MCT is short for “medium-chain triglycerides”, or more commonly known as fatty acids. MCT oil is extracted from food sources, the most prevalent source being coconut oil.

Triglyceride is the technical term for fat. Triglycerides have two main purposes — they can be burned for energy, or stored as body fat. Triglycerides are named after the length of their fatty acid chains. All triglycerides are made up of a glycerol molecule and 3 fatty acids.

• Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) are types of fatty acids containing 6–12 carbon atoms. They include caproic acid (C6), caprylic acid (C8), capric acid (C10) and lauric acid (C12).
• MCTs can be found in foods like coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and dairy products.MCT’s are metabolized differently than the long-chain triglycerides.
• MCT has a shorter chain length of fatty acids, so MCTs are rapidly broken down and absorbed into the body and go straight to the liver.
• MCT oil is a supplement that contains a lot of these fatty acids and is claimed to have many health benefits.

The liver absorbs the MCT to be used as an instant energy source or turned into ketones. Ketone is a type of acid that is produced when the liver breaks down large amounts of fat.

Unlike regular fatty acids, ketones can cross from the blood to the brain. This provides an alternative energy source for the brain, which ordinarily uses glucose for fuel.

The calories in MCTs are more efficiently turned into energy and used by the body and they are less likely to be stored as fat.

How MCT Oil is made
MCT oil is a highly concentrated source of medium-chain triglycerides. MCT oil is made through a process called fractionation. Fractionated coconut oil is made from regular coconut oil and mainly consists of the medium-chain fatty acids caprylic acid (C8) and capric acid (C10). This process involves extracting and isolating the MCTs from coconut or palm kernel oil. MCT oils generally contain either 100% caprylic acid (C8), 100% capric acid (C10), or a combination of the two. MCT oil is an easy way to get large concentrations of certain MCTs. It usually contains C8, C10 or a combination of the two. Coconut and palm kernel oils are rich sources of medium-chain triglycerides, but MCT oil supplements contain much larger amounts. MCT oil is produced in bulk quantities and is available for wholesale purchase.

Benefits/Uses of MCT Oil
MCTs may aid in weight loss through reduced calorie intake, increased fullness, less fat storage, improved calorie burning and increased ketones on low-carb diets.

The use of medium-chain triglycerides and MCT oil have been associated with several other health benefits.

Cholesterol
MCTs have been linked to lower cholesterol levels in both animal and human studies.

Improvements in cholesterol and antioxidant levels may lead to a reduced risk of heart disease over the long term.

Diabetes
MCTs may also help lower blood sugar levels. In one study, diets rich in MCTs increased insulin sensitivity in adults with type 2 diabetes

Brain Function
MCTs produce ketones, which act as an alternative energy source for the brain and can improve brain function.

Recently there has been more interest in the use of MCTs to treat or prevent brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Other Medical Conditions
Because MCTs are easily absorbed and digested energy source, they’ve been used for years to treat malnutrition and disorders that hinder nutrient absorption.

Conditions that benefit from medium-chain triglyceride supplements include diarrhea, steatorrhea (fat indigestion) and liver disease. Patients undergoing bowel or stomach surgery may also benefit.

Evidence also supports the use of MCTs in ketogenic diets treating epilepsy.

The use of MCTs allows children suffering from seizures to eat larger portions and tolerate more calories and carbs than on classic ketogenic diets.

MCTs are effective at treating a number of clinical conditions, including malnutrition, malabsorption, and epilepsy.

Dosage, Safety and Side Effects
MCT oil appears to be safe for most people.

There are currently no reported adverse interactions with medications or other serious side effects.

Uses:
Athletes sometimes use MCTs for nutritional support during training to:

• Increase exercise performance
• Decrease body fat
• Increase lean muscle mass
• Lose weight
• MCTs are sometimes used to reduce levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood called triglycerides.