Introduction
Most manufacturers of monolaurin would like people to take a lot of monolaurin every day, year round. We do not believe that is necessary for all people. However, much like vitamins, monolaurin is often taken daily to achieve optimal health. (While many studies support the benefits of monolaurin, we do not make any drug claims for monolaurin.)
We generally take a “maintenance” amount during most of the year of 1 scoop (1 tsp.) a day. When flu or infection danger is higher (flu season, traveling, nursery duty, etc.), we add a second scoop in the evening. At the very first hint of coming down with something, we move up to 3 scoops spread over the day.
The point is that the Monolaurin is a supplement – not a prescription! You take it when you feel you could use extra protection. (Summers are always lighter for us – unless we are traveling.)
Suggested Usage
Monolaurin comes in small, easy to take pellets. In fact, most say that taking the tiny pellets (about 75 in a tsp.) makes it much easier to swallow other supplement tabs and capsules. The small pellets may be placed in the hand, put in the mouth and washed down with any liquid.
Monolaurin is best taken with food. The extra digestive flow helps the digestion of monolaurin. The dose can be tapered off as symptoms decrease. Of course, you should always seek the advice of a physician if symptoms persist.
The DO’s:
• It is good to take Monolaurin in the smaller amounts briefly and build up to optimal health and self-healing for your situation.
• When air or ship traveling, you may need to increase your maintenance level.
• When faced with stress or “coming down with something,” it is also good to increase the levels.
• Many take Monolaurin, 1 scoop daily, for optimal health and self-healing, much like vitamins.
The Do-Nots:
• Do not chew the pellets (making it extra important to mix children’s pellets in soft non-chewing foods). There is no harm to chewing it, but the taste is bitter and long lasting.
• Do not melt monolaurin or put it in hot foods or liquids, like hot coffee, as a hot coating can stick in the mouth and throat!
• Do not take too much, too soon to avoid a Herxheimer reaction (more information below).
Suggested Servings:
For first time usage, it is good to slowly build up to the full amount you plan to use for the purpose you are using monolaurin for. This helps reduce the pathogen or viral load in your body. Remember, monolaurin has been shown to kill all pathogens (bad bacteria) and many viruses. It will start with the easiest to absorb and then continue onto the harder ones. This helps prevent a Herxheimer Reaction (below) and allows the liver and kidneys time to remove the dead cells.
For first time usage, then, before increasing to the suggested amounts below, it is best to start slowly with ½ scoop a day for a few days. Then increase the amount a half scoop every few days until you reach the amount desired below.
1. Adults: (A level blue scoop = 1 tsp.)
Maintenance Dosage – for ongoing general immune support:
Up to 125 pounds: ½+ scoop a day.
Over 125 pounds: 1 scoop a day.
Flu Season – (Your body absorbs monolaurin into your bloodstream over several hours. Thus, when constant exposure to illness is possible, it is best to take monolaurin in the morning and evening.)
Up to 125 pounds: ½+ scoop, 2x a day.
Over 125 pounds: 1 scoop, 2x a day.
Illness – at the First indication of an illness (monolaurin is more effective at the beginning), increase to:
Up to 140 pounds: 1 scoop, 2x a day.
Over 140 pounds: 1 scoop, 3x a day.
Internal Infections and Conditions: (HIV, MRSA, Herpes, Hepatitis, Lyme’s, CFS, etc.):
Follow the first time usage above if this is your first time using monolaurin.
After this, you can increase to 1 scoop in the morning, mid-day and evening for the duration. (Note the possible Herxheimer reactions below.) Heavier body weights or more serious conditions can continue up to 4 scoops spread through the day if desired. (More than 4 scoops a day generally does not add to effectiveness.)
A dietary supplement, like monolaurin, is best taken for at least six months or more before reducing the amount taken. It needs to be taken like vitamins – not just when you feel symptoms. The length of time for taking monolaurin is an individual response. Fortunately, Monolaurin is fairly inexpensive. Many people will continue taking a scoop a day for another 6 months as a general maintenance.
2. Young Children
They can also take Monolaurin at a reduced dose (since it is a natural nutrient). With such small pellets, they are easy to swallow and great immune support for kids.
Simply add 5 – 30 pellets (30 pellets = 1/3 scoop), depending on their weight, into something that is not chewed – such as applesauce or tapioca. As they get older, they can take the pellets directly.
Safety
A person could take a couple cups of coconut oil a day and about 3-4% of it would be converted to monolaurin and the other monoglycerides and receive the same results. However, our specially prepared Monolaurin formula gives you a 100% pure form. This only requires a few teaspoons to receive the same amount of highly biologically active monolaurin. (Any extra amount is simply used for caloric energy.)
The U.S. government has approved monolaurin as a food additive for over 20 years and it is included on the GRAS (“Generally Recognized As Safe”) list. Monolaurin is not an antibiotic that kills friendly bacteria! (Antibiotics kill friendly microorganisms along with the bad ones.) It is rare to find something that is toxic to the bad microbes and friendly to the good microbes – but that is what Monolaurin does! There is also no known interference with other drugs or supplements.
A Herxheimer Reaction: Monolaurin is very effective in killing the bad pathogen bacteria in our body (while not harming beneficial bacteria). In fact, it is so good at it that taking too much too soon can sometimes kill the bacteria (and some viruses) a little faster than your body can get rid of them. This can cause some mild chills, flu or allergic type symptoms. (Monolaurin is actually that good in its anti-bacterial ability!)
If this happens, simply cut back on the amount you are taking and give your body a little extra time to remove the dead pathogens. Then you can gradually increase your level of consumption. More Herx Information.
For more information about Monolaurin, see the: A-Z Index.