Medium Chain Fatty Acids and Digestive Health - Research on a Leaky Gut

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Medium Chain Fatty Acids &

Leaky Gut

Introduction

Digestive health is central to overall health because the digestive system is where nutrients from food are absorbed and then transported throughout the body for use in various processes. The digestive system is also on the frontlines of fighting disease by being home to a gut microbiome, a community of disease-fighting and health-maintaining microorganisms like bacteria. So, a healthy gut is a healthier you; however, as digestive health is compromised, so is your body.

Leaky gut contributes to this compromised health state, as it takes in toxic waste products and unabsorbed food particles along with desired nutrition. In turn, these waste products are transported throughout the body thus reducing overall health.

This is where monolaurin deserves a closer look. Monolaurin, a natural supplement from coconut, has been the subject of multiple laboratory studies which investigate its potential to impact gut microbiome, and potentially overall health.

Repairing a Leaky Gut

In a leaky gut, the barrier inside the bowel that was once effective in the absorption of nutrients malfunctions and allows the entry of large molecules and germs producing a wide spectrum of symptoms. Leaky gut is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, autism, lupus, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, migraines and even food allergies (Ref #1). In this situation, the gut microbiome is compromised.

Monolaurin, the biologically active form of lauric acid, is a medium-chain fatty acid found in coconut oil that may support immune health. Studies have investigated the effect of medium-chain fatty acids on the gut microbiome and found that these kinds of fatty acids had a protective effect on intestinal structure (Ref #2). The study states:

“[The study reviews the effects of] Cuphea seeds as a natural source of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), with known antimicrobial effects… With Culphea, the number of Streptococci was significantly lower in small intestine, but not in the stomach, while the number of Lactobacilli was significantly lower in the distal small intestine and tended to be lower in the stomach and proximal small intestine…. [The] phenomena are indicative for a more healthy and better functional state of the mucosa. Present results are in line with foregoing research, showing that manipulation of the gut ecosystem by the enzymic in situ released MCFA in the stomach and foregut can result in improved performances of the piglets, which makes the concept a potential alternative for in-feed nutritional antibiotics.” (Ref #2)

Monolaurin as a medium-chain fatty acid has benefited from research which suggests it may have a role in the gut and overall immune health in the following ways:

1. Supporting gut microbiome and fighting obesity: 

A study (Ref #3) has found that consumption of medium-chain fatty acids such as monolaurin from coconut oil helped in remodeling the gut microbiome by altering the distribution of good bacteria where they were needed the most. In addition to this, taking monolaurin was also shown to have anti-obesity properties.

“Dietary medium chain triglycerides (MCT), previously found to promote lipid catabolism, energy expenditure and weight loss, can ameliorate metabolic health via their capacity to improve both intestinal ecosystem and permeability. MCT-enriched diets could therefore be used to manage metabolic diseases through modification of gut microbiota.” (Ref #3)

2. Aiding nutrition absorption:

Since medium-chain fatty acids are more likely to be absorbed by the gut compared to long-chain fatty acids, a study (Ref #4) found that taking medium-chain fatty acids lead to an improvement in fat malabsorption in patients diagnosed with HIV, indicating an increase in their nutrition states.

“The group that received the MCT product demonstrated significantly decreased stool number (mean 4 to 2.5), stool fat (mean 14 to 5.4 g), and stool weight (mean 428 to 262 g) compared with baseline (P < 0.01 for all). Patients with both species of microsporidia and with pathogen negative diarrhea had good response. We found that HIV patients with diarrhea, regardless of etiology, and documented fat malabsorption may benefit symptomatically from a diet composed of an MCT-based liquid supplement.” (Ref #4)

3. Help fight malnutrition:

Another study (Ref #5) found that in patients with short bowel syndrome, medium-chain fatty acids provided calories even with minimal prior digestion.

“MCTs possess unique characteristics of digestion, absorption, and oxidation that lead to great interest in their use in the management of gastrointestinal disorders. The facile absorption of MCTs without the need for bile or pancreatic enzymes makes them a good source of calories in the setting of malabsorption and steatorrhea from diseases, such as pancreatic or bile insufficiency. Due to their ability to bypass the lymphatic system, MCTs can also serve as a lipid source for patients with chyle leaks. As MCTs do not contain EFAs, supplementation with EFA containing vegetable oils will be necessary after 3 weeks to avoid deficiency. Although studies are limited, MCTs may be considered as a supplemental calorie source either alone, or as part of an enteral product, in certain gastrointestinal disorders." (Ref #5)

Conclusion

Digestive and gut health is essential to holistic health, and research suggests medium chain fatty acids may aid in restoring digestive health by promoting a healthy intestinal flora, increasing the ability to absorb fat, and providing calories. Monolaurin is a medium chain fatty acid which may help support digestive health.

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References

1. “Leaky gut syndrome”. NHS Choices. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/leaky-gut-syndrome/

2. N. Dierick, J. Decuypere, & I. Degeyter. The Combined Use Of Wholecupheaseeds Containing Medium Chain Fatty Acids And An Exogenous Lipase In Piglet Nutrition. Archives of Animal Nutrition. February 2003.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12801079

3. S. Rial, A. Karelis, K. Bergeron, & C. Mounier. Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Health: The Potential Beneficial Effects of a Medium Chain Triglyceride Diet in Obese Individuals. Nutrients. 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882694/

4. C. A. Wanke, D. Pleskow, P. C. Degirolami, B. B. Lambl, K. Merkel, & S. Akrabawi. A medium chain triglyceride-based diet in patients with HIV and chronic diarrhea reduces diarrhea and malabsorption: A prospective, controlled trial. Nutrition. 1996.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0899900796002213

5. N. Shah, & B. Limketkai. The Use of Medium-Chain Triglycerides in Gastrointestinal Disorders. Nutrition Issues in Gastroenterology. February 2017.http://mctlift.com.br/site/artigos/1.pdf