Research on the nutritional characteristics of medium-chain fatty acids

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) have attracted attention as part of a healthy diet, because they are absorbed and transported directly into the liver via the portal vein, metabolized rapidly by β-oxidation, and increase diet-induced thermogenesis. Because medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) containing only MCFA has a few weak points as frying oils, we have developed medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCT). MLCT is produced by lipase-catalyzed enzymatic transesterification. Recently, long-term clinical trials have demonstrated that MLCT and MCT result in less body fat-deposition. MLCT oil (Trade name : Healthy Resseta) is safe and can be substitute for common edible vegetable oils. Healthy Resseta has been approved as FOSHU (Food for Specified Health Use), by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan in December 2002 for use as a cooking oil with a suppressing effect on body fat accumulation. Healthy Resseta is widely sold in Japan

Effect of medium-chain triglycerides supplements and walking on health-related quality of life in sedentary, healthy middle-aged, and older adults with low BMIs: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial

IntroductionTo extend individuals’ healthy life expectancies, the improvement of subjective health and quality of life (QOL) has been increasingly prioritized, alongside the improvement of their physical functioning. Reports have indicated that intake of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) benefits the physical health of older individuals requiring nursing care, and athletes, and healthy individuals. But there are few studies investigating the effects of MCTs on subjective health and QOL. The present study sought to evaluate the combined effects of 12-week MCTs supplements and moderate-intensity walking exercise on the subjective health and QOL of middle-aged and older adults aged 60–74 with low BMIs (< 24 kg/m2) and who had no exercise habits.MethodsA placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group trial was conducted. Three MCTs supplement groups with different doses and fatty acid compositions were compared with a control group. The study used the SF-36v2 questionnaire to assess subjective health and health-related QOL (HRQOL).ResultsThe result showed significant improvements in the scores on subscales of the physical QOL, such as Physical functioning and General health, and summary scores on the mental QOL, compared to the control.ConclusionIt is estimated that the combination of continuous intake of MCTs and walking exercise may affect HRQOL and improve subjective physical and mental health in sedentary, healthy, middle-aged and older adults.Clinical trial registrationhttps://rctportal.niph.go.jp/s/detail/um?trial_id=UMIN000046861, UMIN000046861

Short-Term Ingestion of Medium-Chain Triglycerides Could Enhance Postprandial Consumption of Ingested Fat in Individuals with a Body Mass Index from 25 to Less than 30: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Crossover Study

The elimination of obesity is essential to maintaining good health. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) inhibit fat accumulation. However, studies examining energy expenditure and fat oxidation with continuous ingestion of MCTs show little association with the elimination of obesity. In this study, we conducted a randomized, double-blind crossover clinical trial to investigate the effects of continuous ingestion of MCTs on postprandial energy expenditure and ingested long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) oxidation. A daily 2 g of MCTs were ingested for two weeks by sedentary participants with a body mass index (BMI) from 25 (kg/m2) to less than 30. Ingestion of a meal containing MCTs and isotopic carbon-13-labeled (13C) LCTs increased energy expenditure and consumption of diet-derived LCTs, as determined by postprandial 13C carbon dioxide excretion, compared to canola oil as the placebo control. These results indicate that continuous ingestion of MCTs could enhance postprandial degradation of diet-derived fat and energy expenditure in sedentary, overweight individuals

Effect of Continuous Ingestion of 2 g of Medium-Chain Triglycerides on Substrate Metabolism during Low-Intensity Physical Activity

Increasing fat burning during physical activity is thought to be an effective strategy for maintaining health and preventing lifestyle-related diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. In recent years, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have gained attention as a dietary component for increasing fat-burning. However, this fat-burning effect has been unclear in people with high body mass index (BMI). Therefore, we aimed to clarify the effects of 2 g of daily ingestion of MCTs over 2 weeks on substrate oxidation during low-intensity physical activity in sedentary (i.e., with no exercise habit) subjects with a BMI from 25 (kg/m2) to less than 30, which is classified as obese in Japan. A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover study with a 2-week washout period was conducted. The rate of fat oxidation as well as the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) during exercise (with a cycle ergometer at a 20-watt load) were measured with a human calorimeter. MCTs ingestion significantly increased fat oxidation during physical activity and decreased RER compared to long-chain triglycerides ingestion. In conclusion, we suggest that daily ingestion of 2 g of MCTs for 2 weeks increases fat burning during daily physical activities in sedentary persons with a BMI ranging from 25 to less than 30

Effect of Ingestion of Medium-Chain Triglycerides on Substrate Oxidation during Aerobic Exercise Could Depend on Sex Difference in Middle-Aged Sedentary Persons

Fat oxidation (FAO) during aerobic exercise and whole-body FAO via lipid intake are thought to be important for the maintenance of health, such as the prevention of type 2 diabetes and obesity in sedentary persons in their 40s and 50s. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) ingestion has been attracting attention. However, the effects of difference of sex and the composition of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are unclear, so we examined the effects of these factors on FAO during aerobic exercise. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-arm, within-participants crossover trial. FAO during low- to moderate-intensity exercise was compared when octanoate-rich MCTs (C8R), decanoate-rich MCTs (C10R), or carbohydrate (control) was ingested. Three 2-week interventions were separated by two 2-week washout periods. An increase of FAO during exercise after the C8R diet was found in males, but not in females. An increase of carbohydrate oxidation (CAO) and oxygen uptake during exercise after the C10R diet was found in females, but not in males. In a pooled estimate of the effect of MCTs (C8R and C10R) in women and men, FAO increased during exercise. In conclusion, short-term ingestion of MCTs by middle-aged sedentary persons could increase FAO during aerobic exercise compared to carbohydrate ingestion, but the enhancing effect of MCTs on substrate utilization and oxygen uptake might vary, depending on sex and the composition of MCFAs