No matter how one tries to deny it, there is a stigma associated with this disease. A person with aids (PWA’s) rarely comes out in the open because they are often feared and harshly judged.  Acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome or AIDS is a disease that is considered to be fatal as the cure is yet to be discovered. Latest studies though indicate that virgin coconut oil is probably the ultimate cure.

Human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. It attacks the immune system so a person with HIV becomes susceptible to almost all kinds of infections.  A person can be infected with the HIV virus for years before it develops into full blown AIDS. Once diagnosed with AIDS, a person is expected to live only for 3 years. This virus is usually transferred through sexual intercourse, sharing of needles, or any other blood exchange. A mother with HIV can also transmit the virus to her unborn child.

The Search for Cure

It was in the 1980’s when the ability of medium chain fatty acids like capric and lauric to fight HIV was first discovered. Antiviral drugs that are currently being prescribed fail to save lives and restore the health of Aids victim. Aside from the fact that the virus can develop resistance to these drugs, it also has lots of adverse side effects. Medium chain fatty acids is said to be a more effective cure as it attacks the virus in a different way than other drugs. Instead of targeting the genetic material of the virus, MCFA’s simply breaks the virus apart. The absorption of MCFAs by the virus weakens the lipid membrane of the virus and will eventually kill the virus. This mechanism of action makes it almost impossible for the virus to develop resistant strain to MCFAs.

Dr. Conrado Dayrit, a medical doctor from the Philippines did the first study on coconut oil for treating Aids patients. His study tested the effect of monolaurin and coconut oil in 14 HIV patients, ages ranging from 22-38. Four grams of monolaurin a day was given to four patients while five of them received 7.2 grams of monolaurin. The last group was given 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil per day. At the end of the study (six months), the viral count of nine patients decreased. Two of them were from the first group, four from the second, and three from the third group. Eleven of them showed health improvements. This research proves that monolaurin and coconut oil can be used to treat Aids patients.