Ingredient Spotlight

The Mighty MCT

The Mighty MCT

For those needing an energy boost, MCTs are a popular way to supplement the diet. What are MCTs? In short, MCT is a medium chain triglyceride. A triglyceride is a chemical structure composed of one glycerol molecule and 3 fats. In fact, unlike long chain fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids are metabolized up to 100 times faster. In essence, they are a source of instant energy because they are broken down and absorbed quickly, and immediately available for the body to use as fuel.

If you are looking for a ‘keto friendly’ fuel, MCTs can help you stay in ketosis since these fats are not stored, but rapidly metabolized into energy and ketones. Adding MCT oils to your diet can also increase the number of carbs you can eat while staying in ketosis which is a bonus for those who need that extra carrot or two. Athletes on a low carb diet may very well experience an increase in endurance when they supplement with MCTs. While MCTs help with energy, the make up of MCTs varies because triglycerides breakdown into three categories of fatty acids. At SFH, we believe of the three, C8 caprylic fat is the best absorbed and processed for energy and offers the best overall advantage.

There are benefits to taking MCTs. Staying in ketosis aids your health in other ways. Not only is it a way to gain speed while pounding the pavement and lose pounds on the scale, but it can affect your well being in other ways. For instance, MCTs can cross easily into our brains and provide an alternate source of energy, which may be important for people suffering from poor brain health.

MCT oil is often consumed in the Keto diet. This fat source and energy boost often added to the popular bulletproof coffee is used for many other purposes. One that tops the list is its possible ability to improve weight management, which may be why for many it is a staple of the keto diet. MCTs are converted into ketones, which means you stay in the fat burning mode longer. Another reason, you may see the scale needle move according to Healthline, is that MCT oil releases the hormone peptide leptin which makes you feel satiated longer.

This liquid gold doesn’t only have the ability to improve metabolism but can help with focus as well. The hypothesis is that the ketones generated from coconut oil provide a source of energy for the brain to use. Feeding the brain with a constant source of fuel helps control blood sugar spikes and may improve immune health in the brain. In effect, it tames other issues like brain fog, headaches, fatigue, and focus, all of which can help to keep you on target during a training session.

If you are looking for MCTs to boost your workout in other ways, you’re in luck. These triglycerides can even help to reduce lactic acid build-up, according to a National Institute of Health study. Web MD sites that this may result in a reduction of cramps, nausea, and exhaustion. That translates to a higher performance level and a faster recovery period for those who may have overdone it at the gym.

 

If you are looking for that MCT lift, you can count on SFH for your daily dose.

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