Middle Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) are unique fatty acids found naturally in coconut oil and palm oil. They have an amazing ability to stabilize blood sugar and increase ketone body production. This process makes MCT a powerful tool for reducing inflammation, improving metabolism and improving cognitive function.
The term "medium" refers to the length of the fatty acid chain. Oil can have short, medium or long chain. Most oils are a combination of short, medium and long chain fatty acids.
Medium chain fatty acids by definition are fatty acids containing between 6 and 12 carbon chains. These include:
- C6 - Caproic acid
- C8 - Caprylic acid
- C10 - Capric Acid
C12 - Lauric Acid
MCT is Easily Digested:
MCT is easily digested and does not require the production and use of bile. Most fatty acids rely on bile salt emulsification to be metabolized and absorbed. Bile production is a process that depends on the energy that occurs in the liver. The body stores extra bile in the gall to be used for high fat foods.
Individuals with slow heart and gallbladder struggle to produce adequate bile. Other individuals who struggle with malnutrition or malabsorption syndrome can easily absorb and utilize this MCT. These include people with pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis & Crohn's disease among others.
MCT has a slightly lower calorie effect than long chain fatty acids (LCFAs). LCFA has 9 calories per gram whereas MCT has 8.3 calories per gram.
How MCT Works:
Mitochondria are small organs inside your cells that are responsible for producing all the energy required by your network. Fatty acids produce energy in the mitochondria but depend on the L-carnitine compound to enter. MCTs give energy immediately because they are able to cross multiple mitochondrial membranes very quickly and require no carnitine.
This causes the production of excess acetyl-coA which decomposes into ketones. The rapid formation of the ketone bodies provides direct energy and enhances brain function and athletic performance.
Many experts say that MCTs act like carbohydrates because they provide a direct source of energy. However, MCT differs from carbohydrates because they do not raise blood sugar levels or increase insulin levels like carbohydrates.
# Also read the article KETOGENIC DIET: COMPLETE GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS
What is Ketone?
The body has two main energy sources, it burns the body of glucose or ketones. The majority of people burn glucose mainly because they continue to supply a stable form of sugar, starches and proteins that can be converted into blood sugar. When someone fasts or consumes low-fat, medium-protein and high-fat diets, they divert their energy sources to fat.
In particular, fatty acids are broken down into ketones. The three major ketone forms produced in the body include Acetoacetate, Acetone and Beta-HydroxyButyric acids. It is released into the blood from the liver when low insulin levels and liver metabolism increase.
Ketones as Preferred Fuel For Brain:
Ketones are unique energy-producing molecules made from fatty acids. Our body can make them from stored fat or from MCT. Ketones feed all the body cells, but especially the fuel of choice for the brain.
Studies have shown that MCTs can easily cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and be oxidized by the brain. Thus, MCT can provide direct and indirect brain fuel sources through the formation of ketones. This is very important for everyone and especially patients with type 1 diabetes because it gives us all the strategies to preserve brain function during hypoglycemic episodes without increasing blood glucose levels.
The ketone activates a special regulatory protein in the brain called the inherited Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). BDNF works to improve, protect and enhance the function of brain cells and neurological tissues. BDNF also stimulates the growth of new healthy neurons that replace older and dying cells. The inability to regulate dead or dying brain cells is a risk factor for neurodegenerative disease processes.
Natural Resources MCT:
The best natural source of MCT is found in coconut oil. Palm oil, camphor tree oil, goat's milk and butter fed with grass or ghee are also good sources of MCT. Coconut oil is the richest source of lauric acid C12. Lauric acid is excellent for the immune system which is one of the reasons why coconut oil has tremendous health benefits.
Many people develop from dairy products fed with grass like raw milk, kefir, yogurt and cheese. Others struggle with lactose and milk protein casein and whey. Grass-fed butters and ghees are usually well-tolerated by most individuals.
Ghee is the only dairy product that is completely pure casein, lactose and whey. When I have clients with skin problems (eczema or acne), autoimmune problems or leaky intestines, I always start by removing all the milk except the ginger-fed ghee, which is often well-tolerated.
You can also get purified MCT oil which is concentrated caprylate and capric acid. It is processed at the plant to remove all longer chain fat and other compounds except these two fatty acids. But be careful with the brand you buy because it is important to get it tested for purity and heavy metal.
Caproic acid:
This is the smallest MCT chain on 6 carbon chains. There is this small amount in our normal food supply. It has the potential to cause digestive problems including diarrhea and burning of the throat.
Caprylic acid:
8 MCT of this carbon is found only at a concentration of 6% coconut oil but is considered a gold nugget MCT. It has the most powerful anti-microbial properties that help destroy bad bacteria and yeast.
Capric acid is easier than lauric acid in the production of cellular fuel. Actually, it only takes 3 steps to turn it into cellular energy (ATP). Sugar requires 26 steps to produce cellular energy and is therefore very costly metabolically. The more MCT oil concentrated in caprylic acid, the more mitochondrial reinforcement.
Capric Acid :
This carbon-chain fatty acid 10 is also a very powerful MCT that turns into easy energy in the cell's mitochondria without any work from the liver. Peasant acid has also been shown to have a great anti-microbial effect against bacteria such as P Acnes, E Coli and Candida albicans.
Studies have also shown that capric acid helps reduce inflammatory activity against bone tissue. This provides evidence of its benefits in preventing bone loss and osteoporosis.
