Evidence supporting the use of: Medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
For the body system: Brain

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are partially justified for use in supporting the brain-body system based on scientific validation, particularly in contexts involving energy metabolism and cognitive support. MCTs are fats that are more rapidly absorbed and metabolized than long-chain triglycerides, providing a quick source of energy. This is especially relevant for the brain, which typically relies on glucose but can also utilize ketone bodies derived from fatty acids like MCTs.

Some clinical studies have shown that MCT supplementation can increase blood ketone levels, which may serve as an alternative energy source for the brain, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. For example, a randomized controlled trial found that MCT administration improved cognitive performance in some patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. In addition, MCTs are a core component of ketogenic diets, which have a long history of use in managing epilepsy and are being explored for other neurological conditions.

However, while there is promising evidence for specific populations (e.g., neurodegenerative disease, epilepsy), robust evidence for general cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals is limited. Most studies are small or short-term, and more research is needed to establish consistent benefits in the broader population. Overall, MCTs have a plausible mechanism and some clinical support for targeted brain health applications, but evidence is not definitive or universally strong.

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Other ingredients that support Brain

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acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
apple
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
Indian frankincense
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
broccoli
brussel sprouts
bасора
caffeine
calamari oil
California poppy
cannabis sativa oil
canola oil
cassia bark
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cherry
chia seed
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citicoline
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
colostrum
copper
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cordyceps
cowage seed
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fava bean
feverfew
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gardenia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
greek mountain tea
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guarana
guayusa
hemp oil
hesperetin
hops
huperzine A
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inositol
iron
knotweed
jujube
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kava root
krill oil
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l-serine
l-phenylalanine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lecithin
linoleic acid (LA)
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
lutein
luteolin
maca
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
mannitol
marine lipid
matcha
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melatonin
moringa
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niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
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omega-6 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
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phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
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pregnenolone
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pumpkin
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resveratrol
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selenium
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threonic acid
thyme
tocotrienols
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triphala
almond fruit
ubiquinol
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velvet bean
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vitamin C
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vitamin D3
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zinc
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Products containing medium chain triglycerides (MCT)

Designs For Health ADK-Evail™
Metagenics Axis Endo™ Mango
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Designs For Health Collagen + MCT
Metagenics CoQ10 ST®-100 mg
Metagenics CoQ10 ST-100 mg
Metagenics CoQ10 ST-200 mg
Designs For Health CoQnol™ 100mg
Designs For Health Digestzymes™
Designs For Health DIM-Evail™
Metagenics GI Sustain™ Powder
Designs For Health Hi-Po Emulsi-D3™
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Chocolate
Klean Athlete Klean Omega ™
Douglas Laboratories MCT/Butyrate Liquid with SunButyrate™
Metagenics MCT Powder
Thorne MediClear Plus
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Metagenics MetaKids Vitamin D3 Liquid
Metagenics Perfect Protein Whey Chocolate
Metagenics Perfect Protein Whey Vanilla
Metagenics Phosphatidylserine
Metagenics SpectraZyme® Complete
Metagenics SpectraZyme Complete
Vitabase Super Fat Burner
Metagenics Testralin®
Metagenics UltraClear Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus® Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics Vitamin D3 10,000 + K
Metagenics Vitamin D3 5000 + K
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Metagenics Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs