Benefits Of MCT Oil

Whether MCT oil is a staple in your diet (keto followers, looking at you) or you’ve just stumbled upon it in a smoothie recipe or two, chances are you’ve had some type of interaction with this buzzy supplement. I spoke to The Zoe Report for this piece about MCT oil and its benefits:

“Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) are fats, specifically, triglycerides, and are found in foods such as dairy products, coconuts, or palm kernel oil,” Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, tells TZR over email. “The chemical structure of all triglycerides is a glycerol molecule and three fatty acids. MCTs are medium-chain fatty acids that have 6-12 carbon atoms.”

Yes, that’s all pretty technical — but essentially, as Feller explains, these fatty chains assist our bodies in storing energy and transporting nutrients. “The shorter the chain of the fatty acid, the easier it is for the body to break them down,” she continues. “In fact, MCTs are readily absorbed by the body and can be available for immediate use.”