Benefits of consuming medium chain fatty acids

Studies showed that diets rich in medium chain fatty acids (MCTs), found for example in coconut oil, prompted a plethora of benefits including: 

- Increase in energy
- Reduced body weight and lower body fat mass
- Decrease in food consumption
- Preventing atherosclerosis
- Boost in metabolism

Dietary fats are molecules composed of individual carbon atoms linked into chains ranging from 2 to 22 carbon atoms in length. Long Chain Fatty acids (LCTs) ranging from 12 to 18 carbons long while MCTs, are composed of only 6 to 10 carbon links. Because of their shorter chain length, MCTs have a number of unique properties which give them advantages over the more common LCTs.

MCTs, Energy and Exercise 
MCTs are more rapidly absorbed by the body and more quickly metabolized. The result of this accelerated metabolic conversion is that instead of being stored as fat, the calories contained in MCTs are very efficiently converted into fuel for immediate use by organs and muscles. MCTs are thus a good choice for anyone who has increased energy needs, as following major surgery, during normal or stunted growth, to enhance athletic performance, and to counteract the decreased energy production that results from aging.

Weight Control 

In addition to their lower caloric content than LCTs, MCTs are not stored in fat deposits in the body as much as LCTs. Furthermore, MCTs have been shown to enhance thermogenesis (i.e., fat burning).

 

Moreover, calorie-restricted diets are often associated with marked declines in energy. A number of studies support the benefits of using MCTs in weight loss programs to boost energy levels and increase fatty acid metabolism to aid in reducing fat deposits.

 

Appetite control

Regarding the weight loss effect, MCTs have been shown to suppress appetite, an ability of obvious benefit for those attempting to lower their intake of total calories. 

 

Atherosclerosis

MCTs have a number of properties that may be beneficial in preventing atherosclerosis. Among these are that MCTs have anti-coagulation effects, and have been shown to lower serum cholesterol and reduce levels of cholesterol in the liver and other tissues. MCTs have also been reported to act as antioxidants and reduce tissue requirements for Vitamin E.

 

MCTs have a slight hypoglycemic (blood glucose-lowering) effect, and thus may be useful for diabetics, or anyone with a tendency for pre-diabetes (which includes just about everyone over 35).

 

Boost in metabolism and Immune Enhancement 

MCTs have proven useful in treating a number of medical disorders that involve impaired or damaged lipid (fat) metabolism. These include: obstructive jaundice, biliary cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, Whipple’s disease, Crohn’s disease, regional enteritis, and malabsorption in neonates.

 

MCTs are useful for feeding of newborn infants, to both assist their initial growth and to contribute to their physiological development. The absorption of calcium and magnesium appears to be enhanced when the diet contains MCTs, particularly in infants, and the absorption of amino acids also appears to be improved. Thus, MCTs can be a useful addition to the diet of those suffering from any form of malnutrition or tissue wasting. In this regard, MCTs are often added for intravenous feeding following surgery or during recovery from severe injuries, burns and infections.