I get up every morning at 06:00 at the latest with a smile on my face on my way to the coffee maker to make coffee with mct oil in it. What exactly is mct oil? What benefits does it offer to those who fast or live on a keto diet? Should you use mct oil while fasting?
What is Mct Oil
Mct oil stands for “Medium Chained Triglycerides” and is absorbed directly from the liver and is therefore used by many as a supplement for ketone production and easier transition to intermittent fasting. There are nine calories per gram of energy in mct oil. That is, there are around 115 calories in a tablespoon.
If your main goal of fasting is for therapeutic reasons with maximum natural production of ketones or autophagy, you should not use mct oil during fasting. mct oil is a great tool for those who are starting to fast for better focus and energy in everyday life. Read on to find out if mct oil is right for you.
How Mct Oil helps you
The oil gives people who are not metabolically flexible the production of ketones. Since you’re reading this page, you’ve probably already read about the many health and productivity benefits ketones can provide. Ketones are referred to by many as the supreme energy source for brains.
Many people like to use MCT oil in combination with intermittent fasting. MCT oil is normally extracted from coconut as more than 50% of the fat content in coconut is from MCTs. The oil goes straight through the small intestine and straight to the liver to be burned.
Benefits of using MCT Oil every day
Mct Oil Improves Your Performance
A 2009 study shows that athletes taking one and a half tablespoons of mct oil had lower lactic acid and found it easier to train than those who did not take mct oil.
The study also shows that MCTs help you use more fat as energy instead of carbohydrates.
One of the reasons MCT oil has become so popular is its potential to help with weight loss by promoting feelings of fullnessDr.Pedre, forbes.com
What should you look out for when using Mct oil?
Too much use of MCTs can lead to fat build-up in the liver. An older study on mice showed that in 12 weeks where 50% of the fat was given in the form of MCTs led to fat build-up in the liver. Interestingly, in the same study, the mice had a lower body fat percentage and better insulin resistance.
It’s important to use a little common sense here. Such a high dose they used in the study is definitely not recommended.
How Much and When Should You Use Mct Oil?
My advice in this article is mainly based on my experiences after long time use by intermittent fasting.
Since mct oil is produced quickly and converted to ketones even in people who have just started intermittent fasting, it can be a very good aid for a smooth transition with a new diet and intermittent fasting until you have become metabolically flexible.
When Is It Best To Use Mct Oil
There is a lot of discussion back and forth about whether you break intermittent fasting when using mct oil or not. For weight loss, efficiency and focus, my experience is that mct oil in the morning while fasting is very good. I work out every morning on an empty stomach and notice that my workouts are better if I grab a tablespoon in the café. At the same time, it’s important to remember that mct oil is a supplement and that you still get enough energy from natural sources.
Should you use Mct Oil?
mct oil has been a fantastic tool for me in my transition to a better lifestyle and intermittent fasting. At first, I felt unwell, dizzy and out of energy after just 12 hours of fasting. A tablespoon of oil gave me several good hours, as well as the energy I needed to complete workouts and function well with good focus at work and as a family man.
At most, I used three tablespoons every day with mct oil. That’s almost 400 extra calories in a day. So if your goal is weight loss, you shouldn’t take so much. However, if you want to function with better focus in everyday life while your body starts the process of becoming metabolically flexible, it is definitely a tool that most people should use.
How Much and How Should Mct Oil be Used?
If you don’t drink coffee, you can take it in tea, or with apple cider vinegar or water, for example.
I recommend a gradual implementation of mct oil as it can lead to some quick trips to the toilet in the beginning. Start with one tablespoon in the morning to make fasting easier and implement more gradually if desired. There are no clear guidelines on the maximum dose of MCTs. However, most people do not recommend going over 4-7 tablespoons of mct oil every day. Personally, I’ve never taken more than three tablespoons every day. Now I only take one for breakfast as I don’t need more.
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