TOTAL BODY FOOD
MCT oil what it is, how it is used and what it is used for
MCT oil is a fractionated coconut oil, it is used for weight loss, for skin care, for hair, excellent in the kitchen. Source of ready energy.
MCT oil is a supplement that has become popular with athletes and body builders. The popularity of MCT-rich coconut oil has contributed to its use.
As the name suggests, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil contains medium-length chains of fats called triglycerides. Due to their shorter length, MCTs are more easily digested than the longer chain fatty acids found in many other foods .
Coconut oil is one of the basic ingredients for cooking and skincare in the home of any health conscious person. It is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants that our body needs internally and externally. The most common types of coconut oil are virgin coconut oil and fractionated coconut oil (FCO or MCT oil).
Virgin coconut oil becomes solid at lower room temperatures, which makes it more difficult to spread when used on the skin. MCT oil remains liquid even at lower temperatures, making it more suitable for skin care . MCT coconut oil is also less likely to cause skin irritation or irritation because it is absorbed quite easily by the skin.
The two may come from the same nut, but they are totally different oils! Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is obtained by cold pressing the liquid from coconut meat, then separating the oil from the milk and water.
MCT OIL what is it?
Fractionated coconut oil is a product prepared from ordinary coconut oil.
The FCO manufacturing process is called fractionation. It starts with hydrolysis, where water is added to the oil. This addition causes the oil and water molecules to split into two parts. Then, this mixture undergoes steam distillation, which releases the final product FCO ( MCT Oil ). Simply put, fractionation separates fatty acids and triglycerides into various compounds of the oil.
Are MCT Oil and Coconut Oil the Same Thing?
- MCT Oil cannot freeze in the refrigerator and its shelf life is very long, practically infinite.
- It has almost no smell or taste, and is ideal for blending with essential oils as a carrier oil .
- When applied to the skin, it soothes problematic and dry skin and helps make the skin smooth and shiny .
- Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO) is a fatty carrier oil, not an essential oil. Thus, fractionated coconut oil can be used at 100% of its strength, which means that it is not necessary to dilute it with something before applying it to the skin.
- In fact, it is one of the most popular carrier oils today. Blending with it allows for a safe application of essential oils through the skin.
- It is very light and almost fluid, not too thick. It definitely doesn’t feel ‘greasy’ when applied . This ease of use is certainly another contribution to its popularity.
- Apply it to the body as a massage oil, moisturizing oil, or even in hair care to treat dry ends.
MCT oil How to use it
1. MCT Oil for Weight Loss
Current research is mixed on this topic, but there are a few potential reasons why MCT oil may be beneficial for weight loss.
It has been shown to increase the release of two hormones that can promote feelings of fullness in the body: peptide YY and leptin .
How much MCT oil per day is needed for weight loss? One study found that people who took 2 tablespoons of MCT oil as part of their breakfast ended up eating less food for lunch than those who took coconut oil. The same study also found lower increases in triglycerides and glucose with MCT oil, which can also affect the feeling of fullness .
Also, some older studies have shown that taking MCT oil could help reduce body weight and waist circumference. Researchers have reported that it could help prevent obesity ( 4 , 5 , 6 )
MCT oil can support weight loss by increasing fullness, fat loss, ketone production, and improving the gut environment. More research is needed to determine its effectiveness.
Note that some of these studies do not take into account other factors, such as activity levels and other calorie consumption. More research is needed.
MCT oil has about 10% fewer calories than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) , which are found in foods such as olive oil, nuts, and avocados ( 7 , 8 ).
MCTs can also be converted into ketones, which are produced by the breakdown of fat when carbohydrate intake is low.
If you’re following a ketogenic diet, which is very low in carbohydrates but high in fat, taking MCT oil could help you stay in the fat-burning state known as ketosis ( 9 , 10 ). Finally, your gut environment is very important when it comes to your weight. MCT oil can help optimize the growth of good bacteria and support the gut lining , which could also help you lose weight ( 11 ).
2. MCT oil when to take it as an energy source
MCT oil is easily absorbed and transported throughout the body. It can be used as an instant source of energy or it can be converted into ketones.
The body absorbs MCTs more quickly than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which contain more carbons in their fatty acid chains ( 7 ).
Because of their shorter chain, MCTs travel more quickly from the intestines to the liver and don’t require bile to break down like longer-chain fats do ( 12 ).
In the liver, fats are broken down to be used for fuel or stored as body fat. Because MCTs easily enter cells without being broken down, they can be used as an immediate source of energy ( 13 ).
When following a ketogenic diet, MCTs can also be converted into ketones in the liver. These ketones can pass through the blood-brain barrier, making them a source of energy for brain cells .
3. MCT oil for skin care
An in vitro study also showed that coconut oil reduced the growth of a disease-causing bacterium called Clostridium difficile ( 17 ).
Coconut oil’s ability to reduce yeast and bacterial growth may be due to the caprylic, capric, and lauric acid found in MCTs ( 18 ).
MCT Oil is also used in acne treatments, ointments, lotions and other types of creams to treat dry skin. It has antibacterial properties, which help strengthen the skin barrier and fight many types of skin infections including acne, cellulite and athlete's foot caused by bacteria or fungi.
MCTs themselves have also been shown to suppress the growth of a widespread infectious fungus in hospitals by up to 50% ( 19 ).
However, note that most of the research on MCTs and immune support has been done through in vitro or animal studies. High-quality human studies are needed before more solid conclusions can be drawn.
4. MCT Oil As a carrier oil for aromatherapy
For use in aromatherapy, you can’t actually use unrefined coconut oil because it sets like butter in a jar and can only be extracted in bite-sized pieces rather than a liquid version. Therefore, coconut oil is made available in the form of a fractionated carrier oil that is smooth, clear like water, with a slightly oily texture. MCT oil is very useful for aromatherapy applications such as massage, DIY recipes or custom blends.
5. MCT oil in the kitchen
Yup! L’fractionated coconut oil (MCT oil) it can also be used for cooking because it does not go rancid easily and is very stable compared to other cooking oils. MCT oil is more expensive to use in cooking than virgin coconut oil, because it requires a lot more processing to produce.
Coconut oil is a staple in food preparation for many families and you can use fractionated coconut oil for culinary purposes instead of coconut oil. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can serve as dietary supplements, and you can take at least one or two tablespoons of them every day. Just make sure you buy your MCT oil from a trusted brand.
MCT coconut oil is used in several weight loss programs.
6. MCT Coconut Oil to dilute other beauty products.
Mix MCT Fractionated Coconut Oil with different cosmetic products as an ingredient for a smooth (or smoother) application. For example, if you have hand cream that is too thick or mushy, dilute it with fractionated coconut oil.
Fractionated Coconut Oil is Sustainable
It has been said that the coconut palm has more uses than any other tree in the world . The palm tree is used for drinks, food, shade, cover, hats, baskets, furniture, clothing, charcoal, musical instruments, shampoos, and more. It is also known to be a lifesaver. During hurricanes, people who clung to the tree avoided being dragged into the sea due to the flexible nature of the tree.
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a perennial monocot of the Arecaceae family. The trunk of the palm is composed of fibrous and robust, overlapping stems and can grow up to 25 meters in height. At the top of the trunk, pinnate leaves sprout that can grow up to 4 meters in length. The fruit of this palm is the coconut.
MCT oil where to buy
You can find our MCT oil on our website and we ship all over Europe, in the best supermarkets or on Amazon.
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