Evidence supporting the use of: MCT / Medium Chain Triglycerides
For the health condition: Weight Gain

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Synopsis

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

Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) have scientific support for their use in helping with weight gain, particularly in specific clinical populations. MCTs are more rapidly absorbed and metabolized than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), providing a quick source of energy. Several studies have demonstrated that MCT oil can be beneficial in patients who have difficulty absorbing fats, such as those with malabsorption syndromes, pancreatic insufficiency, or certain gastrointestinal disorders. In these cases, MCTs can help increase caloric intake and support weight maintenance or gain (Lambert et al., 2017). MCTs are also used in medical nutrition therapy for individuals with increased caloric requirements, such as those recovering from illness or surgery. The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) includes MCTs in some enteral formulas for this reason. However, the evidence for MCTs promoting weight gain in healthy individuals is limited; most research focuses on clinical populations with specific needs. For the general population, some studies have explored MCTs’ effects on satiety and metabolism, but these tend to show a neutral or even negative effect on weight gain. In summary, the use of MCTs to support weight gain is scientifically validated, but mainly in the context of medical conditions associated with fat malabsorption or increased energy needs, rather than for healthy individuals seeking to gain weight.

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