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Monolaurin is a form of the fatty acid called lauric acid. It is found in human and coconut milk. In lab experiments, monolaurin has caused damage to a range of viruses, including HIV, herpes viruses and the bacteria that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea.
What do HIV-positive people use this supplement for?
To prevent and fight herpes outbreaks.
Results from lab experiments suggest that monolaurin damages the herpes simplex virus, the virus that causes herpes sores. In those same experiments, monolaurin also attacked cytomegalovirus — a virus belonging to the herpes family commonly known as CMV — and to a lesser extent, HIV. These observations suggest that monolaurin may be most useful at suppressing outbreaks of herpes. To this end, most people take monolaurin in the form of capsules.
To fight HIV?
Some people obtain high levels of lauric acid by eating coconut milk or cream. Anecdotal reports from the United States suggest that taking the equivalent of three to four tablespoons of coconut oil daily significantly reduces viral load. On the other hand, anecdotal reports from Canada suggest that when taken daily for two years, coconut milk had no impact on CD4+ cell decline or the appearance of AIDS-related infections.
To help speed recovery from bacterial infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Monolaurin has been shown to have anti-chlamydia and anti-gonorrhea effects in laboratory experiments involving cells. However, the effect of monolaurin in humans with these bacterial infections has not been documented in published studies.
Available forms and usage
Monolaurin is supplied in 300 milligram capsules and is sold in health food stores. According to anecdotal reports, people who use monolaurin generally take between three and four capsules daily. Lauric acid can also be obtained by drinking coconut milk or by adding coconut milk or cream to liquid supplements, soups and other dishes.
Cautions and concerns
The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes monolaurin as safe enough to use as a food additive. Some people taking monolaurin have experienced drowsiness so users may prefer to take the capsules at bedtime. Finally, since we are unable to find reports of controlled studies using monolaurin, we can’t be certain that monolaurin provides any clinical benefit.
References
Bergsson G, Arnfinnsson J, Karlsson SM et al. In vitro inactivation of Chlamydia trachomatis by fatty acids and monoglycerides. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1998;42(9):2290-2294.
Enig MG. Lauric oils as antimicrobial agents: theory of effect, scientific rationale, and dietary application as adjunct nutritional support for HIV-infected individuals. In: Watson RR ed., Nutrients and Foods in AIDS. New York: CRC Press, 1998.
Hamosh M, Peterson JA, Henderson TR, et al. Protective function of human milk: the milk fat globule. Seminars in Perinatology 1999;23(3):242-249.
Isaacs CE, Thormar H and Pessolano T. Membrane-disruptive effect of human milk: inactivation of enveloped viruses. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1986;154(6):966-971.
Isaacs CE, Kashyap S, Heird WC and Thormar H. Antiviral and antibacterial lipids in human milk and infant formula feeds. Archives of Disease in Childhood 1990;65(8):861-864.
Kristmundsdottir T, Arnadottir SG, Bergsson G and Thormar H. Development and evaluation of microbicidal hyrdrogels containing monoglyceride as the active ingredient. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 1999;88(10):1011-1015.
Thormar H, Isaccs CE, Brown HR, et al. Inactivatin of eveloped viruses and killing of cells by fatty acids and monoglycerides. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1987;31(1):27-31. |
