They are medium chain fatty acids. They go directly to your liver via the portel vein. There is theory that this fat while being a saturated fat is MCFA and has antiviral/bacteria properties. Its not the cholesterol protecting your arteries from tears that causes heart attacks but when your veins get inflamed by virus/bacteria that plaque breaks off causing blockage. So what MCFA do is keep that from happending by killing off those bugs. So fat is important to the diet and a lot of people who take this in asia that don't brush or floss their teeth have not cavtiies or heart disease. It only been the last fifty years as docs have told you to stay away from fat that heart disease has gone up. A good site is www.westonaprice.org on fats. I hope this a little helpful