Home Supplement-Knowledge-Base Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)
 

Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)

This article provides general nutrition information only and is not medical advice.

Overview

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are partially man-made fats. The name refers to the way the carbon atoms are arranged in their chemical structure. MCTs are generally made by processing coconut and palm kernel oils in the laboratory. Usual dietary fats, by comparison, are long-chain triglycerides. People use MCTs as medicine.

Some people take MCTs by mouth along with usual medications for treating food absorption imbalances including diarrhea, steatorrhea (fat indigestion), celiac condition, liver condition, and digestion problems due to partial surgical removal of the stomach (gastrectomy) or the intestine (short bowel syndrome).

MCTs are also taken by mouth for "milky urine" (chyluria) and a rare lung condition called chylothorax. Other uses include nutritional support of gallbladder condition, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's condition, and seizures in children.

Athletes sometimes take MCTs by mouth for nutritional support during training, to increase exercise performance, for decreasing body fat and increasing lean muscle mass, and for weight loss.

MCTs are also sometimes taken by mouth to reduce levels of lipid balance and other fats in the blood called triglycerides. They might also be used for diabetes. In older people, MCTs are used to increase muscle mass and strength. They are also used for a rare condition called Waldmann condition.

MCTs are sometimes used as a source of fat in total parenteral nutrition (TPN). In TPN, all food is delivered intravenously (by IV). This type of feeding is necessary in people whose gastrointestinal (GI) tract is no longer working.

Intravenous MCTs are also given to prevent muscle breakdown in critically ill patients.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Man-made fats

Primary Functions:

Diarrhea, steatorrhea, celiac condition

Also Known As:

Acide Laurique, Capric Acid, Caproic Acid

How Does It Work?

MCTs are a fat source for patients who cannot tolerate other types of fats. Researchers also think that these fats produce chemicals in the body that might help fight Alzheimer's condition. These fats might also result in weight loss because the body uses them in a different way to other types of fats.

Uses

  • Preventing muscle breakdown in critically ill patients, when given intravenously (by IV). MCTs can provide calories in critically ill patients, but don't seem to offer any advantages over normal dietary fats (long chain triglycerides).
  • Certain types of seizures in children. Some research shows that taking MCTs by mouth can reduce some types of seizures such as akinetic, clonic, and petit mal.
  • A rare condition called Waldmann condition. Following a low-fat, high-protein diet and supplementing with MCTs seems to reduce concerns in patients with Waldmann condition.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY IV:

  • For preventing muscle breakdown in critically ill patients: As a fat source for people who receive all their food intravenously (by IV): a fat mixture containing 50% MCTs and 50% long chain triglycerides (usual dietary fats) is commonly used in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) formulas.

CHILDREN

BY MOUTH:

  • For improving seizure control: MCT oil is used as 60% of the calories eaten.

Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What are medium chain triglycerides good for?

Athletes sometimes take MCTs by mouth for nutritional support during training, to increase exercise performance, for decreasing body fat and increasing lean muscle mass, and for weight loss. MCTs are also sometimes taken by mouth to reduce levels of lipid balance and other fats in the blood called triglycerides.

What are medium chain triglycerides foods?

Here's a quick list of foods that contain MCTs, shown as a percentage of total fats:

  • Coconut oil: 15%
  • Palm kernel oil: 7.9%
  • Cheese: 7.3%
  • Butter: 6.8%
  • Milk: 6.9%
  • Yogurt: 6.6%

What is the highest quality MCT oil?

  • Best Overall: Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil.
  • Best Overall Runner-Up: Kiss My Keto MCT Oil Brain Fuel.
  • Best Budget: Nature's Way Organic MCT Oil.
  • Best Budget Runner-Up: Dr.
  • Best Flavorless: Natural Force 100% Pure Coconut MCT Oil.
  • Best Hexane-Free: Garden of Life Dr.
  • Best Powder: Perfect Keto MCT Oil Powder Unflavored.

Is MCT oil good for pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition, and antioxidants may help reduce physical strain. Lean meats can help people with pancreatitis meet their protein needs. For people with chronic pancreatitis, adding MCTs to their diet may improve nutrient absorption. People often consume MCTs in supplement form as MCT oil.

Is medium chain triglycerides bad for you?

But despite that saturated fat is known to raise lipid balance levels, linked with heart condition risk, proponents believe that some saturated fats in coconut oil (called medium-chain triglycerides) are less harmful and may actually raise levels of beneficial HDL lipid balance.

Is MCT oil bad for your liver?

High Doses Could Lead to Fat Buildup in the Liver

High doses of MCT oil may increase the amount of fat in your liver in the long term. One 12-week study in mice found that a diet in which 50% of the fats were MCTs increased liver fat.

Why does MCT oil make you poop?

MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) oil — Not only can it help with ketosis and fat burning, but it also aids in constipation due to rapid absorption.

Do avocados have MCT?

M.C.T. stands for “medium chain triglycerides,” (triglyceride = fat). Unlike short-chain and long-chain fatty acids (like those found in avocados and olive oil), certain types of medium-chain fatty acids – caproic acid (C6), caprylic acid (C8), and capric acid (C10) – don't need to be digested by your stomach.

Is MCT oil bad for your heart?

Summary MCT oil may reduce heart condition risk factors such as weight, lipid balance and physical strain. Adding it to your diet could help lower your risk of heart condition.

Does MCT Oil reduce belly fat?

The same study also discovered a lower rise in triglycerides and glucose with MCT oil, which may also influence the feeling of fullness. Additionally, taking MCT oil has been shown to significantly reduce body weight and waist circumference. Researchers even report that it could help prevent obesity.

Is MCT oil harmful?

MCTs are LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth or given intravenously (by IV). They can cause diarrhea, vomiting, irritability, nausea, stomach discomfort, intestinal gas, essential fatty acid deficiency, and other side effects. Taking MCTs with food might reduce some side effects.

Can MCT oil make you gain weight?

Taking MCT oil adds extra fats and calories to a person's diet. As such, excessive use of MCT oil may not be beneficial and could lead a person to gain weight. However, solid coconut oil, which is high in MCTs, can be used in cooking and may be used to replace olive oil or other cooking oils.

Does MCT oil put you in ketosis?

MCTs can be converted into ketones, which are produced from the breakdown of fat when carb intake is low. If you're following a ketogenic diet, which is very low in carbs yet high in fat, then taking MCT oil can help you stay in the fat-burning state known as ketosis.

How much MCT oil should I take daily?

Once your body adapts to the increase in MCT consumption, you can up your dosage daily, teaspoon by teaspoon, until you are having 1 to 4 tablespoons a day without any issues. The typical dose is one to two tablespoons per day.

What are the side effects of MCT oil?

Side Effects & Safety

MCTs are LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth or given intravenously (by IV). They can cause diarrhea, vomiting, irritability, nausea, stomach discomfort, intestinal gas, essential fatty acid deficiency, and other side effects. Taking MCTs with food might reduce some side effects.

Can I drink MCT oil straight?

One of the good things about MCT oil is that it has virtually no taste or smell. It can be consumed straight from the jar or mixed into food or drinks. Coconut and palm kernel oils are rich sources of medium-chain triglycerides, but MCT oil supplements contain much larger amounts.

Does MCT oil actually work?

While research is promising, there isn't enough data to show that MCT oil will lead to weight loss. MCT oil may help boost your strength if you're elderly and weak. There's also some evidence that MCT can raise the amount of energy used by your muscles.

Does MCT Oil Really Work?

MCT oil has been shown to support weight and fat loss. The same study also found better reductions in LDL or “bad” lipid balance when the MCT oil mixture was added to their diet ( 34 ). Moreover, MCT oil can also increase the production of heart-protective HDL or “good” lipid balance ( 35 ).

Is MCT oil a laxative?

MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) oil has a natural laxative effect. Switch out your coconut oil for MCT oil to help with constipation. Be careful to gradually incorporate MCT oil into your diet, because too much of MCT too quickly may cause stomach cramps, etc.

Does Ghee have MCT?

Ghee contains many fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, E, and K, and it is also high in saturated fat. Well, it mainly stems from the concept surrounding medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fat that is found in coconut oil and ghee, which makes complete sense as to why ghee is receiving so much attention.

Is MCT oil bad for lipid balance?

MCT oil has been shown to support weight and fat loss. The same study also found better reductions in LDL or “bad” lipid balance when the MCT oil mixture was added to their diet ( 34 ). Moreover, MCT oil can also increase the production of heart-protective HDL or “good” lipid balance ( 35 ).

How long does MCT oil last in your body?

One study found that an MCT-rich diet caused greater fat burning and fat loss than a diet higher in LCTs. However, these effects may disappear after 2–3 weeks once the body has adapted.

Is MCT oil better than coconut oil?

MCT oil is better for ketone production and weight loss

Compared with coconut oil, MCT oil is better for ketone production and maintaining ketosis.  MCT oil has much larger proportions of the more ketogenic MCTs than coconut oil, which contains the greatest concentration of lauric acid, the least ketogenic MCT.

Clinical Studies