MCT

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Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) are fats that are shorter in length than most normal dietary fats (Long Chain Triglycerides or LCT). MCTs are found in butter and coconut oil, and coconut oil is typically 60% MCT.

1 MCT digestion and the Ketogenic Diet

• MCT produces Ketones even without being part of a Low Carbohydrate Diet.
• Often used as part of a Ketogenic Diet
• Basis of the MCT Diet
• MCT is sometimes recommended to reduce elevated cholesterol levels while on the Ketogenic Diet.

2 MCT and Weight Gain

An animal study has shown that overfeeding that includes large quantities of MCT produced 20% less weight gain than the same level of overfeeding with LCT (Overfeeding with medium-chain triglyceride diet results in diminished deposition of fat). The rats were fed a diet of 50% of calories as fat, with the MCT diet providing 45% of calories from MCT. The rats had similar levels of activity and insulin. Read Overfeeding with medium-chain triglyceride diet results in diminished deposition of fat references 8, 16, 17, 18,

3 Calories in MCT

MCT has is often considered to have a slightly lower calorie density (8.2 Calories/gram) compared with LCT (9.1 Calories/gram).

4 MCT and Ketosis

Anecdotal reports of MCT helping with Alzheimer's.

5 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'. Typical MCT is made from Coconut Oil and the mixture of oils reflects that of Coconut Oil:

• C6: 1-2%
• C8: 65-76%
• C10: 25-35%
• C12: 1-2%

MCT are saturated fats.

6 Sources of MCT

Commercially available MCT is typically 75% C8 and 25% C10

7 See Also

• The classifications and types of Low Carbohydrate Diet.
• An introduction to the Ketogenic Diet.
• My experiences with ultrarunning on the Ketogenic Diet
  • How the Ketogenic Diet can be used for the treatment and management of disease.
    • Using the Ketogenic Diets to mitigate and treat Epilepsy
    • How Ketogenic Diets might help with Cancer
    • A look at the possible mechanisms of action of the Ketogenic Diet
  • Health Risks of the Ketogenic Diet
    • Health Checks for the Ketogenic Diet
    • Supplements for the Ketogenic Diet
  • The time frame and changes that occur with Ketoadaptation
  • What are Ketones
    • How to measure Ketones
    • What ketone levels to aim for
  • The pros and cons of the Ketogenic Diet for athletes
    • The Science of Ketogenic Exercise
  • The Types of Ketogenic Diet
    • The "traditional" Ketogenic Diet based on the Ketogenic Ratio
      • The ways the Ketogenic Ratio can be calculated
        • The different definitions of Net Carbohydrates
    • Low Glycemic Index Treatment
    • MCT Diet
      • MCT
    • Modified Atkins Diet (M.A.D.)
• My Ketogenic Recipes
• Non-Ketogenic Low Carbohydrate Diets