An increasing number of athletes and bodybuilders are turning to MCT oil as nutritional support. Due to its high concentration of MCTs, coconut oil is increasingly used. This oil is called medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil because it includes triglycerides in medium-length chains. MCTs are more accessible to digest than long-chain fatty acids present in many other meals because of their shorter length.
Coconut oil is the most prevalent source of MCT oil since it contains more than half of its fat in MCTs. Although there are four other forms of MCTs, Caprylic and capric acids are the most often utilized MCTs in MCT oil. In certain circumstances, these kinds of advantages may be gained.
Contents
Nutrition Facts Â
(Amount Per Serving)
Calories- 121
Total Fat – 13g
Cholesterol – 0mg
Sodium – 0mg
Potassium – 0mg
Total Carbohydrates – 0g
Protein – 0g
- Some proponents of MCT oil claim that it may enhance cognitive function and alleviate different kinds of dementia symptoms.
- People with fat absorption issues benefit from the fast digestion of MCT oil. IBS, celiac disease, and cystic fibrosis are all examples of digestive diseases (irritable bowel syndrome). Additionally, individuals who have recently had gastrointestinal surgery may benefit from it since they often have difficulty absorbing fat.
- The brain can utilize ketones instead of glucose or sugar as a source of energy when the liver breaks down a lot of fat. It is less probable that the calories in MCTs will be retained as fat since they are quickly metabolized. The ketogenic diet is based on this premise, and many people feel it is an efficient method of losing weight.
- To help keep the heart healthy, MCTs may potentially play a role in decreasing cholesterol levels. Coconut oil has been shown to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol in a trial of 40 women in 2009. A calorie-controlled diet and a comparison to soybean oil were used in the study. It’s possible that MCT oil, which contains many MCTs present in coconut oil, might help lower cholesterol levels. It is, however, impossible to say for sure since the research didn’t focus on MCT oil in particular.
- Coconut or palm kernel oil is the most common source of MCT oil. Both include MCT. You may get pure MCT oil or a blend of MCT and LCT oil if you want. Fractionation is how humans extract MCT oil from coconut or palm kernel oil. This isolates and concentrates the MCT from the original oil.
- If you substitute LCT with MCT, you may retain less fat and feel fuller for longer. A lack of hunger may cause you to eat less. Using MCT oil instead of coconut oil may result in fewer calories consumed. Despite the promising results of the MCT oil study, there is not enough evidence to support the claim that it would aid in weight reduction.
- If you’re aged and frail, MCT oil may help you regain some of your strength. According to some studies, the quantity of energy consumed by your muscles may also be increased by MCT. However, a new study suggests that it may not be as effective as previously thought. Research continues.
Some Other Facts
- When you eat a low-carb diet, your body breaks down fat and produces ketones. This may help you lose weight by lowering your insulin levels and increasing your burn fat. MCT produces more ketones than LCT. We don’t know whether this will help you get into the fat-burning phase quicker, but it may. Taking MCT oil may make sticking to a keto diet simpler since you can consume more carbs like fruits and vegetables.
- A high-fat ketogenic diet has been shown to reduce seizures. Some youngsters with epilepsy who don’t respond to medication may benefit from it. MCT, rather than LCT, maybe a better option for children who have difficulty coping with the high-fat content of the keto diet.
- Some studies have shown that MCT oil may help alleviate thinking, memory, and judgment difficulties. You may not utilize glucose effectively if you have Alzheimer’s disease. According to some specialists, using ketones as an energy source may improve your brain’s performance.
- The low burning point of most MCT oil makes it a bad idea to cook anything with it. It all depends on how well you can withstand it and what you’re attempting to accomplish. You should limit yourself to no more than 4 to 7 teaspoons each day. Do not put all those tablespoons in one sitting.
- Diabetes patients may benefit from MCT oil as well. To help manage the disease, MCTs have been demonstrated to minimize fat accumulation and enhance fat burning. MCT oil has been shown to reduce body weight, waist circumference, and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes in a limited trial of 40 participants.
- As a result, when ten people with diabetes were given insulin, they required 30% less sugar to maintain normal blood sugar levels when they received MCTs rather than LCTs. It was also shown that MCTs did not influence fasting blood sugar levels. MCT oil’s effects may be affected by other circumstances, such as the time and quantity of food consumed.
- High amounts of MCT oil may cause your liver to store more fat in the long run. 12-week research in mice indicated that a meal containing 50% MCTs led to an increase in liver fat during the trial. Furthermore, the researchers discovered that MCTs improved insulin resistance while decreasing total body fat.
- Be aware that large doses of MCT oil are not suggested, as shown by this research. The long-term consequences of MCT oil need to be studied more thoroughly to make an informed decision.
- MCT oil does not currently have a specified upper ingestion limit (UL). As long as you don’t exceed the recommended daily intake of 4 to 7 tablespoons (60–100 millilitres), you should be OK.
- Only 5% to 10% of your overall calorie intake should come from MCTs, which are rich in calories. Consuming MCT oil as a supplement to your overall fat consumption is not recommended if you attempt to maintain or lose weight.
Summary
Overall, MCT oil is a healthy and nutritious supplement that can provide a range of benefits for people who are looking to improve their overall health and wellness. However, as with any supplement, it is important to speak to a doctor or qualified healthcare professional before adding MCT oil to your diet.