Coconut oil is a particularly rich source of Lauric Acid (aka monolaurin aka laurate). Lauric acid is a 12 carbon fat that has been shown to interfere with the reproduction of:

• Vesicular Stomatitis Virus PMID:8113756 (cache)
• Junin Virus 11402863 (cache)
• Herpes Simplex Virus PMID:10514348 (cache)
• Bovine Enterovirus PMID:2172446 (cache)
• Cytomegalovirus PMID:10933257 (cache)

According to the study on Bovine enterovirus, in the presence of lauric acid: "Fatty acid-bound virions attach to susceptible cells but fail to undergo cell-mediated uncoating." Lauric acid is not effective against poliovirus, coxsackievirus, encephalomyocarditis virus and human rhinovirus 1B. This and other research suggests that lauric acid and other medium chain fatty acids can inhibit most enveloped viruses. PMID:8030973 (cache) While coconut oil has not been tested for controlling H5N1 or other influenza infections, adding coconut oil to one's diet seems reasonable and may be of benefit.



The typical refined coconut oil contains about 50% lauric acid. It also contains 5-10% of caprylic and capric acids, which also have antiviral properties, and about 20% myristic acid.

Lauric and caprylic acid compounds have been shown to be effective in disinfecting enveloped viruses in immunoglobins and other blood products, although this is in much higher concentrations than would be possible via dietary means. Again, the mechanism is by altering the virus envelope or coating. PMID:12127317 (cache)

While coconut oil can be purchased as a supplement, the most economical route is to purchase coconut oil or canned coconut milk at a grocery or Asian grocery.

There is some evidence that a diet high in coconut oil can increase risk factors for heart disease, although the studies of large populations in India have shown inconsistent results suggesting that the effects of coconut oil are influenced by other dietary factors. Lab studies have shown that NAC and cysteine compounds in Garlic can block the increase in cholesterol and triglycerides seen when mice are fed large amounts of coconut oil. PMID:15669759 (cache)

Coconut oil is absorbed through the skin in nutritionally significant amounts, making this potential treatement of interest in cases where a person is unable to eat or hold down food or medicine. A number of studies have shown that in premature infants, massage with coconut oil leads to weight gain and an increase in coconut oil chemicals in the blood, while mineral oil massage and dry massage did not result in weight gain or an increase in coconut fats in the blood. PMID:16208048 (cache) PMID:16269830 (cache)

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