I need to take some carotenoids (lutein, 40 mg. as lutein esters) when I wake up, along with one or two lipophilic supplements. However, I don't want to wait more than half an hour before having breakfast, so I decided to take 5 grams of MCT Oil (caprylic acid, a.k.a. octanoic acid) with it for full absorption, since medium-chain triglycerides are processed so much more quickly than long-chain triglycerides.
However, I've been wondering if I'm getting the same absorption as I would with olive oil, never mind the improved absorption one is supposed to get for most lipophilic supplements with MCT oil. Given how quickly the fat is absorbed, are enough esterases and lipase secreted to process esterified anything for absorption? Or am I actually getting less of the lutein than I think?
