In this article, we’ll cover the following:
- Health Benefits of Lauric Acid in Coconut Oil
- Lauric acid and coconut oil’s other components work together to fight against or help heal
- How to reap lauric acid’s benefits?
Lauric acid and coconut oil have been linked since day one. It’s one of coconut oil’s essential components. The lauric acid plays a significant role in delivering most health benefits of coconut oil as it contains most germ-killing and disinfectant agents. It’s a healthy saturated fat because it belongs to the medium-chain triglycerides and capric and caprylic acids. Pure coconut oil contains about 50% of lauric acid.
You can’t directly ingest lauric acid as there’s no available lauric acid on the market.
When consumed in our body, Lauric acid is converted into monolaurin. Monolaurin is a monoglyceride component that produces agents that fight against viruses, bacteria, fungi, microbes, and protozoa. It works by distracting the lipid membranes in the mentioned organism, which could lead to several infections. Another source of monolaurin is a mother’s breast milk.
Yes, it’s a fatty acid. However, since the liver immediately processes it, it doesn’t get stored in our body. It then speeds up the fat-burning process and converts it to energy.
Health Benefits of Lauric Acid in Coconut Oil
Lauric acid and coconut have been linked with weight loss for some time. A study tested regular consumption of lauric acid leads to fewer calorie intake and better metabolism in its subjects. It can also help regulate one’s blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
The lauric acid in coconut oil can even aid in maintaining healthy teeth through oil pulling. It kills the bacteria on a decayed tooth and prevents it from affecting other teeth.
As mentioned earlier, lauric acid contains antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties so that it can strengthen our immune system. One good thing about lauric acid is that it’s non-toxic. It isn’t made from chemicals that could give us adverse reactions.
Lauric acid and coconut oil’s other components work together to fight against or help heal:
- Herpes
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Flu
- Swine
- Ringworm
- Athlete’s foot
- Warts
- Yeast infection
- Chlamydia
- Jock itch
- Common cold
- Relieve joint pains
- Measles
- Hepatitis C
How to reap lauric acid’s benefits?
You can typically ingest or apply it directly to your skin to get the most of lauric acid’s benefits. Or you can use it for cooking or mix it with your favorite beverages.
There’s no relatively solid dosage of lauric acid that a person should take. But a coconut oil expert, Dr. Mary G. Enig, suggested that adults and growing children take about 10 to 12 grams of lauric acid daily. It’s important to note that a tablespoon of coconut oil contains about 2 grams of lauric acid.
As mothers best produce lauric acid with breast milk, it seems impossible to have the required amount of lauric acid. Good thing we have coconut oil! It’s the second-best source of lauric acid (48-50%). With regular coconut oil, you can surely attain all the benefits lauric acid is ready to offer you.
Lauric acid and other components in coconut oil can benefit your health. So, be wise and keep a jar of coconut oil in your home. Search for several uses of coconut oil, and you might find it effective.