MCTs: The perfect partners for keto diets

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are a unique type of fatty acids that can be manufactured from coconut oil.​

MCTs are best digested in the human intestine: they go directly from the gut to the liver to be used as an instant source of energy themselves, or to be quickly converted into ketones. Ketones are chemicals our liver produces when breaking down fats. They provide the brain and muscles with fast and healthy energy, levelling it up without being stored as fat tissue in our body. The ketogenic diet involves consuming a very low amount of carbohydrates and replacing them with fat to help the body burn fat for energy.

This reduction in carbohydrates puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. When this occurs, the body becomes efficient at burning fat for energy. It also turns fat into ketones in the liver, which can supply energy for the brain. Ketogenic diets can cause significant reductions in blood sugar and insulin levels.

The use of MCT (Medium Chain Triglyceride) oil is known and popular among supporters of a ketogenic lifestyle. Especially when it comes to weight loss and increased energy levels, the use of MCT oil delivers great results. The body can directly convert the medium chain fatty acids from MCT oil into energy in the form of ketones; this is not the case with long chain fatty acids that naturally occur in products such as grass-fed butter and olive oil.

The ketones that are released provide a direct fuel for the brain and muscles. Ultimately, consuming MCT can lead to higher energy consumption, more fat loss, and improved body weight.

Due to their features, MCTs are ideal for ketogenic diets, weight management, sports nutrition, functional food and nutritional products. A typical MCT ketogenic diet plan will recommend that between 30% and 60% of the fat intake in the diet comes from MCT fats. Excellent sources of MCT include MCT oil, coconut oil and coconut products, such as coconut milk and cream.

Coconut MCT oil and powders from Taiwan

The MCB Group in Taiwan offers a line of coconut MCT oil and powders that the company manufacturers in a palm-free and whole physical extraction production line.

Coconut MCT oil and powders provide a good source of C8 caprylic acid and C10 capric acid.C10 capric acid features a few unique benefits in addition to metabolism, like antifungal properties and an immunity booster. Meanwhile, C8 caprylic acid is ideal for fat burning and increasing energy levels; this is the reason why it is known as ‘the most ketogenic MCT’.

It is usually considered a more premium source of MCT as ingested C8 turns almost instantly into ketones. The main sources of C8 MCT are coconut, palm oil, butter, and the milk of mammals.

Because of its quick conversion to ketones, C8 leads to better physical performance, more mental clarity, and more stable energy in just a few minutes.¹​

A patented international micro-encapsulation technology

MCT oil powders are usually destroyed in the stomach by gastric acids.

With MCB's micro-encapsulated MCT oil powders this does not happen, as they can pass through the stomach and successfully deliver MCTs to the intestine.

This is possible thanks to an international patent for micro-encapsulation technology with selective digestibility and phased antioxidant protection.

This technology helps oil powders be more stable. Well protected against the gastric acid – which minimizes the so-called ‘keto flu’ – they can be successfully released in the intestine and transferred to ketones as a fast energy source and a better consumer experience.

In addition, thanks to the micro-encapsulation technology the active ingredients are protected from oxidation caused by the external environment, and this helps to ensure product quality and a longer shelf life of 24 months.

The technology also leads to lower oil leak-out, no caking and higher efficiency during production.

MCT oil powders keto applications

MCB recently obtained USDA Organic Certification. The company offers a series of clean label and vegan friendly USDA Organic MCT oil powders, as well as ketogenic multi-fat keto blends that provide a delicious and creamy taste that can also be used as a keto coffee creamer.

Keto Blend Fat Powder X8 contains premium C8 MCT, grass-fed butter, coconut oil and ghee, which are ideal for a keto coffee creamer to bring multi-fats and excellent taste to keto coffee. With MCB’s wet blend and micro-encapsulation technology, the stability and taste of the blend will make the product stand out.

Clean label and vegan friendly, Avocado Oil Powder is another great option for keto products.

MCB micro-encapsulated MCTs – particularly the clean label and vegan friendly products – are ideal in several keto applications:

• meal replacement
• sports nutrition
• coffee creamer
• keto creamer
• baking
• keto collagen
• functional bars
• food fortification
• formula milk powders
• medical meals
• pet food

MCT solutions by MCB is a line distributed in North America by Faravelli, Inc, the US branch of Faravelli, an Italian company and global distributor of ingredients and raw materials, founded in 1926.

For more information and samples email sneniryyv@sneniryyv.hf​.​

References​

1. ​Vandenberghe C.; St-Pierre V.; Pierotti T.; et al. Tricaprylin Alone Increases Plasma Ketone Response More Than Coconut Oil or Other Medium-Chain Triglycerides: An Acute Crossover Study in Healthy Adults​, Current Developments in Nutrition​, Volume 1, Issue 4, April 2017, e000257.