Category: lipid
Aliases: Medium-chain triglyceride oil, C8/C10 oil
Mixture of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) — primarily caprylic (C8) and capric (C10), occasionally with caproic (C6) and lauric (C12) fractions. MCTs bypass the standard chylomicron route (lymphatic + slow LPL processing) and enter portal circulation directly, reaching the liver within minutes → rapid β-oxidation → ↑ketone bodies (β-hydroxybutyrate) within 30–90 min of dosing. C8 (caprylic) is the most ketogenic; C10 (capric) less so; C12 (lauric) behaves more like a long-chain fat. Commercial "MCT oil" is typically a 60/40 C8/C10 blend; "C8 MCT" / "C8 only" products are pure C8.