What is MCT oil?
Medium-chain triglycerides, or MCT oil, are a form of fat used to make supplements.
MCT molecules are smaller than long-chain triglycerides (LCT), which comprise most of the lipids in your diet. They are simpler to process as a result. MCT is readily absorbed into the circulation. It becomes usable energy as a result.
Where does it come from?
Typically, coconut or palm kernel oil is used to make MCT oil. MCT is present in both. It is available as 100% MCT oil or as an MCT and LCT blend.
Fractionation is used to extract MCT oil from coconut or palm kernel oil. By doing this, the MCT is concentrated and separated from the original oil. [1]
What MCT Oil used for?
Usually, people use MCT for help with:
- Issues with consuming fat or nutrition
- Reduced weight Restraint of appetite
- More energy for physical activity Inflammation
To find out if MCT oil can assist with any of these illnesses, more study is required.
Does MCT Oil work?
We’re not sure, is the brief response.
If you go from LCT to MCT, you could feel fuller for longer and retain less fat. You might eat less if you’re not as hungry. If you use MCT oil instead of coconut oil, you may consume fewer calories.
Although the study is encouraging, insufficient evidence supports the claim that MCT oil will cause weight reduction.
If you’re old and frail, MCT oil could help you get stronger. Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that MCT may increase the energy expenditure of your muscles. Other studies, however, suggest that it might not have much of an impact on helping you finish your workout. Research keeps going.
Your body can produce ketones, a carbohydrate-free energy source for the brain, with the aid of MCT. Some claim that consuming it will sharpen your thinking. However, even a small amount of MCT oil is unlikely to provide you with a sustained cognitive boost if you do not have a cognitive problem.
Research conducted on preterm newborns demonstrates that including MCT oil in formula might lessen the risk of infection caused by the fungus Candida.
In addition, MCT could aid in the relief of skin infections. As an antibacterial, the lauric acid in MCT breaks down the walls of bacteria and viruses, destroying them.
MCT and the Ketogenic Diet
When you consume an extremely low-carb diet, your body breaks down fat to produce ketones. You can burn fat and reduce insulin levels by doing this. More ketones are produced with MCT than with LCT. We’re not positive, but this could help you enter the fat-burning phase more quickly.
Because you can consume more carbs, such as fruits and vegetables, sticking to an MCT-based ketogenic diet may be simpler.
What Could MCT Help?
MCT could benefit some ailments. Naturally, see your physician first.
Digestive issues: If you have difficulty breaking down other types of fat or getting the nutrients you require, your doctor could prescribe extra MCT. This may occur if you use certain drugs or if you have:
You’re having pancreatitis.
- Had a portion of your stomach removed.
- Resection of the small bowel
- Disease of the small intestine
- Syndrome of the short bowels
Seizures: Research indicates that a high-fat ketogenic diet reduces epilepsy. Some youngsters with epilepsy who don’t respond to medication treatment may benefit from it. Kids who struggle with the high-fat content of the ketogenic diet might find it simpler to follow a diet that includes MCT rather than LCT.
Diabetes: When you have extremely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), fatty acids produced by MCT may improve your cognitive function if you have type 1 diabetes. It may reduce body fat and help those with type 2 diabetes have better insulin resistance, but additional study is needed to make this determination.
Autism: In a short study, children with autism who followed a ketogenic, gluten-free diet showed improved symptoms when they added MCT. However, additional investigation is required.
Neurological disorders: According to some studies, MCT oil may be able to reduce issues related to judgment, memory, and reasoning. The way your brain uses glucose may be compromised if you have Alzheimer’s disease. According to some scientists, switching to ketones as an energy source might improve brain function.
Heart disease: You can lower your risk of heart disease by losing excess weight with a ketogenic diet that includes MCT oil. Including MCT oil in your diet can help raise your HDL (the “good”) cholesterol and decrease your LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol.
How to Use It
Numerous dishes and beverages may be enhanced using MCT oil. Usually, it may be found in:
- Drinks
- Dressing for salads
- Coffee
Fry foods with MCT oil is not a good idea because most of it has a low burning point.
The desired outcome and your tolerance level will determine how much you should take. Four to seven tablespoons is the maximum amount you should take in a day. It is best to distribute those tablespoons across the course of the day.
If you consume a lot of it, you can feel ill. It is possible to obtain:
- Constipation and gas cramps
- Bloating, Vomiting, and Diarrhea
Consult a dietician to determine the appropriate dosage for you. Additionally, you should incorporate different types of fat in your diet because MCT oil lacks the necessary fatty acids.
MCT Risks
Moderate use of MCT oil is typically safe. But if you use it frequently, you should exercise caution. Among the drawbacks are a few:
- It’s high in calories. You might put on weight because of this.
- Consuming a lot of saturated fat might increase cholesterol.
- You can overeat because MCTs stimulate the release of hunger hormones.
- High dosages may cause the liver to become obese.
