What is MCT?
MCT Oil or Powder stands for medium-chain triglycerides. Which is a form of saturated fats that are absorbed differently in the human body than most other fats. MCTs are a type of saturated fat that is rapidly absorbed by the body and used for immediate energy. MCTs are very healthy fat because they act as natural antibiotics while aiding in gut health, immune function, healthy weight loss, improved brain function, exercise, disease prevention and much more
Benefits of MCT
MCT can help the human body burn extra calories and oxidize more fat compared to long-chain fatty acids. It is a useful weight-loss aid. Also known to have faster satiety impact compared to long-chain fatty acids. Meaning they may fill you up faster compared to other fats (they keep you fuller longer).
Where We Can Find MCT?
Other than MCT oils and powders you can buy, you can also get MCTs from whole foods: here’s a list of MCTs in foods, as a percentage of total fats:
- Coconut oil: 15%
- Palm kernel oil: 7.9%
- Cheese (if you tolerate dairy): 7.3%
- Butter: 6.8%
- Milk: 6.9%
- Yogurt: 6.6%
Commercial MCT oil is a synthetic product combining specific ratios of these naturally occurring MCTs. The four MCTs found naturally occurring in foods are Caproic Acid (the shortest in length with 6 carbons), Caprylic Acid (8 carbons), Capric Acid (10 carbons), and Lauric Acid (12 carbons) . Therefore, when shopping for products, it is best to look for oils with higher ratios of shorter MCTs (typically caprylic and capric acids) for efficiency.
MCT Powder
MCT powder is a more recent version of the good stuff that has some benefits over its oil counterpart. Most MCT powders have somewhere between a 50% – 80% MCT oil makeup, with the remainder of ingredients coming in the form of starch derivatives (carbs) and milk proteins. It is important to seek out products that contain a high Fat: Protein+Carb ratio.