What is MCT oil?
MCT stands for Medium Chain Triglyceride. Medium refers to the length of the chemical structure, and a triglyceride is a fatty acid. MCT an easily digestible oil that occurs naturally in coconut and palm kernel oils.
Unlike LCTs (long-chain triglycerides), MCTs are smaller molecules, making them easier for our body to use for energy and less likely to be stored as fat.
MCT's are very easy for the body to break down and use as energy, and act like a carb in the body, producing instant energy, as opposed to a fat that gets stored for later use.
MCT oil offers fat-burning energy and burns three times more than other fats, lasting up to six hours after ingestion.
MCT oil promotes intestinal health, regulates blood sugar levels, relieves cystic fibrosis, obesity and fat malabsorption.
I found the following discussion from ehow.com unbiased and very helpful.
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5664953_mct-oil-used-for_.html
MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) is an easily digestible oil that occurs naturally in coconut and palm kernel oils.
What are Medium-Chain Triglycerides?
Medium-chain triglycerides (or MCTs for short) are made up of medium-chain fatty acids. The “medium” refers to the length of their chemical structure
What are the Benefits of MCTs?
MCTs are very easy for the body to break down and use as energy. Think of long-chain fats as being like a whole piece of fruit and MCTs as being like a smoothie. If you eat the whole fruit, you have to put in a lot of effort chewing, but the smoothie you can just slurp right up almost without noticing. In your digestive system, MCTs are a little bit like that smoothie.
How Mct Oil Works
MCT oil does not travel through the lymphatic system like other oils; it goes directly to the liver to be metabolized and released as energy. MCT oil acts like a carbohydrate (fuel for the body) to provide the necessary energy and calories, but not fat that can be stored by the body.
Bodybuilders and MCT Oil
Bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts benefit from MCT oil's unique properties in that the oil can help with weight gain (muscle mass) and weight loss. MCT oil offers fat-burning energy and burns three times more than other fats. This fat-burning effect can last up to six hours after MCT oil is used.
Conditions that Benefit from MCT Oil
MCT oil promotes intestinal health by ridding the body of troublesome microorganisms that cause chronic inflammation such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome. MCT oil also helps diabetics because it helps regulate blood sugar levels. Other problems MCT oil can help relieve are cystic fibrosis, obesity and fat malabsorption.
Hospitals and MCT Oil
Hospitals use MCT oil (more commonly known as coconut oil) in the feeding of patients intravenously from the very young or the critically ill. MCT oil is a part of the feeding formula that helps the patient regain strength.
Several years ago, as we were developing the recipe for our protein bars, I was hearing some interesting tidbits about MCT Oil, and I was noticing that many of the top athletes in my gym were using MCT Oil as a supplement, so I decided to research the topic myself before adding this ingredient into our protein bars.
WOW! With all of those amazing, healthy, positive properties found in MCT, it was an easy decision for us to INCLUDE this super oil in our bars. Adding MCT Oil to our bars, along with the grass fed, pasture raised whey and the sweet potato, has really made our bar stand out in the fitness community!
Give them a try! You will love them too!