INTRODUCING
100 % Organic
COCONUT MCT OIL
With the recent increasing popularity of Ketogenic diets for weight loss and other diets that are high in MCTs , it made sense for Garden of Life to offer a premium quality 100 % Organic Coconut MCT Oil for those seeking the benefits of higher MCTs in their diet .
by Dawn Thorpe Jarvis , Senior Director of Nutrition Science & Educational Content
What are MCTs ?
MCTs are Medium Chain Triglycerides which are healthy fats . Dietary fats called triglycerides are made up of one molecule of glycerol ( see red molecule in diagram ) which is the backbone of the molecule , with 3 attached chains of fatty acids ( which look like fingers in the diagram ).
MCTs get their name “ medium chain ” based on the length of their fatty acid chains . Fatty acids are made up of chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms bonded together and they are categorized by how many carbons ( C ) they have in their chain . Short-chain fats have less than 6 carbons , medium-chain fats have between 6 and 12 carbons and long-chain , such as omega-3s , have between 13 and 21 carbon atoms .
Anyone familiar with coconut oil will know that it contains three beneficial MCTs ; these are C8 Caprylic Acid , C10 Capric Acid and C12 Lauric Acid . Typical coconut oil contains approximately 62 - 65 % MCTs , mostly coming from C12 Lauric Acid , so people consume coconut oil to get the benefits of these fatty acids .
What are the Benefits of Consuming MCTs ?
The digestion and absorption of fatty acids is affected by the length of their chains . Due to their shorter chain length , MCTs are more easily digested and more quickly absorbed and utilized by the body than long-chain fatty acids .
MCTs are highly prized because being smaller molecules , they can pass directly through the intestinal lining straight into the hepatic portal vein , which means they go directly to the liver to be rapidly converted to ketones which are used as a source of fast energy . The shorter the carbon chain , the faster the body can turn the fatty acids into usable energy , in the form of ketones . Ketones are what the body produces when it ’ s using fat for energy instead of glucose .
The key benefit of using MCTs is that they provide rapid energy over other fuel sources ; they deliver fast fuel for the body and for the brain .
Today we have come to finally learn that very low fat diets are not healthy . Our bodies actually need an adequate supply of good healthy natural fats , including triglycerides . Ideally MCT oils and coconut oil should be consumed daily for good health .
44 Vol 32 • Extraordinary Health ™