Medium chain triglycerides (mcts)
Scientific names: Medium chain triglycerides
Alternate names: 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
Actions: Anti-Alzheimer, Anti-chylothorax, Antidiabetic, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-stress, Cholesterol lowering, Gastrointestinal, Triglyceride lowering, Weight loss
Background
Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are fats that are made in a lab from coconut and palm kernel oils. Typical dietary fats are called long-chain triglycerides.
MCTs are a fat source for people who cannot tolerate other types of fats. These fats might also improve weight loss because the body can more easily break them down into molecules called ketone bodies. These ketone bodies can be used for energy.
People use MCTs for involuntary weight loss called cachexia or wasting syndrome. MCTs are also used for obesity, seizures, athletic performance, Alzheimer disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
MCTs are a fat source for people who cannot tolerate other types of fats. These fats might also improve weight loss because the body can more easily break them down into molecules called ketone bodies. These ketone bodies can be used for energy.
People use MCTs for involuntary weight loss called cachexia or wasting syndrome. MCTs are also used for obesity, seizures, athletic performance, Alzheimer disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: MCTs are likely safe. They can cause stomach upset, including diarrhea and vomiting, especially at higher doses.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if MCTs are safe or what the side effects might be.
Diabetes: MCTs can cause certain chemicals called ketones to build up in the body. This can be a problem for people with diabetes. Avoid using MCTs if you have diabetes.
Liver problems: Because MCTs are processed by the liver, they can cause serious problems in people with liver disease. Do not use MCTs if you have liver problems.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if MCTs are safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if MCTs are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Diabetes: MCTs can cause certain chemicals called ketones to build up in the body. This can be a problem for people with diabetes. Avoid using MCTs if you have diabetes.
Liver problems: Because MCTs are processed by the liver, they can cause serious problems in people with liver disease. Do not use MCTs if you have liver problems.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Involuntary weight loss in people who are very ill (cachexia or wasting syndrome). Giving MCTs by IV can provide calories in critically ill patients. But they don't seem to work any better than normal dietary fats (long chain triglycerides). IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Involuntary weight loss in people with HIV/AIDS. Taking MCTs by mouth doesn't seem to prevent weight loss in people with HIV infection.
Dosing & administration
MCTs have most often been used by adults in doses of 6-56 grams by mouth daily for up to 24 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) interacts with any medicines. Before taking Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
View all products
Per 5 g (Spiced Vanilla):
- Medium Chain Triglycerides
- Piper nigrum ext.
- Vanilla planifolia (bean)
- Curcuma longa equiv. curcuminoids 553 mg
- Natural flavours
- Zingiber officinale ext.
- Cinnamomum spp.
- Elettaria cardamomum
- Sunflower lecithin
- Xanthan gum
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
RRP: $21.95$17.12Save: 22%
Per 48 g:
- Medium Chain Triglycerides
- Whey protein concentrate
- Whey protein isolate
- Flavour
- Calcium phosphate dibasic
- Magnesium citrate
- Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar gum)
- Calcium citrate
- Zinc gluconate
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids)
- Chromium chloride
- Ferrous fumarate (Iron)
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E)
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Copper sulphate
- Magnesium citrate
- Cholecalciferol
- Folic acid
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Sodium selenite (Selenium)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Biotin
- Potassium iodide (Iodine)
- Sodium molybdate (Molybdenum)
- Soy lecithin
- Stevia rebaubiana
RRP: $64.96$58.47Save: 10%
Per serve:
- Medium Chain Triglycerides
