MCT Oil: Benefits and Use

May 26, 2020 admin

You must have seen gym goers taking MCT oil and you may be wondering what MCT is. It is usually taken with smoothies, bulletproof coffee and salad dressings and is popular among people looking to build muscle and stay lean.

What is MCT (medium-chain triglyceride)?

Medium-chain triglycerides are a type of fat that is found in certain foods, such as coconut oil, palm oil and dairy products. It is most commonly extracted from coconut oil, as more than 50% of the fat in coconut oil comes from MCTs. MCT oil contains medium-length chains of fats called triglycerides. If the chains were longer, metabolizing would be much slower. If they were shorter, they wouldn’t bring all the necessary nutrients that can aid you.

And so MCT oil is metabolized differently than the long-chain triglycerides (LCT) found in most other foods, this is why it has a lot of health benefits which you don’t get in most foods.

BENEFITS

MCT oil is excellent for weight loss Weight Loss

It promotes the feeling of fullness

Studies have shown that in comparison to longer-chain fats, taking MCTs increases the release of two hormones; peptide YY and leptin which promote the feeling of fullness in the body and reduce appetite.

It Contain fewer calories as compared to Long-chain triglycerides

MCT oil has about 10% fewer calories than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which are found in foods such as olive oil, nuts and avocados.

It is more efficiently digested

Due to their shorter length, MCTs are easily digested.

And for this reason, your body can use MCT oil as an instant source of energy, making it unnecessary to store fat for this purpose. And doesn’t get stored your body.

Improves gut environment

Your gut environment is very important when it comes to your weight. MCT oil can help optimize the growth of good bacteria and support the gut lining, which could also help you lose weight.

Boost ketosis

MCTs go directly to the liver, and it’s here where they are converted into ketones through a process called ketogenesis.

MCTs can help you stay in ketosis or get to ketosis faster, because they’re a healthy source of fat and are less likely to be stored as body fat. Longer-chain fatty acids, on the other hand, do not directly enhance ketone production because of how they’re metabolized.

These ketones can pass through your blood-brain barrier, making them a convenient source of energy for your brain cells.

Instant Source of Energy

The main advantage is it becomes metabolized into energy at a fast pace. As compared to LCTS it requires less energy and fewer enzymes to break down.

And so MCTs travel straight from the gut to the liver and do not require bile to break down like the longer-chain fats do.

Since it is so easy to digest that it is often included in infant formula and is used to help people with digestive problems.

MCT is also ideal for post-workout shakes as is digested quickly, this will ensure there is no muscle catabolism or break down, and will improve protein synthesis and reduce recovery time.

Reduce Lactic acid Build-up

Lactic acid build-up during exercise could negatively impact exercise performance.

Taking MCTs has shown to reduce lactic acid build-up.

One study found that athletes who took 6 grams or about 1.5 teaspoons of MCTs with food before cycling had lower lactate levels and found it easier to exercise, compared to those taking LCTs.

Reduces Risk Factors for Heart Disease, Such as Weight and Cholesterol

MCT oil has been shown to support weight and fat loss. This may, in turn, help reduce your risk of heart disease.

A study of 24 overweight men found that taking MCT oil combined with phytosterols and flaxseed oil for 29 days reduced total cholesterol by 12.5%. However, when olive oil was used instead, the reduction was only 4.7%.

The same study also found better reductions in LDL or “bad” cholesterol when the MCT oil mixture was added to their diet.

MCT oil can also increase the production of heart-protective HDL or “good” cholesterol.

Help Control Blood Sugar Levels and Support Diabetes Management

MCTs may also help to improve blood sugar levels and play a potential role in diabetes management.

One small Chinese study of 40 people with diabetes found that those who consumed MCT oil daily had significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference and insulin resistance, compared to those taking corn oil containing LCTs. Another study found that when 10 people with diabetes were injected with insulin, they needed 30% less sugar to maintain normal blood sugar levels when they consumed MCTs, compared to LCTs.