How are medium-chain triglycerides absorbed?

Last Updated:

Long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which have 13 or more carbon atoms, have a complex digestion and absorption process that can take several hours. Digestion requires bile from the liver to emulsify (break down) the triglycerides (fat) and pancreatic enzymes called lipases to further break down the triglycerides in the small intestine into fatty acids and monoglycerides. After digestion, LCTs are packaged into fat-transport particles, called chylomicrons, which are absorbed into the lymphatic system and eventually enter the bloodstream, where they can be stored as fat or used for energy.[1][2]

However, the digestion process for medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) is much simpler and faster. MCTs are smaller (6 to 12 carbon atoms) and more water-soluble than LCTs. Consequently, they do not require bile from the liver for emulsification and are enzymatically broken down in the stomach and small intestine into fatty acids and monoglycerides.[2] These are then absorbed directly through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream via the portal vein, which bypasses the lymphatic system and delivers the MCT-derived fatty acids directly to the liver.[2] This is important because the liver rapidly metabolizes the medium-chain fatty acids into ketones,[3] a type of energy the body can use immediately, especially when blood glucose concentrations are low.[1]

That said, while caproic acid (a 6-carbon-chain MCT), caprylic acid (an 8-carbon-chain MCT), and capric acid (a 10-carbon-chain MCT) are rapidly absorbed and metabolized in this way, lauric acid (a 12-carbon-chain MCT) has some nuances. It is chemically defined as an MCT because it has a chain length between 6 and 12 carbons; however, its metabolic behavior is similar to an LCT because studies have shown that it is more likely to be absorbed via the lymphatic system than other shorter-chain MCTs like caprylic acid (a.k.a. octanoic acid).[4][5][6]

References
1.^Cheng X, Jiang C, Jin J, Jin Q, Akoh CC, Wei W, Wang XMedium- and Long-Chain Triacylglycerol: Preparation, Health Benefits, and Food Utilization.Annu Rev Food Sci Technol.(2024 Jun)
2.^Jadhav HB, Annapure USTriglycerides of medium-chain fatty acids: a concise review.J Food Sci Technol.(2023 Aug)
3.^Nakamura K, Hagihara K, Nagai N, Egashira R, Takeuchi M, Nakano M, Saito H, Moriguchi M, Tonari S, Fujii H, Miyake A, Omae Y, Ashida KKetogenic effects of medium chain triglycerides containing formula and its correlation to breath acetone in healthy volunteers: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, single dose-response study.Front Nutr.(2023)
4.^Sigalet DL, Winkelaar GB, Smith LJDetermination of the route of medium-chain and long-chain fatty acid absorption by direct measurement in the ratJPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr.(1997 Sep-Oct)