1. MCT’s Can Help with Weight Loss or Maintenance
Compared to other types of oils and fats, MCTs seem to have positive effects on fat burning and weight loss. As part of a healthy diet, MCT oil can help increase satiety and even raise your metabolic rate.
In a 2001, a study published in The Journal of Nutrition compared body weight and body fat in groups of adults either consuming long-chain fats or medium-chain fats over a 12-week period. The energy, fat, protein and carbohydrate intakes did not differ significantly between the groups, only the types of fats they were receiving. After 12 weeks, the decrease in body weight and body fat was significantly greater in the MCT group than in the LCT group.
How do MCTs help with weight loss? Experimental studies demonstrate that dietary MCTs suppress fat deposition through enhanced thermogenesis and fat oxidation in both animals and humans.
2. MCT’S Help Protect Heart Health
A 2010 study published in The Journal of Neutraceuticals and Functional Foods reported that MCTs can help prevent the development of metabolic syndrome.
Also MCTs seem to be able to help decrease cardiovascular disease in general due to helping lower odds of becoming obese.
3. MCT’S Help Improve Energy Levels and Your Mood
Your brain is largely made up of fatty acids, so you need healthy fats to feel your best and stay sharp well into older age.
In a 2004 study published in The Journal of Neurobiology of Aging they found that the MCTs in coconut oil helped improved memory problems including Alzheimer’s disease in older adults.
4. MCT’S Help Improve Digestion and Nutrient Absorption
Both MCT oil and coconut oil are beneficial for balancing bacteria in the gut.
You also need to consume healthy fats in order to absorb fat-soluble nutrients found in various foods like beta-carotene, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and lutein. If you don’t get enough healthy fat sources, your body will have a harder time utilizing these nutrients..
5. MCT’S Can Withstand High-Heat Cooking
MCT oils are particularly good for cooking with because they have a high “smoke point”, meaning they don’t oxidize from heat easily and can withstand high temperatures. This is crucial, because even certain “good fats” are not well suited for cooking (like extra virgin olive oil or flaxseed oil for example) and can become rancid oils somewhat easily. Both coconut oil and MCT oil can be used at higher temperatures making them a great choice for stir-fries and grilled foods without oxidizing.
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