After the covid pandemic, the entire world is shifting to make healthier, better choices. Starting from hitting the gym to joining yoga classes to soothe the always chattering mind, we have come a long way. Taking MCT oil every day is now our new normal.
But whenever something new comes into the stay-fit industry, it makes us excited and, at the same time, nervous.
Whether this will work or not, does it have any side effects, and am I medically fit enough to consume it? Thousands of questions like this cross our minds.
Well, when it comes to health-related products, we always ask the experts and doctors. And I think this is one of the wisest things to do.
Furthermore, each human body is different and chooses different products to make itself healthier. If I talk about myself, I love green tea, and it has changed my life. It has helped a lot in my weight loss journey.
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But you might not see any benefits, right? Because a lot of other things matter too. So, is MCT oil really beneficial? It is, indeed, but you need to take care of a few factors while using it.
So, let’s see what MCT oil has to offer and what things you need to take care of before including it in your diet.
What is MCT Oil?
I know I know, the only thing that you know about MCT oil is nothing but the fact that it helps you lose weight fast. But there is more to it. Don’t you think that it’s very important to know about the product before actually consuming it?
I feel so. So, let’s talk about what MCT oil is, and then we will move on to other things.
MCT oil or Medium Chain Triglycerides is a kind of fat. No, wait! It will not make you fat. One of the biggest myths when it comes to fitness is that fat is not needed and that a fit body does not have any fat.
But the actual story is different. What is not good for your health is the extra and unhealthy fat. Having sufficient and good fat in your body is needed.
MCT oil is one of those fats extracted from coconut and palm oil that are needed and comes with a lot of benefits. Now you must be thinking that there are other good fats available in the market too. Then why should we choose MCT oil?
Because it works better and faster. To prove my point, I’ll show you what the health benefits of taking MCT oil every day are.
Helps With Weight Loss
Here come the biggest and most favorite health benefits of this era. I mean, who doesn’t want to be slim and fit these days? Every second person in this world is talking about staying fit and looking good.
But the obstacles are also there. The researches have shown that most people want to lose faster. A lot of them just discontinue working out because they don’t see any noticeable change.
Come on! I mean, guys, what are you expecting? Do you think that we are gonna lose weight in just a week? Give your body some time and trust the process.
Moreover, if you want your body to perform well during work out that will ultimately make the process faster and easier, MCT oil should be your choice.
As it does not need to break down, it is one of the easiest fats to digest. If you consume this oil, it will promote the growth of such hormones that are responsible for the feeling of fullness.
It means that you will eat less and feel full. This way, you can lose weight without the pain of starving yourself. No worries, you will not feel weak. Taking MCT oil every day will provide you with the essential energy to work out and move on with your daily activities.
Promotes Bacterial Growth
Have you ever heard about good bacteria? If not, you still have a lot to know, my dear. You can go to any nutritionist, and they all will say the same thing: it does not matter how healthy you are eating. If your body is not responding well to it, there’s no point.
But how would we know whether our body is responding well or not? If you have started taking MCT oil every day and you are having no digestive issues, congrats! You are on the right path.
MCT oil improves gut health by promoting good bacteria in our gut which helps in better digestion. And you know that gut health is the key to good overall health.
Have you heard the saying that mental health depends on physical health and habits? That’s why our parents always say to make healthier choices and practice healthy habits.
It is also seen that those who have suffered a prolonged period of disturbed physical health are also less happy.
Isn’t it pretty obvious? If you are healthy physically, then only you will take care of your mental health properly. And physical health comes from good gut health. So, why not make it better?
Takes Care of Your Heart
Another benefit of taking MCT oil every day is that it improves heart health. But how? It takes us back to the beginning of this article, where I talked about how MCT oil does not need to be broken down; it can easily, and it’s easy to digest.
You tell me, what is the most prominent reason behind cardiac diseases? Excessive weight, isn’t it? And you already know how MCT oil helps you lose weight faster without making you weak.
Our main focus is to put less pressure on our hearts, and MCT oil does the same. The heart diseases it can help with are as follows –
- Blood Pressure
- Body Mass Index
- Inflammation
- High Cholesterol
So, good fat leads to good heart health. When your heart is healthy, no matter what your workout routine is, you become a better performer.
Helps in Managing Blood Sugar Levels
Again, it is pretty obvious. Excessive body weight is actually one of the most prominent reasons behind type 2 diabetes. Moreover, the risk increases as the body mass increases.
