Medium-chain triglyceride
Medium-chain triglyceride (pronunciation: /ˈmiːdiəmˈtʃeɪn ˌtrɪɡlɪˈsɛraɪd/), often abbreviated as MCT, is a type of fat that is more easily digested and absorbed than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs). The term "medium-chain" refers to the number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain, which is typically between 6 and 12.
Etymology
The term "medium-chain triglyceride" is derived from the structure of these fats. "Medium-chain" refers to the length of the fatty acid chain, while "triglyceride" refers to the chemical structure of the fat, which includes three ("tri") glycerol molecules ("glyceride").
Related Terms
- Fatty acid: A carboxylic acid consisting of a hydrocarbon chain and a terminal carboxyl group, especially any of those occurring as esters in fats and oils.
- Triglyceride: An ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids. Triglycerides are the main constituents of body fat in humans and other animals, as well as vegetable fat.
- Lipid: Any of various substances that are soluble in nonpolar organic solvents (such as chloroform and ether), that are usually insoluble in water, that with proteins and carbohydrates constitute the principal structural components of living cells, and that include fats, waxes, phosphatides, cerebrosides, and related and derived compounds.
- Ketone: Any of a class of organic compounds characterized by the presence of a carbonyl group in which the carbon atom is covalently bonded to an oxygen atom.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Medium-chain triglyceride
- Wikipedia's article - Medium-chain triglyceride
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