Monolaurin Research and UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)
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Monolaurin and
UTIs
What are Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs):
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bladder infections are caused by bacteria and can occur on both men and women, but is more common in women. Lower urinary tract infections are the most common, which effect the bladder and urethra. However, untreated UTIs can progress and move up the urinary system to impact the kidneys. UTIs should be diagnosed and treated to prevent spreading further complications or recurrences.
Symptoms of a UTI or Bladder Infection:
UTIs and bladder infections can cause a burning sensation during urination, an intense or sudden urge to urinate, pain in the abdomen, or cloudy / dark urine. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's best to see your doctor and seek treatment.
Traditional UTI Treatment Options:
Common treatments options for UTIs include antibiotics, which can help kill the bacteria contributing to the infection, but at the same time may destroy friendly gut flora. Regular use of antibiotics can also contribute to antibiotic resistance - an increasing concern amongst the medical community. Some homeopathic methods suggest taking cranberry juice or capsules may help treat or prevent a UTI, but the research is not conclusive. One research study which included 319 women with acute UTIs indicated that taking cranberry juice twice daily did not have a decrease in UTIs over six months (Ref #1).
Monolaurin Research and UTIs:
Monolaurin is a natural supplement derived from coconut oil and has been shown in laboratory studies to potentially express antibacterial properties. Since urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, eliminating the bacteria may help eliminate the infection. Read more about monolaurin benefits in the Essential Guide to Monolaurin.
Common types of bacterial which may cause a UTI or bladder infection include:
E. Coli
Candida albicans
Enterococcus faecalis
Monolaurin research suggests the compound may have an impact on these types of bacteria in laboratory settings:
1. E. Coli (Escherichia coli)
E. Coli is a gram-negative bacteria commonly associated with foodborne illness and food poisoning. This bacteria can be found in the large intestine and enter the urinary tract causing a UTI. Research suggests that monolaurin is effective in killing gram-negative bacteria and E. Coli (Ref #3).
“In cultures of both strains of E. coli treated with caprylic acid at 5 mg/ml, and in those of Cl. perfringens CCM 4435T treated with lauric acid at 1 mg/ml, or with its monoglyceride at 5 mg/ml, the transmission electron microscopy revealed damage of cytoplasmatic structures. In cells of Cl. perfringens the separation of inner and outer membranes was apparent, the integrity of the outer membrane, however, was maintained. It can be concluded that medium-chain fatty acids are more efficient antimicrobials than other, more polar organic acids tested.” (Ref #10)
Monolaurin may enter the cell membrane of E. Coli, thus disintegrating and killing the bacteria. (Ref # 4) Monolaurin my help with digestive problems caused by E. Coli, as well as urinary tract infections. Learn more about Monolaurin and E. Coli via the Insights article on Foodborne Bacteria.
2. Candida albicans
Candida albicans is a yeast which can cause yeast infections in women. It can also contribute to UTI and bladder infections. Multiple research studies have suggested monolaurin may have the ability to inactivate Candida in laboratory settings (Ref #5).
“The results show that capric acid, a 10-carbon saturated fatty acid, causes the fastest and most effective killing of all three strains of C. albicans tested, leaving the cytoplasm disorganized and shrunken because of a disrupted or disintegrated plasma membrane. Lauric acid, a 12-carbon saturated fatty acid, was the most active at lower concentrations and after a longer incubation time.” (Ref #5)
Monolaurin demonstrated impressive efficacy of destroying Candida in the lab - killing off over 90% of Candida within 15 minutes and completely eliminating the candida in 120 minutes (Ref #6).
“The kinetics of killing [Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ] results showed that the microemulsion killed over 90% yeast cells rapidly within 15 min and caused a complete loss of viability in 120 min. Among the components, glycerol monolaurate (GML) and sodium benzoate (SB) had a similar anti-yeast activity” (Ref #6)
One study suggests that monolaurin when combined with oregano oil may be helpful in addressing infections caused by Candida (Ref #7).
