Lauric acid (Lauricidin and Monolaurin) is a 12-carbon medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) found naturally in human breast milk (6.2% of total fat) and coconut oil (47.5% by weight). Lauric acid was originally discovered when microbiologists studied human breast milk to determine the protective (antiviral and antibacterial) substances which protected the infants from microbial infections. Other fatty acids were also found to have antimicrobial actions but lauric acid was found to be the most active.

The esterification of lauric acid, that naturally occurs in our body, yields an amazing compound known as monolaurin (glycerol monolaurate). Monolaurin is a non-ionic surfactant¹, which possesses an even greater antiviral and antibacterial activity than its precursor, lauric acid. Monolaurin, when given orally, at therapeutic doses between 2,500 – 4,500 mg/day is generally well tolerated, with loose bowels as the only negative concern. Monolaurin has been studied at medical research centers, including the Center for Disease Control (CDC), because of its high antimicrobial (antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-yeast and antiprotozoal) activity. These studies have provided information about the antiviral and antibacterial mechanisms of monolaurin. Monolaurin was found to be effective against certain Lipid Coated Bacteria (LCBs) and Lipid Coated Viruses (LCVs) – enveloped DNA and RNA viruses.

¹Surfactant: Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension of a liquid, allowing easier spreading, and lowering of the interfacial tension between two liquids, or between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants may act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants.

Microorganisms Inactivated by Monolaurin/Lauricidin under Laboratory Conditions

My standard dosage is 1 scoop of Lauricidin 3x/day. To the Lauricidin, I will add specific nutraceuticals based on the patient’s individual needs.

Viruses

  • HIV type 1 (HIV-1)
  • Visna virus
  • Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 & HSV-2)
  • Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)
  • Measles virus
  • Rubella virus
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
  • Respiratory syncytial virus
  • Influenza virus
  • Dengue virus (Type 1-4)
  • Leukemia virus
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • Semliki Forest virus
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
  • Human papilloma virus (HPV)
  • Pneumovirus

Sadly, monolaurin had no effect on diseases caused by non-enveloped viruses such as polio virus, coxsackie virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, rhinovirus, and rotaviruses.

Bacteria

Gram-positive organisms

  • Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax)
  • Listeria monocytogenes
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Groups A, B, F & G streptococci
  • Streptococcus agalactiae
  • Mycobacteria
  • Clostridium perfringens

Gram-negative organisms

  • Chlamydia pneumonia
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
  • Mycoplasma pneumonia
  • Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Others bacteria can also be inactivated if a chelating agent, such as InterFase Plus, is concurrently used.

Yeasts. Fungi and Molds

  • Aspergillus Niger
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae
  • Ringworm or tinea (Trichophyton)
  • Malassezia (multiple species)
  • Penicillium citrinum
  • Torula (Candida utilis)

A number of protozoa like Giardia lamblia are also inactivated or killed by

The antiviral and antibacterial actions attributed to lauric acid (monolaurin/Lauricidin) are due to its ability to make soluble the lipids and phospholipids, in the protective envelope of these particular infective agents, causing the disintegration of the lipid envelope. Recent publications have shown that  lauric acid (monolaurin/Lauricidin) inhibit the replication of viruses by interrupting the communication and binding of the virus to host cells and thus preventing the uncoating of viruses necessary for replication and infection. Other studies have shown that monolaurin is able to remove all measurable infectivity by directly disintegrating the protective bacterial and viral lipid envelope. Binding of monolaurin to the viral envelope also makes the virus more susceptible to degradation by host defenses, heat, or ultraviolet light.