How Does Monolaurin Kill Viruses?

Coconut oil contains monolaurin, which has been linked to potent antiviral and antifungal effects. But how does monolaurin kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi?

Discover how monolaurin can inhibit the growth and replication of microbes and learn how to use it to lower the risk of infections.

What is monolaurin?

Monolaurin is a naturally occurring compound that belongs to a class of chemicals known as monoglycerides. It’s derived from lauric acid, a medium-chain-fatty acid found abundantly in coconut oil and human breast milk.

Although monolaurin can be extracted from natural sources, many dietary supplements contain chemically synthesized monolaurin, created by reacting lauric acid with glycerol or glycerin. 

“Certain fatty acids and monoglycerides, including lauric acid and monolaurin, are powerful antimicrobial agents,” explains Dr. Berg. “Virgin coconut oil has been used as a medicinal food to manage and prevent viral and bacterial infections for hundreds of years.” 

In addition, monolaurin is a natural preservative that can play a role in food safety. Because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties, monolaurin inhibits the growth of certain microbes linked to food-borne illnesses. 

Watch the video below to learn why monolaurin is one of the best remedies for viral infections. 

How does monolaurin work?

Monolaurin is classified as a monoglyceride, a simple lipid that readily attaches to other lipid structures, including the membrane surrounding viruses. 

By binding to lipid-enveloped viruses, monolaurin directly inhibits the normal functioning of viral particles. This disruption can prevent the virus from entering host cells and replicating, ultimately inhibiting its ability to spread and cause infection.

In addition, monolaurin has been found to enhance the immune response against enveloped RNA and DNA viruses. These types of viruses are responsible for various infectious diseases, including respiratory infections, sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis, and some types of cancers.   

Benefits of monolaurin

Monolaurin is considered a natural remedy within the realm of alternative medicine, where it’s valued for its potential antimicrobial properties and immune-supporting effects.

In addition to its impressive antiviral effects, monolaurin displays potent antimicrobial properties that are effective against various other pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. 

Here’s a summary of the antimicrobial benefits of monolaurin.   

Antiviral

The antiviral effects of monolaurin have been extensively researched. 

According to a study published in Food Research, monolaurin has demonstrated potent antiviral properties against various classes of viruses, including:

• Herpes simplex virus 

• Influenza virus 

• Avian influenza virus

• Arbovirus (yellow fever)

• Coronavirus

• Zika virus 

Much of this research has focused on monolaurin’s in vitro effects, meaning that it's been studied in laboratory settings rather than in living organisms. However, this data does provide valuable insights into monolaurin's antiviral potential. 

Interestingly, research published in the Journal of Nutritional Science found that the consumption of coconut oil, a rich source of monolaurin, supported rapid relief of COVID-19 symptoms.  

The authors concluded, “This study bolsters the use of coconut oil as an effective adjunct therapy for COVID-19-positive patients showing mild-to-moderate symptoms.”

Antibacterial

In addition to its antiviral properties, monolaurin has also been found to be a highly effective natural remedy to manage and prevent bacterial infections.

Because monolaurin is a lipid structure, it can bind to and interact with the cell membrane of bacteria. This can puncture bacterial cell walls, leading to leaks and loss of cellular functionality, eventually triggering bacterial cell death. 

Data published by the American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) found that monolaurin compounds were effective at inhibiting various strains of gram-positive bacteria, a group of microbes associated with a wide range of infectious diseases. 

Gram-positive bacteria include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Salmonella, and Clostridium. These harmful microbes are known for causing a wide range of infections in humans, such as pneumonia, skin infections, food poisoning, and diarrhea.       

Monolaurin may also benefit oral and gastrointestinal health if used topically as a mouthwash. 

A study published in the Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology found that a monolaurin-containing oral rinse effectively eradicated Helicobacter pylori. This bacterial strain is linked to inflammation of the stomach lining, ulcers, and stomach cancer.

Antifungal

Similarly to its antiviral and antibacterial activity, monolaurin can disrupt the cell membranes of fungi, which inhibits fungal growth and triggers cell death.

