Postprandial ketone body levels increase following medium‐chain triglyceride oil consumption

Background Medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFA) are quickly absorbed and transported to the liver. Where they are preferentially metabolised into energy and ketone bodies, as compared to long‐chain fatty acids. Ketone bodies are then transported to the brain and other tissues for energy supply. This makes MCFA the ideal energy source for patients with conditions in which energy deprivation is observed, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In AD, insulin resistance in the brain causes partial glucose deprivation. However, the brain is still able use ketone bodies for energy. Despite the MCFA potential, to our knowledge, a dose effect study has not been previously done in older adults, Method This sequential feeding study involved 20 healthy adults aged 50 to 77 years. Participants consumed 3 daily doses of MCFA oil (40% caprylic acid, 28% capric acid, 32% lauric acid) for 7 weeks, doses were increased in 15 mL/day every week (0mL/day in week 1 increasing to 90mL/day in week 7). At baseline and at the end of each week, participants had their anthropometric measurements taken, donated fasting blood and underwent a 2‐hour postprandial analysis. Participation could be discontinued at any time. Result Change in postprandial area under the curve for ketone body levels increased compared to baseline in 45% with 5mL (n=20), 42% with 10mL (n=19), 74% with 15mL (n=19), 73% with 20mL (n=15), 79% with 25mL (n=14), 100% with 30mL (n=11), and 75% with 35mL (n=8). However, there were no significant changes in body mass index (BMI), fasting triglycerides and total, low‐density lipoprotein and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, Conclusion Supplementation with MCFA oil increased postprandial ketone levels in a dose dependent manner, without a significant impact to blood lipids or BMI. However, further investigation is warranted to correlate this increase in postprandial ketone with its brain uptake and utilisation.