Evidence supporting the use of: Medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
For the health condition: Nerve Damage

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) have some emerging scientific support for their use in conditions involving nerve damage, but the evidence is still limited and largely preclinical or theoretical. MCTs are fats that are metabolized differently from long-chain triglycerides, producing ketone bodies that can be used as alternative energy sources by neurons, especially when glucose metabolism is impaired. This has led to interest in MCTs for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy, where there is some clinical evidence of benefit, mainly through ketogenic diet studies. Regarding nerve damage (neuropathy), animal models have shown that ketogenic diets or MCT supplementation may reduce neuroinflammation, promote nerve regeneration, and improve mitochondrial function in peripheral nerves. Some studies also suggest MCTs may protect against oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, two factors implicated in nerve injury. However, direct human evidence for MCTs improving nerve damage (such as diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, or traumatic nerve injury) is sparse. Most clinical studies are small and preliminary, with endpoints focused on surrogate biomarkers rather than functional recovery. In summary, while MCTs have plausible mechanisms and some preclinical evidence supporting their use in nerve damage, robust clinical data are lacking. Their use is not based on traditional medicine, but rather on modern scientific hypotheses and early-stage research. Therefore, the evidence rating for this indication remains low but not absent.

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