Coconut oil for alternative therapy
MCT oils or Medium Chain Triglycerides are saturated fatty acids with numerous health benefits. MCT oils are known for their interests in weight loss and improved cognitive functionality. They are sometimes also referred to as Medium Chained Fatty Acids (MCFA). MCT oils are known to be beneficial in raising ketone levels in a ketogenic diet. Ketones are produced when our body uses fatty acids to provide energy.
Pure MCT oils are primarily organic in nature and have a vegetable origin. There are several brands of MCT oils available in the market which have different proportions of essential MCT oils and are marketed as oils or powder form.
The Composition of MCT Oils
MCTs are actually a type of fatty acids which are formed with long chains of carbon and hydrogen. These chains have different lengths, which categorizes them to short, medium and long chained fatty acids. Short-chain fatty acids have less than 6 carbons, and longer ones carry 13-21 whereas medium chain has a count of 6-12 carbons. Fatty acids falling in medium chain category are:
- Caproic (Hexanoic) acid – C6
- Caprylic (Octanoic) acid – C8
- Capric (Decanoic) acid – C10
- Lauric (Dodecanoic) acid – C12
Natural Sources of MCT Oil
While coconut remains to be the top source of MCT oils, some of the most common MCT oil sources are,
- Coconut Oil
- Palm Kernel Oil
- Milk
- Butter
- Yogurt
- Cheese
Available MCT Oil Brands in the Market:
There are numerous brands of MCT oils available in the market some of which are,
Mickey T™ Eight™ Best C8 MCT oil
Features,
- Gluten and flavor free
- 100% coconut oil
- High in C8
- Below 100 calories per tablespoon
- Non-GMO
Mickey T Eight MCT oil review shows that it has the highest C8 percentage in the available MCT oils which makes it perfect for people preferring pure C8 MCT oil.
Organic Coconut Oil by Bio Schwartz
Features,
- Gluten free
- Non-GMO
- No solvents or fillers
- No flavors
- Enhances performances
- Helps metabolism
- Supports weight management
Premium MCT oil by Sports Research
Key Benefits,
- Organic
- 100% coconut oil
- Odor free
- No solvents or flavors
- No gluten
- Non-GMO.
- Improved weight management
All Natural Coconut MCT Oil
Features,
- Gluten free
- No flavor
- A nice percentage of caprylic acid
- 100% coconut oil
Now MCT 100% Oil
Features,
- Non-GMO
- Reduces appetite
- Best for weight loss
- Cost-effective
Left Coast Performance Coconut MCT Oil
Key features,
- Keto and Paleo friendly
- Vegetarians’ choice
- Gluten free
- Processed under GMP facility
- Easy to absorption & digestion
Viva Naturals MCT Oil
Benefits,
- Third-party certification
- Paleo-friendly
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Money-back guarantee
Onnit MCT Oil
Features,
- Contains lauric acid
- Antibacterial
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- No palm oil
- Low-Calorie content
Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil
Features,
- Variable packaging
- Higher MCT percentage
- 100% coconut oil
- No palm kernel oil
MCT oil Benefits:
Some of the key benefits of using MCT oil are,
- High metabolism rate
- Cholesterol control
- Improved cognitive function
- Energy Boost
- Weight loss management
- Good for Heart Health
- Antifungal
- Anti Bacterial
- Antiviral
- Rich in antioxidants
Adverse Effects:
Although MCT oils are natural and beneficial for health, some people may feel some problems in using it. These problems usually are,
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomachache
- Belching
- Vomiting
- A headache
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
These issues can be resolved by re-adjustment of the dosage. A better way is to start with a small dose and then gradually increase it. Most people get used to its usage with the passage of time.
Final words:
Keeping in view the significant benefits of MCT oils it is worth highlighting that its use is not limited to the internal body consumption but also used externally for hair and skin benefits. It is also known to carry benefits for teeth.
In selecting good MCT oil, please check if it is free from gluten and long chain fatty acids, is purely organic and has the highest percentage of medium chain fatty acids.