MCT oil is a popular supplement among athletes and bodybuilders. The appeal of coconut oil, which has in MCTs, has aided in its use.
Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, as the name implies, contains medium-length chains of lipids known as triglycerides. MCTs are more easily absorbed than longer-chain fatty acids in many other meals due to their shorter length. MCT oil is most often derived from coconut oil, as MCTs account for more than half of the fat in coconut oil. These fats can also be present in foods like palm oil and dairy products.
There are four main forms of MCTs, with caprylic and capric acid being the most typically utilized for MCT oil. In certain circumstances, these specialized varieties have distinct advantages.
Why add MCT oil to your diet? Here are some great benefits!
MCT oil could potentially promote weight loss
Although current evidence is conflicting, there are some potential reasons why MCT oil may be good for weight reduction. MCT oil has been proven to enhance the release of two hormones in the body that might produce a sensation of fullness: YY peptide and leptin. According to one study, those who ate two tablespoons of MCT oil for breakfast ate less food for lunch than those who ate coconut oil.
The same study discovered that MCT oil reduced the rise in triglycerides and glucose, which may impact the sense of fullness. According to some earlier research, taking MCT oil may also help lower body weight and waist circumference. According to the researchers, it may aid in the prevention of obesity. It should be noted that most of these studies do not account for other factors such as exercise levels and calorie consumption. More investigation is required.
Long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which are present in foods such as olive oil, almonds, and avocados, have around 10% fewer calories than MCT oil. When carbohydrate consumption is minimal, MCTs can be turned into ketones created by the breakdown of fat.
If you're on a ketogenic diet, which is low in carbohydrates but rich in fat, MCT oil may allow you to stay in the fat-burning condition known as ketosis. Finally, when it comes to weight, your gut ecology is critical. MCT oil may assist maximize the growth of beneficial bacteria and maintaining the gut flora, which may aid in weight loss.
MCT could help manage epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism
MCT oil and a ketogenic diet have been demonstrated in studies to help manage illnesses such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and autism.
Epilepsy:
While a ketogenic diet has grown in favor among those looking to reduce weight, it was initially developed to treat epilepsy. Fasting, according to the researchers, boosts ketone synthesis, which may lower the occurrence of epileptic seizures. Because MTCs may be metabolized into ketones, they may be helpful in the treatment of epilepsy.
However, the type of MCT used may be significant. In one in-vitro investigation, MCT capric acid enhanced seizure control better than a commonly used anti-epileptic medication. Another study in rodents discovered that the same MCT suppressed seizure receptors in the brain, albeit further human research is needed.
Furthermore, it is crucial to highlight that a ketogenic diet is not for everyone and might be challenging to maintain long term.
If you're thinking about starting a ketogenic diet to help control your epilepsy, consult with your doctor or a nutritionist first.
Alzheimer’s:
Alzheimer's disease inhibits the capacity of your brain to use sugar.
An MCT ketogenic diet provides an additional energy source: ketones. This may improve the survival of brain cells. It also inhibits a brain receptor that promotes memory loss. A single MCT dosage enhanced short-term memory in 20 persons with Alzheimer's disease with a specific gene type, especially APOE 4-negative.
While hereditary factors play a role, data shows that 20 to 70 grams of supplementary MCTs, including caprylic or capric acid, may help with mild to severe Alzheimer's symptoms. Overall, the effects of MCT oil on Alzheimer's disease appear encouraging, but more research on a bigger scale is required.
Autism
MCT oil may have an effect on autistic youngsters. One researcher discovered good overall effects when a ketogenic diet was followed for six months. Another research found that including MCTs into a ketogenic and gluten-free diet significantly reduced autism behaviors in 6 of the 15 children.
Because autism is a spectrum disorder, it can impact people in various ways. This implies that including MCT oil into your child's diet may have varying degrees of benefit or may have no impact. More research is also required in this area.
If you're considering trying a ketogenic diet to help manage your child's autism, consult your doctor or a nutritionist first.
MCT could reduce lactate buildup in athletes and help use fat for energy
Rising lactate levels during exercise might have a detrimental influence on performance. Interestingly, MCTs may aid in the reduction of lactate accumulation. Prior research indicated that athletes who took 6 grams of MCTs with meals before cycling had lower lactate levels and considered it easier to exercise than those who took LCTs. Furthermore, the study discovered that ingesting MCT oil before exercise may help you utilize fat for energy rather than carbohydrates.
MCTs may aid improve fat burning during exercise; however, research on whether MCT oil might help you exercise better is conflicting. Another set of research results revealed that it could increase swimming ability in mice, while another human-based study reported that it did not affect endurance performance in runners. Another animal study's findings imply that MCT oil may not have a negative impact on exercise performance.
MCT oil could be a good energy source
MCTs are absorbed faster by the body than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which have more carbons in their fatty acid chains. MCTs pass more rapidly from the gut to the liver due to their shorter chain length and therefore do not require bile to dissolve like longer-chain fats. Fats are metabolized in the liver to be utilized as energy or preserved as body fat. MCTs can be an instant energy source since they reach your cells without breaking down. MCTs can also be turned into ketones in the liver while on a ketogenic diet. Because ketones may cross the blood-brain barrier, they can provide energy to brain cells.
Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil has various potential health benefits, from weight loss to better brain function. MCTs are more easily absorbed than other types of fatty acids and can improve your overall energy and mood. Adding MCT oil to your diet is an easy way to boost your health and wellbeing! Just remember, before adding MCT oil to your diet or considering using it for some of the above benefits, consult your doctor or a nutritionist first.