Is MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) oil beneficial for the body?

MCT Oil Benefits for the Body

MCT oil supplementation shows limited benefits for the body, with evidence primarily supporting its use in specific clinical contexts rather than as a general supplement for healthy individuals.

What is MCT Oil?

• Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are a type of fatty acid with medium-length carbon chains, typically derived from coconut oil or palm kernel oil 1
• MCT oil contains fatty acids with 6-12 carbon atoms, which are metabolized differently than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) 1

Clinical Applications of MCT Oil

Cancer Patients

• MCT oil may be beneficial for cancer patients with cachexia requiring parenteral nutrition for several weeks 1
• Cancer patients show efficient mobilization and oxidation of fat, with MCT/LCT mixtures demonstrating improved lipid clearance compared to LCT alone 1
• A one-to-one fat-to-glucose energy ratio using MCT/LCT mixtures might be a sensible approach in cancer patients 1

Critical Care Settings

• MCT/LCT mixtures have shown specific clinical advantages over soybean LCT alone in critically ill patients 1
• Several studies indicate that MCT/LCT mixtures improve nutritional status compared to solely LCT emulsions 1
• In ICU patients, especially those on mechanical ventilation, MCT/LCT mixtures have demonstrated improved oxygenation compared to LCT emulsion alone 1

Liver Disease

• In pediatric patients with parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC), lipid emulsions containing MCT may provide better liver tolerance 1
• The use of MCT-containing emulsions has been associated with improved liver function tests in certain patient populations 1

Weight Management

• Some evidence suggests MCT oil consumption may lead to greater weight and fat mass loss compared to olive oil when used as part of a weight loss program 2
• MCT consumption appears to be less obesogenic than comparable intakes of longer chain oils 3
• MCT oil can be incorporated into a weight loss program without adversely affecting metabolic risk factors 4

Potential Mechanisms of Action

• MCTs are rapidly oxidized in hepatic mitochondria, which may drive ketone body production and provoke a thermogenic response 3
• Medium-chain fatty acids are less likely to be stored in adipose tissue compared to long-chain fatty acids 3
• MCT oil may increase fat oxidation by 15-24% during infusion compared to baseline 1

Limitations and Considerations

• Most studies report that MCT oil does not improve exercise performance and has limited effect on respiratory exchange ratio, glucose concentration, and fat oxidation 5
• The safe maximal dosage appears to be around 30 grams to minimize adverse reactions 5
• MCT oil shows very little to no ergogenic effects on exercise performance in healthy populations 5
• Adding MCT oil and butter to coffee appears safe but shows no significant difference in lipid profiles compared to regular coffee 6

Safety Profile

• MCT oil can be safely incorporated into dietary regimens without adversely affecting metabolic risk factors 4
• Lauric acid (C12), which constitutes about 50% of coconut oil's fatty acid content, tends to raise HDL more substantially than LDL, potentially improving the total cholesterol to HDL ratio 3

Bottom Line

While MCT oil has specific applications in clinical nutrition for cancer patients, critically ill individuals, and those with certain liver conditions, there is limited evidence supporting its use as a general supplement for healthy individuals seeking performance or significant health benefits. The strongest evidence supports its potential role in weight management programs, but even these benefits appear modest compared to the claims often made about MCT oil.