Medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs, consist of saturated fatty acids with a chain length of six to 12 carbons. MCTs do not require the pancreatic lipase enzyme or bile salts for digestion that longer-chain triglycerides that occur more often in the diet do. So MCTs tend to digest quickly and without fat-absorption problems in the intestine. Persons with malnutrition or faulty digestion and absorption of fats may receive relief by the use of medium-chain triglycerides.
Dairy Products
Small amounts of medium-chain fatty acids with six to 12 carbon atoms occur in foods, primarily in milk fat and dairy products. Medium-chain triglycerides also occur in human breast milk.
Tropical Oils
Most of the medium-chain triglycerides used in research, medicine and food products come from coconut oil. Palm and coconut oils, although saturated fats, have a naturally softer form than most animal fats because of their shorter carbon chains, according to Eleanor Whitley and Sharon Rolfes in the text “Understanding Nutrition.”
Coconut oil consists predominantly of medium-chain triglycerides. MCTs such as those in coconut oil and palm oil work best if ingested in foods. MCTs can be used in salad dressings, sandwich spreads and confections and can substitute for fats in most recipes.
Commercial MCT Oil
MCT oils, a byproduct of margarine production, are used clinically for patients with problems absorbing fat or those with an involuntary loss of weight such as with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or cancer. Ongoing research focuses on structured lipids such as MCT oil combined with a fatty acid such as linoleic acid or omega-3 lipid for intravenous feeding and naso-gastric feeding, a form of tube-feeding through the nose and into the stomach.
MCTs are also used clinically for things like enhancing immune function. According to Kathleen Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump in the text “”Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy,” patients tolerate divided doses of less than 15g of oil per feeding better than larger feedings.
Cautions
MCTs have not proven effective as an aid to improve performance for athletes. Such aids appeal to many athletes because of advertisements and testimonials about their effects, according to Mahan and Escott-Stump. But research does not support claims that MCTs improve performance by sparing muscle glycogen, promoting muscularity and lowering the percentage of body fat.
MCTs may create gastric distress in some subjects. The American Dietetic Association website indicates that research does not support claims that MCTs enhance endurance performance, and they may increase blood-lipid levels. For those reasons, the ADA does not recommend MCTs for improving athletic performance.
References
- “Understanding Nutrition, Ninth Edition;” Eleanor Noss Whitney and Sharon Rady Rolfes; 2002
- “Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy, 10th Edition;” Mahan and Escott-Stump; 2000
- American Dietetic Association: Supplements and Ergogenic Aids for Athletes
Member Comments