MCT seems to be the buzz word in losing weight these days. MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. They are a type of fatty acid that is derived from coconut oil and palm oil. MCT is considered to be a super fuel for your cells, because it boosts fat burning and increases mental clarity. The amount of MCT’s in coconut oil equals about 65%. MCT can be considered a healthy saturated acid. Possibly because it is an oil that is utilized rapidly in our bodies.  In the 1980’s and 1990’s this type of oil was considered to be a bad oil. However, saturated fatty acids of this type, do not have negative consequences for heart and blood vessel health.

MCT oil can help you lose weight because it is quickly burned and metabolized. The advantage of MCT oil is that it is immediately transported from the stomach to the liver.  Because it is directly converted to energy in the liver it is able to burn quickly.

In one scientific study, participants were divided amongst two different groups. One group received a placebo of long chain fatty acids, while the other group received MCT oil. the participants consumed their allocated supplement every day for twelve straight weeks. After twelve weeks, the MCT oil group lost significantly more body weight in comparison to the long chain fatty acid group. What is even more important, is that the MCT oil group mainly lost weight around their waist. Abdominal fat is the hardest fat to lose in general but is also considered the unhealthiest type of body fat.

People that replace other fatty acids in their diet with MCT oil lose more body weight than when they consume an equivalent amount of olive oil. While extra virgin olive oil is very healthy, MCT oils would be the preferred choice for fat loss. MCT oil even seems to directly stimulate the fat loss process. This means that body fat itself will be broken down while consuming MCT oil.

In one study published in the Journal of Obesity and Research in 2013, scientists at McGill University carried out a randomized control trial to compare the effects of medium-chain triglycerides (such as caprylic acid and lauric acid) and long-chain triglycerides (like olive oil) on body fat storage, energy expenditure, appetite control, and other aspects of weight loss in overweight men.

Researchers put these men on different diets for 28 days. They switched the diets after a short time so that they could see difference in the same subjects.

One group ate a coconut oil-rich diet, high in medium-chain triglycerides. The other group ate a diet rich in long-chain triglycerides.

Researchers found the men who ate coconut oil lost more body fat, which they attributed to a greater increase in energy expenditure and fat burning. Coconut oil actually sped up their metabolism, curbing their appetite and allowing them to lose more belly fat, as compared with the men who were on the olive oil-rich diet.

MCTs are also a unique form of saturated fat with very potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that support your immune system. They also provide anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and even anti-viral benefits.

Comparing omega 6 fats to MCTs, omega 6 fats are seed, bean, or grain oils (which include corn, soy, sunflower and canola oils). Note, please see my earlier article on soy in my articles.  Once ingested, these inflammatory oils are transported to the lymphatic system and not to the blood, which means your fat tissues absorb them.

MCTs, on the other hand, are directly absorbed into the blood, and boost your metabolism, burn more calories and fat, and reduce fat storage, while curbing your appetite. That is why researchers think these fats are super fuel for your cells.

Furthermore, researcher studies show that MCTs help you burn about 460 extra calories a day for men and about 190 extra calories for women. That isn’t nice for us females is it? MCTs also beneficially impact your hormones, including appetite-controlling hormones, helping you feel full.

They can also improve your cholesterol profile. In one study, consuming MCT oils helped reduced body fat and triglycerides more than omega 6 vegetable oils. After eight weeks, the experiment showed the MCT oil group lost more weight, body fat, and subcutaneous fat, all the while experiencing a 15 percent drop in triglycerides and LDL (the bad) cholesterol.

In an article by Dr. Mark Hyman, he says that “all these benefits occurred despite the fact that MCTs are a saturated fat. There was no difference in daily exercise or consumption of total calories of protein, fat, or carbohydrates. There was no calorie restrictions, yet the subjects still lost more weight. It further proves that it’s not all about the calories in food, it is about the information.

MCTs have many benefits. If someone is following a low carb food plan adding MCT oil can have a positive effect on the amount of muscle mass then those who don’t use this type of fat. For example, when on a low carb or even a very low calorie diet, people can lose a lot of muscle mass. This is not beneficial. People that use MCT oil during a period of fat loss have more muscle mass in comparison to people that do not use MCT oil in their diets.

For that reason, MCT oil is very interesting for athletes. This is particularly the case for endurance athletes because MCT oil is very easy to consume during competitions or training sessions. It can indirectly increase the amount of muscle mass in the body.

MCT oil helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. The regulation of blood sugars and insulin is very important to a healthy metabolism. Insulin causes potential sugars that are in the bloodstream to be stored in the muscle tissue. Within certain pathologies such as diabetes, overweight or Alzheimer, the metabolism of blood sugars can be impaired. Studies have shown that the use of MCT oil has an advantage for both ill as well as healthy people.

One of the greatest benefits is that MCT oil has an enormous benefit for cognitive function. At this time the only scientific studies on cognitive function has been done on Alzheimer’s patients. It has shown to be beneficial. On average most people who eventually try MCT oil, experience significant improvements in their cognition.

Don’t overload on too much MCT oil however. While MCT oil has benefits for the stomach and colon, too much can lead to stomach issues and possible diarrhea. In order to convert MCT oil to energy, lower amounts of bile from the gallbladder is needed compared to when one consumes other fats. MCT oil has the greatest benefits for yeast infection such as Candida, and stomach and colon problems that are caused by e. Coli bacteria. But start slow. Try one tablespoon a day to start with. Working up to three a day.