What is MCT oil and how does it work?
MCT oil – also sometimes referred to as “rocket fuel” – is still known to few people, but has a lot to offer in terms of its effects and areas of application. In this article you will find out what is behind this high-quality oil, how it increases your power and how you can use it sensibly for you.
MCT oil: what is it?
MCT means medium-chain triglycerides, in German medium-chain fatty acids. These are partly found in tropical vegetable oils, which include coconut oil or palm oil.
However, MCT oils only contain medium-chain fatty acids with six to ten carbon atoms – no long-chain fatty acids, as are also present in the vegetable oils mentioned. In fact, MCT oil does not exist in its pure form in nature.
As a result, these medium-chain fatty acids usually need to be extracted to create pure MCT oil. This extraction of the triglycerides in coconut oil takes place physically by means of a gentle distillation of the free fatty acids into medium and long-chain fatty acids. All you need for this is low temperatures. Thus, lower melting point triglycerides can be recovered from the enriched medium chain fatty acids.
Why are medium-chain fatty acids so relevant?
The metabolism of medium-chain fatty acids in MCT oil – capric (C10) and caprylic acid (C8) – is particularly easy due to the structure. They reach the liver immediately via the blood or the portal vein and save themselves the journey through the lymphatic system.
The subsequent conversion of the fatty acids into energy ensures that our skeletal muscles and brain receive the energy they need and that ketone bodies (energy carriers) are formed.
MCT Oil – For what?
MCT oil therefore serves as a healthy fat to supply the muscles and brain with energy as quickly as possible. In addition, with the help of the ketone bodies produced, it also ensures that the body is kept in ketosis – the fat-burning state – for longer.
Since this enables a balanced blood sugar level, MCT oil is also often used in the ketogenic diet. This type of diet involves consuming as much fat as possible while consuming as little protein and carbohydrates as possible.
In this case, the MCT oil effect also increases the feeling of satiety associated with ingestion. This also leads to weight loss, although MCT oil is not suitable for a long-term obesity diet.
Athletes in particular often use MCT oil to improve their performance, but the oil has also found a place in medicine. It has been proven that MCT oil has a positive effect on cholesterol levels and the brain. In fact, research is already being carried out into whether MCT oil can also be used to treat Alzheimer’s.
With regard to various intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease or, for example, certain fat digestion or lymphatic drainage disorders, MCT oil has also been used in the past as a therapy supplement.
Last but not least, the oil could also serve to increase the ability to concentrate in its function as a source of energy for busy people.
How should you take MCT oil?
Due to the tasteless and odorless properties of MCT oil, you can either take it pure or add it to food. You can stir it into yoghurt, smoothies, tea, coffee or salad dressing, for example. The MCT oil has limited taste-enhancing properties, so that your food tastes even better.
As part of dietary therapies, there are also special margarines and cooking fats that contain MCT. According to studies, weight can be reduced in this way.
On the other hand, MCT oil is not suitable for heating, frying or even deep-frying – it is only heat-resistant to a very limited extent. For example, if you heat the oil, it will taste hot and bitter.
How much MCT oil is recommended per day?
With regard to the MCT oil effect, a slow increase in dosage is recommended. Start with one teaspoon per day (about 5 to 10 grams) and then gradually increase to six teaspoons per day (maximum 50 grams).
Overdoses can possibly lead to undesirable side effects and are therefore not advisable.
MCT oil in coffee
As mentioned, you can also stir MCT oil into your coffee. In fact, this has become a true trend in the past. The so-called bulletproof coffee or keto coffee is prepared as follows:
1. First brew the coffee to the desired strength and then add a tablespoon or two of MCT oil. Always pay attention to the maximum daily dose.
2. Then add a tablespoon or two of clarified grass-fed butter (aka “ghee”) and finally mix it all together using a mixer. Now you can already enjoy the keto coffee.
Thanks to this coffee, the body receives new energy, the ability to concentrate is increased and the feeling of hunger is reduced at the same time. Many keto coffee lovers substitute this drink for their first meal of the day.
MCT oil for external use
MCT oil can also have a positive effect on the skin as it moisturizes and softens the skin. However, this does not clog the pores – it has an antimicrobial effect and prevents or heals eczema and rashes.
