Many people think: Isn't MCT the name of a kind of oil? All MCTs are the same, right? But in fact, MCT is a general term for a class of fats, divided into many different types. Different types of MCTs have very different effects. According to the number of carbon atoms contained, MCT can be divided into four different fats: C6, C8, C10, and C12-the number after C corresponds to the number of carbon atoms (C) in it. The larger the number, the more the carbon The more atoms, the longer the carbon chain, the larger the molecular structure, the slower the rate of metabolism and energy supply, and the worse the effect of accelerating ketogenesis.
Among them, C6 has the shortest carbon chain and the fastest metabolism. But because of this, it has a strong "irritating" to the stomach and intestines. It is difficult for the human body to adapt to this type of MCT, and it is very easy to cause vomiting, diarrhea and other uncomfortable symptoms after eating it in the stomach. In addition, C6 has a lingering smell, which is unacceptable. Therefore, we should avoid the intake of C6-MCT as much as possible. However, C10 and C12 have relatively long carbon chains, larger molecular structures, and slower metabolism, so they are not a good choice for MCT. Especially C12, which is nearly 50% of lauric acid in coconut oil, many professional studies believe that the carbon chain of this MCT is too long, and the metabolism process is actually more like long-chain fatty acids, and should not even be classified as medium. Within the category of chain fatty acids.
And C8, which contains 8 carbon atoms, has all the advantages mentioned above. The carbon chain of C8 is only slightly longer than that of C6, but its metabolism is still very fast, which can help the human body quickly enter the ketogenic state. At the same time, it has little irritation to the stomach and intestines. Our body can tolerate C8 very well, and it is less prone to adverse reactions such as diarrhea. In actual research, C8 MCT has also been proved to be an excellent ketogenic fuel.