DC12: Redefining Human Energy and Metabolic Health

DiCarbs are known to be a good source of energy with physical-chemical characteristics intermediate between carbohydrates and fatty acids. They are oxidized like fatty acids but, like glucose, their salts are soluble in water. Their end product of oxidation, succinic acid, provides an indispensable substrate for glucose metabolism.

DiCarbs do not require insulin, nor do they stimulate insulin secretion, while increasing fatty acid oxidation, therefore they are a useful energy substrate for obese and diabetic subjects. In fact, insulin is a hormone which stimulates fat accumulation and therefore promotes obesity.

DC12 is water soluble and good at being used by both mitochondria and peroxisomes in the liver and kidney. A recent study found that DC12 avoids first pass liver metabolism so it can be quickly consumed as energy, and was utilized by many tissues - with DC12-specific breakdown products in the liver, kidney, muscle, heart and brain. 

Carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram while fat provides 9 calories per gram. DC12 provides 7.2 calories per gram (Mingrone et al., 2006; NutrRev 64:449-56) without increasing fat mass as do fatty acids. 

DiCarbs not only provide energy to the body but also improve insulin resistance and glucose utilization in diabetic patients. Therefore, DiCarbs support weight loss and improves type 2 diabetes control. Given the high-caloric, low-fat characteristics of DiCarbs, they have been shown to be a strong energy substrate during exercise, reducing muscle fatigue and increasing muscle strength (Salinari et al., 2006; Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab ;291:E1051-8).DiCarbs

DC12 is a source of fuel during exercise and helps preserve muscle glycogen stores. This is crucial to anyone interested in being their best during while exercising for extended periods of time. DC12 provides fuel to muscle immediately, without the limitations that medium and long chain fats have.