MCT Oil for Endurance
Verdict: Counter-Evidence
Across 4 PubMed studies, the evidence for MCT Oil in Endurance grades Tier D — counter-evidence. High-quality evidence indicates it is not effective (or is harmful) for this use.
D 🔴 D Counter-Evidence Counter-Evidence
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
⚖️
Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.49
D
C
B
A
S
← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
D · Counter-Evidence
Confidence
79%
Broadly consistent
Evidence level
E3
Single high-quality meta-analysis
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.49
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 高階證據未達主導 (0 positive vs 1 negative)，由 raw_score 決定
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (4)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
The Effects of Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil Supplementation on Endurance Performance and Substrate Utilization in Healthy Populations: A Systematic Review
Finding: Most studies found MCT oil did not improve exercise performance and showed no effect on RER, glucose, fat/carbohydrate oxidation, or lactate; although blood ketones rose with MCT, the body could not use MCT-derived ketones as a primary fuel during acute endurance exercise.
View on PubMed Medium-chain triglycerides are advantageous in promoting weight loss although not beneficial to exercise performance
Finding: MCT feeding is ineffective for improving athletic/exercise performance; only two studies to date have shown an improvement in exercise performance, while MCT does benefit fat oxidation, energy expenditure and body composition.
View on PubMed The role of medium-chain triglycerides in exercise
Finding: The majority of studies found no glycogen-sparing effect after MCT consumption; the hypothesized 'alternative carbon source sparing glycogen' mechanism is not consistently supported, with only two conflicting positive reports.
View on PubMed Effects of medium-chain triglyceride ingestion on fuel metabolism and cycling performance
Finding: Adding MCT to carbohydrate marginally improved 40-km time trial time (66.8 to 65.1 min) in 6 trained cyclists; this is one of the rare positive small studies and is offset by larger trials showing no benefit and frequent GI distress at higher doses.
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4a US FDA
Cautious
FDA ceased to evaluate this notice at the notifier's request source↗
L4b EU EFSA
Against
L4c UK NHS
Neutral
MCT can cause diarrhoea, stomach pain or vomiting for some people. These side effects are usually short-lived and tend to settle after a few days once the body adjusts to it. source↗
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Neutral
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Cautious
L5c Cleveland Clinic
Against
L5e Specialty Society (condition-mapped)
Not addressed