MCT or Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil is a supplement that has become popular among athletes and body builders. The popularity of coconut oil, high in MCTs, has contributed to its use.MCT oil are commonly extracted from coconut oil, 50% of the fat of the coconut oil comes from MCTs. These fats are also found in other foods, such as palm oil and dairy products. There are four types of MCTs and each types has its own benefits. Let us go over the benefits of of MCT.
Five main benefits of MCT or Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil:
1. Increases Ketone Production
According to a study reported in The Journal of Nutrition, MCT oils increased blood levels of ketones 18-fold after one hour of eating MCTs. A study that compares ketogenic diet with MCT oil makes diet tastier because it allows dieter to eat more protein and carbohydrates.It is also known that MCT ketogenic diet is very helpful for individuals with epilepsy.
2. Improves Brain Function
MCTs helped maintain cognitive function during hypoglycemia in people with type 1 diabetes[*]. Hypoglycemia is a deficiency of glucose in your blood and impairs cognitive performance. It has been shown to impair cognitive functions such as information processing, attention, spatial ability, and memory.
3. Helps prevent health threatening diseases
MCT oil helps prevent cancer, cardiovascular disfunction and obesity through these biochemical mechanisms:
- It decreases inflammation
- Balances blood sugar levels
- Boosts autophagy
- Fights free radicals
4. Reduce Weight
As mentioned in item one it increases or boosts ketone productions which makes it easier for an individual to lose weight.
5. Boosts Energy
MCTs can help keep your body in a fat burning state. MCT oil has also been found to increase exercise performance and endurance.
MCT Oil and Ketogenic Diet
Your body makes ketones when you break down fat on a very low-carb diet. This can lower your insulin levels and help you burn fat. MCT helps you make more ketones than LCT. This may help you get to the fat-burning phase faster, but we don’t know for sure. You may find it easier to stay on a keto diet that uses MCT because you can eat more carbohydrates like fruits and vegetables.
You can easily add MCT oil to your ketogenic diet. Sprinkle the oil over your favorite dishes or add it to your morning cup of joe on fasting days.
Best kinds of MCT Oil
- C6: caproic acid
- C8: caprylic acid
- C10: capric acid
- C12: lauric acid
All of has ketogenic properties that is very helpful on your ketogenic journey. When you consume MCT oil, the MCTs travel rapidly to the liver for ketone production.The resulting elevation in ketones your backup brain fuel is likely responsible for any cognitive benefits one may experience while supplementing MCTs.
Conclusion:
MCT or Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil plays a very important rule during ketogenic diet. It is known to increase ketones thus helps with obesity and weight loss. It can be added to your food as normal consumption. It is known to make fat burning way faster than any other oils or supplements.