We have been hearing from the very beginning that excessive weight gives birth to various diseases. And you just cannot aid them by taking medicines. You need to work on excessive weight.
But how does it happen? It’s pretty simple. Do you know that excessive weight disturbs the normal function of hormones in our body? Yes, it actually does.
Diabetes is not something that is written in your destiny. It does not matter how much sugar you consume unless and until your hormones are functioning, you are good.
But it is always better if you consume less sugar. Don’t go over the daily limit. MCT oil aids in weight loss which enables your hormones to perform better.
Therefore, there are high chances that you will see improvement in managing your blood sugar levels. Experiments have shown that those who included MCT oil were more efficient in managing their blood sugar levels than others who included olive oil.
A Good Energy Source
Do you always feel tired and less energetic despite consuming all the essential nutrients that you need? Well, sometimes it is not what you take but how you take it.
As we age, our ability to extract nutrients from food decreases. This is the reason that doctors prescribe supplements.
No matter what you eat, the food breaks down first, and then you get energy. But MCT oil works differently.
It doesn’t need to break down. Moreover, it can enter the cells easily and give you instant energy. No! You can replace it with other energy drinks.
Do you know how energy drinks actually work? Well, after reading this, you might not drink it. Energy drinks have excessive amounts of caffeine, and this is the reason behind that energy boost.
You must be wondering, what is wrong with caffeine? There’s nothing wrong with it, but consuming an excessive amount of caffeine can actually cause insomnia, anxiety, headache, and many more.
Moreover, it is not good for your heart health either. So, which one will you choose? Caffeine or MCT oil? I choose MCT oil.
Remember, there is nothing wrong with getting instant energy but don’t choose a product that gives you major health issues in return.
Improves Brain Health
Taking MCT oil every day has a considerable amount of benefits to your brain. Have you heard of brain fog? It is the inability to take clear decisions and to concentrate.
This means getting easily distracted is a sign that you are suffering from brain fog. MCT oil directly enters the brain cells and can effectively improve its health.
But that does not mean that you will ignore the other things. Brain fog is actually caused by irregular sleep cycles, stress, overworking, excessive screen time, etc.
So, while you take MCT oil, don’t forget to take care of the above-mentioned factors too.
Who Should Take MCT Oil?
Everybody. But not those who already have digestive issues. Because having major digestive issues and consuming MCT oil can actually fuel those and make them worse.
It’s better to consult with your doctor first before taking it. Our main motive is to get the benefits, not ruin what is already there in our bodies.
Yes, MCT oil makes you feel less hungry, but in some cases, it is seen that people start more hungry after consuming it.
It means that their body is reacting to the oil in a different way. If you are feeling the same after you start taking MCT oil every day, don’t continue.
No matter what the symptoms are, if it is disturbing your health, consult a doctor. Doctors suggest that those who already have major health problems should avoid this.
Moreover, if you want to use this anyway, ask your doctor for substitutes. This way, you can opt for an option that does not put your health in danger, and you will get all the advantages too.
So, there’s no need to panic if you are already using it. You will not die.
How to Consume it
There’s no defined way of consuming it. You can take it as per your preference. But don’t cross the daily limit, which is 4-7 tablespoons. You can fix MCT oil in your oats, cereal, smoothie, etc.
Remember, it is for replacing your fat intake. If you are already consuming your good fat, there’s no need to add MCT oil to your diet.
Those who are on the keto diet often use it. Keto is a diet that is high in protein but very low in carbs, and sometimes this transition causes a little bit of a problem. Because the brain does not get the needed glucose that it used to get.
By using MCT oil, you can make this transition process a lot easier and smooth.
Things to Keep in Mind
As MCT oil is something that you haven’t tried before and your body isn’t habituated, you need to keep an eye on the dosage. You cannot go and intake a lot of it for maximum advantages.
It’s not how things work. You need to plan accordingly. In the beginning, just keep one small spoon. If you think that your body is responding well to this, you can move on and increase the amount.
If you see symptoms like vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, etc., reduce the dose.
Wrapping Up
I hope that you have gained enough knowledge about MCT oil and whether you should take it or not. If you ask my opinion, I always prefer consulting the doctor before including anything in my diet.
If you have a family doctor who is aware of your entire medical history, you should ask their opinion first. Remember, anything too much will harm you.
So, go ahead but carefully. Those who are on a keto diet, we have something for you – What to Eat when you are Craving Carbs.