Evidence supporting the use of: Medium Chain Triglycerides
For the health condition: Alzheimer's Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) are being investigated as a potential supportive intervention for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) based on their ability to elevate ketone levels in the blood. In Alzheimer's Disease, glucose metabolism in the brain is impaired, leading to reduced energy availability for neurons. MCTs are rapidly converted by the liver into ketone bodies, which can serve as an alternative energy source for brain cells. The rationale is that providing ketones may help compensate for the brain's reduced glucose utilization in AD patients.
Several small-scale clinical trials, most notably those utilizing MCT-containing formulations like caprylidene (Axona), have reported modest cognitive improvements in some individuals with mild to moderate AD, particularly those who do not carry the APOE-ε4 allele. However, the evidence remains limited: studies are generally of short duration, involve small sample sizes, and results are mixed. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses conclude that while there may be potential benefit, the overall quality of evidence is low, and more rigorous, large-scale trials are needed to establish efficacy and safety.
In summary, the use of MCTs for Alzheimer's Disease is supported by a plausible scientific mechanism and some preliminary clinical data, but the evidence is not robust. Current guidelines do not recommend MCTs as a standard treatment for AD, and their use should be considered experimental.
More about Medium Chain Triglycerides
More about Alzheimer's Disease
Other ingredients used for Alzheimer's Disease
acai berryacetyl l-carnitine
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
berberine
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
black tea
blueberry
broccoli
butyrate triglyceride
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
caprylic acid
catechins
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
gamma tocopherol
genistein
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
grape
green tea
hemp oil
hesperetin
hesperidin
huperzine A
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-serine
l-theanine
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
lutein
luteolin
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
naringin
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
oyster mushroom
phenolic acids
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
pregnenolone
butyric acid
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
selenium
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vinpocetine
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
mulberry
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
gastrodia
tinospora cordifolia
lingzhi
morus
ferulic acid
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
terpene lactones
polyphenols
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
soy isoflavones
2-(carbamimidoyl-methyl-amino) ethoxyphosphonic acid
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Anserine
Avocado
Agmatine
Acetylcholine
Amentoflavone
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Ampelopsin
Aniracetam
Apocynin
Black Seed
Bilobalide
Butylphthalide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Bacopin
Baicalein
Benfotiamine
Basidiomycota
Brahmi
Bacopa
Bifidobacteria
bacoside
Baicalin
Caffeic Acid
Centrophenoxine
Camellia sinensis
Caryophyllene
Cinnamomum
Crocin
Carnosine
Catalpol
Cyanidin
Curcuminoid
Curcumen
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Creatine
Curcuma
C-Phycocyanin
Convolvulus prostratus
Crocetin
Cytidine
Carnosic acid
Cannabigerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Decursin
Dihydrolipoic Acid
epicatechin
Ellagic Acid
Ergothioneine
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Estrogen
Ecklonia
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Ketone Salts
walnut
Other health conditions supported by Medium Chain Triglycerides
Alzheimer's DiseaseCancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Dementia
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Epilepsy
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Memory and Brain Function
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson's Disease
Wasting
Weight Loss