After 12 days, the participants on the MCT formula showed significantly less fat in their stool and better fat absorption than the other group. The body depends on enzymes from the pancreas to digest fat. In one study, individuals with inadequate pancreatic function due to chronic pancreatitis appeared to be better able to absorb MCTs than ordinary fatty acids. When the glycogen is depleted, exhaustion begins to set in. One solution to this is carbo-loading, the practice of taking large doses of carbohydrates prior to exercise in order to increase glycogen stores.
Athletes can also sip carbohydrate-loaded drinks during exercise.
MCTs may provide an alternative. A very small study compared MCTs and carbohydrates as performance boosters for 6 trained cyclists. 12 Researchers found a slight advantage to the combination drink. Another study on 12 cyclists also suggested that MCTs plus carbohydrates enhanced performance. However, a recent small study found no benefit with MCTs, and the researchers felt that there was some impairment of performance due to a sensation of bloating.