Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) explained
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) are fats that typically contain fatty acids six, eight, 10 or 12 carbons long in supplements. The NIH says MCTs leave the stomach quickly, are rapidly absorbed and broken down by the small intestine, and pass directly into the bloodstream. One product we reviewed lists MCT, and its label does not print the amount per serving.
- In the products we reviewed
- 1, its label does not print the amount
What medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) is
- Food grade medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) used as nutritional supplements are typically a mixture of triglycerides with fatty acids 6, 8, 10 or 12 carbons long.1
- Medium-chain triglycerides leave the stomach quickly, are rapidly absorbed and broken down by the small intestine, and pass directly into the bloodstream.2
- Long-chain triglycerides leave the stomach slowly, are packaged into chylomicrons in the small intestine and go into the lymphatic system before they reach the bloodstream.2
- Medium-chain fatty acids do not need the acylcarnitine transferase system to cross the inner membrane of the mitochondria in liver and muscle, where they are oxidized.2
Before you take it
Side effects
- Only about 25 to 30 grams of MCTs can be taken by mouth, because diarrhea and other digestive side effects are common at higher doses.2
Ask a doctor first
- On its page about Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome, MedlinePlus says medium-chain triglyceride supplements are taken under a health care provider's supervision and should be used with caution, because they may cause liver damage.3
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. A supplement is not a medicine.
The product we reviewed that lists medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)
| Product | Form and serving | Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) per serving | Our score | Price a bottle | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 LeptiThinMax#1 in weight loss support | Capsules2 capsules | Not printedIn a proprietary blend | 9.6 | $39 | Check price |
Questions people ask
What is MCT oil?
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fat. The NIH says food-grade MCTs used in supplements typically contain triglycerides with fatty acids six, eight, 10 or 12 carbons long.
What are the side effects of MCT oil?
Diarrhea and other digestive side effects are common at higher doses. The safety information notes that only about 25 to 30 grams of MCTs can be taken by mouth because of these effects.
Is MCT oil safe?
MCT supplements carry safety cautions. In a condition-specific guide, the guidance advises taking them under a clinician's supervision and cautions that they may cause liver damage. Ask a clinician before starting.
Which supplements we reviewed contain MCT?
LeptiThinMax is the product we reviewed that lists MCT. Its serving is 2 capsules, but the MCT amount is not printed because it is inside a proprietary blend.
Sources
The products, amounts and prices come from each product's label and checkout, as its review shows them. AI drafts our pages from listed sources, figures are checked against them, and we have not tried the products.
- 1NIH LiverTox, Triheptanoinncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookschecked
- 2NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Workshop on the Role of Dietary Supplements for Physically Active People (1996), Lipid Metabolism During Exerciseods.od.nih.gov/docschecked
- 3NIH National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus, Medical Encyclopedia: Bassen-Kornzweig syndromemedlineplus.gov/encychecked