A certain kind of balanced saturated fatty acid, known as “MCT”, has been associated with a range of positive health advantages. What is MCT oil good for exactly? MCT oil has been found to enhance cognitive performance and to help people attain and maintain a healthy weight.
Coconut oil is an excellent way to get your MCTs (medium chain triglycerides); between 62-65% of the fatty acids in coconut oil are this type of fatty acid. Lately, a more focused type of MCT oil has become increasingly sought after.
It is thought that due to the perception that saturated fats are bad, people who have a standard Western diet are likely to have very little MCTs in their diet. Newly conducted studies have uncovered a substantial amount of information regarding the actual truth concerning saturated fats.
An example of a potential benefit of MCTs is that they can positively affect both brain and gut health, due to their ability to fight off bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
5 Things to Know About MCT Oil Powder
1. Medium chain triglyceride, or MCT, is a type of fat present in some foods such as coconuts.
2. MCTs are a kind of fat that is metabolized quickly, providing energy as well as stimulating the production of ketones.
3. This MCT powder consists of 7g of MCTs in every serving, which have been combined with acacia fiber for enhanced portability. This makes them the perfect choice for drinks, smoothies, and recipes.
4. Begin consuming ¼ helping of MCTs and gradually increase your intake to an entire serving, particularly if you haven’t taken any MCTs beforehand.
5. If you’re using a combination of Perfect Keto products which contain MCTs, make sure you’re keeping a tab of your total MCT intake in order to prevent abdominal discomfort.
What is MCT Oil Powder?
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. They may also be referred to as MCFAs (medium-chain fatty acids). These molecules are referred to as “medium” because they contain a moderate number of carbon atoms; 6-10, while long-chain triglycerides hold more than 12. MCTs are a kind of saturated fat, consisting of four varieties depending on the size of their carbon chain. Medium-chain triglycerides are the perfect form of energy as no other enzymes are needed in order to be absorbed by the body.
MCT oil is composed of extracts of medium-chain triglycerides taken from natural sources like coconut and/or palm oil.
Mention should be made that all of Perfect Keto’s MCT items are obtained from coconut rather than palm oil.
MCTs provide energy quicker than the majority of other fats, which makes them the ideal choice when following a ketogenic meal plan. When your system begins to use ketones as its key energy supplier instead of glucose (from carbs), it can reach and persist within a state of ketosis. MCT oil is strong because it helps provide your body withketones that can be used, making it simpler to accomplish and keep in a state of ketosis.
Compared to many other ingredients, the two medium chain triglycerides found in MCT oil are rapidly taken in by the body and used as energy, which makes them the ideal source of power. Because they’re efficiently burned, saturated fats and MCT oil in particular have two positive effects on weight:
- No fat storage. MCTs don’t get stored as fat in your body; they’re all turned into ketones.
- Higher calorie burn. MCTs have a thermogenic effect (burning calories to create heat). This fat-burning process results in a metabolism boost.
There are 4 reasons why MCT oil can be burned as fuel so effectively:
- MCTs reach your liver quickly. They don’t have to go through peripheral tissues first, like LCTs (long-chain triglycerides) do.
- MCTs don’t have to be broken down into smaller molecules. Unlike long-chain fats, the body can absorb MCTs more efficiently due to the size of their carbon bonds.
- MCTs cross the double membrane of the mitochondria quickly (the energy “factory” of the cell).
- MCTs don’t need the presence of an enzyme called carnitine to be converted to energy, like LCTs do.
MCTs take fewer steps to be broken down in your body, resulting in them being able to be quickly changed into ketones. MCT oil has the most efficient medium-chain triglycerides that become energy quicker.
Consuming MCT oil has been shown to…
- Raise the metabolic rate at which your body functions — leading to greater weight loss and health outcomes
- Help keep a healthy balance of gut flora and improve the absorbability of nutrients
- Have a strong blood sugar stabilizing effect that may help reduce inflammation and improve brain function.
It turns out there are a few types of MCTs and some of them may be more useful than the others. The four different kinds of MCTs include:
- caprioc acid (C6)
- caprylic acid (C8)
- capric acid (C10)
- lauric acid (C12)
Generally, the fewer carbons an acid has, the faster the body can convert the fatty acids into energy that can be used in ketone form. Ketones are the byproducts of the body’s use of fat as fuel, rather than glucose, as is the case with people who are following a ketogenic diet.
No matter what kind of MCT is consumed, it is advantageous for one’s well-being – especially for those who struggle with processing other fats, including people with malabsorption disorders, digestive issues such as leaky gut syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ailments of the gallbladder.
Residents of areas close to the tropics have been targeting saturated fats, such as those found in coconuts, for millennia with no unfavorable consequences – consequently, the suggestion that a low-fat diet is “healthful” must be considered one of the greatest deceptions in nutrition!
Why MCT Oil Powder?
MCTs can be found both in liquid and powder form, and are excellent for supplying renewable and untainted energy, although it is suggested that MCT oil powder is best for those just starting out. MCT oil is gentler on the digestive tract in its solid form than when it is in a liquid state.
MCT oil powder is also:
- Convenient. You can pack it in smaller containers and take it to the gym or the office without the risk of it spilling. It’s also considerably lighter.
- Flexible. It mixes effortlessly into drinks and is easy to combine with other supplements such as exogenous ketones or a collagen supplement.
- Easier on the digestive system. This allows you to consume more at once, which may lead to potentially higher energy and ketone levels and a decreased potential for disaster pants. A preliminary study on animals also suggests that MCTs in the form of powder could improve nutrient digestibility.
