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Medium-Chain Triglycerides; MCTs

Proposed Uses: Correcting Undesired Weight Loss; Performance Enhancement

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are fats with an unusual chemical structure that allows the body to digest them easily. Most fats are broken down in the intestine and remade into a special form that can be transported in the blood. But MCTs are absorbed intact and taken to the liver, where they are used directly for energy. In this sense, they are processed very similarly to carbohydrates.

MCTs are different enough from other fats that they can be used as fat substitutes by people who need calories but are unable to absorb or metabolize normal fats.

MCTs have also shown a bit of promise for improving body composition and enhancing athletic performance.

Sources
There is no dietary requirement for MCTs. Coconut oil, palm oil, and butter contain up to 15% MCTs. You can also buy MCTs as purified supplements.

Therapeutic Dosages
MCTs can be eaten as salad oil or used in cooking. When taken as an athletic supplement, dosages in the neighborhood of 85 mg daily are common.

Safety Issues
Studies in animals and humans tell us that MCTs are quite safe when consumed at a level of up to 50% of total dietary fat. However, some people who consume MCTs, especially on an empty stomach, experience annoying (but not severe) abdominal cramps and bloating.

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