Home Ingredients NEOBEE® (Medium-Chain Triglycerides — Stepan)
Weight ManagementMetabolic Health

NEOBEE® (Medium-Chain Triglycerides — Stepan)

Evidence Level
Moderate
2 Clinical Trials
3 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

NEOBEE® is a line of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from Stepan. MCTs are fats built from shorter fatty acids, mainly caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid, than most dietary fats. They are absorbed and burned quickly, and the liver turns part of them into ketones. In pooled randomized trials, replacing long-chain fats with MCTs led to small extra losses of body weight (about half a kilogram), waist size and body fat, though many trials were small and the review found signs of commercial bias. MCT-enriched diets also lowered an insulin resistance score in pooled trials, while results for blood triglycerides differed between pooled analyses and cholesterol did not change. All of this research used generic MCT oil, not NEOBEE specifically. Large single doses can upset the stomach.

Studied Dose Trials replaced part of the dietary fat with MCT oil; doses varied. One 90-day trial used 18 g/day in place of corn oil. Single test doses of 10 to 30 g raised blood ketones. Start with a small amount taken with food.
Active Compound Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), primarily caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) fatty acids.

Benefits

Body composition

Studied as generic MCT oil. In a meta-analysis of 13 small trials (749 adults), replacing long-chain fats with MCTs reduced body weight by about 0.5 kg more, and waist size by about 1.5 cm more, along with total and visceral fat. The authors found signs of commercial bias and called for larger independent trials. A later pooled analysis in adults with overweight found about 1.5% more weight loss.

Supported by Trial 1

Ketone production

In metabolic test days in healthy adults, single doses of MCT oil raised blood ketones, an alternative fuel for the brain. Caprylic acid (C8) was about three times more ketogenic than capric acid (C10), and the rise was larger without a meal. These studies measured blood ketones, not energy or thinking.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Lower insulin resistance score in MCT trials; lipid effects vary

Studied as generic MCT oil, not NEOBEE. Pooled trials in adults with overweight or obesity found MCT-enriched diets lowered HOMA-IR, an insulin resistance score, and blood triglycerides versus long-chain fat diets. A 90-day pilot trial in 40 overweight adults with type 2 diabetes (18 g a day versus corn oil) also lowered HOMA-IR. But a pooled analysis of 7 MCT oil trials found no cholesterol change and a small triglyceride rise.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Rapid oxidation

Medium-chain fatty acids are quickly broken down for energy (beta-oxidation), faster than the long-chain fats that make up most of the diet.

2

Ketone formation

Part of the medium-chain fat reaching the liver is turned into the ketones beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate; caprylic acid (C8) produces more ketones than capric (C10) or lauric (C12) acid.

Clinical trials

1
Medium-chain triglycerides and body composition: meta-analysis
PubMed

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials longer than 3 weeks comparing MCTs (C8 and C10) with long-chain triglycerides in healthy adults. (Mumme et al. 2015, J Acad Nutr Diet)

13 trials with 749 adults.

MCTs reduced body weight by 0.51 kg more than long-chain fats, waist circumference by 1.46 cm, hip circumference by 0.79 cm, and total, subcutaneous and visceral fat, with no change in blood lipids. Many trials lacked quality information and commercial bias was detected.

2
MCT oil in overweight adults with type 2 diabetes: pilot trial
PubMed

Randomized pilot trial of 18 g/day MCT oil versus corn oil as part of daily food for 90 days. (Han et al. 2007, Metabolism)

40 moderately overweight free-living adults with type 2 diabetes in China.

At day 90 the MCT group had lower body weight, waist circumference and HOMA-IR insulin resistance score than the corn oil group. Energy intake fell without trying in the MCT group.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

MCT oil can cause digestive side effects; in one study, emulsifying MCT into milk cut side effects by about half.
Start with a small amount taken with food rather than a large single dose.
MCT oil slightly raised blood triglycerides in a pooled analysis of 7 trials.

Important Drug interactions

No specific drug interactions are known.
People with cirrhosis or other serious liver disease should ask a doctor before using concentrated MCTs.
Tell your doctor if you follow a ketogenic diet for a medical condition, since MCTs add to ketone levels.

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Frequently asked questions about NEOBEE® (Medium-Chain Triglycerides — Stepan)

What is NEOBEE?

Neobee® is a line of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from Stepan. MCTs are fats built from shorter fatty acids, mainly caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid, than most dietary fats. They are absorbed and burned quickly, and the liver turns part of them into ketones.

