Coconut Oil and MCTs: The Good
Coconut oil, one of the most commonly used oils in India for centuries owing to a whole range of benefits associated with it, has garnered a lot of attention worldwide in the recent years resulting in its skyrocketing demand! By now it is clear that coconut oil is touted to be a healthy fat because the presence of MCTs or Medium Chain Triglycerides.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE MCTS? MCTs are fats that contain Medium chain fatty acids and are made up of 6–12 carbon atoms. Medium chain fatty acids being shorter unlike Long chain fatty acids like olive oil have an advantage in being · Easily metabolized by the muscles directly · Less chance of being deposited as storage fat · Provide fast and lasting energy in comparison to the other fats
MCTs contain the following: 路 Caproic acid(C6- six carbon atoms also known as Hexanoic acid) 路 Caprylic acid(C8- eight carbon atoms also known as Octanoic acid) 路 Capric acid(C10-ten carbon atoms also known as Decanoic acid) 路 Lauric acid(C12- twelve carbon atoms also known as dodecanoic acid)
Lean Muscle mass- Helps you understand how much you lack and therefore how much you need to gain Fat percentage and Fat mass- Helps you understand if it is lean bulking you need or overall fat and muscle gain (Some people have a subnormal fat percentage) Water weight It takes into consideration your age, gender and helps calculate your hydration level. Eg: Tanita, In Body Analysis 230 By knowing where you lack, your first step towards weight gain is met because now you know what to work on to get there!
Medium chain Triglycerides are easily metabolized by the muscles directly, they provide fast and lasting energy in comparison to the other fat and there are less chances of them being stored fat
MCTS HELP YOU TO: Maintain a healthy weight MCT oil has an important role in Ketogenic diets wherein it helps in reducing stored body fat and give one a feeling of fullness and also raises your metabolic rate!
Have a quick boost of energy and better digestion Since it does not undergo the process of digestion like other fats, it does not require bile salts and is directly transported from the digestive system to the blood stream where it gives fast and long lasting energy
Balances hormonal levels Research suggests that MCT oil helps in supporting the function of hormones and also improves insulin sensitivity. Since fats are required to support hormonal function, MCT oil being one of the healthy fats has a definite addon advantage Coconut oil contains about 62% of MCTs, thus it can be an excellent replacement for refined PUFA oils. Standalone concentrated MCTs are also available in the market and can give you the pure goodness of MCTs
Absorption of fat soluble nutrients from food ·Vitamins A, D, E and K being fat soluble require fats for its transport and thus MCT coconut oil helps in the same
Promotes immune health Since MCT oils have antiviral and antibacterial properties and fat is required for improving immune function, MCT oil being easily digestible to release quick energy, it is the best alternative for people with impaired digestion and immune system
Improve gut health It has been known to balance gut bacteria and help combat pathogenic bacteria. With a healthy diet consisting of probiotics and prebiotics, the addition of MCT oil to one’s diet can improve gut health over a period of time
BOTTOMLINE Coconut oil powder contains about 62% of MCTs and can be an excellent replacement for refined unhealthy PUFA oils MCT oil are available in the markets today as standalone concentrated MCT oils.EG Brain Octane oil, XCT oil etc. Add MCT oils in your “Healthy Fats List” to make most of its beneficial effects.
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