Search & Articles
Search from thousands of articles from sabzi, roti, chawal, dal, paneer, Indian recipes to health articles.
What Is Mct? (Medium Chain Triglycerides)
This article page has been viewed 26615 times
What is MCT? (Medium Chain Triglycerides)
Table of Content
What is MCT? ( Medium Chain Triglycerides)
With a lot of buzz about MCT these days, let us actually know what MCT is and how beneficial it is to your health!
MCT stands for Medium Chain Triglycerides, which are partially a type of man-made fat. Fats are usually made up of carbon atoms, and most of the fats in a person’s diet are made up of 13 to 21 of these atoms. These are called long chain fatty acids. In contrast, short chain fatty acids have fewer atoms. And medium chain triglycerides (MCT’s) sit in the middle of the two types with about 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
MCT’s are generally made by processing coconut and palm kernel oils . MCT is used as a medication by many. Athletes use it for nutritional support during training, improving their performance and for increasing the lean mass in their body.
How does MCT work?
MCTs are processed in the body in a different way, as compared to other fats. Unlike other fats, they go directly from the gut to the liver. From here, they are then used as a source of energy or converted into ketones. As the calories in MCT’s are used straight away, they are less likely to be stored as fats in the body. This is the basis of ketogenic diets, believed by many as an effective weight loss remedy.
MCT’s have shown to have many health benefits over other fats. They have shown to improve your brain and memory function, they also give a boost to your energy levels and improve your endurance. MCT’s not only help in weight management but also lower your cholesterol and blood sugar levels and thereby play a potential role in diabetes management.
What is the Takeaway Message?
MCT is a quick source of energy for the body. So in conditions where your gut is not doing great and cannot metabolize fat from your diet, MCT is a good option as it will get digested and absorbed quickly as compared to other fats. Also post your workout sessions, MCT’s can help you in quick muscle recovery and prevent the breakdown of proteins that may occur when body demands excess energy.
However, anything if overdone, can prove to be detrimental!
MCT oil supplements are made from versions of food oils, and are not quite a natural product. Therefore it is preferable to have MCT through natural diet than taking supplements.
4 Dietary sources of MCT’s are -
1. Coconut Oil : Research has revealed the presence of healthy fats called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) which are known to benefit our body. The highest amount of MCT is found in coconut oil, followed by palm kernel oil. The MCFA's of coconut oil that are of utmost benefits to us are:
a. Lauric Acid
b. Caprylic Acid
c. Capric Acid
These fats are easily digestible. They do not get metabolized through the process of digestion like most other fats. Instead they get processed directly in the liver and easily absorbed by the body. They give a feeling of satiety for long hours and are not readily stored as fat.
2. Milk : Milk is said to have small quantites of MCT. However more research yet continues on which milk - buffalo's milk, cow's milk or goat's milk is the most benefeicial.
3. Butter : Similarly butter, being a dairy product, is also said to have some amount of MCT. This is also under research. But you can have small quantity of butter. The butter coffee is more famous these days.
4. Coconut milk: Recent research says that not eating enough fat can actually make fat. But you need to choose the type of fat correctly. And the answer is MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) – which goes directly to the liver and does not get stored as fat in body. By drinking coconut milk which has this good fat or having it in the form of a curry, it will keep you fuller and healthier for a longer time. But remember to control the portion to not go overboard on calories.
How to use MCT in your Diet
- Add it to your smoothie.
- Make it a part of your salad.
- Make your own breakfast cereal with it.
- Add it to sugar free black coffee / black tea.
Even though MCTs have a number of health benefits, it is important to remember that when a person consumes these, they are ultimately consuming fats. Taking excess MCT may add on to the calories of the person’s diet and may lead a person to gain weight. About 1 tbsp of MCT should be good to start with.
Stay informed and take the correct step towards your health!
