Slim with the help of coconut oil

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are fats that are easier to break down in the body to be used as energy, unlike long-chain fats.

The terms "medium chain" and "long chain" refer to the structure of atoms of each type of fat.

We can make the following comparison: long chain fats are like an entire fruit and the medium chain fats are like the vitamin made from this fruit. When eating fruit, the body tries harder to digest it than when you take the vitamin with the beaten fruit.

 Because they are easier to absorb, MCTs offer benefits for people with malabsorption problems in general, and in recent years have gained popularity among athletes seeking to increase energy and endurance levels during high-intensity exercise.

Medium-chain triglycerides are also an alternative energy source for athletes who want to maintain a low-carbohydrate diet.

 

What MCTs are and what they are used for:

 We're talking about partially artificial fats. The name refers to the way the carbon atoms are arranged in their chemical structure. MCTs are generally produced through the processing of coconut and palm kernel oils (obtained from palm kernel) in the laboratory. Common dietary fats are long chain triglycerides.

MCTs are used together with medications commonly used to treat food absorption disorders, including diarrhea, fat indigestion, celiac disease, liver disease, among others. Other uses include treatment of gallbladder disease, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease, and seizures in children.

Athletes, on the other hand, use medium chain triglycerides as nutritional support during workouts, as well as to decrease body fat and increase lean muscle mass.

MCTs are sometimes used intravenously in people whose gastrointestinal tract is no longer functioning or to prevent muscle damage in critically ill patients.

MCTs are a source of fat for patients who do not tolerate other types of fats.

Benefits of Medium Chain Triglycerides or MCT 

Medium chain triglycerides provide about 10% fewer calories than long chain triglycerides, but this is only one of the advantages of MCTs. More importantly, the benefits are due to its rapid absorption. Once they are more quickly metabolized, they are converted into fuel for immediate use by organs and muscles instead of being stored as fat.

1. Its use as part of a weight loss diet:

MCTs have lower caloric content than conventional fats and are not stored in fat stores in the body as much as these. In addition, these fats have been shown to be beneficial for increased thermogenesis, that is, fat burning. In this way, they seem to offer a triple approach to weight loss: they have a lower caloric content than other fats; Are minimally stored; And contribute to metabolism by improving calorie burn.

A survey published by the National Institutes of Health of the United States examined the effects of MCT supplement consumption compared to consumption of olive oil. The results suggested that medium chain triglycerides can be incorporated into a weight loss program without causing harm or affecting metabolic risk factors.

 

2. Appetite control:

Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to be beneficial in suppressing appetite. An obvious necessity for anyone trying to reduce total calorie consumption. In a 14-day study, six healthy male volunteers had unlimited access to foods from one of three different diets: a diet with low MCT intake, a diet with a mean MCT intake, and a diet rich in MCT.

The results showed that caloric intake was significantly lower in the MCT-rich diet. Researchers have noted that replacing other fats with medium-chain triglycerides may limit the consumption of excess calories and the weight gain produced by the intake of high fat contents.

 

3. Medium chain triglycerides for diabetics:

MCTs have a slight effect on reducing blood glucose (amount of blood sugar) and therefore may be useful for diabetics, or anyone with a pre-diabetes tendency.