What are medium-chain triglycerides?
Medium-chain triglycerides (MTC’s) are medium-chain (6 to 12 carbons) fatty acid esters of glycerol. MCTs are a special class of fatty acids. Normal fats and oils contain long-chain fatty acids (LCTs). Compared to these fatty acids, MCTs are much shorter in length. Therefore, they resemble carbohydrates more than fat. As a result, they are more easily absorbed, digested, and utilized as energy than LCTs. Once in the blood stream, they are transported directly into the liver. Thus, MCTs are an immediately available source of energy and only a tiny percent is converted into body fat.