Lauric Acid:
It is a 12-carbon fatty acid chain that makes up about 50% fatty acids in coconut oil. Metabolism of lauric acid is different from the other three MCTs. In fact, although lauric acid is considered MCT, it is actually more like a long-chain fatty acid. It depends on the liver of the liver to be metabolized effectively.
Lauric acid is an effective anti-microbial but research has shown that caprylic acid and kapkar are more effective than lauric acid and infectious organisms such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. Caprylic acid is a common supplement used in anti-yeast protocols and bacterial growth protocols of the small intestine.
1. MCT Reduces Blood Sugar:
MCT boosts ketones and lowers blood sugar naturally. They have a strong blood sugar stabilizing effect that helps reduce inflammation and improve brain function.
After one oral dose of MCT, a slight decrease in blood sugar develops. This is due, apparently, to a decrease in liver glucose output and not by increasing the utilization of body glucose.
MCT significantly improves carbohydrate tolerance and inhibits the production of fatty acids in the adipose (fat) tissue.
2. Increased Nutrient Absorption:
MCT increases the absorption of calcium and magnesium in premature infants. One study looked at 34 pre-natal babies. Babies are divided into 3 groups and given many formulas.
Group 1 has corn oil, oleic, and coconut oil (39:41:20); Group 2: MCT, corn oil, and coconut oil (40:40:20); Group 3: MCT and corn oil (80:20). Infants who were given a formula containing MCTs absorbed significantly more calcium than the control group. The absorption of magnesium increased significantly in the 80% MCT group.
The same group was then analyzed for protein absorption and nitrogen content. The 80% MCT group has significant improvements in the absorption of nitrogen and amino acids sparingly. This means the body will be more effective in preserving and building lean body tissue while using MCT oil.
3. Natural Anti-Convulsive:
Ketone production has strong anticonvulsive properties in the brain that have long been used as a treatment for individuals with epilepsy. LCFA-based traditional ketogenic diets used for anti-convulsive benefits consist of 87% calories from fat. This is very difficult to follow and compliance is often very low.
The use of MCT, which as described is highly ketogenic, makes it easier to enter and persist in ketosis. MCT-based diets only rely on 60-70% of calories from fat that allows one to handle multiple sources of solid carbohydrates and proteins. Food diversity provides more micronutrient nutrients, has greater variation and more fun.
4. Athletic Performance Improvement:
MCT is an elite fuel for athletes or anyone who does some sort of physical activity. This is due to its rapid absorption rate through the digestive tract, rapid metabolic conversion into cellular energy and high energy density.
# Also read KETO DIET FOR WOMEN: BENEFITS, FOOD LIST & TIPS TO OVERCOME SIDE EFFECTS
Many athletes find good performance benefits by using MCTs both pre and post exercise. They are the best form of fat to use just before (within 2 hours) and right after exercise due to mobilization and their rapid use to rebuild muscles and prevent catabolic protein breakdown after strenuous exercise.
5. Control of Appetite and Weight Loss:
Studies have shown that MCT suppresses appetite that helps individuals who struggle with strong desire and overeating. In a 14-day study, 6 healthy men took 3 different unlimited diets: low MCT diet, medium MCT diet and high MCT diet.
The study authors found significantly lower calorie consumption for those with a high MCT diet. The researchers discussed how to replace MCT for other fat sources can limit excess calorie intake and result in weight gain.
A number of studies have also shown that when overweight and obese people are given a higher diet of MCT diets, they can lose more weight and have better energy even though they consume fewer calories.
Problems with MCT Consumption:
Most people tolerate MCT well, but too many doses too quickly can cause gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. If you have this problem, do not panic and immediately give up on MCT.
You can easily reduce or eliminate these symptoms by starting with a very small dose at a time. This means ½ tbsp several times a day and slowly increasing the tolerable dose.
# Read article 7 WAYS TO PREVENT KETO FLU
How To Use MCT Oil:
MCT oil is very versatile and can be used as salad dressing, in smoothies, for cooking or straight up from a teaspoon. Here are the most popular ways:
- Cooking Oil: Very stable under heat like coconut oil but no taste of coconut
- Salad Dressing: No major taste so combine with the herb and vinegar
- Coffee & Tea: Good for thickening coffee or tea and improving health benefits.
- Smoothies: Add 2 tbsps in a smoothie to curb hunger and let the smoothie keep you full longer.
Introducing XCT Oil Upgrade:
The enhanced XCT oil is a combination of 8 carbon chain caprylate and 10 carbon chain capriic acid. This formulation has 6 times more caprylic acid and kapril in it than coconut oil, most of which is lauric acid, which is not readily metabolized to create direct fuel for the brain.
The enhanced XCT oil is free of lauric acid and is a pure caprylic acid and capriate. This means it is an instant fuel for the brain. It helps to keep the ketone and allows the body to easily switch from burning sugar to ketone as its main fuel source.
The enhanced XCT oil is extracted from palm oil and coconut oil in a time-consuming process, making it the most powerful XCT on the market. No metal catalyst is used in the manufacturing process, and every XCT batch we tested for heavy metals. The enhanced XCT is 100% pure and has a perfect 8-10 carbon saturated fat level.
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) work directly in the cells to give you an extra boost to maximize your performance. MCT oil is very little stored as fat because it is used for energy very quickly!
Tired of constantly crave for sugar or caffeine? Want a thermogenic boost of immunity with your energy? Try the most advanced form of MCT which is 6x stronger than coconut oil.
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