7 Benefits of mct oil that will blow your mind!

MCT oil is not very well known, but it is a supplement that can be added to drinks, sauces for various purposes, including to be used in salads. This acronym means that this is a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, which contains medium-length fat chains called triglycerides. This oil has a shorter duration, is easily digested and has many benefits for the body in general, as it helps to process fats and this benefits the whole body.

MCT oil is generally extracted more from coconut oil, hence why more than 50% of the fat in coconut oil comes from MCTs. But it is not the only source, it can be found in other foods such as dairy products and palm oil.

There are four different types of MCTs, but the most commonly used for MCT Oil are caprylic and capric acid. And each type has different benefits but also of paramount importance for our body. So, here are the 7 MCT Oil Benefits That Will Leave Your Jaw Dropped:

1. Prevents heart disease:

Heart disease is a growing problem. There are factors that increase the risk of developing heart disease and these include high cholesterol , blood pressure, inflammation, being overweight and smoking.

This oil also helps in the slimming process as it promotes fat loss. This, in turn, helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.

A study of 24 overweight men found that using MCT oil combined with phytosterols and used flaxseed oil  for 29 days reduced total cholesterol  by 12.5%. However, when olive oil was used, the reduction was only 4.7%.

The same study also proved effective in reducing LDL or “bad” cholesterol when MCT oil was added to your diet. In addition, MCT oil can also increase the production of heart-protective HDL or “good” cholesterol . It can even significantly reduce C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker that increases the risk of heart disease.

Additional studies have found that MCT oil- based blends  may have a positive effect on other heart disease risk factors.

2. Helps turn fat into energy:

MCT Oil has gained popularity among athletes. During exercise, increasing lactate levels can negatively affect exercise performance.

Interestingly, MCTs can help reduce lactate buildup. One study found that athletes who took 6 grams or about 1.5 teaspoons of MCTs with food before cycling had lower lactate levels and found it easier to exercise, compared to those who took LCTs.

Furthermore, the study found that taking MCT oil before exercise can help you use more fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. While MCTs can increase fat burning during exercise, study results are mixed as to whether MCT Oil can help you exercise better.

One study showed it could improve swimming ability in mice, but another human-based study found no improvement in runners’ performance. At the very least, results from an animal study suggest that MCT oil does not negatively affect exercise performance, which is encouraging.

3. Helps manage epilepsy, alzheimer’s and autism:

Studies have shown that MCT Oil in a ketogenic diet can help manage conditions such as epilepsy , Alzheimer’s disease, and autism .

Epilepsy:

While the ketogenic diet has gained popularity among people looking to lose weight, it was first introduced as a way to manage epilepsy . Scientists have found that fasting increases the production of ketones and this reduces the frequency of epileptic seizures.

As MCTs can be converted to ketones, they may be beneficial in controlling epilepsy . However, all types of MCTs can be important. One study showed that MCT capric acid improved seizure control better than a generalized antiepileptic drug.

Another study in mice found that it blocks the receptors in the brain that cause seizures , although more human studies are needed. Also, it’s important to note that a ketogenic diet isn’t for everyone and can be challenging in the long run.

If you’re considering a ketogenic diet to help manage your epilepsy , talk to your doctor or nutritionist first.

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer ‘s  disease impairs the brain’s ability to use sugar. An MCT ketogenic diet offers an alternative energy source: ketones. This allows brain cells to survive better. It also blocks a receptor in the brain that causes memory loss. One study found that a single dose of MCT improved short-term cognition in 20 people with Alzheimer’s disease with a certain type of gene.

Although genetic factors play a role, evidence suggests that 20-70 grams of supplemental MCTs that include caprylic or capric acid may modestly improve mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.

Overall, the benefits of MCT oil in Alzheimer’s disease are promising, but larger-scale studies are needed.

Autism:

MCT Oil may  also help children with autism . One study found positive overall improvements when a ketogenic diet was followed for 6 months. Another study found that adding MCTs to a ketogenic , gluten-free diet substantially improved autism behavior  in 6 of the 15 children involved.

As autism  is a spectrum condition, it can affect people in different ways. This means that adding MCT Oil to your child’s diet may help to varying degrees or may not show positive effects. More research is needed here as well.

If you’re considering a ketogenic diet to help your child’s autism  , talk to your doctor or nutritionist first.

4. Instant Power Source:

MCT oil has been dubbed a super fuel, as your body absorbs MCTs faster than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which contain more carbons in their fatty acid chains.

Due to their shorter chain length, MCTs travel directly from the intestine to the liver and do not require bile to break down as longer chain fats do. In the liver, fats are broken down to be used as fuel or stored as body fat.

