Metabolism regulation by dietary medium-chain triacylglycerols

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) differ fundamentally from long-chain fatty acids: they largely bypass chylomicron assembly, first enter the liver as free fatty acids, and promptly drive ketone body synthesis. 

MCFA supplementation improves glucose homeostasis, may modestly increase energy expenditure, and suppresses appetite; effects on lipoprotein profiles and liver health are modest and variable.

MCFAs are scarce in Western diets, making supplementation a promising therapeutic strategy, especially since metabolic benefits are achieved with comparatively small daily doses (10– 20 g) and do not require strict ketogenic dieting.

Emerging data indicate that MCFA intake benefits myocardial contractility. Metabolic and cardiovascular effects vary by MCFA chain length, underscoring structure-specific activity even within MCFAs.

https://www.cell.com/trends/endocrinology-metabolism/fulltext/S1043-2760(25)00216-4

https://sciencemission.com/Dietary-medium-chain-triacylglycerols