This 2022 clinical trial was conducted over 15 months to study the effects of MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil supplementation on cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
19 subjects were included in the study, and the results showed that those who took MCT oil continuously for 11 months did better cognitively than those who had their 11 months of MCT oil interrupted by 4 months of placebo (olive oil). Baseline Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were found to be the most important factor, suggesting that providing alternative brain energy as ketones may be more beneficial earlier in the course of the disease.
The study found that regular intake of MCT oil (at least 28 grams per day) was feasible for both patients and caregivers and that a daily dose of up to 42 grams of MCT oil was safe, with no adverse effects on weight, body fat composition, or lipid profiles. However, some individuals had difficulty tolerating a maximum dose of 42 grams per day due to gastrointestinal side effects.
In conclusion, the study showed that MCT oil supplementation had a positive effect on attention and psychomotor function, with better results in individuals with higher baseline MMSE scores. Long-term supplemental MCT was safe and well-tolerated, and the results raise the hope of a new therapeutic option for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease dementia. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of MCT oil on cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Study Title: Use of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil in subjects with Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study, with an open‐label extension
Study Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8919247