What Are Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)? Other Names: AC-1202, Acide Caprique, Trioctanoin

What Are Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) are a type of fat that has garnered significant attention in recent years due to their unique properties and potential health benefits. Unlike long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), MCTs are metabolized differently in the body, leading to various physiological effects that can be beneficial in certain health conditions. This article explores what MCTs are, their benefits, and their applications based on recent research findings. Other names include: 1,2,3-Propanetriol Trioctanoate, AC-1202, Acide Caprique, Acide Caproïque, Acide Caprylique, Acide Laurique, Capric Acid, Caproic Acid, Caprylic Acid, Caprylic Triglycerides, Laurate-rich MCTs, Lauric Acid, MCT, MCT’s, MCTs, Medium-Chain Triacylglycerols, Medium-Chain Triglycerides, TCM, Triacylglycérols à Chaîne Moyenne, Tricaprylin, Triglycérides à Chaîne Moyenne, Triglycérides Capryliques, Triglicéridos de Cadena Media (TCMs), Trioctanoin.

MCTs are triglycerides whose fatty acids have an aliphatic tail of 6–12 carbon atoms. They are found naturally in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and dairy products. The most common MCTs include caproic acid (C6), caprylic acid (C8), capric acid (C10), and lauric acid (C12). Due to their shorter chain length, MCTs are more rapidly absorbed and metabolized by the liver, providing a quick source of energy and less likely to be stored as fat.

Health Benefits of MCTs

Cognitive Function

Several studies have highlighted the potential cognitive benefits of MCTs. For instance, supplementation with MCTs has been shown to improve cognitive function in frail elderly individuals, as evidenced by an increase in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores1. Additionally, MCTs have been found to improve cognition and lipid metabolomics in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, particularly those without the APOE4 allele3.

Weight Management and Metabolism

MCTs have been studied for their role in weight management and metabolic health. Research indicates that MCTs can enhance postprandial energy expenditure and fat oxidation, which may help in reducing body fat mass2. In a study involving moderately overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes, MCT consumption led to significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and insulin resistance6.

Muscle Function and Sarcopenia

MCTs have also been shown to improve muscle strength and function in elderly individuals. A study demonstrated that MCT supplementation increased muscle strength and activities of daily living (ADL) scores in frail elderly participants5. This suggests that MCTs could be a promising nutrient for combating sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function.

Liver Health

MCTs may offer protective benefits for liver health. In a study involving pigs, MCTs were found to attenuate liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by inhibiting necroptotic and inflammatory signaling pathways7. This indicates that MCTs could potentially be used to mitigate liver damage in certain conditions.

Cardiovascular Health

MCTs have been shown to promote reverse cholesterol transport and improve atherosclerosis in animal models. In a study with ApoE-deficient mice, MCTs enhanced the process of macrophage reverse cholesterol transport and reduced atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting a potential role in preventing cardiovascular diseases9.

Applications of MCTs

Clinical Nutrition

MCTs are often used in clinical nutrition, particularly for patients who require parenteral nutrition. Studies have shown that MCT-containing emulsions are safe and may offer advantages over traditional LCT emulsions in critically ill patients8. MCTs are rapidly hydrolyzed and oxidized, providing a readily available energy source.

Infant Nutrition

MCTs are also beneficial in infant nutrition, especially for premature infants. Research has demonstrated that MCT-containing formulas improve fat and nitrogen absorption in premature infants, which can be crucial for their growth and development10.

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Adverse Effects of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)

Hepatic Lipid Accumulation and Metabolism Alteration

High amounts of MCTs in the diet can lead to increased hepatic lipid accumulation and altered lipid metabolism, including increased lipogenesis and decreased PPAR-alpha expression, which may be harmful in the long term1.

Impact on Blood Lipid Profiles

MCT supplementation can lead to significant decreases in beneficial fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)2.

Overfeeding with MCTs can result in increased fasting serum triglyceride concentrations and changes in fatty acid composition, indicating a significant increase in hepatic synthesis of fatty acids8.

