Functional Symptoms After Medium Chain Triglyceride Consumption: Using An Online-based Assessment During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

PURPOSE: While dysfunctional daily symptoms due to stress, anxiety, headache, fatigue and/or poor sleep pattern, the associated quality of life issues are particularly distressing. In addition, commonly employed drug therapies have not always provided satisfactory relief. Medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil has demonstrated clinical benefits in multiple domains, notably brain function. This pilot study investigated if an MCT-containing blend could influence a spectrum of disturbing symptoms not often measured, such as light or sound sensitivity with an on-line survey tool for a 30-day period. METHODS: In an open-label trial of this patented complex, fourteen (n = 14) chronic symptom sufferers, mostly related to headache, were prospectively selected to participate in the study. Instructions to participants included maintaining a consistent lifestyle, health factors, and medications while consuming the study compound. With awareness of the current Corona virus pandemic, the original paper version of the quality-of-life survey developed was converted to an electronic response form to allow subjects increased safety in assessing their clinical status. RESULTS: As measured by the online-survey tool, a combined measure of ten specific symptoms (including light and sound sensitivity, vertigo, etc.) decreased according to subject rating, by an average of 32%. In global symptom rating, the subjects reduced the number of disrupting episodes by 39% from the baseline period compared to after 30 days of using the supplement. The average duration of the inciting cause decreased from 388 minutes to 152 minutes, a 61% reduction. Days/events missed due to symptom severity or complications were reduced from five per month to two per month, a decrease of 60%. CONCLUSION: In this initial study, life quality symptom surveys can be converted to electronic record keeping, a benefit for both the patient and the clinician. Consumption of a high concentration MCT complex produced significant improvements in the spectrum of symptoms across a broad domain of the measured variables.