Background. Currently, an extensive search continues to look for new, innovative nutritional sources of body protection against pathogens that pose a threat to health, and even life. One of the alternatives is certainly coconut, and more specifically, the fraction of medium-chain fatty acids known as MCTs, which are obtained mainly from coconut flesh.
Results and conclusion. The healthiest form of MCT is virgin coconut oil (VCO). Research results demonstrate that C6:0-C12:0 fatty acids, which are the essential component of MCT oil, have  not only anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties, but also help to control the level of satiety or lipids in the blood. Moreover, they allow for the formation of the microbiome  of both humans and animals. Rapid metabolism in their bodies, for which the presence of pancreatic enzymes is not required, allows for using them in diabetes or fat digestion disorders. In  addition, supplementing a ketogenic diet of both humans and animals suffering from idiopathic epilepsy with MCT inhibits or reduces the occurrence of epileptic seizures. Due to their skin  moisturizing and regenerating properties, MCT and VCO oils are also used in other industries, including the cosmetics industry. A separated MCT fraction is used in animal feed production or  as a standalone supplement in the form of MCT oil in the diet of puppies or older dogs. To sum up, medium-chain fatty acids, due to their health-promoting properties, are used in the diet of people, but also of  companion animals. The possibility of their use grows in importance every year.