In addition, monolaurin has been found to strengthen the immune system by enhancing the ability of immune cells to detect and destroy infectious yeast and fungal species.      

Research published in Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin suggests that monolaurin is effective in the prevention and management of Candida albicans, a fungal species linked to oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections.   

Monolaurins' potent antimicrobial properties may explain why topical coconut oil application has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to manage fungal skin infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm.

Sources of monolaurin

Monolaurin is derived through the enzymatic conversion of lauric acid, which is naturally abundant in coconut oil and breast milk. 

Research published in ChemBioEng Reviews suggests that lauric acid comprises around 50 percent of the fatty acids in extra virgin coconut oil, making it one of the best dietary sources of monolaurin. 

Certain fermented foods, such as yogurt and cheese, can also contain monolaurin. However, these foods typically don’t provide enough monolaurin to have significant therapeutic effects. 

In addition, monolaurin is available as a dietary supplement typically produced by extracting and purifying monolaurin from natural sources rich in lauric acid, such as coconut oil.

Dosage

The best monolaurin dosage depends on its intended use, your overall health status, and the specific formulation of the supplement.

If you are taking monolaurin as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of microbial infections, a typical dosage ranges between 300 and 600 milligrams daily.

However, short periods of significantly higher monolaurin dosages of up to 1,800 milligrams per day may be necessary to manage acute infections. 

It’s also advised to start with a lower dose and gradually increase monolaurin intake to minimize the risk of side effects such as gastrointestinal issues and sensitivities.   

Although monolaurin is generally well tolerated, it can interact with certain drugs, including blood thinners. If you are taking prescription medications or have underlying health issues, it’s vital to consult a healthcare provider to discuss the use of monolaurin. 

Key takeaways

Coconut oil and breastmilk, rich in monolaurin sources, have potent antimicrobial properties, but how does monolaurin kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi?

Monolaurin can directly bind to microbial cell membranes, interfering with their ability to replicate, inhibiting normal cellular function, and eventually triggering cell death. 

Monolaurin may help prevent and manage microbial infections, including the common cold, pneumonia, fungal skin infections, food poisoning, and athlete's foot. 

FAQ

1. How does monolaurin kill viruses and bacteria?

Monolaurin can readily bind to the cell membrane surrounding bacteria and the virus envelope, which encapsulates the genetic material and cellular organelles of viral microbes. 

This binding can pierce cell walls, triggering leakage, loss of function, and potentially microbial cell death. 

2. Does monolaurin kill good bacteria in the gut?

Data suggest that monolaurin has no adverse effects on the beneficial bacteria in the gut and primarily targets pathogenic microbes linked to infectious diseases.

However, the long-term impact of monolaurin on intestinal microflora hasn't been established yet, and it’s recommended to avoid taking high doses of monolaurin for prolonged periods.   

3. How long does it take for monolaurin to work?

How long it takes for monolaurin to work depends on its intended use, the formulation of the specific supplement, and your overall health status.

While some individuals notice mild infection-related symptoms improve within a day or two, others may need up to two weeks of consistent monolaurin use to manage more severe infections.    

4. Is monolaurin bad for your liver?

When taken in appropriate dosages, monolaurin doesn’t appear to adversely affect liver health. 

However, prolonged intake of excessive monolaurin doses can affect liver function in some individuals. It's crucial to carefully follow the dosage recommendations of the monolaurin supplement you plan to use and consult with a healthcare provider if you have underlying liver issues. 

5. What are the best natural sources of monolaurin?

The best natural sources of monolaurin include coconut oil and breastmilk. Monolaurin is derived through enzymatic conversion of lauric acid, which comprises around 50 percent of the fatty acids in coconut oil. 

Extra virgin coconut oil is considered one of the best natural sources of monolaurin and can be used orally and topically to help prevent and manage infections.

Sources

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346748133 

2. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-nutritional-science/article/ 

3. https://www.aocs.org/stay-informed/inform-magazine/featured-articles/

4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25179088/

5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4924139/ 

6. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21969744