-cell function helps the body recognize and kill bacteria and viruses. It’s also being studied against the viruses potentially responsible for infections in chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome [47, 48, 11].
6) Weight Control
Some controversial theories suggest that fat-coated viruses can live in body fat and disturb metabolism, promoting obesity. Supporters are investigating whether monolaurin may assist in weight management by killing these stored viruses, though no valid evidence has yet been published [49].
In a study of 9 healthy overweight men, consumption of medium-chain fatty acids increased calorie burning and fat breakdown (through oxidation), reducing fat storage. Monolaurin specifically wasn’t studied, though [49].
7) Skin Health
Monolaurin might be active against skin infections, so it is being researched for acne [13].
A study in two dermatology clinics showed that coconut oil, which contains monolaurin, might help people with Staphylococcus aureus infected eczema. Large-scale studies are lacking [13].
8) Alzheimer’s
Monolaurin research looked into the potential of this compound to affect Alzheimer’s disease, which has been linked to herpes infection [50].
In Alzheimer’s patients, the presence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) in the brain people with the type 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene has been positively associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s [50].
Medium-chain fatty acids, such as lauric acid, are present in coconut oil and convert into monolaurin in the body. The liver can convert them into ketones, which are an important alternative energy source for the brain. In theory, they may be beneficial to people with memory impairment, but evidence is lacking [51].
Using Monolaurin
Is Monolaurin Safe?
According to the United States by the Food and Drug Administration, monolaurin is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) [52].
Monolaurin is likely safe when used in small amounts (i.e in foods). However, safety data is lacking to determine its long-term health effects, especially in higher amounts [53].
Monolaurin is found in coconut oil, which is an edible, non-toxic, and a standard cooking oil. Coconut oil is safe unless you have a coconut allergy or consume it in very large amounts [54, 8].
Monolaurin should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data.
Side Effects
Some people report short-term side effects and caused by the alleged “die-off” effect. In some circles, this is referred to as the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, a highly controversial and unproven theory, especially in the way it is referred to in popular health blogs.
According to this theory, when large numbers of infecting organisms die quickly, these microbes give off toxins as they die [55].
The symptoms are temporary and may include:
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Skin rash
- Acne
- Nausea
This concept may hold in people with serious infections such as syphilis, but it has also received a lot of criticism from the scientific community when people who don’t have life-threatening infections talk about it [55].
Bloggers say they avoid this die-off reaction by building up to a full dose gradually (over about 7 to 10 days). If adverse effects occur, they stop taking monolaurin for a day or two “to give their body a little extra time to remove the dead organisms.” Then they start again at a lower dosage and gradually increase, “until their body can handle it.” This approach remains completely unproven [56].
Inflammatory and Immune Side Effects
In mice, monolaurin worsens multiple sclerosis, in which the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body [57].
People with intestinal inflammation or risk of multiple sclerosis may need to limit their consumption of coconut and MCT oil, and, therefore monolaurin [57].
Drug Interactions
The potential interactions between monolaurin and drugs are unknown due to a lack of data.
The antibacterial effectiveness of monolaurin in the food industry may be reduced significantly in high-fat or low-starch food products, but is not affected by proteins [8].
Dosage
Monolaurin has not been evaluated by the FDA for any medical condition, while clinical studies are few. No dosing guidelines can be established [38].
If someone is taking coconut oil as a source of lauric acid, one theory suggests that the ideal dosage may also depend on the body’s genetic ability to convert the acid into monolaurin.
Coconut oil is made up of about 50% lauric acid [4, 58]. The human body converts lauric acid to monolaurin when ingested, but we could not find studies any published studies on conversion rates.
Lauricidin
Dr. Jon Kabara, Ph.D., who discovered monolaurin in mother’s milk in the 1960s and sells a supplement called Lauricidin has dosing recommendations that are based only on his clinical experience and have not been scientifically verified.
He claims that the monolaurin yield from coconut oil is no more than 3% .
He also insists that people need to take 3 – 9g of monolaurin in order to experience a significant effect.
According to him and the usage instructions on his supplement, adults should start with 750 mg of monolaurin two to three times per day for one week, then take 1,500 mg, and maintain at 3,000 mg, two to three times per day. In stubborn cases this may be increased, he claims.
Assuming you get 3% monolaurin from coconut oil, that means in order to get 750mg 3x a day, one would have to consume close to 6 tablespoons a day, which is excessive.
To get the upper dosage suggested by Kabara (9g monolaurin), one would need to consume about 22 tablespoons of coconut oil in a day, which is unreasonable.
However, there is insufficient data to back up the claim that people get only 4% of monolaurin from all types of coconut oil.
It’s important to note that Kabara has a vested interest in selling his supplements, so his information may not be reliable. Also, coconut oil contains other antimicrobial fats and compounds not found in pure monolaurin. For example, lauric acid itself is antimicrobial.
Forms
Monolaurin is quite bitter. Supplements are available in capsule, pellets and powder. It is also available in a lip balm.
The richest food source of lauric acid is coconut oil (up to 50% lauric acid). It is also present in coconut milk, coconut water, and solid coconut. Your body can convert lauric acid into monolaurin. It is not known how much coconut must be consumed to receive enough monolaurin [38].
Lauric acid is mainly found in [59]:
- Coconut oil (50%)
- Coconut cream
- Coconut milk
- Human breast milk (12%)
- Goat and cow milk (contain only a small percentage of lauric acid)
Monolaurin vs. Lauricidin vs. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an edible oil harvested from the meat of mature coconuts (Cocos nucifera). Roughly 40 to 60% of coconut oil is comprised of lauric acid [38].
Monolaurin is the highly purified glycerol ester of lauric acid and is more biologically active than lauric acid [38].
Lauricidin is a commercially available product. It combines lauric acid from coconut oil with a plant-based glycerol (non-soy), creating the purified ester known as monolaurin [38].
User Reviews
Many holistic doctors report that they see improvement in clients’ overall sense of well-being. The improvement in energy is the most talked-about.
However, users complained about its bad taste. Also, some people did not experience any health benefits from monolaurin supplementation.
The opinions expressed in this section are solely those of the users who may or may not have medical or scientific training. Their reviews do not represent the opinions of SelfHacked. SelfHacked does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider user experiences as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on SelfHacked. We understand that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.
Takeaway
Monolaurin is a fat found in coconut oil and breast milk.
It’s used as a supplement, but no clinical studies on its health effects have been published to date.
Some scientsts believe that monolaurin may help fight microbes–including bacteria, yeast, and parasites–but their experiments are limited to cells and lab animals.
The scientist who discovered monolaurin markets it under the brand name Lauricidin. He recommends high doses that would be unattainable with coconut oil or other foods.
Although the side effects of monolaurin are unknown, people claimed to have experienced controversial “die-off reactions.”
All in all, monolaurin is likely safe in the amounts commonly found in food. However, there’s no valid evidence to support its use as a dietary supplement.