Related Articles
Follow US
Recipe Categories
- Vitamin B12 Cobalamin Rich Recipes 33 recipes
- Low Calorie, Weight Loss Indian Recipes 421 recipes
- Low Cholesterol Indian Recipes 307 recipes
- Healthy Indian Breakfast 372 recipes
- Indian Diabetic recipes 558 recipes
- Indian Pregnancy recipes 461 recipes
- Zero Oil Indian Recipes 133 recipes
- Iron Rich Indian recipes 267 recipes
- Healthy Indian Acidity recipes 132 recipes
- Healthy Sabzis 108 recipes
- Indian Healthy Veg Snack 275 recipes
- Healthy Heart Recipes 415 recipes
- Healthy Veg Indian Soups 74 recipes
- Calcium Rich Indian Recipes 373 recipes
- High Blood Pressure Indian Recipes 100 recipes
- Healthy Indian Salads Recipes 137 recipes
- Low Carb Indian Diet, recipes 160 recipes
- Hypothyroidism Diet 59 recipes
- Arthritis Diet 68 recipes
- Vitamin K Diet 41 recipes
- High Protein Indian recipes 93 recipes
- Fatty Liver Diet 30 recipes
- PCOS 131 recipes
- Gluten Free Veg Indian 193 recipes
- High Fiber 328 recipes
- Indian Cancer Patients 275 recipes
- Jaundice Diet 45 recipes
- Sprouts 61 recipes
- Typhoid 43 recipes
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 20 recipes
- Kidney Stone Diet 9 recipes
- Home Remedies 213 recipes
- Senior Citizen 195 recipes
- Diet for Dialysis 10 recipes
- Healthy Indian Drinks and Juices 213 recipes
- Gout Indian Recipes 17 recipes
- Potassium Rich 80 recipes
- Vegan 194 recipes
- Forever Young Diet, Anti Aging Indian Diet 255 recipes
- Indian recipes to treat Vomiting 7 recipes
- High in Omega 3 Fatty Acids 31 recipes
- Zinc Rich Foods 55 recipes
- Malaria Diet 17 recipes
- Vitamin B1 Rich Indian Foods, Recipes 101 recipes
- Vitamin A Rich, Beta Carotene, Retinol 87 recipes
- Antioxidant Rich Indian 445 recipes
- Low Veg Glycemic Index 86 recipes
- Lower Blood Pressure Salads 7 recipes
- Healthy Indian Dinner 85 recipes
- Magnesium Rich 94 recipes
- Vitamin C Rich Indian recipes 118 recipes
- Healthy Indian Lunch Recipes 29 recipes
- Lactation 25 recipes
- Hyperthyroidism Diet 46 recipes
- Vitamin E Rich 50 recipes
- Vitamin B3, Niacin Rich 41 recipes
- Post Surgery Diet 42 recipes
- Lower Blood Pressure Desserts Sweets 14 recipes
- Selenium 27 recipes
- Phosphorus Rich Indian Recipes, Foods 74 recipes
- Copper 15 recipes
- Foods Rich in Vitamin B2 Riboflavin 22 recipes
- Vitamin B6 Diet 36 recipes
- Vitamin B9 Rich Folate 50 recipes
- B Vitamins 231 recipes
- Manganese Diet 32 recipes
- Marathoners, Endurance Athletes, Triathlete 225 recipes
- Thalassemia 18 recipes
- Detox Water, Fruit Infused Water 42 recipes
- Lactose Free Dairy Free 22 recipes
- Omega 6 Fatty Acids 32 recipes
- Phytonutrients 51 recipes
- Chronic Kidney Disease Indian recipes 12 recipes
- Selenium1 0 recipes
- Quick Snacks / Quick Starters 385 recipes
- Quick Breakfast Indian 132 recipes
- Quick Sabzis 117 recipes
- Quick Rotis / Parathas 46 recipes
- Quick Indian Sweets 139 recipes
- Quick Stir-Fries 51 recipes
- Quick Vegetarian Indian Soups 72 recipes
- Quick Chutneys 67 recipes
- Quick Vegetarian Rice, khichdi Recipes 56 recipes
- Indian snacks under 10 minutes 44 recipes
- Quick Indian Dips, Gravies & Sauces 103 recipes
- Quick Veg Indian Pizza 17 recipes
- Quick Veg Pasta 25 recipes
