Effects of medium-chain triaclyglycerol ingested with carbohydrate on metabolism and exercise performance

Int J Sport Nutr. 1999 Mar;9(1):35-47. doi: 10.1123/ijsn.9.1.35.

Abstract

The effects of ingesting different amounts of medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) and carbohydrate (CHO) on gastric symptoms, fuel metabolism, and exercise performance were measured in 9 endurance-trained cyclists. Participants, 2 hr after a standardized lunch, cycled for 2 hr at 63% of peak oxygen consumption and then performed a simulated 40-km time trial (Ttrial). During the rides, participants ingested either 10% 14C-glucose (GLU), 10% 14C-GLU + 1.72% MCT (LO-MCT), or 10% 14C-GLU +3.44% MCT (HI-MCT) solutions: 400 ml at the start of exercise and then 100 ml every 10 min. MCT ingestion did not affect gastrointestinal symptoms. It only raised serum free fatty acid (FFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. Higher FFA and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations with MCT ingestion did not affect fuel oxidation or T-trial performance. The high CHO content of the pretrial lunch increased starting plasma insulin levels, which may have promoted CHO oxidation despite elevated circulating FFA concentrations with MCT ingestion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / blood
  • Adult
  • Bicycling / physiology*
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Carbon Dioxide / metabolism
  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / metabolism
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Fats / metabolism
  • Ergometry
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
  • Glucose / administration & dosage*
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Lactates / blood
  • Male
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology
  • Physical Endurance / physiology
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Stomach / drug effects
  • Triglycerides / administration & dosage*
  • Triglycerides / metabolism

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Insulin
  • Lactates
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Triglycerides
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Glucose
  • 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid