5 Scientific Reasons to Enjoy the Health Benefits of MCT Oil

The acronym MCT means medium-chain triglycerides (triglycerides are the molecules that make up fat and the medium-chain is the tail length of the fat molecule.  MCT oil is a saturated fatty acid in a purified form gotten from the mix of palm oil and coconut oil.

MCT oil is pure saturated fatty acids typically gotten from the mix of coconut oil and palm oil. MCT oil is added to smoothies, salad dressings, and bulletproof coffees as a supplement. The tail lengths of MCTs are short and this makes it easily digestible. There are other health benefits attached to the MCT oil which related to the way the body process the fat.

People looking to lose weight use MCT oil to lose weight or boost endurance during the workout process.  Others also use MCT oil to improve their thinking ability.

MCT oil is extracted from coconut oil and as a matter of fact, over 50% of the fat present in coconut oil is gotten from MCTs. Other foods like dairy products and palm oil also contain these fats.

There are four different types of MCTs. They include:

• Caproic acid

• Caprylic acid

• Capric acid

• Lauric acid

Capric acid and Caprylic acid are commonly used for MCT oil. However, the different types of MCTs have unique benefits.

Here are five scientific reasons why you should enjoy the health benefits of MCT oil:

HELPS WITH WEIGHT LOSS IN SEVERAL IMPORTANT WAYS

MCT oil has several reasons to enjoy the benefits when you want to lose weight.

Research and studies have shown that MCT oil increases the release of Leptin and Peptide YY (the two hormones promote the feeling of fullness). A study carried out on people taking two tablespoons of MCT oil with their breakfast tend to eat less during the day. Additionally, it was also discovered that MCT oil lowers the rise of glucose and triglyceride which influences the feeling of fullness.

The result from the 2003 study published in the Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders showed that MCT oil plays a significant role in reducing the fat present in the body.

MCT oil also serves as a source of instant energy which makes it unnecessary for the body to store fat. However, this result is not instant because the body needs to adapt to the dietary change.  MCT oil can be converted into ketones and help you stay in the fat-burning state called ”Ketosis”.  MCTs are sometimes called the “ultimate ketogenic fats” because of its burning effect and the ability to be used for energy.

Lastly, when it comes to weight loss, the gut is very important. MCT oil support gut lining helps optimize good bacteria growth to help lose weight.

The bottom line: MCT oil helps in the weight maintenance and loss process by burning energy, producing Ketone, improving the gut environment and increasing fullness.  

HELPS FUEL THE BRAIN WHEN USED AS INSTANT SOURCE OF ENERGY

MCT are short chains triglycerides which means they travel faster when absorbed. When the body absorbs MCT, they travel faster from the gut to the liver for breakdown.  

Since MCT oil enters the body cells without breakdown, they serve as an immediate energy source for the body and convenient energy source for the brain cells.

The bottom line: MCT oil gets absorbed by the body cells easily; it is also transported faster throughout the body making it an instant energy source or fuel for the brain when concerted to Ketone.

HELPS MANAGE AUTISM, EPILEPSY AND ALZHEIMERS

Research and studies have shown that MCT oil and Ketogenic diet is a good solution to conditions like Autism, Epilepsy, and Alzheimers disease.

Keto diet may be popular for weight loss but it was first introduced to manage epilepsy. Scientists have discovered that fasting increases the production of ketone which has the potential of reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures. MTC is beneficial since it can be converted to a ketone.

Another test-tube study also showed that MCT capric acid improved seizure control than most anti-epileptic drugs.

Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects the brain's ability to use sugar. MCT helps solve this by serving as an alternative source of ketone for the brain.

A study carried out on 15 children showed that MCT oil helps children with autism when followed by a ketogenic diet for 6 months.

The bottom line: When MCT oil is used as prescribed, it may improve brain functionality which benefits people with autism, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease

HELPS USES FAT OR ENERGY AND REDUCE LACTATE BUILDUP

It’s an undisputed fact that rising lactate level during exercise is detrimental to the athletes exercise performance. Interestingly, MCT has been proven to reduce the buildup of lactate. A study carried out showed that athletes who took about 1.5 teaspoons of MCT before exercise found it easier.

Another result from a study of MCT on animals showed that it doesn’t affect exercise performance, which sounds cool.

The bottom line: MCT oil improves exercise performance. It also reduces the need for carbs during exercise and increases the fat burning process in the body.

HELPS CONTROL BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL AND MANAGE DIABETES

Those with diabetes will find MCT very helpful. Most type 2 diabetes patient is obese or overweight which makes managing diabetes difficult. However, using MCT oil will increase the burning of fat and reduce the level of fat storage in the body.

A study carried out on 40 Chinese people using MCT oil showed that it helps reduce body weight, insulin resistance, and body weight significantly. Another study also showed that when 10 diabetes patients were injected with insulin and they consumed MCT oil, they needed 30% less sugar to maintain the normal blood sugar level. (This means factors like timing and the amount of food consume affect the rate at which MCT oil works.

The bottom line: MCT oil will manage diabetes by increasing fat burning and reducing fat storage. This may also help reduce the blood sugar level.

HOW TO USE MCT OIL

MCT oil is amazing and magical because it can be used in or on about anything. It is an odorless and colorless oil that is at room temperature.

Start small but consistent (use consecutively for a week or 2) when you start using the MCT oil to listen to your body and decide if it is working fine for you.