Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT): benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
MCT
Scientific name(s)
Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides
Family or group:
Fatty Acids
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Cognitive decline ✪✪✪✪✪
A small study in elderly nursing home residents shows that daily intake of 6 g of MCT, with or without 1.2 g of L-leucine and 20 mcg of vitamin D, for 3 months, increases MMSE scores by 3.5 points, compared with a 0.7-point decrease in the control group.
Posologie
Oral
6 g
3 months
Alzheimer's disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Small clinical studies indicate that MCTs taken at doses of 20-56 g or 22.5-165 mL per day for up to 6 months do not show cognitive improvement in patients with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment compared to placebo.
Posologie
By mouth
20 g
6 months
Sports performance ✪✪✪✪✪
It is uncertain whether oral MCTs are beneficial for athletic endurance performance. A small study of 10 male recreational endurance runners shows that taking a ketone supplement containing MCTs and a form of beta-hydroxybutyrate salt 60 minutes before a race does not improve 5-kilometer race time compared to placebo.
Posologie
By mouth
7 g
Epilepsy ✪✪✪✪✪
The effectiveness of oral MCTs in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with drug-resistant epilepsy is uncertain. A small clinical study shows that adjunctive treatment with MCTs, 47-65 mL per day (about 35% of energy intake) for 12 weeks, reduces median seizure frequency by 46% compared with baseline.
Posologie
By mouth
Muscular dystrophy ✪✪✪✪✪
A clinical study in nursing home residents shows that daily intake of 6 g of MCTs, 1.2 g of leucine and 20 mcg of vitamin D for 3 months increases body mass by 1.1 kg, right-hand grip strength by 13% and peak expiratory flow by 28% compared with baseline.
Posologie
Oral
6 g
Properties
Cognitive function
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are being considered to improve cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, because of their ability to increase the production of ketone bodies, alternatives to glucose as a source of brain energy. In patients with Alzheimer's, this could improve brain energy metabolism and cognitive symptoms. A clinical study indicates that taking a ketogenic-acting MCT supplement increases the energy supply to white matter and improves processing speed, suggesting a potential role for ketones in myelin integrity and protection against beta-amyloid damage.
Usages associés
Metabolic
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are studied for their metabolic effects, notably their ability to increase beta-hydroxybutyrate and influence ketogenesis. They are preferentially oxidized for energy production and are less likely to be stored like long-chain fats. Research suggests that MCTs may stimulate lipolysis and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, increase metabolic rate and energy expenditure, and induce satiety, which could reduce caloric intake and slightly decrease fat mass. One study indicates that a single intake of liquid MCTs moderately reduces caloric intake at a meal and delays gastric emptying, without significantly affecting levels of appetite-regulating peptides.
Usages associés
Cholesterol-lowering
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) influence cholesterol metabolism primarily by increasing its excretion, which contributes to lowering its level in the blood. However, human research shows inconsistent results, with some adverse effects on blood lipids. A small meta-analysis indicates that MCT oil does not significantly affect total cholesterol, LDL, or HDL levels, but increases triglycerides. Lauric acid, a type of MCT, appears beneficial by improving the total cholesterol/HDL ratio by increasing HDL levels.
Anti-inflammatory
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) may have anti-inflammatory effects, mainly observed in animal models. In vitro research indicates that MCTs activate certain inflammatory mediators in macrophages. However, a study in adults with mild cognitive impairment showed that MCT ingestion increased levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory cytokine. It remains to be determined whether these increases are acute or chronic, especially since some participants were taking anti-inflammatory medications during the study.
Safe dosage
Adult: 6 g
MCTs have most often been used at doses of 6 to 56 g per day for 4 to 24 weeks. The MCTs used in clinical research include 50 to 75% caprylic acid and 25 to 45% capric acid. One tablespoon provides about 14 g of MCTs and about 115 calories.
Precautions
Cirrhosis: avoid
MCTs are not recommended in patients with liver cirrhosis.
