The 'medium' in MCT, which is also known as medium-chain fatty acids, has to do with the length of the chain of carbon molecules within its atoms. Organic MCT (medium chain triglyceride) oil is a mild tasting oil, naturally sourced from 100% pure coconut. This is because the former is made up of both MCTs and LCTs (Long Chain Triglycerides) while the latter is mainly composed of MCTs, with a low composition of LCTs, if any. Studies show saturated fat raises LDL, yet it also raises HDL ("good" cholesterol). MCTs are absorbed more rapidly than other fats by the body. MCT oil is a supplement made from a type of fat called medium-chain triglycerides. But other research shows it might not do that much to help get you through your workout. You can cook with it or bake with it as you do most oils. Yet newer studies vindicate saturated fat, with one study arguing “a variety of saturated fatty acids may provide distinct benefits to various metabolic processes and overall health.”. Some experts think using ketones as an energy source instead may help your brain work better. Request a particle-size test to check for particle size and number. Some more than others. MCT stands for medium chain triglycerides, a saturated fat that has between six and twelve carbons in its chain. Other cholesterol tests are simply outdated. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. This makes them easier to digest. It’s made up of a combination of concentrated sources of medium-chain triglycerides. But don’t think for a second that your Brain Octane or Bulletproof MCT oil is completely innocent, either. The real buzz about coconut oil is attributed to the type of saturated fats that this plant oil contains. Gretchen Swank, registered dietitian, Northwestern Medicine. As far as any thermogenic effect of excess … MCT oil may help boost your strength if you’re elderly and weak. Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are partially man-made fats. Quality fats like coconut oil and more anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats help edge out those sugars and inflammatory omega-6 fats. As I mentioned in part 1: Edibles, cannabinoids are “hydrophobic,” meaning they repel water and thus cannot dissolve in it.Instead, they get really cozy with fats! It's no secret that I'm a big fan of eating fat as a way to reach optimal well-being, and coconut oil is one of my favorites. MCT can help your body make ketones, an energy source for your brain that doesn’t have carbs. Some fats do raise cholesterol whereas others lower cholesterol. MCT Oil is a Fat Burning Oil Let’s compare MCTs with omega 6 fats. And yet, if you've ever read a nutrition label on the back of a jar of organic, raw, cold-pressed coconut oil, you'd see that it's high in saturated fat. Because of their unique benefits, MCTs have been shown to increase longevity in animal models. Saturated Fat from Coconut Oil There might be one exception in the saturated fat category – coconut oil. 1. Autism Coconut oil provides other benefits too, like lowering insulin levels and protecting against heart disease. It’s generally safe to use MCT oil moderately. Consumption of MCT oil - really, most fats in general - suppresses appetite and makes your stomach empty slower. Functional Medicine Doctor & NY Times bestseller. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may. But you may have been told mixed messages about saturated fat: should you eat more of it, or avoid it? The predominant fatty acid in coconut oil is lauric acid, which provides antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral benefits. A small preface: Triglyceride is the scientific term for fat molecules . The name refers to the way the carbon atoms are arranged in their chemical structure. MCTs have a shorter chemical structure than other fats, and so are quickly absorbed and used by the body. If you are looking to use cooking oils that are low in saturated fats, you may want to choose safflower, canola, or olive oil.Tropical oils like coconut oil and palm oil are high in saturated fat. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Fats are categorized by how many carbons … MCT oil is metabolized in the liver and absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the digestive tract, meaning MCTs do not require any energy to be absorbed, used or stored in the body. MCT oil is an amazing plant-source of saturated fat that’s been gaining steam in the Paleo and Keto diets. MCT oil may help you lose weight . Coconut oil can contain up to 40 percent saturated fat, yet interestingly, countries with the highest intakes of coconut oil have the lowest rates of heart disease. MCT Oil Side Effects MCT Oil Can Raise “Bad Cholesterol” As we discuss as part of our core message at Gene Food, no two people respond in exactly the same way to … The word MCTs is shorthand for medium-chain triglycerides, a special type of saturated fat that has become exceedingly popular of late. MCTs also mobilize body fat, as we said above. Oils that are low in saturated fat are high in unsaturated fats. There are numerous low-carbohydrate diets currently in vogue; the Mediterranean Diet, the South Beach Diet, the Paleo Diet, the Atkins Diet, and others. This turns it into energy you can use. 2016 Mar;19(2):81-7. Saturated fat in MCT oil does not cause heart disease. This may help you get to the fat-burning phase faster, but we don’t know for sure. Cholesterol is not black and white, so classifying it as "good" or "bad" vastly oversimplifies this molecule, which helps synthesize vitamin D and hormones while maintaining cell structure among other duties. This separates the MCT from the original oil and concentrates it. It’s a pure source of fatty acids. Digestive problems: Your doctor may have you get more MCT if you have trouble digesting other kinds of fat or you struggle to get the nutrients you need. They are also sometimes called “MCFAs” for medium-chain fatty acids. Both have MCT in them. They improve your cholesterol profile. : In one small study, adding MCT to a ketogenic gluten-free diet helped improve symptoms in children with autism. MCTs can be converted into ketones, which are produced from the breakdown of fat when carb intake is low.Taking MCT oil can help those in the ketogenic diet stay in the fat-burning state known as ketosis. A study on preterm infants shows that adding MCT oil to formula can reduce a fungus called Candida that can cause infection. But more research needs to be done. MCT Oil Benefits. They’re more easily and rapidly digested than other types of fats. MCT Oil has many benefits, much like coconut oil, though the effects are stronger. Quality saturated fat in coconut oil or MCT oil becomes far different from what you get in a fast-food cheeseburger. The Benefits of MCT Oil Over Coconut Oil for the Keto Diet Both coconut oil and MCT oil are an amazing fat choice for someone following a keto diet. The diverse nature of saturated fats and the case of medium-chain triglycerides: how one recommendation may not fit all. MCTs stand for medium chain triglycerides, a type of healthy saturated fatty acid. : If you have type 1 diabetes, fatty acids made by MCT may help you think better when you have very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). MCTs and coconut oil are not technically the same. It may trim body fat and improve insulin resistance for folks with type 2 diabetes, but we need more research to know for sure. 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