Medium-chain triglycerides

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are broken down into glycerol and medium-chain fatty acids, which are directly absorbed into the blood stream and transported to the target organs, where they undergo β-oxidation to form acetyl-CoA. The β-oxidation is the most common mechanism of action for energy production derived from fatty acid metabolism. Because medium-chain fatty acids are rapidly oxidized, it leads to greater energy expenditure. Fatty acids are important substrates for energy production and also play a critical role in membrane structure and function. Additionally, fatty acids act as precursors for bioactive molecules (such as prostaglandins) and as regulators of gene expression.

Fatty acids may mediate their effects on energy expenditure, food consumption, and fat deposition by upregulating the expression and protein levels of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism via activating Akt and AMPK signaling pathways and inhibiting the TGF-β signaling pathway. It is proposed that the promotion of weight loss by MCTs may be due to sympathetic activation of brown fat thermogenesis.