Effect of glucose on medium chain triglyceride induced ketosis in healthy adults in a randomized, double-blind, controlled study

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Significance reported but specific values not provided

• Effect Size: Negative correlation between βHB and increasing glucose at constant C8-MCT; positive moderate correlation with parallel substrate increases

• Primary Outcome: Plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations significantly increased with C8-MCT at low and medium glucose doses but not at highest glucose dose

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: C8-MCT:glucose ratio of 1:3 may represent metabolic threshold

• Confidence Interval: Not reported in abstract

Clinical Application

Requires precise dosing calculations and metabolic monitoring, limiting practical implementation MCT supplements available through TGA-approved channels; relevant for sports nutrition and ketogenic diet counselling but limited clinical applications Limited to healthy young adults, particularly women, seeking nutritional ketosis

Abstract

Although medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) stimulate and carbohydrates inhibit ketone body synthesis, their quantitative interaction in humans is not well defined. This randomised, controlled, double-blind crossover study investigated how increasing glucose doses affects C8-MCT-induced ketone body synthesis after overnight fasting. Eleven healthy young woman (22.5 ± 1.9 years) received a constant dose of tricaprylin (99% C8; 0.2 g/kg bodyweight) combined with increasing glucose doses (0.2-0.6 g/kg bodyweight). In additional interventions, both C8-MCT and glucose were increased in parallel. Plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB), glucose, and insulin were measured for up to 300 min post-dose. Indirect calorimetry in a subset and side effects were monitored. C8-MCT significantly increased βHB concentrations at low and medium glucose doses compared with control, but not at highest glucose dose. When both substrates were increased equally (1:1 ratio), ketone body synthesis increased. βHB was negative correlated with increasing glucose dosing at constant C8-MCT dosing, while parallel increases in both substrates showed a positive moderate correlation between βHB and C8-MCT doses. No dose-dependent side effects occurred. Overall, ketone body synthesis declines with rising glucose intake. It remains unclear whether a C8-MCT: glucose ratio of 1:3 represents a metabolic cut-off or whether glucose intake becomes excessive due to linear effects.Trial registration This study was prospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS ID DRKS00035373 https//www.bfarm.de/EN/BfArM/Tasks/GermanClinicalTrialsRegister/_node.html ).

References

1. 1.Frenser, M., Fobker, M., Feuerborn, R. A., Marquardt, T., & Fischer, T. (2026). Effect of glucose on medium chain triglyceride induced ketosis in healthy adults in a randomized, double-blind, controlled study. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00053.2024