MCT oil – composition, effects and health properties
Taking care of one’s health, ensuring full physical and mental efficiency until old age, is not an easy task. One can say that it is a multifaceted, complicated process consisting of many factors, starting with a large dose of daily physical activity and ending with a well-balanced diet. It is thanks to it that every day we provide our body with all the necessary nutrients, among which MCT oil should definitely be found, a supplement with numerous health-promoting properties.
Contents
The importance of fats in our daily diet
When we hear about fats in the diet, the first thing that comes to mind is the thick layers of fatty tissue accumulating in various parts of the body and the growing overweight and obesity. There is a lot of truth in this, but there are fats that we absolutely should eat every day, because they are essential for the proper functioning of the human body. Healthy fats such as coconut oil, full of Omega – 3 and Omega – 6 fatty acids recommended by doctors, have very important functions with it:
- they condition the proper functioning of the heart and circulatory system;
- support the functioning of the brain and the nervous system;
- ensure proper structure of cell membranes, being their building material;
- satisfy energy requirements, are a strong source of energy needed for everyday active life;
- by forming the subcutaneous layer, they prevent the loss of heat and dangerous cooling of the body;
- regulate the secretion of hormones;
- increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, while providing them;
- strengthen natural immunity;
- reduce the risk of damage to internal organs;
- reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol LDL, while increasing the level of “good” fraction HDL;
- regulate the secretion of gastric juices and, consequently, the digestive process.
What fats we should not eat
As you can see from the examples above, eating the right fats, including MCT oil, has many benefits for our bodies. However, we should try to avoid extremely dangerous trans fats, responsible, among other things, for disrupting metabolic processes and may become the cause of many diseases:
- venous and arterial blockages;
- heart attack;
- stroke;
- cancer of the colon and other parts of the digestive system.
MCT oil – how it got its name
Most oils we buy and eat are named after the plant from which they are made, usually by cold-pressing cereal seeds, nuts, seeds or fruits. The name MCT oil is formed by the first letters of the abbreviation defining the length of the chain of its molecules, Medium Chain Triglyceridesmedium-chain fatty acids. They contain from 6 to 12 carbon atoms in a molecule.
MCT oil – what goes into it
Of course, MCT oil is not produced synthetically, its source is usually coconut or oil palm kernels, and its health properties are a direct result of its unique composition. Its basis are medium-chain fatty acids:
Caprylic acid (C8)
A compound with a wide therapeutic effect, by far the most important in the composition of MCT oil, having antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, taking care of other health aspects as well:
- proper functioning of the digestive system;
- strengthening the immune system;
- accelerating the healing of wounds, including bothersome and often painful acne lesions;
- more efficient functioning of the thyroid gland, which protects against its diseases, hyperactivity, hypoactivity and Hashimoto;
- reduction of fatigue and acceleration of regeneration after a heavy physical effort;
- support for heart function;
- significant weight loss by providing a long-lasting feeling of satiety, which helps control your appetite.
Capric acid (C10)
Otherwise known as decanoic acid, with a higher absorption rate than its predecessor, whose action, in addition to antiseptic, antifungal and antiviral properties, comes down to:
- providing large injections of energy, needed, among other things, for physical activity allowing a significant weight reduction;
- lowering cholesterol levels LDL;
- removing from the body reactive oxygen species (ROS), i.e. free radicals, thanks to the fact that, just like caprylic acid, it is a strong antioxidant.
Lauric acid (C10)
A major part of the ingredient, it exhibits the same antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties as the acids mentioned above. It helps fight many types of pathogenic microorganisms that threaten our health, acting as a powerful natural antibiotic. Its other, often emphasized advantages are:
- lack of allergic reactions, as it does not cause any side effects, skin redness, irritation or itching;
- its use in preparations supporting the alleviation of symptoms of many other skin diseases manifested, among others, by acne and excessive hair loss;
- supporting a weakened immune system;
- supporting the work of the cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
MCT oil contains one more saturated fatty acid, capric acid (C8), but due to the unpleasant smell and taste and the possibility of gastrointestinal problems after its consumption, it is removed in the production process.
