Quick answer: Monolaurin (glycerol monolaurate, or GML) is a monoglyceride: one molecule of lauric acid, a 12-carbon fatty acid, attached to glycerol. It is used as a dietary supplement and as a food ingredient. Lauricidin® is monolaurin in mini-pellets, based on Dr. Jon J. Kabara's research since 1966.
The chemistry in plain English
- Lauric acid is a 12-carbon (C12) fatty acid found in some plant oils and in milk fat.
- Glycerol is the three-carbon backbone that holds fatty acids in fats and oils.
- A triglyceride has three fatty acids on glycerol. That is what most dietary fat is.
- A monoglyceride has just one. Monolaurin is the monoglyceride of lauric acid.
Monolaurin is also found naturally in human breast milk. Mono- and diglycerides are listed by the FDA as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food.
Monolaurin vs. lauric acid
They are related but not the same. When you eat fats that contain lauric acid, digestion breaks them down, and only a small amount ends up as monolaurin. A monolaurin supplement provides the monoglyceride directly.
What research has studied
Monolaurin has been studied for decades, mostly in the laboratory:
- Laboratory studies (in test tubes) beginning with Dr. Kabara's 1972 work examined how fatty acids and their monoglycerides interact with the outer membranes of microbes. Lab results describe what happens in a dish, not in the body.
- Animal studies, such as mouse studies of gut bacteria, are early and do not translate directly to people.
- Human research on monolaurin supplements is limited.
That is why we describe Lauricidin® carefully: it supports immune health* as part of a daily routine.
How people use it
Most people take Lauricidin® daily with a meal, starting with a small amount and building up gradually. Follow the label: a full blue scoop (about 1 teaspoon) is about 3,000 mg, and the label allows up to 3 scoops (9,000 mg) a day. Swallow the pellets whole with a cool drink; do not chew them. See how to take monolaurin.
A short history
Dr. Jon J. Kabara began researching lauric acid and monoglycerides in 1966 at the University of Detroit, and his 1972 paper on fatty acids and their derivatives is still widely cited. Lauricidin® is made by Med-Chem Labs, the family-owned company that carries on his work.
Frequently asked questions
Is monolaurin the same as lauric acid?
No. Lauric acid is a fatty acid. Monolaurin is lauric acid attached to glycerol, a monoglyceride.
Is monolaurin natural?
Yes, monolaurin occurs naturally, including in human breast milk. Supplements like Lauricidin® provide it in a measured amount.
Is monolaurin safe?
Mono- and diglycerides are GRAS food ingredients. As with any supplement, follow the label and check with your doctor if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a condition.
Related reading
- Coconut Oil vs. Monolaurin: Is Lauric Acid Enough?
- MCT Oil vs. Lauricidin®: Understanding the Differences and Benefits
- Monolaurin: Uses, Benefits & What to Know Before You Buy
Sources
- Kabara JJ, Swieczkowski DM, Conley AJ, Truant JP. Fatty acids and derivatives as antimicrobial agents. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1972;2(1):23-28. Laboratory study. PubMed 4670656
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 184.1505, Mono- and diglycerides (GRAS food ingredient). eCFR
- Zhao M, et al. Modulation of the gut microbiota during high-dose glycerol monolaurate-mediated amelioration of obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet. mBio. 2020;11(2):e00190-20. Animal (mouse) study. PubMed 32265324
Now that you know what monolaurin is, try the original.
Lauricidin® is monolaurin in mini-pellets you swallow whole: one ingredient, no added fillers, from the research of Dr. Jon J. Kabara since 1966.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
