MCT oil can be used as a quick energy source and may support weight loss. It may also fight bacterial growth and aid in managing certain neurological conditions.
MCT oil is a supplement that has become popular among athletes and body builders. The popularity of coconut oil, which contains some MCTs, has contributed to its use.
The MCT in our PANACEA is sourced from coconut oil, but MCT can be sourced from palm kernel. (MCTs are also found in other foods, such as dairy products.)
As the name suggests, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil contains medium-length chains of fats called triglycerides. Due to their shorter length, MCTs are digested faster than longer-chain fatty acids found in many other foods.
Four main types of medium-chain fatty acids exist:
lauric acid
caproic acid
caprylic acid
capric acid
In some cases, the specific types have unique benefits. MCT oil is almost entirely caprylic and capric acid.
Here are 7 science-backed benefits you can get from adding MCT oil to your diet.
1. MCT oil could help lower calorie intake
MCT oil could potentially help people consume fewer calories across the day.
MCT oil has about 10% fewer calories than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which are found in foods such as olive oil, nuts, and avocados.
An analysis of 29 studies found an association between MCTs and lower calorie intake. People consuming MCTs had a moderately lower calorie intake when compared to people consuming LCTs. Some studies suggest that MCT oil could promote the release of two hormones that help people feel full when eating: peptide YY and leptin.
One study even found that people taking 2 tablespoons of MCT oil as part of their breakfast ended up eating less food for lunch compared to those taking coconut oil. The reason for this potential effect isn’t clear. Some people believe that MCT oil can help you feel fuller or reduce your appetite, which could lead to eating less. (Future studies may help to reveal the relationship between MCT and calorie reduction.)
2. MCT oil could affect body composition and weight
Some older studies showed that taking MCT oil could help reduce body weight and waist circumference. Researchers have reported that it could help prevent obesity. Note that some of these studies don’t take other factors into account, such as activity levels and other calorie consumption.
Your body can convert MCTs into ketones, which provide a fat-based source of energy for the body when carbohydrate intake is low. If you’re following a ketogenic diet, taking MCT oil could possibly help you stay in the fat-burning state known as ketosis. Ketogenic diets are very low in carbs and high in fat. While some studies suggest this diet can aid weight loss, the long-term effects of following a ketogenic diet are not yet fully known.
3. MCT oil could be a good energy source
The body absorbs MCTs more rapidly than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which contain more carbons in their fatty acid chains. Due to their shorter chain length, MCTs travel more quickly from the gut to the liver and do not require bile to break down like longer-chain fats do. In the liver, the fats are broken down to be either used as fuel or stored as body fat.
Since MCTs easily enter your bloodstream without being broken down, they can be used as an immediate source of energy. When you’re on a ketogenic diet, MCTs can also be converted into ketones in the liver. These ketones can pass through your blood-brain barrier, making them a source of energy for your brain cells. Couple that with the fact that our nano-sized collagen and nano-sized glutathione (in the PANACEA) also crosses the blood-brain barrier, giving you an additional boost (alongside the MCT), it's a no-brainer why you would want to use PANACEA...especially if you're an athelete or health enthusiast!
4. MCT may help the body burn fat for energy
Researchers have examined whether MCT oil could help you burn fat instead of carbs during exercise. One study found that athletes who took 6 grams or about 1.5 teaspoons of MCTs with food before cycling used more fat instead of carbs for energy, compared to those taking LCTs.
While MCTs might potentially help increase fat burning during exercise, study results are mixed as to whether MCT oil can help you exercise better. The results of an animal study suggest that a MCT-rich diet may not impair exercise performance, unlike a LCT-rich diet, which may worsen exercise performance.
5. MCT could help manage epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism
Studies have shown that MCT oil and a ketogenic diet may help manage conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism. It’s important to remember that MCTs are not a replacement for prescription medications or medical treatments. You should consult your health professional when attempting to use MCT as a supplement for specific conditions.
Epilepsy
While the ketogenic diet has gained popularity among people wishing to lose weight, it was first introduced as a way of managing epilepsy. Researchers have found that fasting increases ketone production and that this may reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures. And since MCTs can be converted into ketones, they may be beneficial in managing epilepsy. While there are few human studies examining MCTs and epilepsy, in-vitro and animal studies suggest promising results.
One small study included adults with epilepsy that did not respond well to medication. As a group, the participants had 42% fewer seizures when supplementing with MCT oil for 3 months. But the authors caution that more studies are needed. Also, the type of MCT may be important. An in-vitro study suggested that the MCT capric acid had more potent effects on seizure control than a widespread anti-epileptic drug.
