MCT C8

Category: lipid

Aliases: Caprylic triglyceride, Tricaprylin, Caprylic acid, Octanoic acid, C8:0

Pharmacological Mechanism

C8 (caprylic acid) triglyceride — the most ketogenic MCT. Absorbed via portal vein (vs lymphatic transport of long-chain FAs), bypasses chylomicron formation, and directly reaches liver where β-oxidation produces acetyl-CoA faster than the TCA cycle can consume it → ketogenesis. Raises plasma BHB ~0.3–0.5 mmol/L within 60–90 min — milder than ester-based products but sustained over 3–4 h.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 2h

Dosing Guidelines

Target Organ Systems

Interactions