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Dietary Supplement Information for Physicians
with Naturokinetics℠
MCT Oil
Product Code: P2197
Categories: Weight Management, Metabolic Support
TECHNICAL SUMMARY
Protocol For Life Balance™ MCT Oil contains 100% pure
pharmaceutical-grade MCT oil from glycerin and palm kernel oils.
Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) refer to glycerol esters of
fatty acids with the number of carbon atoms between 8 and 12.
Caprylic (C8:0) and Capric (C10:0) acids are the predominant fatty
acids in MCT Oil.
Chemical
Name:
Caprylic Acid,
Octanoic Acid (C8:0)
Capric Acid, Decanoic
Acid (C10:0)
CH3(CH2)6COOH
CH3(CH2)8COOH
144.21
172.26
Structural
Formula:
Molecular
Formula:
Molecular
Weight:
Allergen Disclosure: Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten,
milk, egg, fish or shellfish ingredients. Produced in a GMPcertified facility that processes other ingredients containing these
allergens.
Dose Form: Liquid
ROLE AS A NUTRIENT
Essentiality: Medium-chain fatty acids are not considered
essential nutrients.
Dietary Sources: Medium-chain fatty acids are found in coconut and palm kernel oil.
Typical Consumption: Unknown.
Structural and Functional Role in the Body: MCTs are metabolized differently than most dietary fats. Unlike
longer chain triglycerides, MCTs require little or no enzymatic breakdown and are easily absorbed across the
wall of the small intestine and delivered straight to the liver where they can be used directly for energy
production (instead of being stored as fat). Metabolically they are processed more like carbohydrates, but
without the requirement of insulin and with no effect on blood sugar level.1,2
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Dietary Supplement Information for Physicians
with Naturokinetics℠
RECOMMENDED USE
Weight Management: In a randomized, controlled,
clinical trial with 49 overweight volunteers,
consumption of MCT oil (18-24 grams/day for 16
weeks as a part of weight-loss program) resulted in
lower body weight compared to olive oil over the
same period of time ( -3.7 lb., P = 0.013). Additional
endpoint values lowered by MCT oil substitution
included trunk fat mass, total fat mass, and intraabdominal adipose tissue (P values < 0.05).3
In a double-blind, controlled, clinical trial with 78
volunteers, MCT oil incorporation into the diet
(about 9.2 grams/day for 12 weeks, as a part of
calorie-controlled, fat-controlled diet) resulted in
significant body weight reduction and
subcutaneous fat reduction as compared with the
LCT (long-chain triglycerides) group in the
individuals whose body mass index (BMI) at the
beginning of the study was ≥ 23 kg/m2 (Figure 1).4
NATUROKINETICS®
Liberation: Not applicable. The supplement is in
the liquid delivery form.
Absorption: MCT can be absorbed with minimal
intraluminal concentrations of pancreatic enzymes
and bile salts. Due to this, MCT’s have a faster
transit time through the gastrointestinal tract than
both glucose and LCT. During digestion, MCT’s are
converted to medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA’s)
and transported directly in the portal venous
system, as opposed to being transported in
chylomicrons via the lymphatic system like LCT’s.5
Distribution: Because MCT’s bypass peripheral
tissues, such as adipose tissue, they make them
less susceptible to the actions of hormonesensitive lipase, as well as to deposition into
adipose tissue stores. Additionally, because MCFA’s
are not repackaged into lipoproteins in the liver,
Figure 2: Plasma triglycerides following a single ingestion of MCT oil (71 g) in
but rather oxidized rapidly in hepatocytes,
20 healthy male volunteers vs. canola oil.
consumption of MCT’s does not increase plasma
triglycerides. In a single-blind, randomized, crossover study with 20 healthy men, ingestion of a single dose of MCT (71 g) oil resulted in statistically significant
15% reduction in plasma triglycerides above baseline (p < 0.001), while the same amount of canola oil resulted
in 47% triglyceride increase (p < 0.001) (Figure 2).6
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Dietary Supplement Information for Physicians
with Naturokinetics℠
Metabolism: MCFA’s can cross the mitochondrial membrane of liver and muscle cells independently of the
acylcarnitine transfer system, making them a much more readily available energy source.5 MCFA’s are subject to
β-oxidation, which results in formation of acetyl-CoA that can be used in a number of different biochemical
pathways, including the Kreb’s cycle, ketogenesis, elongation of fatty acids, and synthesis of fatty acids and
cholesterol.6
Elimination: Low molecular weight metabolites of MCFA breakdown may re-enter metabolism or be eliminated,
predominantly via urine.5
SAFETY INFORMATION
Safety: MCT oil is generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
Tolerability: MCT oil can cause gastrointestinal distress when used at high doses; tolerability varies between
individuals. Taking MCT oil with food can improve gastrointestinal tolerability.7
Cautions: Due to its ketogenic potential, caution should be exercised in patients with diabetes and liver disease.1
INTERACTIONS
Drug Interactions: None known.
Supplement Interactions: None known.
Interference with Lab Tests: MCT oil can lower blood triglyceride levels and test results.6
Stability & Storage: Stable through the expiration date when stored in a cool place.
References
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Bach AC, Babayan VK. Medium-chain triglycerides: an update. Am J Clin Nutr. Nov 1982; 36 (5): 950-962.
Symersky T, Vu MK, Frolich M, Biemond I, Masclee AA. The effect of equicaloric medium-chain and longchain triglycerides on pancreas enzyme secretion. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging. Sep 2002;
22 (5): 307-311.
St-Onge MP, Bosarge A. Weight-loss diet that includes consumption of medium-chain triacylglycerol oil
leads to a greater rate of weight and fat mass loss than does olive oil. Am J Clin Nutr. Mar 2008; 87 (3):
621-626.
Tsuji H, Kasai M, Takeuchi H, Nakamura M, Okazaki M, Kondo K. Dietary medium-chain triacylglycerols
suppress accumulation of body fat in a double-blind, controlled trial in healthy men and women. J Nutr.
Nov 2001; 131 (11): 2853-2859.
Clegg ME. Medium-chain triglycerides are advantageous in promoting weight loss although not
beneficial to exercise performance. Int J Food Sci Nutr. Nov 2010; 61 (7): 653-679.
Calabrese C, Myer S, Munson S, Turet P, Birdsall TC. A cross-over study of the effect of a single oral
feeding of medium chain triglyceride oil vs. canola oil on post-ingestion plasma triglyceride levels in
healthy men. Altern Med Rev. Feb 1999; 4 (1): 23-28.
Sills MA, Forsythe WI, Haidukewych D, MacDonald A, Robinson M. The medium chain triglyceride diet
and intractable epilepsy. Archives of Disease in Childhood. Dec 1986; 61 (12): 1168-1172.
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