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
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Per 10.5 g:
- Medium Chain Triglycerides (powder) (MCT) 3.53 g
- Theobroma cacao (Cocoa powder) 2.14 g
- Yeast hydrolysate 500 mg
- Coconut milk powder
- Tapioca
- Amorphophallus konjac (root) (Konjac root)
- Cinnamomum verum
- Natural chocolate flavour
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Siraitia grosvenorii (Monk fruit)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Vitamin E
- Maltodextrin
- Acacia sp. 1.51 g
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Per 37 g:
- Medium Chain Triglycerides (powder) (MCT) 3 g
- Glutamine 2.22 g
- L-leucine 1.68 g
- Lysine hydrochloride 451.03 mg equiv. lysine 361 mg
- L-isoleucine 450 mg
- L-valine 450 mg
- L-phenylalanine 200 mg
- L-threonine 200 mg
- Cysteine hydrochloride 45 mg equiv. cysteine 31.04 mg
- L-methionine 120 mg
- L-tyrosine 112.5 mg
- Histidine hydrochloride 185.25 mg equiv. l-histidine 150 mg
- L-aspartic acid 111 mg
- L-proline 111 mg
- L-serine 27.75 mg
- Glycine 27.75 mg
- L-alanine 27.75 mg
- Taurine 11 mg
- Levocarnitine tartrate (L-carnitine) 10.99 mg equiv. levocarnitine 7.5 mg
- Potassium citrate 402.6 mg equiv. potassium 145.74 mg
- Magnesium citrate 167.09 mg equiv. magnesium 27 mg
- Magnesium glycerophosphate 49.99 mg equiv. magnesium 6.25 mg
- Calcium phosphate 62.64 mg equiv. calcium 25 mg
- Calcium glycerophosphate 393.27 mg equiv. calcium 75 mg
- Ferrous fumarate 45.6 mg equiv. iron 1.5 mg
- Manganese sulphate monohydrate 1.02 g equiv. manganese 330 µg
- Zinc sulphate monohydrate 5.74 mg equiv. zinc 2.08 mg
- Selenomethionine 28.64 µg equiv. selenium 11.54 µg
- Copper sulfate pentahydrate 656.27 µg equiv. copper 167 µg
- Molybdenum trioxide 12 µg equiv. molybdenum 8 µg
- Chromic chloride hexahydrate 46.95 µg equiv. chromium 9.16 µg
- Chromium picolinate 30.89 µg equiv. chromium 3.84 µg
- Potassium iodide 22.25 µg equiv. iodine 17 µg
- Borax 2.2 mg equiv. boron 250 µg
- Choline bitartrate 80.84 mg equiv. choline 33.25 mg
- Sodium ascorbate (Vitamin C) 22.5 mg equiv. ascorbic acid 20 mg
- dl-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate 10 mg equiv. vitamin E 10 IU
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 3.25 mg
- Retinol palmitate 418.58 µg equiv. vitamin A 767 IU
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 790 µg equiv. pyridoxine 650 µg
- Cholecalciferol 1.65 µg equiv. vitamin D3 66 IU
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 500 µg
- Thiamine nitrate (Vitamin B1) 616.83 µg equiv. thiamine 500 µg
- Folic acid 31.27 µg
- Biotin 50 µg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 3.53 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 3.25 mg
- Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1) 10 µg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 2 µg
- Glucose monohydrate (Dextrose) 12.5 g
- Sunflower lecithin 250 mg
- Levomefolate glucosamine (Activated folate) 8 µg equiv. levomefolic acid 4.5 µg
Practitioner product
Per 2.5 g (Unflavoured):
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Per 6 g (Cafe Mocha):
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) 1.5 g
- Cordyceps militaris
- Pleurotus eryngii
- Lentinula edodes
- Trametes versicolor
- Grifola frondosa
- Coffea arabica 2.9 g
- Huberzia serrata 25 µg
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Theobroma cacao 15 mg
- Natural flavours
- Theobroma cacao powder 480 mg
- Alpinia galanga powder 150 mg
- Bacopa monnieri powder 100 mg
- Coffea arabica powder 100 mg
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
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Per 5 g (Chocolate):
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) 250 mg
- L-leucine
- L-lysine
- L-tyrosine
- Total goBHB™
- Calcium beta-hydroxybutyrate 1.55 g
- Magnesium beta-hydroxybutyrate monohydrate 1.05 g
- Sodium beta-hydroxybutyrate 0.6 g
- Theobroma cacao powder
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P)
- Methylcobalamin (Activated B12)
- Natural flavours
300 g Chocolate
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Per 5 g (Spiced Vanilla):
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Per serve (Chocolate):
780 g Chocolate
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Per 10 g (Curry):
- Beef bones
- Sea salt
- Coriandrum sativum
- Curcuma longa
- Trigonella foenum-graecum
- Piper nigrum
- Syzygium aromaticum
- Chilli powder
- Alpinia galanga
- Cinnamomum spp.
- Cuminum cyminum
390 g Curry
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Per 6 g:
- Coconut medium-chain triglyceride (Coconut MCT)
- Hydrolysed collagen
- Camellia sinensis 1.32 g
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Pouteria lucuma (fruit) powder
- Hippophae rhamnoides
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Siraitia grosvenorii (Monk fruit)
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RRP: $149.95$139.45Save: 7%
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Per 17 g:
RRP: $59.95$50.96Save: 15%
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RRP: $18.50$15.17Save: 18%
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Per 6 g:
- Medium Chain Triglycerides (powder) (MCT)
- 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 var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Sweet potato powder
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Petroselinum crispum
- Allium schoenoprasum
- Piper nigrum
- Arctic sea algae
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Per 8 g:
- Coconut medium-chain triglyceride (Coconut MCT)
- Oryza sativa (Rice)
- 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)
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Per 8 g:
- Coconut medium-chain triglyceride (Coconut MCT)
- Oryza sativa (Rice)
- 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
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Per 48 g:
- Medium Chain Triglycerides (powder) (MCT)
- 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 (Vitamin A)
- Chromium chloride
- Ferrous fumarate
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Copper sulfate
- Magnesium citrate
- Cholecalciferol
- Folic acid
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Sodium selenite
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Biotin
- Potassium iodide
- Sodium molybdate
- Soy lecithin
- Stevia rebaubiana
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Per 48 g:
- Medium Chain Triglycerides (powder) (MCT)
- Whey protein concentrate
- Whey protein isolate
- Soy lecithin
- Theobroma cacao (Cocoa powder)
- Calcium phosphate dibasic
- Flavour
- Magnesium citrate
- Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar gum)
- Calcium citrate
- Zinc gluconate
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Beta-carotene carotenoids (Vitamin A)
- Chromium chloride
- Ferrous fumarate
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acetate
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Sodium selenite
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Biotin
- Potassium iodide
- Sodium molybdate
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Copper sulfate
- Manganese citrate
- Cholecalciferol
- Folic acid
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
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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.
