Minor amounts of plasma medium-chain fatty acids and no improved time trial performance after consuming lipids

Performance times after consuming carbohydrates plus specific structured triacylglycerols were similar to those after carbohydrates alone, averaging 50.0 +/- 1.8 and 50.8 +/- 3.6 minutes, respectively.

• Intake of specific structured triacylglycerols, a mixture of medium- and long-chain fatty acids, did not improve cycling performance compared to carbohydrate intake alone.
• No plasma 8:0 fatty acid was detected in any lipid classes, suggesting limited availability in circulation after intake of medium-chain fatty acids.
• A significant increase in the level of plasma phospholipid fatty acids was observed after consuming carbohydrates plus structured triacylglycerols compared to carbohydrates only.
• The lack of performance enhancement from medium-chain fatty acids may be linked to the absence of 8:0 in the bloodstream.

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