Gastrointestinal Issues

MCT supplementation can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including abdominal pain, which was reported with greater frequency and severity compared to control diets4.

Effects on Cholesterol and Inflammation

MCT oil did not significantly change HDL or LDL cholesterol levels or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, indicating no major impact on these markers of cardiovascular health and inflammation2.

Ketone and Glycerol Concentrations

MCTs can lead to higher plasma ketone and glycerol concentrations, which may have metabolic implications, although no adverse clinical effects were noted in critically ill patients3 9.

Insulin and Nitrogen Balance

MCTs can result in higher insulin concentrations and less negative nitrogen balance, but these changes were not associated with adverse clinical effects in the short term9.

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How has Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) Improved Patient Outcomes?

Cognitive Function Improvement

MCT supplementation has been shown to improve cognitive abilities in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frail elderly individuals. Studies reported significant improvements in cognitive test scores such as the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog-C) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)1 2 8.

Enhanced Muscle Strength and Function

MCTs have been found to increase muscle strength and function in frail elderly individuals. Improvements were noted in muscle performance tests and activities of daily living (ADL) scores5.

Nutritional and Metabolic Benefits

MCTs provide better nutritional support compared to long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) in pediatric surgical patients and critically ill patients. Benefits include better nitrogen balance, higher ketogenesis, and improved immune response3 6.

In patients with type 2 diabetes, MCTs were associated with weight loss, reduced waist circumference, improved insulin sensitivity, and lower cholesterol levels9.

Quality of Life (QOL) Enhancements

Combined intake of MCTs and moderate exercise improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in sedentary, healthy middle-aged, and older adults. Significant improvements were observed in physical and mental health scores4.

Disease Activity Reduction in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

MCT supplementation led to a significant reduction in disease activity in RA patients, as measured by the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI)10.

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Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) Mechanisms of Action

Anti-inflammatory and Anti-necroptotic Effects

MCTs attenuate liver injury by down-regulating necroptotic and inflammatory signaling pathways, including the suppression of RIP1/RIP3/MLKL and TLR4/NOD1/p38 MAPK pathways1.

Cholesterol Metabolism and Cardiovascular Health

MCTs promote reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and improve atherosclerosis by enhancing the expression of key proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism, such as ATP-binding cassette transporters2.

MCTs reduce serum cholesterol levels by decreasing intestinal bile acid reabsorption and inhibiting I-BABP gene expression, leading to increased bile acid excretion4.

Appetite Suppression and Energy Expenditure

MCTs reduce energy intake and delay gastric emptying, which may contribute to their appetite-suppressing properties. This effect is not mediated by PYY or ghrelin but may involve increased β-hydroxybutyrate levels3.

Continuous ingestion of MCTs enhances postprandial energy expenditure and the oxidation of ingested fats, which can aid in weight management5.

Cognitive Function

MCTs improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease patients and frail elderly individuals, potentially through the ketogenic effect and changes in lipid metabolomics, including increased levels of β-hydroxybutyrate and specific lysophosphatidylcholines6 7.

Fat Metabolism and Thermogenesis

MCTs increase thermogenesis and fat oxidation, potentially through hepatic de novo synthesis of long-chain fatty acids from medium-chain fatty acids9.

Neutral Effects on Lipoprotein Metabolism

Short-term MCT supplementation does not significantly affect the kinetics of apolipoprotein B-48 and B-100 or the expression of key intestinal genes involved in lipid metabolism in insulin-resistant men10.

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Common Complaints Associated with Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) Use

Gastrointestinal Issues

MCT ingestion during prolonged exercise can lead to gastrointestinal complaints such as intestinal cramping, which negatively impacts performance1.

Abdominal pain is a common symptom associated with MCT supplementation, particularly during keto-induction3.

General Tolerability

In critically ill patients, MCTs were generally well-tolerated with no apparent adverse effects when used in a lipid emulsion for parenteral nutrition2.

In a study on dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, the tolerability of MCT dietary supplements was being investigated, suggesting a need for further research to confirm safety and efficacy5.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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