Abstract: With the improvement of living standards and the change of dietary habits, metabolic syndrome has become a major global public health problem. The gut microbiota is one of the research hotspots in recent years. More and more studies have shown that the gut microbiota can conduct bidirectional signal transduction with different body tissues and organs such as the brain, liver and heart through various pathways, which is closely related to body health. Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) exist in coconut oil, palm kernel oil and dairy products mainly in the form of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). MCFAs can be rapidly metabolized for energy in the body, and has good regulatory effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. This article reviews the effects of MCTs on gut microbes and their positive effects on metabolic syndrome in order to provide a reference for future research.

Key words: medium-chain fatty acid; medium-chain triglyceride; gut microbiota; metabolic syndrome