In fact, inflammatory acne can also be significantly improved, since propionibacterium is killed thanks to the active ingredients it contains. For women, MCT oil is even suitable for removing make-up to give the skin a little moisture at the same time.
MCT oil and its special benefits
If organic MCT oil was obtained from coconut oil, it is completely free of animal products. So it is also suitable for vegans. It also contains no gluten and is odorless and tasteless. As mentioned, you can take it pure or add it to various salads, sauces or smoothies.
By taking MCT oil you can ultimately achieve several effects:
- You will gain more energy quickly
- Your ability to perform and concentrate increases
- The oil will help you with weight loss
- Your cholesterol level will be positively influenced
- Your entire metabolism will be accelerated
MCT Oil: These are possible side effects/disadvantages
If the MCT oil dosage is too high, the following side effects are possible:
- heartburn
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
- stomach pain
In addition, there is a high probability that you will be missing both essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins with long-term intake – provided you do without other, “normal” fats.
It is therefore best to take omega 3 and 6 and the vitamins mentioned in addition to MCT oil so that you do not develop a deficiency.
If you are already taking probiotics, the MCT oil effect is actually counterproductive due to its antibacterial properties. You should also always discuss the simultaneous intake of MCT oil and antibiotics with your doctor in order to avoid interactions.
A major disadvantage of the oil is that it cannot be used for frying or baking due to its limited heat resistance. Heating also leads to an unpleasant taste and gastrointestinal problems.
Buying MCT Oil: Which is Best?
If you want to buy MCT oil, you can buy it from various online shops or in health food stores and drugstores.
However, make sure that it is high-quality organic MCT oil with a high dosage of caprylic acid – in the best case even 100 percent. This creates most of the ketones in the blood, making this MCT Oil C8 most effective.
Alternatively, there are also organic MCT oils with caprylic acid and capric acid, which are ultimately a little less effective. If the product of your choice is an oil with both active ingredients, the proportion of caprylic acid ideally predominates.
Since organic MCT oil is very sensitive to light, it should also be in a glass bottle and contain no additives. The quality is extremely important in order to experience the full effectiveness of the intake. To ensure that the MCT oil effect is maintained in the long term, you should store the bottle with the oil in a dry and dark place.
Since we attach great importance to the best organic quality in our MCT oil, we only have the highest quality products for you in our hitoshin.com shop. You will find an organic MCT oil with us, which is completely free of pollutants and additives and of high quality.
MCT oil for cats and dogs
After consultation with the veterinarian, certain oils can also be used for pets – including MCT oil (in organic quality). In relation to dogs, it improves the condition of the skin and coat, increases mental clarity and reduces inflammatory and allergic reactions.
How high you can dose the MCT oil for the four-legged friends depends, among other things, on their weight, the usual level of activity and the current health. A guideline is 1 teaspoon per 5 kilograms of weight.
In animals, too, the dosage should be gradually increased. The oil can be stirred under the feed or administered pure. Possible side effects include diarrhea and nausea.
Your vet should be able to judge whether you can use it on your cat.
Difference between MCT oil and coconut oil
Even though MCT oil is often derived from coconut oil, there are big differences. For example, at first glance, coconut oil is quite solid, while MCT oil is liquid. But of course that’s not all.
In fact, coconut oil consists primarily of long-chain fatty acids, which cannot be processed by the body as quickly as medium-chain fatty acids.
The medium-chain fatty acids are usually only 30 or 40 percent in coconut oil before they are extracted and processed into MCT oil. The important caprylic and capric acids each account for only five to ten percent.
Instead, coconut oil contains a lot of caproic acid, which often causes gastrointestinal problems and also has an unpleasant aftertaste. Lauric acid, which is often counted among the long-chain fatty acids, can also be found in coconut oil and does not belong in MCT oils.
As a result, a completely different effect unfolds. Coconut oil certainly has one or the other positive effect on health, but MCT oil is far ahead of it.
MCT oil: conclusion
MCT oil in organic quality can make your everyday life much easier and bring you back the lost energy in a short time. It also helps you with certain physical ailments and skin problems and can even give you some weight loss success. It is not for nothing that MCT oil is a popular dietary supplement.
In any case, before buying the oil, make sure it is of high quality and has a high proportion of caprylic acid so that you get the full effect.
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