MCT OIL: Our brain, hormones, and immune system need healthy fats from the foods we eat to thrive. The trillions of cells that our bodies are made of depend on healthy fats to function optimally. What the heck is MCT oil?
I'm glad you asked! Medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs, are a super-special type of fats (or fatty acid) that are six to 12 carbons in length. MCT oil is very healthy for your body and wellness.
MCT OIL GIVES YOU ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED: There’s a reason MCT oil is everywhere right now. It’s a great ally if you’re looking to lose weight or you need loads of brain power. MCT oil increases energy, endurance, metabolism, satiety, and brain function, especially when compared to other forms of fat, including olive oil. MCTs are largely missing from the typical Western diet, so adding MCT oil to your daily routine can be a powerful way to get the benefits of these multi-tasking fats.
MCT OIL AIDS IN WEIGHT LOSS: MCT oil can help you lose weight quickly. Studies show that MCTs, particularly C8 and C10, cause your body to burn fat and calories, no matter what kind of diet you follow. MCT oil also creates ketones, and ketones increase your metabolic rate (aka your metabolism) and burn the fat you already have. MCTs are also satiating and quickly digested by the body, which spurs weight loss.
MCT OIL HELPS TO SUPPRESS YOUR APPETITE: MCT oil fills you up. The healthy fat is satiating, so you can go for longer periods without eating, and get to lunchtime without an energy crash. There’s science behind it: MCTs raise ketones, and ketones suppress ghrelin (aka your hunger) and increase cholecystokinin (CCK), which makes you feel full.
MCT OIL SUPPORTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM: Even though metabolically lauric acid acts more like a long-chain fat, it is still considered a close cousin to MCTs. While the other MCTs break down for energy more easily, lauric acid and caprylic acid are the bacterial and viral fighter of the MCT family. MCT is a great food-based way to promote healthy microbiome balance.
MCT OIL ENHANCES YOUR WORKOUT: Want to take your workouts to the next level? Research has shown that supplementing with a blend of MCT oil, amino acids rich in leucine, and good old vitamin D increases muscle strength. It has also been shown that consuming MCT-rich foods like coconut increases the ability of people to work out longer during high-intensity exercise routines.
MCT OIL GIVES YOU MORE BRAIN POWER: High-quality MCT oil turns into ketones within minutes, providing your brain with an almost immediate jolt of energy. “When someone’s carbs are low enough, MCT oil can be converted into ketones which can cross the blood-brain barrier and be used as a fuel source for brain cells,” says Schmidt. Research has shown that MCTs provide energy to dying brain cells.
MCT OIL IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH: Heart problems is a growing problem. Some factors that increase your risk include high cholesterol, blood pressure, inflammation, being overweight and smoking. MCT oil has been shown to support weight and fat loss. This may, in turn, help reduce your risk of heart problems. The same study also found better reductions in LDL or “bad” cholesterol when the MCT oil mixture was added to their diet.