MCT oil. What is it, and if you join the Code Red Lifestyle™, do you “have” to use it? Should you use it?
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. It’s a refined form of coconut and/or palm oil (depending on which brand you buy) that’s flavorless and odorless.
It’s an excellent source of healthy dietary fat.
It’s also very calorie-dense (meaning a little goes a long way, and eating it WILL trigger a metabolic response).
Unlike most of the food you consume, MCT oil bypasses the liver and goes straight to the mitochondria, which makes it an instant source of energy.
A lot of Code Red Rebels love to add MCT oil to their coffee or tea; to their noatmeal; or on anything from salads and veggies to meat. Because it’s flavorless, it’s very easy to incorporate.
But if you decide to begin using MCT oil, a couple of things to remember:
- If you’re not used to drinking it, it can be hard on your stomach, and even cause loose stools. Start with a very small amount (as little as a 1/4 teaspoon) and see how you do. As your body adjusts to that concentrated dose of energy, you’ll be able to increase your intake. There’s no standard answer for how long that’ll take – it depends completely on the person. Most people build up to one tablespoon a day and stay there.
- MCT oil is not “required” for the Code Red Lifestyle™. In fact, I prefer you eat your calories vs. drink them all. But it is fine to incorporate, if you like.
- MCT is not a quick fix to speed up your weight loss. Its product package claims to “promote weight loss.” If you eat and drink garbage, and also take a teaspoon of MCT oil, you will not lose weight or improve your health.
To summarize, MCT is a fast and simple way to add some healthy dietary fat to your eating plan, and it has lots of health benefits.
But it’s not a requirement for the Code Red Lifestyle™. Nor is it going to cancel out eating junk food and drinking soda or sugary beverages.
If you decide to try MCT oil, here’s an Amazon link to a brand I use: https://amzn.to/2G9acBC