- Quick Pickles / Aachar 25 recipes
- Quick Dals / quick Kadhis 29 recipes
- Snacks under 5 minutes 33 recipes
- Quick Healthy Recipes 43 recipes
- Quick Pressure Cooker 46 recipes
- Quick Desserts 48 recipes
- Quick 3 Ingredients 63 recipes
- Quick Indian Desserts 18 recipes
- Quick 4 Ingredients 41 recipes
- Quick 5 Ingredients 41 recipes
- Kids Tiffin Box 318 recipes
- Recipes for Toddlers (1-3 Years) 31 recipes
- Sweet Recipes for Kids 453 recipes
- Recipes for Baby (10 to 12 Months) 14 recipes
- Quick Indian recipes for Kids 72 recipes
- Indian Breakfast Recipes for Kids 192 recipes
- Recipes for Weaning (8 to 9 months) 20 recipes
- Healthy Foods for Kids 195 recipes
- Snack Recipes for Kids 619 recipes
- Recipes Kids can make 36 recipes
- Kids After School 794 recipes
- Kids Jar Snacks 66 recipes
- Finger Foods for Babies, Toddlers and Kids 76 recipes
- Kids Weight Gain 43 recipes
- Kids Wraps and Rolls 23 recipes
- Kids Veg Pasta 27 recipes
- Kids Brain Boosting 68 recipes
- Protein rich food for kids 69 recipes
- Recipes for Weaning 13 recipes
- Kids Pizzas 30 recipes
- Babies, Toddler and Kids Iron Rich Foods 31 recipes
- High Fiber Foods for Kids 39 recipes
- Kids Noodles 37 recipes
- Kids High Energy Indian Foods 103 recipes
- Kids Calcium Rich Indian recipes 91 recipes
- Kids Recipes for Increasing Immunity 10 recipes
- Babies recipes, 6 to 18 months 31 recipes
- Kids Weight Loss 58 recipes
- Teething Recipes for Babies 10 recipes
- Cereals and Pulses for 8 to 9 months Baby 5 recipes
- Weaning foods at 7 months 8 recipes
- Indian Teen 315 recipes
- Starters / Snacks 2137 recipes
- Indian Breakfast Recipes 819 recipes
- Main Course Recipes 925 recipes
- Indian Salads 385 recipes
- Indian Desserts , Sweets 985 recipes
- Indian Soups 249 recipes
- Indian Beverages, Indian Drinks 483 recipes
- Indian Dinner 903 recipes
- Indian Dinner1 0 recipes
- Indian Lunch 830 recipes
- Side Dishes 449 recipes
- Indian Travel Food 433 recipes
- Indian Barbeque1 recipes 22 recipes
- Frozen Foods, Indian Freezer Recipes 67 recipes
- Whole Wheat Recipes 56 recipes
- Indian Comfort Foods 212 recipes
- Dinner Menus 56 recipes
- Easy Indian Veg 70 recipes
- Innovative Indian Recipes 27 recipes
- No Cook Indian 37 recipes
- Advanced Recipes 10 recipes
- Cakes with Eggs 13 recipes
- Microwave 230 recipes
- Oven 619 recipes
- Indian Steamer Recipes 102 recipes
- Kadai Veg 406 recipes
- Indian Barbeque Recipes 43 recipes
- Sizzler tray 15 recipes
- Mixer 566 recipes
- Pressure Cooker 315 recipes
- Tava 646 recipes
- Non-stick Pan 1394 recipes
- Appe Mould 17 recipes
- Pan 223 recipes
- Indian Freezer recipes, meals 56 recipes
- Deep Pan 148 recipes
- Non Stick Kadai Veg 203 recipes
- Refrigerator 176 recipes
- Waffle Indian recipes 6 recipes
- Handi 12 recipes
- Juicer and Hopper 64 recipes
- Grill 30 recipes
- Toaster 21 recipes
- Gas Toaster 7 recipes
- Steam 72 recipes
- No Cooking Veg Indian 335 recipes
- Vegetarian baked Indian recipes 380 recipes
- Boiled Indian recipes 129 recipes
- Deep Fry 259 recipes
- Indian Tawa 266 recipes
- Shallow Fry Indian 25 recipes
- Microwave1 173 recipes
- Saute 274 recipes
- Indian Pressure Cooker 171 recipes
- Stir-fry 100 recipes
- Roasting 0 recipes
