Acute Effects of MCT Formulations on Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Response, Lipid Profile, and Glucose Levels in Healthy Adults

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), delivered in different formulations, on beta-hydroxybutyrate response (as a marker of ketone body production), lipid metabolism, and glucose responses in healthy adults.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Do MCTs influence beta-hydroxybutyrate responses, lipid metabolism, and glucose responses differently compared to long-chain triglycerides (LCTs)?

Do different types of MCTs (natural sources containing C8 to C12 versus synthetic formulations containing only C8 and C10) lead to different beta-hydroxybutyrate, lipid, and glucose responses?

Does the form in which MCTs are consumed (e.g., powders or incorporated into foods) influence beta-hydroxybutyrate production, lipid metabolism, and glucose responses?

Researchers will compare five different lipid formulations to evaluate their effects on postprandial beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, blood lipid levels, and glucose.

Participants will:

Consume five different test products on separate study visits. Provide blood samples for up to five hours after each intake for metabolic measurements.

Conditions

• Ketone Body
• Lipid Metabolism
• Glucose Response

Interventions

OTHER

MCT Beverage

Beverage containing medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Administered in a quantity adjusted to provide a lipid dose of 0.5 g/kg of body weight.

OTHER

LCT Beverage

Beverage containing long-chain triglycerides (LCTs). Administered in a quantity adjusted to provide a lipid dose of 0.5 g/kg of body weight.

OTHER

Synthetic MCT Powder

Powder formulation containing synthetic medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) composed of C8 and C10 fatty acids, reconstituted in water before consumption. Administered in a quantity adjusted to provide a lipid dose of 0.5 g/kg of body weight.

OTHER

Natural MCT Powder

Powder formulation containing medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) derived from coconut oil (containing fatty acids from C8 to C12), reconstituted in water before consumption. Administered to provide a lipid dose of 0.5 g/kg of body weight

OTHER

MCT Biscuit

Biscuit containing medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) derived from coconut oil. Administered in a quantity adjusted to provide a lipid dose of 0.5 g/kg of body weight.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Florence

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Milan

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-01-13

Primary Completion

2026-10-31

Completion

2026-10-31

Countries

• Italy

Study Locations