MCT oil: 3 health benefits
Two years ago, we were in the library, studying for an exam. Naturally, we'd started a bit late and desperately needed this day. So, we were there at 8 a.m. and started with a delicious cup of coffee, then another, and another. After a while, it was time for the big guns, and the Red Bull arrived. This wasn't our smartest move. After consuming so much caffeine, we had chills all over and couldn't concentrate on anything. All we could do was pace back and forth through the library. As we paced, we wondered, isn't there a healthier alternative? A product that's both healthy and gives you long-lasting energy? And yes, there was: MCT oil. What is MCT oil? What are the benefits and drawbacks of MCT oil, and can you combine it with your delicious cup of coffee? You can read all that and more here.
What is MCT oil?
MCT stands for Medium Chain Triglyceride . Triglyceride is another word for a fat molecule consisting of a glycerol "backbone" to which three individual fatty acids are attached. Medium Chain means that the fatty acids have a medium chain (6 to 12 carbon atoms), unlike 'normal' fats, which have long chains (13 to 22 carbon atoms). MCT oil is mainly extracted from palm oil and coconut oil . Coconut oil contains approximately 65% MCT. MCT oil is classified as a saturated fat. Unlike normal saturated fats, these medium-chain saturated fats are not harmful to the heart and blood vessels. In fact, MCT oil has several health benefits, which we will discuss in this blog post.
So now we come to the question: what are the 3 health benefits of MCT oil?
MCT oil benefits
1. MCT oil provides fast but stable energy throughout the day
Because MCTs are small molecules, they can, like glucose, be absorbed directly from the intestinal wall into our bloodstream and then transported directly to the mitochondria as an energy source. They are therefore easy for our bodies to digest. They are a clean and fast fuel for your mitochondria and are therefore not used for fat storage . MCTs also do not require energy from the liver, bile, or pancreas to aid in digestion, unlike all other fats. Therefore, MCTs are not involved in cholesterol metabolism in your liver and therefore do not raise your cholesterol .
2. MCT oil weight loss
MCT oil also helps you lose weight . Two hormones are responsible for feelings of fullness: leptin and peptide YY. As we feel more full, we eat less. Several studies have shown that consuming MCT oil promotes a feeling of fullness , causing participants to eat less. Several studies have shown that consuming MCT oil leads to lower weight, reduced waist size, and can even help prevent obesity. In addition, MCT oil is converted directly into energy in the liver. This prevents it from being stored as body fat .
3. MCT oil improves your mental performance
Our brains primarily use glucose as fuel, but they can also use ketones . Ketones are produced by the liver from fats as an energy source. The fats in MCT oil are easily converted into ketones by the liver. This makes them readily usable fuel for our brains. Because it's good fuel for your brain, it can help you perform optimally mentally. This goes beyond just being able to think clearly and concentrate for extended periods of time.
MCT oil disadvantages
As you've read, MCT oil supplementation has many benefits, but what are the downsides ? Consuming too much MCT oil can have several drawbacks, such as bloating or intestinal upset . That's why it's always recommended to start with a small dose and gradually increase it to the amount that gives you the desired effect. So, start with 1 teaspoon of MCT oil per day and gradually increase your intake to a maximum of 8 teaspoons to avoid the downsides of MCT oil.
