Physiological Effects of Medium-Chain Triglycerides: Potential Agents in the Prevention of Obesity

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Some more information about how medium chain fatty acids are very different to

their longer chain cousins. As to the

best source for medium chain fats? Coconut oil which is about 65 % medium and

shorter chain fatty acids.

Thanks to Alan Pater for binging these papers to my attention.

========================

http://www.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/132/3/329

Physiological Effects of Medium-Chain Triglycerides: Potential Agents in the

Prevention of Obesity

Marie-Pierre St-Onge and J. H. 2

School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University,

Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada, H9X 3V9

Medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) are readily oxidized in the liver.

Animal and human studies have shown that the fast rate of oxidation of MCFA

leads to greater energy expenditure (EE).

Most animal studies have also demonstrated that the greater EE with MCFA

relative to long-chain fatty acids (LCFA)

results in less body weight gain and decreased size of fat depots after several

months of consumption.

Furthermore, both animal and human trials suggest a greater satiating effect of

medium-chain triglycerides (MCT)

compared with long-chain triglycerides (LCT).

The aim of this review is to evaluate existing data describing the effects of

MCT on EE and satiety and determine their

potential efficacy as agents in the treatment of human obesity. Animal studies

are summarized and human trials more

systematically evaluated because the primary focus of this article is to examine

the effects of MCT on human energy

metabolism and satiety. Hormones including cholescytokinin, peptide YY, gastric

inhibitory peptide, neurotensin and

pancreatic polypeptide have been proposed to be involved in the mechanism by

which MCT may induce satiety; however, the

exact mechanisms have not been established.

From the literature reviewed, we conclude that MCT increase energy expenditure,

may result in faster satiety and

facilitate weight control when included in the diet as a replacement for fats

containing LCT.

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Then add in their effect on triglyceride levels from

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=9\

988780 & dopt=Abstract

Altern Med Rev 1999 Feb;4(1):23-8 Related Articles, Books, LinkOut

A cross-over study of the effect of a single oral feeding of medium chain

triglyceride oil vs. canola oil on

post-ingestion plasma triglyceride levels in healthy men.

Calabrese C, Myer S, Munson S, Turet P, Birdsall TC.

Bastyr University Research Institute, 14500 ita Dr. NE, Kenmore, WA 98028,

USA. carlo@...

Due to its unique absorption and metabolism characteristics, medium chain

triglyceride (MCT) oil, consisting of fatty

acids with 8-12 carbons, has been used therapeutically since the 1950s in the

treatment of fat malabsorption, cystic

fibrosis, epilepsy, weight control, and to increase exercise performance.

Medium chain triglycerides are easily hydrolyzed in the intestines and the fatty

acids are transported directly to the

liver via the portal venous system, in contrast to long-chain fatty acids

(LCFAs), which are incorporated into

chylomicrons for transport through the lymphatic system or peripheral

circulation.

Medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) do not require carnitine to cross the double

mitochondrial membrane of the hepatocyte,

thus they quickly enter the mitochondria and undergo rapid beta-oxidation,

whereas most LCFAs are packaged into

triglycerides in the hepatocyte.

In this single-blind, randomized, cross-over study, 20 healthy men ingested a

single dose of either 71 g of MCT oil or

canola oil. Blood samples were taken at baseline and at hours one through five

post-ingestion to compare the effect of a

single oral dosing of MCT oil versus canola oil on post-ingestion plasma

triglyceride levels.

Mean triglyceride values after canola oil increased 47 percent above baseline (p

<0.001), while mean triglyceride values

after MCT oil decreased 15 percent from baseline (p <0.001), which is consistent

with several other studies involving

short- and longer-term feeding with MCT oil.

The effect of long-term usage of MCT oil on triglycerides is yet to be

established.

PMID: 9988780 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

=======================

Good health & long life,

Greg ,

http://optimalhealth.cia.com.au

[Guest guest]

Excellent post Greg. I'm almost beginning to understand SAFA, MUFA,

and PUFA. Seems like the more I reread the posts on fats the closer

I come to understanding. You have to understand that without much

background in biochemistry a lot of this tech stuff is hard to

digest (no pun intended). I've checked out your links several

times. It's like having all the pieces to a jigsaw puzzle in front

of you but they are all upside down. Maybe I need to eat more

blueberries :-)

Bob

--- In @y..., " Greg " <gowatson@s...>

wrote:

> Hi All,

>

> Some more information about how medium chain fatty acids are very

different to their longer chain cousins. As to the

> best source for medium chain fats? Coconut oil which is about 65

% medium and shorter chain fatty acids.

>

> Thanks to Alan Pater for binging these papers to my attention.

> http://optimalhealth.cia.com.au

snipped

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: " papilio28570 " <papilio28570@...>

< >

Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 3:25 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: Physiological Effects of Medium-Chain

Triglycerides: Potential Agents in the

Prevention of Obesity

> Excellent post Greg. I'm almost beginning to understand SAFA, MUFA,

> and PUFA. Seems like the more I reread the posts on fats the closer

> I come to understanding. You have to understand that without much

> background in biochemistry a lot of this tech stuff is hard to

> digest (no pun intended). I've checked out your links several

> times. It's like having all the pieces to a jigsaw puzzle in front

> of you but they are all upside down. Maybe I need to eat more

> blueberries :-)

Hi Bob,

It took me several years for the jig saw to come together.

DWIDP helps to get the nutrient and protein to fat to carb ratios right.

The ORAC calculator to select good high ORAC to calorie foods.

Then the Glycemic Load calculator to keep under 3,000 per meal.

Lastly use KIM to get the Omega 3 / 6 ratio below 50 % (I'm at 41 %).

Without these tools it is really a jig saw with pieces that don't fit.

========================

Good health & long life,

Greg ,

http://optimalhealth.cia.com.au