With all of the oils and fats on the market now, who doesn’t get confused? Medium chained triglyceride (MCT) oil is one of the best and has been highly regarded amongst the fitness and nutrition world for a long time. MCT puts little strain on the digestive system because it is readily absorbed and assimilated. It does not require bile salts from the gall bladder (which is helpful for those who have had it removed), because it is broken down quickly from saliva and our stomach juices.
Once absorbed, they are sent to our liver where they are quickly burned as energy instead of stored as fats. MCT has also been shown to increase metabolism because it is easily taken into our powerhouse structures called mitochondria. With a higher metabolism and better functioning cells, our whole body performs better and is able to recover and rebound much quicker. For this reason, athletes use MCT’s for energy and performance enhancement.
MCT’s are also beneficial for those who suffer from elevated blood sugar or cholesterol. Unlike other fats, MCT’s have been shown to have anti-coagulant properties and lower glucose levels. In animal studies, MCT’s had lipid lowering effects by helping the liver process cholesterol more effectively.
When using them for the first time, start slowly as the biggest side effect is nausea and stomach irritation, especially if used on an empty stomach in large doses. Start with a quarter (1/4) teaspoon a few times a day and work up to a few tablespoons. Mix it in smoothies, as salad dressings, or used to cook at low temperatures. The most common source besides breast milk is coconut oil. Because coconut oil contains many types of fat besides MCT, you may also want to buy pure MCT oil.
1. Dean W, English J. Beneficial Effects on Energy, Atherosclerosis and Aging Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs). www.nutritionreview.org.
2. Fife B. Coconut Oil and Medium Chained Triglycerides. www.coconutresearchcenter.com