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MCT
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Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) are fats that are shorter in length than most normal dietary fats (Long Chain Triglycerides or LCTs). MCTs are found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil and butter.
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=MCT digestion and the Ketogenic Diet=
* MCT produces [[Ketones]] even without being part of a [[Low Carbohydrate Diets| Low Carbohydrate Diet]].
=Types of MCT=
The 'medium chain' in 'medium chain triglycerides' refers to the length of the chain carbon atoms. Generally, chain lengths of 6 to 12 carbon atoms (C6 to C12) are considered 'medium'. The most common source of MCTs is in Coconut Oil, and typically pure MCT is refined from Coconut Oil. The mixture of oils in most MCT reflects that of Coconut Oil. MCT oils are fully saturated.
==Sources of MCT==
The composition of common sources of MCTs is shown below:
* '''Other Foods'''. Consuming MCT with other foods reduces the digestive distress.
Personally, I found that even after weeks of taking MCT, I could not consume it on its own without incurring dramatic digestive problems. However, mixing MCT with other things caused no issues.
MCT has is often considered to have a slightly lower calorie density (8.2 Calories/gram) compared with LCT (9.1 Calories/gram).
=MCT and Ketosis=
Giving 40ml of MCT raised blood BOHB levels to 0.43-0.68 mM<ref name="RegerHenderson2004"/>.
=MCT and Alzheimer's=
There is evidence that MCT can help reduce peoples' memory impairment without carbohydrate restriction<ref name="RegerHenderson2004"/>. A study using elderly dogs showed a long lasting improvement in cognitive ability with MCT supplementation<ref name="PanLarson2010"/>. There are other anecdotal reports of MCT helping with Alzheimer's symptoms<ref name="www.tampabay.com"/>.
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