Another study in rats found that the same MCT blocked receptors in the brain that cause seizures, though more human studies are needed. If you’re considering a ketogenic diet or MCT oil to help manage your epilepsy, talk to your doctor first. In addition, it’s important to note that a ketogenic diet is not for everyone and can be challenging to follow long term.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease impairs your brain’s ability to use sugar. A ketogenic diet offers an alternative energy source: ketones. This provides fuel for your brain, and could allow brain cells to survive better with Alzheimer’s.
Researchers have found that prioritizing MCTs as the source of fat in a ketogenic diet allows people to eat more carbs than a standard ketogenic diet, while still effectively producing ketones. Eating more carbs can make the diet easier to follow over time. So, if you've ever struggled to stay on a ketogenic diet, but would like to try it again, PANACEA may be helpful in that effort. And while we cannot and do not make medical claims, we have had many reports of PANACEA users stating that since they've been on the PANACEA their weight management has become noticably easier and they are eating less calories.
One study found that taking MCTs for 30 days improved cognition in people with Alzheimer’s disease with a certain gene type, specifically APOE ɛ4-negative. In another study, people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease saw increased ketone use in their brains when they took 30 grams of MCT supplements daily (which would be the equivalent of about one bottle of PANACEA per week). Their brains used ketones at a similar rate as healthy young adults taking MCTs.
Other researchers have proposed that 20 to 70 grams of supplemental MCTs that include caprylic and capric acid could modestly improve the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. A meta-analysis of 12 studies indicated that MCTs may promote improved cognition with Alzheimer’s disease, but stronger evidence is needed. Overall, the use of MCT oil in Alzheimer’s disease shows some promise, but longer and larger scale studies are needed for further clarification.
Autism
There are many people who do not agree with the findings of certain studies on autism in particular (concerning MCTs), however one preliminary study found that a ketogenic and gluten-free diet with MCTs substantially lowered behaviors associated with autism. This change was seen in 6 of the 15 children involved in the study.
Also, a handful of small studies have suggested some potential for ketogenic diets with or without MCTs to lower autistic behaviors. However, more research is needed before exact conclusions can be made. But what is known is that placing a child on a restrictive diet can carry certain risks...especially if it's not balanced and they aren't receiving all of the vital nutrients needed for proper development. Always consult your health care professional before making any drastic dietary changes for yourself or your children. Also, there are the sensory issues that can cause some autistic people to eat a limited diet of preferred foods to begin with and adding further restrictions to the diet may not be appropriate and could lead to nutritional deficiencies.
6. MCT contains fatty acids that fight yeast and bacterial growth
MCTs have been shown to have antimicrobial and antifungal effects, which have major implications for gut health and overall BMI (body mass index). Some researchers suggest it may have certain anti-inflammatory effects, which could contribute to this outcome, but more studies are needed.
Coconut oil, which contains numerous MCTs (and is also the source of our MCT in our supplements), has been shown in an older in-vitro study to reduce the growth of Candida albicans by 25%. This is a common yeast that can cause thrush and various skin infections, and many claim that candida overgrowth is the cause for what is commonly known as "leaky gut syndrome."
Another small study found that MCTs reduced Candida infections in infants born prematurely. An in-vitro study also showed that coconut oil reduced the growth of a disease-causing bacteria called Clostridium difficile. Coconut oil’s ability to reduce yeast and bacterial growth may be due to the caprylic, capric, and lauric acid in MCTs.
In a test-tube study, virgin coconut oil slowed the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and helped immune cells destroy the bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus causes skin infections and other potentially-serious conditions. However, one should note that most of the research on MCTs and immune support has been conducted via in-vitro or animal studies. High-quality human studies are needed before stronger conclusions can be made.
7. MCT could help manage blood sugar levels
Some older studies suggest that MCT oil may also have benefits for those with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. One small study from 2007 followed 40 people with diabetes. Those who consumed MCT oil daily saw reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and insulin resistance, compared to those taking corn oil containing LCTs. A review of 18 studies examined the effects of coconut oil, which is high in MCTs. It was found that eating a meal containing coconut oil may promote a small improvement in after-meal blood sugar control as well.
A randomized controlled trial followed people with metabolic syndrome after 4 weeks of daily coconut oil consumption. Participants had significantly lower fasting blood sugar and triglycerides, and higher “good” HDL cholesterol. While MCTs many be beneficial for blood sugar under some circumstances, more evidence is needed to draw strong conclusions.
(Multiple authors and sources. All studies referenced from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
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