Does MCT oil help you lose weight? Most people who try MCT oil claim that they lost weight, but is there any scientific evidence to support their claims? There are many types of oils available today. Some are made from coconut oil, others from olive oil, and still others from flax seed oil. But what makes MCT oil unique?
MCT oil has a high proportion of medium chain triglycerides (MCT). These fats are metabolized differently than long chain triglycerides (LCT) found in most other oils. LCTs are used by our bodies for energy, while MCTs are broken down into fatty acids called ketones. Ketones are a source of fuel for the body, which may explain why some people report losing weight when using MCT oil.
In this post, we will explore these questions and get into more detail of what MCT oil actually is, and how can it help you to lose weight and benefit your overall health and wellness.
What is MCT Oil?
MCT stands for medium chain triglycerides. They are fats found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and certain fish oils. These fats are very similar to those found in human breast milk.
The body converts MCT into energy more efficiently than it does long chain fatty acids (LCT). This means that MCT burns fat more quickly than LCT. In fact, some people who follow a ketogenic diet report losing weight without counting calories!
When you eat foods containing MCTs, your body converts them into energy instead of storing them as fat. This process is called ketosis. Ketones are produced when your body uses fat for fuel. Ketones are often referred to as “keto acids” because they are formed by the breakdown of fatty acids. Fatty acids are the building blocks of all cell membranes.
Fatty acids are also the primary source of energy for our cells. When we burn fat, we produce ketones.
Is MCT oil better than coconut oil for weight loss?
MCT oil contains a higher concentration of medium chain fatty acids than other oils and fats. Medium chain fatty acids are found naturally in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and cocoa butter. However, the higher concentration of these medium chain fatty acids in MCT oil makes it a better oil for weight loss overall.
They are considered to be easier for the body to digest because they bypass the digestive system’s normal process of breaking down long chain fatty acids into smaller molecules.
Coconut oil is rich in saturated fats, so it is often recommended for those looking to shed pounds. However, MCT oil is different because it contains a higher concentration of medium chain fatty acids than regular coconut oil.
Medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) are shorter chains of fat molecules than long chain fatty acids (LCFA). MCFAs are easier to digest than LCFAs, and they are better at burning fat than LCFAs.
When you eat foods containing MCFAs, your body converts them into energy more efficiently than when you consume foods with LCFAs. Because of this, MCT oil helps to boost metabolism and burn calories faster.
How much MCT oil should I take for weight loss?
According to studies, taking 1 tablespoon of MCT oil before bedtime can help you sleep better and reduce cravings throughout the day. You may want to start out slowly and gradually increase your intake over time. If you have any health conditions or concerns, consult with your doctor first.
How Should I Use MCT Oil For Weight Loss?
The best way to use MCT oil for weight loss is to mix it with water or another liquid and drink it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. The reason why is that the body needs time to break down the fats in the oil. If you drink it too fast, you could end up feeling sick.
The way My wife and I get started is to add about a tablespoon of MCT oil to the morning coffee, or in the case of my wife, hot tea. This is a great way to get started in the morning. During this regularly will also increase your daily energy.
If you have trouble getting started in the morning, try adding some cinnamon to your beverage. Cinnamon has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain which can improve alertness and focus. You can add a teaspoon of cinnamon to hot tea or coffee, or make a smoothie using almond milk.
One of the best ways to use MCT oil for weight loss, in addition to your morning or evening routine, is to use it as a replacement for your current cooking oil. You could simply cook with it. Just like you would use any other type of cooking oil. It is much healthier than these other oils. I recommend eliminating all other oils and replace them with MCT oil.
Does MCT Oil Help You Lose Weight Quickly?
MCT’s are considered healthy because they provide energy quickly and easily, and they do so by bypassing the digestive system. Because of this, MCTs are often used as a supplement to boost athletic performance.
Athletes use MCT supplements to improve endurance during exercise, and to reduce muscle cramps and fatigue. Recent studies suggest that MCT may also help you lose weight quickly. In fact, studies have shown that MCTs may result in negative energy balance and weight loss. This seems to be through an increased energy expenditure and lipid oxidation.