- Whey protein concentrate
- Whey protein isolate
- Soy lecithin
- Cocoa powder
- Calcium phosphate dibasic
- Flavour
- Magnesium citrate
- Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar gum)
- Calcium citrate
- Zinc gluconate
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Beta-carotene (Carotenoids)
- Chromium chloride
- Ferrous fumarate (Iron)
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E)
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Sodium selenite (Selenium)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Biotin
- Potassium iodide (Iodine)
- Sodium molybdate (Molybdenum)
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Copper sulphate
- Manganese citrate
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- Folic acid
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
RRP: $64.96$58.47Save: 10%
Per 25 g (Strawberry):
1 kg Strawberry
RRP: $99.95$81.96Save: 18%
RRP: $37.00$31.45Save: 15%
Per 10 g:
- Medium Chain Triglycerides
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Beef bones
- Sea Salt
RRP: $37.00$31.45Save: 15%
RRP: $28.95$23.74Save: 18%
RRP: $17.95$14.72Save: 18%
Per 6 g:
- Coconut medium-chain triglyceride (Coconut MCT)
- Theobroma cacao
- Ceratonia siliqua (pod) powder (Carob)
- Lepidium meyenii
- Vanilla planifolia (bean) extract
- Pink Himalayan crystal salt
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
- Tribulus terrestris
- Epimedium sagittatum
- Turnera diffusa
- Sunflower lecithin
RRP: $22.95$19.05Save: 17%
Per 6 g:
- Coconut medium-chain triglyceride (Coconut MCT)
- Camellia sinensis (leaf) powder
- Coconut milk powder
- Leptospermum scoparium powder (Manuka honey)
- Artichoke inulin
- Pink Himalayan crystal salt
- Natural coconut flavour
- Zingiber officinale powder
- Luo Han Guo (fruit) ext. (Monk fruit)
- Panax ginseng
- Ginkgo biloba
RRP: $22.95$19.05Save: 17%
Per 17 g:
RRP: $59.95$50.96Save: 15%
RRP: $18.50$15.17Save: 18%
RRP: $28.95$23.74Save: 18%
Per 10 g (Coconut Matcha):
RRP: $54.95$45.06Save: 18%
RRP: $49.95$40.96Save: 18%
Discontinued by Melrose
Per 6 g:
- MCT powder
- Fermented soybean paste (Red Miso)
- Oryza sativa (Rice)
- Sea Salt
- Aspergillus oryzae (Kōji mould)
- Nutritional yeast flakes (Dried yeast)
- Pink Himalayan crystal salt
- Tapioca
- Allium cepa
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Apium graveolens
- Oryza sativa (Brown rice)
- Allium sativum
- Curcuma longa
- Pumpkin powder
- Brassica oleracea (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Sweet potato powder
- Brassica oleracea (Broccoli)
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Petroselinum crispum
- Allium schoenoprasum
- Piper nigrum
- Arctic sea algae
RRP: $25.95$21.54Save: 17%
Per 8 g:
- Coconut medium-chain triglyceride (Coconut MCT)
- Oryza sativa (Rice)
- Aspergillus oryzae (Kōji mould)
- Chicken, bones
- Chicken, roasted
- Glycine max
- Sea Salt
- Apple cider vinegar
- Pink Himalayan crystal salt
- Tapioca
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext.
- Allium cepa
- Allium sativum
- Piper nigrum
- Nutritional yeast flakes (Dried yeast)
RRP: $43.95$36.48Save: 17%
Per 8 g:
- Coconut medium-chain triglyceride (Coconut MCT)
- Oryza sativa (Rice)
- Aspergillus oryzae (Kōji mould)
- Beef bones
- Glycine max
- Beef
- Sea Salt
- Hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides
- Apple cider vinegar
- Nutritional yeast flakes (Dried yeast)
- Pink Himalayan crystal salt
- Tapioca
- Allium cepa
- Allium sativum
- Piper nigrum
RRP: $31.50$26.15Save: 17%
RRP: $34.95$28.66Save: 18%
Per 35 g:
- MCT powder
- Oryza sativa protein (sprout) bio-fermented (Brown rice)
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Coconut protein
- Pumpkin seed protein
- Natural flavours
- Apple pectin
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Cocoa powder 1.05 g
- L-glutamine
- Sunflower seed extract
- Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar gum)
- Arctic sea algae
- Sea Salt
- L-leucine
- L-isoleucine
- L-valine
- Protease
- Amylase enzyme
- Lipase
- Cellulase
- Lactase
- Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30) (GanedenBC30®) 1 billion CFU
- Cinnamomum spp.
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
- Stevia rebaubiana
RRP: $52.95$43.96Save: 17%
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 31/05/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 06/08/2020 23:30:25. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