MCT oil – effects and influence on health
The effect of this type of oil is closely related to the biological properties of medium-chain fatty acids. They have smaller molecules than their counterparts in long-chain acids, so they are digested much faster, broken down only by enzymes contained in saliva, without the need for bile. Then they are absorbed into the bloodstream, from where they reach the liver, where in the mitochondria the process of their decomposition takes place, during which large amounts of energy are released.
As a result, thick layers of fat are not deposited in various parts of the body, but become an important source of energy for the smooth functioning of internal organs and systems, especially the liver, heart, nervous system and muscles. Such an effect translates immediately into improved health, making MCT oil a permanent part of your diet has really numerous benefits, and specialists in healthy nutrition especially emphasize:
More efficient brain function
It too, just like other organs, needs constant large doses of energy to function properly. These are supplied in the form of ketones, which are formed by burning fat rather than carbohydrates in the liver. A more efficiently “supplied” brain and nervous system will return the favor with more efficient work, increased concentration and perceptibly improved cognitive abilities.
This is why MCT oil is increasingly often used in the prevention and mitigation of symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, from dementia to Parkinson’s disease. It is also excellent for improving mental well-being, putting you in a good mood, giving you motivation to act and removing all negative effects of stress.
Help in effective weight loss
When properly dosed, MCT oil can also help in weight reduction, increasing the effectiveness of the slimming treatment. It should become a component of the ketogenic diet, also known as ketone diet, which is gaining popularity, allowing the body to enter into a state of ketosis.
It also intensifies the processes of thermogenesis, a safe increase in body temperature, allowing for even more efficient burning of unnecessary, accumulating fat cells. MCT oil has yet another additional slimming effect:
- has a beneficial effect on the bacterial flora of the intestines, one of the bases of proper digestion, while preventing their possible leakage;
- increases the ability to absorb necessary nutrients, vitamins A, D, E and K as well as minerals, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc;
- detoxifies the body, removing from it harmful products of metabolism, bacteria and pathogenic viruses;
- alleviates ailments of the digestive system, constipation, flatulence, or the effects of dangerous food poisoning;
- regulates blood glucose levels, becoming an important element of anti-diabetic prevention;
- reduces the body’s resistance to insulin;
- allows you to fully control your appetite, and feeling less hungry means not constantly snacking on unhealthy and fattening sweet or salty snacks.
Higher physical performance
Without which you can forget not only about daily physical activity, running or cycling. Our muscles need large doses of energy, of which MCT oil can be a good source. The medium-chain fatty acids it contains are fuel delivered to muscles without any of the side effects often experienced when energy is provided by carbohydrates, such as
- rapid deterioration that can occur at any time of the day;
- An increasing feeling of fatigue, gradually leading to total exhaustion.
Regular doses of MCT oil increase the body’s efficiency, allowing it to meet its training plans, which is also of considerable importance for weight loss.
MCT oil – how to use it
There are many ways you can use MCT oil, which is perfect as an addition to other foods. You can use it to make appetizing dressings for salads, a tasty yet healthy, non-fattening mayonnaise, it can also be used in baked goods in place of regular oil. However, its most famous application is in bulletproof coffee (bulletproof coffee). The idea of combining the best kinds of coffee with this oil came to American David Asprey, an enthusiast and promoter of healthy lifestyle and nutrition. He brought the idea from his trip to Tibet, replacing tea with coffee and butter with MCT fat in the traditional drink of the region.
Cappuccino MCT – a supplement with MCT oil
It is also a good idea to use supplements in your weight loss diet, whose most important active ingredient is the MCT oil. One of the most popular and highly effective supplements is Cappuccino MCT, which also contains other substances that help you lose weight:
- the unique ID-ALG™ formula consisting of B vitamins, including folic acid, vitamins C, E and D, minerals: calcium, iodine, potassium, sodium, manganese, copper, iron and grape seed extract;
- garcinia cambogia, a fruit that is a source of appetite suppressant hydroxycitric acid (HCA);
- green coffee, which provides the body with energetic caffeine, essential for burning fat, and chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant
- guarana, another source of caffeine;
- inulin, a natural prebiotic, which cares for the efficiency of the digestive system;
- chromium, which lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
READ MORE ABOUT CAPPUCCINO MCT
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