One study showed that overweight women who took MCT supplements experienced a decrease in body fat after 12 weeks. Another study showed that obese men who supplemented with MCT experienced similar results.
Does MCT Oil reduce belly fat?
Yes, MCT oil reduces belly fat because it boosts metabolism and increases energy levels. MCT oil also helps burn body fat and improves insulin sensitivity.
In fact, MCT oil has been shown to reduce abdominal fat while improving metabolic function. One recent study showed that people who consumed MCT oil lost an average of 7% of their total body fat.
MCT Oil and The Keto Diet
MCT oil has been used along with the Keto diet. In fact, there are many keto snacks that are primarily made with MCT oil and added protein. Some of the Keto diets encourage limiting other oils, such as coconut oil and other vegetable oils. They claim that the other oils hinder weight loss.
The main concern I hear from people who try the keto diet is that they feel hungry all the time. This may be due to the high fat content of the diet. It may also be because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to process the excess glucose. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing it to enter cells and be stored as glycogen (stored carbohydrates). If too little insulin is produced, the blood sugar will rise and cause cravings for sugary foods.
In order to get over these hunger pains, some people will eliminate fats from other oils and stick with MCT oil. This may reduce the feeling of being hungry. Other ways to combat the feelings of hunger include increasing protein intake or adding fiber to the diet. Both of these things will increase satiety.
There are two types of fats – saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats come from animal products such as meat, eggs, dairy, etc. They tend to raise cholesterol levels. Unsaturated fats come from plant sources such as nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, etc. They do not raise cholesterol levels. So, in addition to adding MCT oil, you may want to eat fats from these plant sources.
What Are The Benefits Of Using MCT Oil For Weight Loss?
There are many benefits of using MCT oil for weight loss and is difficult to list them all. So, we have narrowed these down to the four more important benefits.
1. It Boosts Metabolism:
Studies show that consuming MCT oil can help boost metabolism and increase energy levels. This means that you will feel less hungry and experience less food cravings.
2. It Reduces Belly Fat:
Because MCT oil helps boost metabolism, it can also reduce belly fat. In one study, researchers found that people who consumed MTC oil had lower levels of visceral fat compared to participants who did not consume MCT oil.
3. It Helps Burn Body Fat:
Because MCT oil helps boost energy levels and metabolism, it can actually help you burn body fat. Studies show that people who consumed MCAO burned up to 10% more calories per day than those who did not consume MCAO.
4. It Improves Insulin Sensitivity:
Another benefit of using MCT oil is that it can help improve insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity refers to how well your cells respond to insulin.
If you have low insulin sensitivity, then your cells don’t absorb glucose properly. This means that you could develop type 2 diabetes. However, research shows that people who consume MCT oil have improved insulin sensitivity.
Final Thoughts and Does MCT Oil Really Help You Lose Weight?
MCT oil has been around for a long time but only recently has it becomes mainstream. It was originally developed by Dr. John McDougall back in the 1970s. He used it to treat his patients with diabetes. He found that it helped them reduce their blood sugar levels without having to eat less.
Since then, many people have tried it and found that it works well for them too. However, it wasn’t until recently that it became widely accepted. While consuming MCT oil can help with weight loss, there are other conditions which can make losing weight a challenge. Conditions due to thyroid issues, for example, can affect the ability to lose weight. However, there are ways to lose weight with thyroid issues as well.
The reason for this is that it doesn’t contain carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are what cause spikes in blood sugar. When you consume carbs, your pancreas releases insulin into your bloodstream. Insulin is needed to convert blood sugar into energy. But if you’re constantly eating carbs, your body ends up producing excess insulin which causes high blood sugar. This leads to health problems like obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 Diabetes.
However, MCT oil does not contain any carbs. Instead, it contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT). These are fatty acids that break down quickly into energy. When you consume MCT oil, they bypass the digestive system and directly enter your liver where they are converted into ketones. Ketones are considered to be the most efficient form of fuel for the brain.
So, yes, MCT oil does really help you lose weight and it is very healthy indeed.