What are healthy fats? Is fat bad for you if you have heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, or other health concerns? Quite opposite actually. Maybe you have heard of MCT oil. This is a medium chain triglyceride. In comparison to Longer-chain fats, MCTs are absorbed more easily since the body doesn’t have as much to break down. We don’t need special enzymes in order for our bodies to utilize them. Medium-chain fats are digested easily and sent directly to your liver, where they have a thermogenic effect and the ability to positively alter your metabolism. This is one reason why many people claim that MCTs, including coconut oil, are burned by the body for energy, or “fuel,” instead of being stored as fat.
Here are some benefits of MCT Oil.
- Maintain a healthy weight-MCT oil may support weight loss by increasing fullness, fat loss, energy burning, ketone production and by improving your gut environment
- Specifically reduce stored body fat-since they also raise your metabolic function by causing a thermogenic effect on the liver
- Fuel your brain-since they are more easily used they travel from the gut to the liver and then can be used immediately as energy.
- Experience better digestion
- Balance hormone levels
- Improve your mood
- Fight bacterial infection and viruses-MCTs have been shown to have antimicrobial and antifungal effects
Start with 1 teaspoon and work your way up by adding 1 teaspoon at a time over a few weeks. If you experience GI distress then cut back, as each person is different. If you have a particular ailment (i.e. Parkinson’s, Obesity, Heart disease), 4 teaspoons is the recommended dosage.
*Stay tuned for the risks of low-fat dieting.
