MCT---->Medium Chain Triglycerides. It is available in Powder form.
Medium Chain esters are high stability products derived from natural vegetable oils. Medium Chain esters contain medium chain fatty acids derived from coconut and palm kernel oils. These fatty acids are obtained by hydrolysis of lauric oils to thier glycerol and fatty acid components. Glycerol is drawn off and the remaining fatty acids are fractionally distilled. Fractionation yields a caproic, caprylic, and capric mixture. To yield a powder the oil is sprayed dried using ingredients to encapsule the oil and convert it to powdered form. The powder is white to off white and has a bland taste.
MCT supplementation provides the athlete with quick energy, faster than maltodextrin and/or any high glycemic carbohydrate. Why? MCT's are quickly turned to energy and ketone bodies by the liver. This energy and ketone bodies directly enter the blood stream and are transported to the tissues of the body that need energy.
THE ECTOMORPH's BEST FRIEND
High calorie diets have been frowned upon in the past. But to the ectomorph (thin body), a diet low in calories means loss of weight, and quick.. These so-called low calorie powders to obtain lean mass, worked for people that needed to lose weight in the first place. Add creatine to the formula, which can produce dramatic results and bingo, the stuff works great, NOT! Ask the ectomorph if the low calorie supplement worked! It didn't. Why, calorie intake is way too low. An ectomorph's metabolism is too fast, for a low calorie diet. Ectomorphs's need high calories to put on MASS, plain and simple. That's what makes MCT so great.
Supplementation of MCT's by an ectomorph is sure to make mass gains and put on body weight, here's why....Fat possesses 9 calories per gram, as opposed to protein and carbohydrates which have 4 calories per gram. If one were to take in 20 grams of MCT they would receive 180 calories, as opposed to 20 grams of protein which would yield only 80 calories. The difference is obvious. High calorie intake to put on weight is the key to put on mass.
MCT could have carbohydrate and protein sparring effects. MCT taken before a workout could have the capabilities to spare glycogen muscle stores, why? The first thing your body is going to use for energy is the MCT. Once the MCT is used up the body uses glucose for energy, then glycogen stores in the muscle tissue, then more from the liver, and then finally, body fat. The ectomorph doesn't want to fall past the MCT. This way glycogen stores aren't lost and catabolism has no chance to occur. Amino acids in the muscle also aren't used up quickly and nitrogen is retained. An ectomorph training for mass, should be keeping his workout short and heavy.
A Recommended usage for MCT by the ectomorph is to use it anytime during the day, but especially before and after workouts. 20 grams before and after training, mixed in your post workout shake. Some put this into their pre-workout shake for better results!
If you're not an ectomorph, (be glad you're not) MCT can be used for post-training energy booster
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Originally posted by PreMier
Excuse my ignorance, but what is MCT?
