MCT Oil
Research reviewed: 2022-2026
MCT Oil (Medium-Chain Triglycerides (C8, C10, C12)) is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 172 participants, researched for Weight Management, Cognitive Function, Weight Loss and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Weight Management
ModerateCognitive Function
ModerateWeight Loss
WeakHeart Health
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Weight Management
To evaluate effects of MCTs on weight loss and body composition.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate effects of MCTs on weight loss and body composition.
Dose
MCT oil 15-60g daily replacing equivalent long-chain fat
Participants
Multiple RCTs (600+ combined participants)
Duration
3 weeks to 12 months
Results
MCTs more effective than LCTs in reducing body weight, body fat, and waist circumference. Moderate effect size. Greater effect with pure C8/C10 MCT vs mixed products.
How They Measured It
Body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference across RCTs
To assess impact of MCT on weight loss and metabolic health in overweight/obese adults.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To assess impact of MCT on weight loss and metabolic health in overweight/obese adults.
Dose
Various MCT doses
Participants
Multiple RCTs combined
Duration
Various
Results
MCT-enriched diets significantly more effective for weight reduction (WMD: -1.53%). Pure MCT showed greater effect. Secondary improvements in insulin sensitivity.
How They Measured It
Body weight, fat mass, BMI, insulin sensitivity
To assess MCT oil on cognition in mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover
Purpose
To assess MCT oil on cognition in mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Dose
MCT oil 17.3g three times daily
Participants
53 mild-moderate Alzheimer's patients (APOE4 negative)
Duration
30 days per phase
Results
MCT significantly improved cognitive scores in APOE4-negative AD patients. Blood ketone levels elevated. APOE4-positive patients did not benefit.
How They Measured It
ADAS-cog, MMSE, blood ketone levels, cognitive battery
Cognitive Function
To assess the effects of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil supplementation on cognitive function in subjects with Alzheimer's disease
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study with open-label extension
Purpose
To assess the effects of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil supplementation on cognitive function in subjects with Alzheimer's disease
Dose
Medium-chain triglyceride oil
Participants
20 elderly adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease or cognitive impairment
Duration
Crossover design with 2-3 week treatment periods
Results
MCT oil improved ADAS-cog scores compared to equal amount of fat in non-APOE4 carriers. Benefits dependent on genetic status
How They Measured It
Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog)
To assess MCT effects on cognition and ketone production in Alzheimer's disease
Study Type
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Purpose
To assess MCT effects on cognition and ketone production in Alzheimer's disease
Dose
MCT oil supplement
Participants
Meta-analysis of studies in Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment
Duration
Various study periods
Results
MCTs elevated beta-hydroxybutyrate levels and showed trend towards cognitive improvement on ADAS-Cog. Ketones may compensate for brain glucose deficit.
How They Measured It
Cognitive function (ADAS-Cog), beta-hydroxybutyrate levels
To evaluate MCT oil in Alzheimer's disease patients with crossover and open-label extension
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate MCT oil in Alzheimer's disease patients with crossover and open-label extension
Dose
MCT oil supplement
Participants
Moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease subjects
Duration
9-15 months total
Results
MCT oil supplementation showed stabilization of cognition with continuous daily nutritional ketones over 9-month period in Alzheimer's disease.
How They Measured It
Cognitive function, brain imaging, quality of life
Both a single dose and a 4-week daily regimen of medium-chain triglycerides boost certain aspects of cognitive function in young adults: A randomized
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Both a single dose and a 4-week daily regimen of medium-chain triglycerides boost certain aspects of cognitive function in young adults: A randomized
Dose
See study
Participants
16 participants
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Study results available at linked source.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 41443401. Physiol Behav
Medium-Chain Triglyceride Dietary Supplements Reduce Glucose Metabolism of Gait-Related Skeletal Muscle in Older Adults: A Longitudinal (18)F-FDG PET/
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Medium-Chain Triglyceride Dietary Supplements Reduce Glucose Metabolism of Gait-Related Skeletal Muscle in Older Adults: A Longitudinal (18)F-FDG PET/
Dose
See study
Participants
63 participants
Duration
3 months
Results
CONCLUSION: A 3-month MCT supplementation suppressed glucose metabolism and increased the muscle density in gait-related skeletal muscles, consistent with previous findings that MCT supplementation.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40431447. Nutrients
Supplementation of medium-chain triglycerides combined with docosahexaenoic acid improves cognitive function in Chinese older adults with mild cogniti
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Supplementation of medium-chain triglycerides combined with docosahexaenoic acid improves cognitive function in Chinese older adults with mild cogniti
Dose
See study
Participants
70 participants
Duration
12 months
Results
CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of MCT, DHA and their combination for 12 months can significantly improve cognitive function, mitochondria function and increase serum total ketone body levels in MCI in.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40044083. J Affect Disord
Weight Loss
To assess effects of medium-chain triglycerides on weight loss and body composition
Study Type
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Purpose
To assess effects of medium-chain triglycerides on weight loss and body composition
Dose
MCT oil (various doses, replacing long-chain triglycerides)
Participants
Meta-analysis of multiple RCTs
Duration
Various study periods
Results
Replacement of long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) with MCTs could induce modest reductions in body weight and composition without adversely affecting lipid profiles.
How They Measured It
Body weight, body composition, BMI
Heart Health
Efficacy evaluation of medium-chain triglycerides supplementation on acute severe encephalopathy.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Efficacy evaluation of medium-chain triglycerides supplementation on acute severe encephalopathy.
Dose
See study
Participants
23 participants
Duration
180 days
Results
CONCLUSIONS: MCT supplementation significantly reduced poor neurologic outcomes at 180 days in acute severe encephalopathy patients.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40674442. Nutr Neurosci
A pharmacological profile of triheptanoin for the treatment of long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
A pharmacological profile of triheptanoin for the treatment of long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders.
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Results
demonstrated significant clinical benefit.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40633017. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MCT Oil research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on MCT Oil (Medium-Chain Triglycerides (C8, C10, C12)), involving 172 total participants. Research covers Weight management, Cognitive function, Energy production and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.
The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
MCT Oil has been researched for: Weight management, Cognitive function, Energy production, Ketosis support. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 12 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
Similar Supplements
Other supplements researched for similar health goals