As MCTs easily penetrate your cells without being broken down, they can be used as an immediate source of energy. When you are on a ketogenic diet , MCTs can also be converted to ketones in the liver.

These ketones can cross your blood-brain barrier, making them a convenient source of energy for your brain cells.

5. Controls blood sugar levels:

MCT oil may also have benefits for diabetics. Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, which makes diabetes more difficult to manage . However, MCTs have been shown to reduce fat storage and increase fat burning.

A small Chinese study of 40 people with diabetes found that those who consumed MCT oil daily had significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and insulin resistance, compared to those who took LCTs containing corn oil .

Another study found that when 10 people with diabetes were given insulin, they needed 30% less sugar to maintain normal blood sugar levels when they consumed MCTs, compared to LCTs. However, the same study found no effect of MCTs on lowering fasting blood sugar levels.

6. Fights bacterial growth:

MCTs have been shown to have antimicrobial and antifungal effects. Coconut oil , which contains a lot of MCTs, has been shown to reduce Candida albicans growth by 25%. This is a common yeast that can cause thrush and various skin infections.

A test-tube study also showed that coconut oil reduced the growth of a disease-causing bacteria called Clostridium difficile. Coconut oil’s ability to reduce yeast and bacteria growth may be due to caprylic, capric, and lauric acid in MCTs. MCTs themselves have also been shown to suppress the growth of an infectious fungus spread in hospitals by up to 50%.

However, note that most research on MCTs and immune support has been conducted through animal or test-tube studies. High-quality human studies are needed before stronger conclusions can be made.

7. Promotes weight loss:

There are several reasons why MCT oil can be beneficial when you are trying to lose weight. MCT oil has been shown to increase the release of two hormones that promote feelings of fullness in the body: peptide YY and leptin.

It might even be better than coconut oil at keeping you full. One study found that people who take two tablespoons of MCT Oil as part of their breakfast end up eating less food at lunch compared to those who take coconut oil .

A smaller increase in triglycerides and glucose was also found with MCT Oil , which can also influence feelings of fullness. Additionally, the use of MCT Oil has been shown to significantly reduce body weight and waist circumference. Researchers report that this could help prevent obesity.

MCT oil has about 10% fewer calories than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), found in foods like olive oil, nuts , and avocados . Your body also processes MCTs differently, which can help you burn calories.

Your body can use MCT Oil as an instant source of energy, making it unnecessary to store fat for this purpose. However, it is important to note that your body may adapt to this dietary change, leading to only temporary results.

MCTs can be converted to ketones, which are produced from the breakdown of fat when carbohydrate intake is low. If you are following a ketogenic diet , which is very low in carbs but high in fat, then taking MCT Oil can help you stay in the fat burning state known as ketosis.

Lastly, your gut environment is very important when it comes to your weight. MCT oil can help optimize the growth of good bacteria and support the intestinal lining, which can also help you lose weight . Therefore, other factors such as the time and amount of food ingested can influence the effects of MCT Oil .

MCT oil side effects:

While MCTs are considered safe, they can have some disadvantages.

Can Stimulate the Release of Hunger Hormones:

Although MCTs can increase the release of hormones that help you feel fuller and can stimulate the release of hunger hormones.

A study in people with anorexia found that MCTs increased the release of two hormones that stimulate appetite: ghrelin and neuropeptide Y. People who took more than 6 grams of MCTs a day produced more of these hormones than those who took less than 1 gram. per day.

However, it’s unclear whether the increase in these hormones actually causes you to eat more. High doses can lead to fat accumulation in the liver High doses of MCT oil can increase the amount of fat in the liver in the long run.

A 12-week study in rats found that a diet where 50% of the fats were MCTs increased liver fat . Interestingly, the same study also found that MCTs reduced total body fat and improved insulin resistance.

However, keep in mind that high doses of MCT Oil , like those in the study above, are not recommended. Overall, more research is needed on the long-term effects of MCT Oil .

MCTs are high in calories and only make up about 5% to 10% of your total calorie intake. To maintain or lose weight, you must consume MCT Oil as part of your total fat intake and not as an additional amount of fat.

Other information:

Ingesting MCT Oil can bring many benefits and few risks. It contains fatty acids that promote weight loss by reducing body fat, increasing fullness and potentially improving your intestinal environment.

MCTs are also a great source of energy and can fight bacterial growth, help protect your heart, and help manage diabetes, Alzheimer’s , epilepsy , and autism .

Disadvantages can include increased hunger and possible accumulation of fat in the liver. Keep 1-2 tablespoons a day and use to replace your normal fat intake, any side effects are unlikely.

Therefore, using  MCT Oil is a convenient way to enjoy all its benefits.