WHY IS MCT SO IMPORTANT AS PART OF THE BRAVE METHOD?
True MCT is a key part of the Brave Method as it contains special fats that cells can readily burn and convert into energy and ketones. Providing the body, muscles and brain with an energy supply during fasting which helps contribute to curb hunger, sustain alertness, energy, mindset and physical performance. By blending True MCT into either of our blends you add another layer of fuel to your day. You gain all the nourishing benefits of the hydrolysed collagen with the fuel and ketogenic potential of MCT. In the case of the Coffee + Collagen and Cacao + Collagen it could be that when the caffeine wears off, the MCT oils may still have you covered.
IS MCT BETTER THAN COCONUT OIL IN TERMS OF FAT BURNING AND KETONES?
Yes, MCT is vastly superior as it comprises only the key medium chain fats C8 and C10, which are readily converted into energy and ketones that help facilitate a state of ketosis. As a general guide you would need to take 6 tablespoons of coconut oil to gain the same amount of those helpful C8 and C10 medium chain triglycerides found in one tablespoon of MCT.
IS IT WORTHWHILE USING MCT IN BETWEEN MEALS?
Yes, a tablespoon or more of True MCT is useful between meals during your eating window, as this could help generate a feeling of satiety, distracting you from unhealthy snacks and may also help to bolster energy until your next mealtime. This is one of the reasons why MCT oil is so popular with some endurance athletes, who carry MCT oil on their long rides and runs.
WHY DOESN’T TRUE MCT OIL BREAK KETOSIS?
There are three things that tend to break a fast – total calories, carbohydrates and sugar. It’s generally considered that consuming fewer than 50 calories is unlikely to break a fast. So adding just 1 tsp of MCT oil (which contains 42 kcal, no carbs and zero sugar) to coffee, herbal tea or water is likely to support your fast and support ketosis. When consuming more than 1 tsp of MCT oil, you go beyond 50 kcal so you typically break your fast. However, the body is still kept busy converting those extra MCT oils into ketones which continue to support ketosis. Fat fasting is a technique that many keto dieters use to facilitate transitioning into ketosis faster and to help promote weight management. Some types of ketogenic and bulletproof diets suggest adding up to 1-2 tablespoons (or even up to 4 tbsp) of MCT oil to your morning coffee providing 126-252 kcal (or up to 504 kcal), a level at which fasting is likely to be broken, but ketosis continues.
CAN MCT OIL CAUSE DIGESTIVE DISCOMFORT?
It’s always best to start with just 1 teaspoon of MCT oil and slowly increase this to your desired level over a period of weeks or months. Most people can increase their level of MCT oil quite comfortably, but some individuals may reach a bowel tolerance level for MCT (and other oils) where it becomes harder for the body to process (digest and absorb) the next higher dose. The undigested oil slips through the digestive tract and may trigger discomfort, nausea, bloating and diarrhoea. The sensible advice here is to take a short break from MCT oil and let your digestion recover. Then reintroduce at a lower, well-tolerated daily dose. Taking MCT with food such as drizzling over salad or adding to soup helps stimulate fat digesting enzymes to be released, which could help offset any digestive discomfort.
