Wednesday, May 30, 2007

ANTIVIRAL & ANTIMCROBIAL ACTION of VIRGIN COCONUT OIL

ANTIVIRAL & ANTIMCROBIAL ACTION of VIRGIN COCONUT OIL

Lipid Coated Viruses (LCVs) and Bacteria (LCBs) - Some of the microorganisms inactivated by the lauric acid monoglycerides are listed in the table below. Many of the pathogenic organisms reported to be inactivated by these antimicrobial lipids are those known to be responsible for opportunistic infections in HIV-positive individuals. For example, concurrent infection with cytomegalovirus is recognized as a serious complication for HIV+ individuals.

The properties that determine the anti-infective action of these lipids are related to their structure; e.g., monoglycerides, free fatty acids. The monoglycerides are active, diglycerides and triglycerides are inactive. Of the saturated fatty acids, lauric acid has greater antiviral activity than either caprylic acid (C-8), capric acid (C-10) or myristic acid (C-14) for these viruses.

The antiviral action attributed to monolaurin is that of solubilizing the lipids and phospholipids in the envelope of the virus causing the disintegration of the virus envelope. In effect, it is reported that the fatty acids and monoglycerides produce their killing/inactivating effect by lysing the (lipid bilayer) plasma membrane. However, there is evidence from some recent studies that one antimicrobial effect of monolaurin is related to its interference with signal transduction in cell replication.

THE MIRACLE of VIRGIN COCONUT OIL INGREDIENT

Breast milk is jam-packed with nutrients and disease-fighting ingredients that help keep babies healthy.

Incredibly, virgin coconut oil contains one of the same compounds – lauric acid – found in mother’s milk and lauric acid is the predominant type of MCFA found in virgin coconut oil. Fortunately for our health, lauric acid in both breast milk and virgin coconut oil transforms when consumed into a substance called monolaurin, the actual compound responsible for helping to strengthen the immune system

Researchers found was that this medium-chain fatty acid derivative actually disrupts the lipid (or fatty) membranes of the offending organisms. The lauric acid in virgin coconut oil is one effortless way to help strengthen your immune system.

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