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Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT Oil) for Bloating and Intestinal Gas

C

Readily absorbed without bile acids. Beneficial in short bowel syndrome and pancreatic insufficiency for caloric supplementation. Evidence for GI symptom reduction is limited.

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            C

        

        

            
The Bottom Line

            
            
Readily absorbed without bile acids. Beneficial in short bowel syndrome and pancreatic insufficiency for caloric supplementation. Evidence for GI symptom reduction is limited.

            
            
        

    










    

  
Key Study Findings





    

        
        

            

                
                    Randomized Controlled Trial
                
                
                n=10
                
                
                
            

            
                Open-label long-term treatment of add-on triheptanoin in adults with drug-resistant epilepsy.
            
            

                
                Dose: 1.1 mL/kg
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: feasibility, safety, and tolerability of long-term (48 weeks) …
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: Epilepsy patients

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Other
                
                
                
                4 weeks
                
                
            

            
                Complex Enterally Tube-Fed Community Patients Display Stable Tolerance, Improved Compliance and Better Achieve Energy and …
            
            

                
                Dose: 7.5 g
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: None
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                p = 0.496
                
            

            
            
Population: None

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Review
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Dietary fat intake and functional dyspepsia.
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: None
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: Functional dyspepsia patients (dietary fat)

            
        

        
    







    
    

        
        

            

  
Key Statistics





            


    

        
3

        
Studies

    

    

        
200

        
Participants

    

    

        
            
            ↑
            
        
        
Positive

    

    

        C

        
Grade

    




        


        
        
        

            

  
Referenced Papers





            

                
                

                    

                        
                            Open-label long-term treatment of add-on triheptanoin in adults with drug-resistant epilepsy.
                        
                        
                            
                                Other
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Epilepsia open
                        2020
                        
                        7 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Complex Enterally Tube-Fed Community Patients Display Stable Tolerance, Improved Compliance and Better Achieve Energy and Protein Targets with a High-Energy, …
                        
                        
                            
                                Other
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Nutrients
                        2020
                        
                        6 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Dietary fat intake and functional dyspepsia.
                        
                        
                            
                                Review
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Advanced biomedical research
                        2016
                        
                        26 citations
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Dosage & Usage





            
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units


            
            

                
Commonly Used Dosages

                

                    
                    

                        
general:

                        
5-15 mL (1-3 tablespoons) per day

                    

                    
                    

                        
malabsorptionsupport:

                        
15-30 mL per day in divided doses

                    

                    
                    

                        
antimicrobialprotocol:

                        
1-2 tablespoons per day (caprylic acid-rich MCT)

                    

                    
                

                
                

                    Upper limit: Not established; doses above 30 mL/day commonly cause GI distress
                

                
            

            

            
            

                
Dosages Studied in Research

                

                    

                        
                            

                                Dosage
                                Duration
                                Effect
                                N
                            

                        
                        
                            
                            

                                1.1 mL/kg
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Mixed
                                    
                                
                                10
                            

                            
                            

                                7.5 g
                                4 weeks
                                
                                    
                                    Mixed
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Mixed
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                        
                    

                

            

            

            
            

                Best taken: With meals; start with small doses (1 teaspoon) and increase gradually
            

            
        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Safety & Side Effects





            

                
                

                    
Reported Side Effects

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Diarrhea and loose stools (most common, especially when starting; titrate dose up slowly)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Nausea and abdominal cramping
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Bloating
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            May raise LDL cholesterol in some individuals
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    
Known Interactions

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Blood sugar-lowering medications (MCTs may affect ketone and glucose metabolism)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Hepatotoxic medications (MCTs are metabolized in the liver; caution in liver disease)
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    

                        Tolerable upper intake: Not established; doses above 30 mL/day commonly cause GI distress
                    

                

                
            

            

                Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Frequently Asked Questions





            




    
    

        
            Does Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT Oil) help with Bloating and Intestinal Gas?
            
        
        

            Based on 3 studies with 200 participants, there is limited but promising evidence that Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT Oil) may support Bloating and Intestinal Gas management. Our evidence grade is C (Some Evidence).
        

    

    
    

        
            How much Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT Oil) should I take for Bloating and Intestinal Gas?
            
        
        

            Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 5-15 mL (1-3 tablespoons) per day. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
        

    

    
    

        
            Are there side effects of Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT Oil)?
            
        
        

            Reported side effects may include Diarrhea and loose stools (most common, especially when starting; titrate dose up slowly), Nausea and abdominal cramping, Bloating, May raise LDL cholesterol in some individuals. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
        

    

    
    

        
            How strong is the evidence for Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT Oil) and Bloating and Intestinal Gas?
            
        
        

            We rate the evidence as Grade C (Some Evidence). This rating is based on 3 peer-reviewed studies with 200 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
        

    

    




        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Related Evidence





            

                
                
                

                
                

                    
Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT Oil) for other conditions

                    

                        
                        
                            Gut Dysbiosis
                            D

                        
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

    


    
    












    

        FDA Disclaimer:
        These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.