Category: lipid
Aliases: Octanoic acid, SFA 8:0, C8:0
Saturated medium-chain fatty acid with an eight-carbon chain, reported on fatty-acid panels as SFA 8:0. Occurs naturally in milk fat, coconut and palm kernel oil. Absorbed via the portal vein rather than lymphatic chylomicrons, which is why medium-chain fats are cleared and oxidised faster than long-chain ones. Distinct from the C8 triglyceride sold as an MCT supplement, which is its esterified form.
Panel measurand rather than a single administered substance. Added when nutrient rows that reported this measurement were found filed under the slug of one specific species.