What is Monolaurin?
Antibacterial Effects
For the purpose of this article, what I am interested in discussing are the dietary supplement properties of Monolaurin. Monolaurin is created from lauric acid and glycerin. Naturally, you can find Monolaurin in coconut milk. For two decades, scientists and researchers have been studying the usage and effects of Monolaurin. In a 2013 study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, it’s been shown that Monolaurin is effective both in vitro and in living mice against Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) bacteria, which as you might have know is quite resistant against most antibiotics. In addition to being antibacterial, Monolaurin has also been shown to have antiviral and antifungal properties. In my opinion, it sounds too good to be true! So I decided to do more research…
Antiviral Effects
In this one study, it’s reported that Monolaurin is partially responsible for deactivating some of the following viruses:
- HIV
- Measles
- Herpes Simplex 1 (hsv 1)
- Vesicular Stomatitis
- Visna Virus
- Cytomegalovirus
Based on what I found, most folks are taking Monolaurin to either prevent or shorten the length of Herpes outbreak. Some users are claiming that it shortens their outbreak by 50%, while others have said that it didn’t work for them.
Antifungal Effects
Although I cannot find any definitive research or study, it’s been shown that Monolaurin is effective in deactivating some family of fungi, yeast, protozoa, ringworm, and candida albicans.
Usage for Monolaurin
Through my research, I wasn’t able to find an established therapeutic dosage for Monolaurin. However, in this one website, it mentioned that caution should be taken if your dosage exceeds 6 grams/day. For this review, I have been taking 600mg per day religiously. It is recommended that you take with meals, but not required. I have taken Monolaurin with an empty stomach with no side effects.
Monolaurin Review
Full disclaimer, I have been taking Monolaurin since June of 2017. I discovered Monolaurin while I was researching ways to boost my immune system and preventing the yearly flu that most folks get. This is the brand that I use, Ecological Formulas Monolaurin Capsules, 600 mg, 90 Count, and is sold on Amazon. I usually get 2 bottles at a time since I use Monolaurin religiously. As of this writing, there are no additional savings to buy multiple bottles. The cost per pill stays the same if you buy one bottle vs multiple bottles.
Although I can’t vouch for the efficacy of other bacterias and viruses such as Herpes and/or Staph, what I can say is that I haven’t been sick since I started taking Monolaurin. On the bottle, the instruction is to start with one pill per day and slowly ramp up to three pills per day preferably one after every meal. The instruction also mentioned that you might feel nauseous or light-headed as you start to ramp up on Monolaurin. From my experience, I started taking one a day and quickly ramp up to three a day with no side effects. I personally would still recommend that you follow the dosage instruction as everyone’s biochemistry is different.
Overall, if you’re looking for alternatives to boost your immune system, I would recommend you include Monolaurin in your daily supplement regime.