What is NEOBEE used for?

NEOBEE is researched primarily for Weight Management and Metabolic Health. Studied as generic MCT oil. In a meta-analysis of 13 small trials (749 adults), replacing long-chain fats with MCTs reduced body weight by about 0.5 kg more, and waist size by about 1.5 cm more, along with total and visceral fat.

What is the recommended dosage of NEOBEE?

The clinically studied dose is Trials replaced part of the dietary fat with MCT oil; doses varied. One 90-day trial used 18 g/day in place of corn oil. Single test doses of 10 to 30 g raised blood ketones. Start with a small amount taken with food. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is NEOBEE safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for NEOBEE include: MCT oil can cause digestive side effects; in one study, emulsifying MCT into milk cut side effects by about half. Start with a small amount taken with food rather than a large single dose. It may also interact with some medications. NEOBEE is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does NEOBEE interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No specific drug interactions are known. People with cirrhosis or other serious liver disease should ask a doctor before using concentrated MCTs. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for NEOBEE?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for NEOBEE as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 2 study summaries and 7 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(7 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Mumme K, Stonehouse W. Effects of medium-chain triglycerides on weight loss and body composition: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015;115(2):249-263. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2014.10.022.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials (749 adults): MCTs reduced body weight by 0.51 kg versus long-chain fats, plus waist, hip, total, subcutaneous and visceral fat, with no change in blood lipids. Commercial bias was detected and quality information was often missing.
  2. He H, Liu K, Liu M, Yang AJ, Cheng KW, Lu LW, Liu B, Chen JH. The impact of medium-chain triglycerides on weight loss and metabolic health in individuals with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr. 2024;43(8):1755-1768. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.06.016.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis in adults with overweight or obesity: MCT-enriched diets reduced body weight by about 1.5% more than long-chain fat diets, mainly with pure MCTs, and were associated with lower blood triglycerides and HOMA-IR. Studied generic MCT, not NEOBEE.
  3. Han JR, Deng B, Sun J, Chen CG, Corkey BE, Kirkland JL, Ma J, Guo W. Effects of dietary medium-chain triglyceride on weight loss and insulin sensitivity in a group of moderately overweight free-living type 2 diabetic Chinese subjects. Metabolism. 2007;56(7):985-91. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2007.03.005.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized pilot study in 40 moderately overweight free-living adults with type 2 diabetes in China: 18 g/day MCT oil versus corn oil for 90 days gave lower body weight, waist circumference and HOMA-IR in the MCT group at study end, with an unintended drop in energy intake. Studied generic MCT, not NEOBEE.
  4. McKenzie KM, Lee CM, Mijatovic J, Haghighi MM, Skilton MR. Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil and Blood Lipids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials. J Nutr. 2021;151(10):2949-2956. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxab220.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 7 randomized trials in adults: MCT oil did not change total, LDL or HDL cholesterol and slightly increased triglycerides (0.14 mmol/L).
  5. St-Pierre V, Vandenberghe C, Lowry CM, Fortier M, Castellano CA, Wagner R, Cunnane SC. Plasma Ketone and Medium Chain Fatty Acid Response in Humans Consuming Different Medium Chain Triglycerides During a Metabolic Study Day. Front Nutr. 2019;6:46. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00046.PubMedUsed to support: Metabolic study days in healthy adults: C8 was about three times more ketogenic than C10 and six times more than C12, and the ketone rise was about twice as high without a meal.
  6. Courchesne-Loyer A, Lowry CM, St-Pierre V, Vandenberghe C, Fortier M, Castellano CA, Wagner JR, Cunnane SC. Emulsification Increases the Acute Ketogenic Effect and Bioavailability of Medium-Chain Triglycerides in Humans: Protein, Carbohydrate, and Fat Metabolism. Curr Dev Nutr. 2017;1(7):e000851. doi: 10.3945/cdn.117.000851.PubMedUsed to support: In 10 healthy adults, single 10 to 30 g doses of MCT oil roughly doubled blood ketones; MCTs are rapidly oxidized but cause digestive side effects, which emulsifying them into milk cut by about half.
  7. Bach AC, Babayan VK. Medium-chain triglycerides: an update. Am J Clin Nutr. 1982;36(5):950-62. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/36.5.950.PubMedUsed to support: Review of MCT metabolism and medical uses, including contraindications for MCT use in ketosis, acidosis and cirrhosis.