“Lauric acid, found largely in coconut and palm kernel oil, can form monolaurin in the body, a monoglyceride with high antimicrobial potential. We recently compared the antimicrobial efficacy of oregano oil and other essential oils as well as monolaurin in vitro by examining a fungus (C albicans) and many different bacteria using a microdilution method. Oregano oil, the most potent of the essential oils tested, and monolaurin proved cidal in culture to a variety of bacteria. However, only oregano, not monolaurin, is cidal to C. albicans. In vivo experiments in mice showed oregano oil and monolaurin, individually and combined, to be as effective as some antibiotics. Oregano oil and/or monolaurin could prove to be useful antimicrobial agents for prevention and therapy of a variety of dangerous infectious organisms under many different circumstances.” (Ref #7)
Learn more about Candida and monolaurin via the article Natural Support for Candida and Yeast Infections.
3. Enterococcus faecalis
Enterococcus faecalis is found in most healthy individuals, but can cause urinary tract infections (in addition to other infections like meningitis). Monolaurin has shown the ability in laboratory studies to inhibit the growth and production of E. faecalis biofilms (Ref #8)
“Both glycerol monolaurate (GML) and lauric acid were effective in inhibiting biofilm development as measured by decreased numbers of viable biofilm-associated bacteria as well as decreased biofilm biomass. Compared with lauric acid on a molar basis, GML represented a more effective inhibitor of biofilms formed by either S. aureus or E. faecalis.” (Ref #8)
Another study suggested monolaurin might overcome vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis strains in laboratory settings (Ref #9).
“We found that glycerol monolaurate (GML) suppresses growth of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis on plates with vancomycin and blocks the induction of vancomycin resistance, which involves a membrane-associated signal transduction mechanism, either at or before initiation of transcription. Given the surfactant nature of GML and the results of previous experiments, we suggest that GML blocks signal transduction.” (Ref #9)
Monolaurin has been shown in additional studies to not contribute to drug resistance nor negatively impact healthy gut bacteria. (Ref #11)
Conclusion
Urinary tract infections impact millions of people around the world, with many of these infections developing into chronic and recurring issues. The literature surrounding the potential health properties of monolaurin offer an interesting look at potential alternatives for supporting immune health in a more more natural or safe way. Monolaurin has been demonstrated in laboratory settings to potentially inactivate three of the most common bacteria and yeasts which can contribute to UTIs, may overcome antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, and might do so without harming healthy gut bacteria or contributing to antibiotic resistance.
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References:
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Ortega YR. Foodborne Diseases. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2008;14(7):1181. doi:10.3201/eid1407.080346.
Beuchat LA. Comparison of antiviral activities of potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and glycerol and sucrose esters of fatty acids. Appi. Environ. Microbiol. 39:1178, 1980
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Bergsson G, Arnfinnsson J, Steingrímsson O, and Thormar H. In Vitro Killing of Candida albicans by Fatty Acids and Monoglycerides. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 2001 November; 45(11): 3209–3212
Zhang H, Xu Y, Wu L, Zheng X, Zhu S, Feng F, Shen L. Anti-yeast activity of a food-grade dilution-stable microemulsion. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2010 July;87(3):1101-8
Preuss HG, Echard B, Zonosi RR. The potential for developing natural antibiotics: Examining oregano and monolaurin. Original Internist 2005;12:119–124
Hess DJ, Henry-Stanley MJ, Wells CL. The Natural Surfactant Glycerol Monolaurate Significantly Reduces Development of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis Biofilms. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2015 Oct;16(5):538-42. doi: 10.1089/sur.2014.162. Epub 2015 Jun 25.
Ruzin A, Novick RP. Glycerol monolaurate inhibits induction of vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecalis. Journal of Bacteriology. 1998 Jan; 180(1):182-5
Skrivanova, E., Marounek, M., Benda, V., & Brezina, P. (2006). Susceptibility of Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. and Clostridium perfringens to organic acids and monolaurin. VETERINARNI MEDICINA-PRAHA-, 51(3), 81.
Dibner J.J., Buttin P. (2002): Use of organic acids as a model to study the impact of gut microflora on nutrition and metabolism. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 11, 453–463.