Human studies have mainly compared the effects of MCT
vs. LCT in single-meal or single-day experiments. Scalfi et al.
(3) evaluated the effects of a single mixed meal containing
MCT on postprandial thermogenesis and examined possible
differences in the thermic response between lean and obese
men. Subjects consumed a meal containing 15% of energy
from protein, 55% from carbohydrate and 30% from fat, in the
form of corn oil (CO) and animal fat or MCT oil (56%
octanoate, 40% decanoate) in random order. Energy expenditure
measurements were conducted before and for 6 h after
consumption of the meal. Total EE was 48 and 65% greater in
lean and obese individuals, respectively, after MCT compared
with LCT consumption. Similar results were obtained by
Seaton et al. (4) comparing the effects of MCT or CO on EE
after a single meal. Energy expenditure peaked at 16% above
baseline after MCT consumption compared with 5% for CO