7 Little Known Benefits of MCT Oil
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) are fats made of medium-chain fatty acids with a chain length of six to ten carbon molecules.
There is a lot of science involved in explaining what MCT oil can do for your body, but we will make this simple.
Firstly, the MCT oil is digested and metabolized differently from the long-chain triglycerides that are present in most dietary fats.
In particular, the MCT oil is more easily digested in the intestine and absorbed through the portal vein (nutrients go straight to the liver to be processed).
Secondly, this oil can be taken up into the mitochondria without the need for assisted transport.
What Makes This Oil Special?
It is a liquid coconut extract that is almost pure medium and short chain fats. It is the most bioactive formula of coconut oil and offers six times more MCTs compared to that of coconut oil.
MCT oil also promotes ketone formation as well as brain functionality better than coconut oil. There are four types of MCTs: caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, and lauric acid.
There are some unique qualities when it comes down to MCT. The first one is that it is significantly lower in calories.
10% lower calories to be exact when compared to other triglycerides. Most fats (LCTs) are 9 calories per gram, whereas MCTs contain 8.3 calories per gram.
MCT oil is converted very quickly. Now, we are going to get a little bit scientific on you, but you will get a better understanding.
We get energy from the cell's mitochondria (an organelle that contains enzymes responsible for generating energy).
The mitochondria create ATP, which is what gives you energy when you are working out.
Now, what’s so amazing about the MCT oil is that it can go right into the mitochondria and generate ATP which creates energy immediately.
On the other hand, long-chain triglycerides or normal fat that you consume needs carnitine to get into the mitochondria for energy to be produced.
MCTs vs. Coconut Oil
You are probably wondering[restrict] whether or not MCT and coconut oil are the same thing. Coconut oil is a source of MCT oil. Here are some differences that can help you understand and differentiate between the two.
Properties
The MCT oil contains 100% MCTs, while the coconut oil contains 55% MCTs.
Types of MCTs
The MCT oil contains only capric (C10) and caprylic acids (C8); while coconut oil contains lauric (C12), capric (C10), caprylic (C8), and caproic (C6) acids.
Metabolism
The C10 and C8 in the MCT oil goes straight to the liver and are converted into ketones. The C12 in coconut oil takes longer to be digested, which slows down metabolism.
Distribution
The MCT oil usually is 50% to 80% caprylic acid and 20% to 50% capric acid. The coconut oil is 22% caproic, caprylic, and capric acids combined and 76% lauric acid.
Appearance
The MCT oil is liquid and tasteless at room temperature, while the coconut oil is solid and smells strong and flavored at room temperature.
The 7 Little Know Benefits of MCT Oil
#1 Weight Loss
You are probably wondering how it is possible to eat fats and lose weight. Your body processes MCT oil in a way that helps you lose weight.
The oil goes through your liver and gets converted to acids called ketones. You have probably heard about ketones if you have been on a ketogenic diet.
When your body switches from being a sugar burner to a fat burner, it becomes a fat burning furnace inside.
The oil is immediately converted to ketones for energy, so it doesn't get stored as fat. It is used as a fuel source instead.
Studies also suggest that the MCT oil represses fat deposition via fat oxidation and enhanced thermogenesis.
In other words, the oil supplies your body with the health benefits of a ketogenic diet. You will no longer have toxic acids in your body.
#2 Improved Energy & Endurance
You will no longer need to consume starchy carbohydrates to obtain enough energy for your workouts. You don't have to eat a pound of pasta before a jog.
It's important to understand that your body uses ketones from the MCT oil as a cleaner fuel source. The oil has a superior thermogenic effect and lasts longer.
The MCT oil you consume generates longer sustained energy, and because it is easily digested, it increases your metabolism.
#3 Improved Memory & Brain Function
The ketones that come from the MCT oil can cross the blood-brain barrier, which means they can get to the brain quickly and easily.
The oil also travels fast in the body. Therefore, when you ingest this oil, it does not have to be broken down. It is quickly absorbed by the gut and converted into ketones in the liver.
The ketones produced are an excellent source of fuel for your brain. They are a much better source of energy compared to glucose. They are excellent for seizure and Alzheimer’s patients.
#4 Cardiovascular Health
The primary therapeutic qualities of MCT oil are an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol and its anti-inflammatory properties.
The ketones that are produced by MCTs are very powerful and effective for preventing cardiovascular problems as well as high blood pressure.
Inflammation is one of the biggest problems for people who suffer from cardiovascular conditions. MCTs help to decrease inflammation.
According to research, consumption of MCT oil improves high-density lipoprotein. It also decreases the ratio of the total/high-density lipoprotein.
The increase in good cholesterol reduces the risk of cardiovascular disorders and prevents the development of high blood pressure.
#5 Improves Digestion & Nutrient Absorption
The MCT oils have been proven to be very beneficial to our microbiome. All the bacteria that are in our intestines do very well on MCT oil rather than the sugars.
Both coconut and MCT oils are beneficial. They help balance the bacteria in the gut as well as the microbiome.
It would be ideal if almost one hundred percent of the bacteria in your gut were the good and beneficial bacteria, which can be possible with the consumption of MCTs.
#6 Anti-Fungal & Anti-Viral
MCT oil has anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial qualities. These properties are found mostly in capric and lauric acids.
When you consume too much sugar, which is available in the form of cereal, pasta, and bread among other things, you will be feeding the yeast, bacteria, and all the other infections in the body.
#7 Neurological Health
The MCT oil is very effective at improving your overall neurological health, especially if you are a victim of any neurological condition.
MCTs are very powerful and helpful if you have Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, or autism. Any of these neurological disorders benefit from the MCT oil.
The exciting thing about the potential of the MCT-rich oils to improve cognitive function is that ingestion of this oil will elevate ketones irrespective of blood glucose and insulin levels.
Furthermore, the brain’s uptake and use of ketones are supply driven. Therefore, the higher the ketones, the more beneficial it is for neurological health.