MCT Oil is drastically becoming popular among dieticians, athletes and people who are in general, concerned about health and well-being. So what exactly is MCT Oil and what makes it so special that it is being consumed as one of the most sought-after and popularly favoured supplements? Read on to find out.

What is MCT Oil?

MCT Oil is a kind of supplement that is made from or derived from a type of fat that is commonly known as medium-chain triglycerides. So what sets MCT Oil apart from other fat supplements? Well, most other kinds of fats we consume come from LCTs or long-chain triglycerides. The molecules of these fats are quite big but for MCT Oil, the molecules are quite small in size and enable easy and quick digestion. Since the molecules are far smaller than normal fats, these get absorbed in the bloodstream quicker than usual.

People who are arduously trying to cut down weight are opting for MCT Oil and statistically speaking, their demand is on a steady rise. This is because more and more people are getting to know about the various benefits and MCT Oil uses. It can be added to your morning coffee, your afternoon salad or even your midnight smoothies.

Let us take a look at 5 striking facts about MCT Oil that you may or may not be aware of.

MCT Oil facts – Know everything there is to know about MCT Oil

Let us start with a basic fact for people unfamiliar with the subject: MCT Oil is derived mainly from coconut oil. Coconut oil mainly consists of MCTs (when it comes to fats).

MCT Oil may act as a catalyst in weight loss – There is still a lot of studying going on about this and the opinions are varied or mixed. However, it is safe to say that there are certain properties and characteristics of MCT Oil that promote weight loss. It has been shown that MCT Oil increases the release of leptin and peptide YY. Both these hormones, when released, give a feeling that you are full, thereby reducing your appetite to an extent.

A study was conducted that showed that people who consumed 2 tablespoons of MCT Oil with their staple breakfast, ended up eating less throughout the day than people who added coconut oil to their food. The same study also went on to show that the consumption of MCT Oil leads to only a very minute rise in the glucose and triglycerides level.

Also Read: Best Cooking Oils in India

A healthy and immediate energy source – MCTs are absorbed by the body way faster than LCTs and that is why they travel from the gut to the liver, much faster than long-chain fats. When in the liver, MCTs are broken down and stored as either body fat or as fuel. Most other fats, when they enter the body, are broken down. However, that is not the case with MCTs. These fats enter the body without being broken down and can easily be used as an immediate source of energy. For people who are on a ketogenic diet, MCTs are converted into ketones when in the liver. Ketones are a great source of brain-cell energy and they are easily able to pass through the blood-brain barrier.

Controls and reduces lactate growth in athletes – When working out, lactate levels increase in the body and this can severely affect the performance of the people working out. However, MCTs showed certain properties that can reduce the increase in the lactate levels in the body. A study was conducted that showed that cyclists who consumed 1& ½ teaspoons of MCT Oil right before cycling, found it easier to push themselves harder and further as compared to the athletes who opted for LCTs. Also, a lesser known fact about MCT Oils among athletes is that consuming them right before working out helps burn fats in the body instead of carbs. Therefore, if your workout routine is strictly in adherence to burning of fat, consuming a prescribed quantity of MCT Oil can help shed fat faster.

Helps manage conditions like Autism, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, etc. – A fact that people should be familiar with is while the ketogenic diet is currently opted for, for the reason of losing weight, it was originally introduced for managing epilepsy. The research was conducted that showed that dieting and fasting, may help reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures by increasing ketone production and since MCT Oils can help produce ketones, they can help manage epilepsy. As far as Alzheimer’s disease is concerned, MCT Oils can help block the receptors in the brains that lead to memory loss. Also, since Alzheimer’s disease makes the brain incapable of using sugar, MCT Oils can produce alternative sources of energy like ketones.

MCT helps keep the heart better – MCT helps keep the heart healthy in a number of ways. Regular consumption of MCT Oil, combined with flaxseed oil and phytosterols for nearly a month, reduces the percentage of total cholesterol by a whopping 12.5%. Also, adding MCT Oil to your regular diet reduces bad cholesterol in the body. CRP or C-reactive protein is a marker that indicates that your heart is at risk. MCT Oil helps in reducing the level of CRP as well.

MCT Oils are rapidly becoming the masses number one choice for healthier weight-loss supplements and because of its ability to blend with every food, it is quite popular. These are the top 5 lesser-known facts about MCT Oils that can help you make a well-informed decision about opting for healthier diets.