Know Your Fats: The Complete Primer for Understanding the Nutrition of Fats, Oils, and Cholesterol written by Mary G. Enig, Ph.D., is filled with factual information on the role of fats and oils (lipids) in human health and disease. Dr. Enig is  an internationally known expert in the subject matter and an outspoken critic of the use of trans fatty acids. She was one of the first scientists to advocate for their inclusion in nutritional labeling and wrote the book well before the American Heart Association published guidelines concerning new dietary recommendations with an increased emphasis on omega-3 oils. Dr. Enig is a leading spokesperson for the Weston A. Price Foundation. 

HIV ReSources published Dr. Enig’s article, “The Rationale For Utilizing Lauric Acid-Rich Foods As Adjunct Therapy For Individuals Who Are HIV Positive” in the July/Aug 2001 HIV Nutrition Update. Her article notes the use of lauric acid monoglyceride, called monolaurin that can be formed in the body from the lauric acid found in certain foods, as an adjunct treatment for HIV-positive people. Dr. Enig reports that the provision of adequate lauric acid from dietary sources to HIV-positive people enhances the formation of monolaurin. The lauric acid portion of coconut products such as foods made of whole coconut, desiccated coconut (macaroons), coconut cream, coconut milk, and coconut oil provide the potential treatment benefit. Although they do not have the same potential for simple use in diets compared to coconut products, other lauric oils (palm kernel oil and babassu oil) provide the same benefit as coconut oil.
 
 

Dr. Enig notes 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). She reports that over the years, partially hydrogenated soybean and canola oils largely replaced lauric oils in the U.S. food supply.