The Effect of Medium Chain Triglycerides on Time to Nutritional Ketosis and Symptoms of Keto-Induction in Healthy Adults: A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
Q2
May 2018
Citations:61
Influential Citations:1
Interventional (Human) Studies
50
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Methods
28 healthy adults (2 male, 26 female), mean age 35 ± 4 years; BMI <30; non-diabetic; not currently following a ketogenic diet; randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial; participants prescribed a ketogenic diet during the study.
Intervention
MCT oil: 30 mL, three times daily, for 20 days; composition 65% caprylic acid (C8) and 35% capric acid (C10). Sunflower oil: 30 mL, three times daily, for 20 days.
Results
BOHB was higher at all time points with MCT and time to nutritional ketosis tended to be shorter with MCT, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.30). Symptoms of keto-induction were lower with MCT across most time points, though abdominal pain occurred more frequently/severely with MCT. Mood improved in both groups and was correlated with BOHB; the effect of MCT on mood remains unclear. Overall, MCTs may raise ketosis and reduce keto-induction symptoms, but evidence for significant improvements in time to NK or mood is uncertain.
Limitations
Small sample size (n=28) with predominantly female participants; short duration (20 days) and free-living design; missing BOHB data due to device errors; potential adherence variability; multiplicity of analyses (many comparisons) increasing risk of false positives; NK threshold (≥0.5 mmol/L BOHB) may not reflect functional ketosis; partial unblinding of the investigator after data analysis; limited generalizability to broader populations.

Abstract

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are ketogenic and might reduce adverse effects of keto-induction and improve time to ketosis and the tolerability of very low carbohydrate diets. This study investigates whether MCT supplementation improves time to n...