title: Dietary medium-chain triacylglycerols versus long-chain triacylglycerols for body composition in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of replacing dietary long-chain triacylglycerols (LCTs) with medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) on body composition in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to determine whether individuals assigned to replace at least 5 g of dietary LCTs with MCTs for a minimum of 4 weeks show positive modifications on body composition. We systematically searched, through July 2013, the CENTRAL, EMBASE, LILACS, and MEDLINE databases for RCTs that investigated the effects of MCT intake on body composition in adults. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were calculated for net changes in the outcomes. We assessed heterogeneity by the Cochran Q test and I(2) statistic and publication bias with the Egger's test. Prespecified sensitivity analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 11 trials were included, from which 5 presented low risk of bias. In the overall analysis, including all studies, individuals who replaced dietary LCT with MCT showed significantly reduced body weight (WMD, -0.69 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.1 to -0.28; p = 0.001); body fat (-0.89 kg; 95% CI, -1.27 to -0.51; p < 0.001), and WC (-1.78 cm; 95% CI, -2.4 to -1.1; p < 0.001). The overall quality of the evidence was low to moderate. Trials with a crossover design were responsible for the heterogeneity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite statistically significant results, the recommendation to replace dietary LCTs with MCTs must be cautiously taken, because the available evidence is not of the highest quality.
authors: a Laboratório de Fisiologia da Nutrição, Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de São Paulo , Sao Paulo , BRASIL.
authors: Nassib B
authors: NB
authors: Bueno
authors: Ingrid V
authors: IV
authors: de Melo
authors: Telma T
authors: TT
authors: Florêncio
authors: Ana L
authors: AL
authors: Sawaya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: medium-chain triglycerides; waist circumference; weight loss