Monolaurin: Antiviral Protocol for ME/CFS
Monolaurin Benefits
Monolaurin is a monoglyceride, a compound formed when glycerol is combined with lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty (MCT) acid that is found abundantly in coconut oil and, to a lesser extent, in palm kernel oil and human breast milk. Monolaurin is the form that lauric acid takes when it is metabolized in the body. This transformation significantly enhances its biological activity, especially in terms of its antimicrobial properties.
Monolaurin’s chemical structure allows it to disrupt the lipid membranes (cell membranes or cell walls) of various microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, making it a powerful agent for supporting the immune system.
How Does Monolaurin Kill Viruses?
Generally, what sets viruses apart is whether they have a fat (lipid) bilayer membrane on the outside (enveloped viruses) or lack one (non-enveloped viruses). Examples of enveloped viruses include influenza, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpes virus (HHV6), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2).1
As a counter-example, Parvovirus B19 is non-enveloped.1 This virus has also been implicated in ME/CFS onset and progression.
Enveloped viruses are more susceptible to heat and dryness than non-enveloped viruses.1 Perhaps, this is a means by which regular sauna use can beat back enveloped viruses.
Monolaurin has been shown to poke holes in the cell membranes of enveloped viruses. This results in leakage and complete disintegration of the envelope and the viral particles. The viral cells are then destroyed and die off. Cleared away by our immune cell clean-up crew.1
An interesting study of healthcare workers in Italy at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic determined that those with the highest levels of monolaurin were less likely to become infected.2
Natural Sources of Monolaurin
The most significant natural source of lauric acid, and consequently monolaurin, is coconut oil. Coconut oil contains about 50% lauric acid, making it an excellent source for deriving monolaurin. However, to obtain therapeutic levels of monolaurin, one would need to consume large quantities of coconut oil, which isn’t always practical or advisable due to its high caloric content. Some suggest it may be upwards of 100-300mL of coconut oil per day to achieve therapeutic levels of monolaurin. Said another way, you would need to take 6.5 teaspoons (32 mL) of coconut oil to achieve the amount of monolaurin in one 600mg capsule. Impractical!
Coconut Oil: The richest natural source of lauric acid, used to produce monolaurin.
Palm Kernel Oil: Another source, though less common and with a lower lauric acid content.
Human Breast Milk: Contains lauric acid, providing infants with natural protection against infections during early development.
In a 2024 randomized controlled trial of hospitalized COVID-19 infected patients were given 3 tablespoons (44 mL) per day of coconut oil (this contained 47.96% lauric acid). However, this provided no clear benefit to the virus progression and made no changes in inflammatory markers.3 Simply consuming coconut oil is not practical nor effective for a therapeutic antiviral approach. Only a highly concentrated monolaurin supplement makes sense.
Studies using Monolaurin
Despite knowing the antimicrobial effects of monolaurin since the 1980s, studies to explore these effects have relied primarily on coconut oil. There are few to zero peer-reviewed studies using monolaurin as a supplement in humans. However, there are several studies using pigs as models. Pigs are excellent models for studying human health and diseases because their body structure and functions are similar to humans, and their genes are much closer to ours than mice.
One study showed monolaurin supplementation in pigs infected with the encapsulated virus (PDEV)—which is a coronavirus family virus—inhibited the virus from replicating and stimulated the interferon pathway.4-5 The interferon pathway is a defense mechanism where cells produce proteins called interferons that help stop viruses from spreading by signaling other cells to boost their antiviral defenses.
In another study of piglets, supplementing the diet with monolaurin decreased systemic inflammation and improved intestinal permeability. The gut microflora composition was also affected, with fewer “bad” bacteria.6
Using Monolaurin for Chronic Infections in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Antiviral drugs commonly prescribed for ME/CFS have shown limited effectiveness. It follows that alternatives to these medications should be considered to tackle the chronic infections common to the condition, particularly Epstein Barr (EBV).
Monolaurin’s significance lies in its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. It has been studied for its ability to inactivate a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, without harming beneficial gut flora. This makes it a valuable tool in supporting immune health and protecting against infections in ME/CFS. It is one I successfully take myself when I feel viral reactivation and one I’ve recommended to other patients for years. Some die-off reaction is likely. One may start with a low dose and gradually increase to roughly 3g per day. Up to 9g of monolaurin per day is the maximum dose but rarely needed.
One suggested protocol for using monolaurin for chronic infections goes as follows:
Week 1: 1 capsule (500-600mg monolaurin) with food, twice per day
Week 2: 2 capsules, twice per day
Week 3: 3 capsules, twice per day
Week 4 and beyond: 2 capsules twice per day
References
1. Thormar H, Isaacs CE, Brown HR, Barshatzky MR, Pessolano T. Inactivation of enveloped viruses and killing of cells by fatty acids and monoglycerides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1987;31(1):27-31. doi:10.1128/AAC.31.1.27
2. Barberis E, Amede E, Tavecchia M, et al. Understanding protection from SARS-CoV-2 using metabolomics. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):13796. Published 2021 Jul 5. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-93260-2
3. Alejandria MM, Dalmacio LMM, Climacosa FMM, et al. Virgin Coconut Oil as Adjunctive Therapy for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in a Tertiary Referral Hospital: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Acta Med Philipp. 2024;58(8):31-41. Published 2024 May 15. doi:10.47895/amp.vi0.7498
4. Liu Z, Zhu L, Zhao X, et al. Effects of oral of administration of monoglycide laurate on virus load and inflammation in PEDV infected porcine. Front Vet Sci. 2022;9:980381. Published 2022 Oct 13. doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.980381
5. Zhang Q, Yi D, Ji C, et al. Monolaurin Confers a Protective Effect Against Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Infection in Piglets by Regulating the Interferon Pathway. Front Immunol. 2022;12:797476. Published 2022 Jan 13. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.797476
6. Wei K, Yang X, Zhao H, Chen H, Bei W. Effects of combined application of benzoic acid and 1-monolaurin on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut microbiome and inflammatory factor levels in weaned piglets. Porcine Health Manag. 2023;9(1):46. Published 2023 Oct 19. doi:10.1186/s40813-023-00339-5
