Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are ketogenic and might reduce adverse effects of keto-induction and improve time to ketosis\nand the tolerability of very low carbohydrate diets. This study investigates whether MCT supplementation improves time to\nnutritional ketosis (NK), mood, and symptoms of keto-induction. We compared changes in beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB), blood\nglucose, symptoms of keto-induction, and mood disturbance, in 28 healthy adults prescribed a ketogenic diet, randomised to\nreceive either 30 ml of MCT, or sunflower oil as a control, three times per day, for 20 days. The primary outcome measured was the\nachievement of NK (ââ?°Â¥0.5 mmolÃ?·LâË?â??1 BOHB). Participants also completed a daily Profile of Mood States and keto-induction\nsymptom questionnaire. MCT resulted in higher BOHB at all time points and faster time to NK, a result that failed to reach\nsignificance. Symptoms of keto-induction resulted from both diets, with a greater magnitude in the control group, except for\nabdominal pain, which occurred with greater frequency and severity in the MCT-supplemented diet. There was a possibly\nbeneficial effect on symptoms by MCT, but the effect on mood was unclear. Based on these results, MCTs increase BOHB\ncompared with LCT and reduce symptoms of keto-induction. It is unclear whether MCTs significantly improve mood or time to\nNK. The trial was registered by the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12616001099415.
Loading....