Health benefits of MCT oil and why you should try it out
In this post, I want to explain the awesome health benefits of MCT oil because it is a really popular supplement right now. You often see people adding it to smoothies, coffee, and drinking it straight of the bottle!
What is MCT oil?
Acronyms can be so confusing! Before I jump into the health benefits of MCT oil, I wanted to explain what it is first. MCT stands for medium-chain triglyceride. This is a type of fatty acid chain, aka fat, that is shorter than the chains you find in foods like meat. Compared to long-chain triglycerides, medium-chain triglycerides are easily broken down and absorbed by the body so it takes less energy to metabolize them. They are also smaller so they can permeate the cell membrane more easily. This means they have a ton of health benefits.
Most MCT oil products are made from coconuts because more than 50% of the fat found in coconuts are medium-chain triglycerides. You can purchase MCT oil at Goodness Me!
Health benefits of MCT oil
Boosts energy
There are fats that generate ketones, an energy-generating alternative to glucose, aka sugar. Ketone-generating fats are high in medium-chain triglycerides and are easily broken down and converted into energy. MCT oil is a healthy energy-boosting fat. Medium-chain triglycerides in MTC oil can easily be used as a quick energy source for the body that is not stored as fat. You guys know I love anything that boosts your energy, this is my favourite health benefit of MCT oil.
Antibacterial and anti-fungal properties
Coconut oil is known for its ability to fight yeast and bacterial overgrowth. This is because it is high in both caprylic, capric and lauric acid. Caprylic acid has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It is great at battling yeast overgrowth and can be used to fight candida, thrush, and yeast infections. Capric acid has antiviral and antimicrobial properties allowing it to help fight viruses. Lauric acid is antibacterial and antimicrobial and used topically to combat acne and internally to fight antibiotic resistance.
Weight loss
MCT oil contributes to weight loss in a few different ways. Firstly, it is really filling because it is fat. It also promotes the release of two hormones that promote the feeling of fullness. Adding MCT oil to meals will help you feel full for longer. Secondly, studies show that MCT oil reduces body weight and helps you burn calories. It also helps you burn fat because it creates ketones which increase your metabolic rate and helps you burn stored fat. Another awesome healthy benefit of MCT oil.
A word on saturated fat
Saturated fat has gotten a bad reputation in the past, by now we know it has awesome health benefits. It contributes towards proper utilization of omega-3s, protecting the intestinal tract, providing anti-microbial properties, and calcium absorption. Saturated fat is usually solid at room making it a stable fat that is good for high heat cooking. Good sources of saturated fats include coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and MTC oil.
If you are looking for a good quality MCT oil, check out the bulletproof line.