- Great to cook with. Powder is easier to incorporate into some recipes – especially baking! – than oil.
The advantages of using a premium fiber powder like acacia are even more noteworthy. This food may help your digestion to function normally, decrease inflammation in the intestine, and provide you with a long-lasting feeling of satiety which could possibly aid in attaining a healthier body weight.
How to Use MCT Oil Powder
MCT Oil Powder provides a velvety richness to anything you put it into – from baked goods to smoothies to hot drinks. It’s definitely worth a try!
It is convenient to take on trips since it comes in powdered form, unlike most traditional MCT oils.
Typically, coconuts, items derived from them, and palm oil are more full of lauric acid than capric or caprylic acid, whereas dairy products have less lauric acid and instead have more of the other two acids. It can be tricky to obtain sufficient amounts of MCTs from food sources, so it is simpler to take a supplemental form of it.
When Should You Take It?
MCT oil powder has no caffeine or other stimulants in it, so you can take it at any time of the day, but here’s when many Perfect Keto-ers use it for the best effects:
Before a Workout
MCTs could be a remarkable source of fuel for exercising, particularly for intense exercise sessions. Adding a scoop of MCT oil to your meal either before or after exercising may enhance the quality of your workout and also aid in your recovery.
MCT oil can be a helpful pre-workout addition for people who have recently began the keto diet and find themselves needing to eat more carbohydrates before exercising in order to have the necessary energy.
In the Morning
MCT oil is ideal to have when you need to give your brain some extra power. Incorporating this into your coffee in the morning will ensure that you get your daily requirement of essential fats, as well as giving you the best much-needed energy boost to kickstart your day.
To Break Your Intermittent Fast
MCT oil can be quite filling and can potentially increase your concentration, making it the ideal choice to end your period of fasting.
When You’re Feeling Peckish
If you are in need of something to eat or desire a bite to eat during the course of the day, MCT Oil Powder is an ideal choice. It is very satisfying, providing 7 grams of fat for each 12 gram portion. You won’t be left feeling famished if you snack on MCT Oil Powder.
Health Benefits
What is MCT oil used for? Here are some of the reasons why people opt to supplement with MCTs, along with the advantages it brings.
1. Can Help with Weight Loss/Maintenance (Including on the Keto Diet)
Evidence from animal studies suggest that incorporating MCT oil into one’s diet could potentially help increase feelings of fullness and accelerate the metabolic rate of the body.
MCTs are often nicknamed “the optimal ketogenic diet fats” because they can speedily be metabolized for energy, resulting in extra heat production in the body, specifically when a person follows a low-carb diet plan. These foods make it easy to achieve a state of ketosis when eating a keto diet, as well as being great items to eat while following the Paleo diet.
2. Helps Protect Heart Health
A 2010 study that was published in the Journal of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods revealed that MCTs can thwart the forming of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is an amalgamation of several metabolic issues incorporating abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired fasting glucose levels.
It appears that MCTs are capable of aiding in reducing the chances of developing heart problems and death in general because they help lessen the likelihood of becoming overweight. It is probable that they have a beneficial impact due to the fact that they are anti-inflammatory, easily digestible, fill up the stomach and can be quickly utilized for energy, as discussed earlier.
3. May Improve Energy Levels, Mood and Performance
A regular supply of fatty acids is essential to keep your brain functioning at its highest level; this includes feeling good, mental clarity, optimal work performance and prolonged mental agility as you age.
It is thought that medium-chain fatty acids are the most simple to absorb, utilize, and guard against of all fatty acids. Those watching their carb intake, especially those on the ketogenic diet, may find these resources to be especially advantageous. Research indicates they may ameliorate any difficulties with the transition to ketosis and hasten reaching the metabolic state of ketosis.
4. Supports Digestion and Nutrient Absorption
MCT oil and coconut oil both can be advantageous for achieving equilibrium among the microorganisms in the digestive system perpetuating a healthy cycle which usually leads to relief from gastrointestinal trouble, more vitality, and better absorption of vital nutrients from food.
Medium chain fats have the potential to destroy many germs that cause digestive problems like candida, constipation, diarrhea, food poisoning and stomachaches.
You must consume fatty acids in order to take in the vitamins and minerals accessible in different foods. These nutrients that are necessary for a balanced diet consist of beta-carotene, which is a vitamin A precursor found in produce such as berries, squash and leafy greens, as well as vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and lutein.
5. Has Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antifungal and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
MCTs possess inherent antibacterial properties and may be advantageous in maintaining a suitable bacterial balance in the digestive system.
Here are some bacteria known to be killed by medium-chain fats:
- streptococcus (which causes strep throat, pneumonia and sinus infections)
- straphylococcus (which causes food poisoning and urinary tract infections)
- neisseria (which causes meningitis, gonorrhea and pelvic inflammatory diseases)
- some other strains that cause stomach viruses, candida, ulcers and sexually transmitted diseases
6. Can Withstand High-Heat Cooking
MCT oils are great for cooking because they won’t break down easily, even when exposed to high temperatures. Having a high “smoke point” makes them ideal for heat-based recipes. This is significant, as some cooking oils are not suitable for high-temperature cooking (like extra-virgin olive oil and flaxseed oil, to give two examples) and can quickly turn into bad quality oils.
MCT oil is impressive in that it assists in providing the ketones the body needs, thus making it easier to attain and sustain a state of ketosis.
