Bio-MCT™ is a medium chain triglyceride product, containing 100% Caprylic Triglycerides from coconut/palm kernel oil.
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are a unique form of dietary fat touted for a number of health benefits including weight loss, support of heart health and improved cognitive function. Fat molecules range in chain length from 2 to 22 carbon atoms, with MCTs falling in the middle with 6 to 12 carbon atoms. Four well-known MCTs include C6 (caproic acid), C8 (caprylic acid), C10 (capric acid) and C12 (lauric acid), and unlike their long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) relatives, MCTs are readily metabolized by the body and quickly burned as fuel.
Because MCTs are smaller molecules than LCTs, they are more rapidly hydrolyzed by intestinal lipases. The MCTs found in Bio-MCT™ are absorbed directly into the portal vein and travel to the liver. Bypassing the lymphatic system, MCTs are metabolized in 1/8 the time of the LCTs without accumulation as body fat. They also only have 8.3 calories per gram as opposed to the 9 calories in a gram of LCTs
Because MCTs are not stored as fat, the energy they produce can be used immediately by the organs and muscles. In order to understand how MCTs are metabolized, a quick review of the Krebs Cycle is necessary. Whereas glucose requires carnitine to produce Acetyl-CoA, MCTs can bypass the need for carnitine to produce Acetyl-CoA. Therefore, AcetylCoA builds up more quickly and rapidly shunts to form ketone bodies, which results in a surge of energy