Lauricidin® vs Coconut Oil

The Million Dollar Question—Does coconut oil have antimicrobial properties?

Coconut oil is one of nature's highest sources of lauric acid. It's reported to contain up to 40-50%. Another natural source of lauric acid is found in mother's milk. So, if you eat coconut oil, are you getting the same immune-boosting effects that mother's milk has proven to give babies? All this discussion about coconut oil having antiviral and antibacterial properties started with the research of Dr. Jon J. Kabara.

The Answer

Unfortunately, these discussions has been started and continue on the Internet by scientists who have not done any original research in this area. Remember what Vladimir Lenin said “A lie told often enough becomes truth”. And so it is with the disinformation found on the Internet on this subject.

Dr. Kabara's research showed that in order to have antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties, the fat in coconut oil and mother's milk has to be broken down into free fatty acids and monoglycerides BEFORE you digest them.

THE FATS IN COCONUT OIL AND MOTHER’S MILK ARE PER SE NOT ANTIMICROBIAL

When babies get mother's milk, the milk contains an enzyme that breaks down the fat into free fatty acids and monoglycerides prior to infant digestion. Coconut oil does not contain this enzyme and therefore little if any monoglycerides are absorbed as such into the body.

Current data shows that if your body does convert virgin coconut oil (VCNO) into monolaurin, you might get less than 1% monolaurin.

Dr. Kabara believes that you need a minimum of 3-9 grams per day of the pure monolaurin (Lauricidin®) to have any health benefits. This is approximately equal to 300 to 900 grams of coconut oil per day. This is a gigantic amount and you'll probably get sick or diarrhea from this much coconut oil.

Using modest amounts of coconut oil to eat, cook or bake is healthy because of its low calories per gram, but the jury is still out on it's role as an effective antiviral when eaten.