MCT Oil and Brain Health

Currently, there is a tremendous amount of research pointing to the correlation of type II diabetes or insulin resistance with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. When insulin signaling and the number of insulin receptors decline in the brain this results in impaired neuron (brain cell) function, which over time will lead to cognitive decline. 

There are many mechanisms that correlate hypometabolism of glucose with dementia but for now let’s discuss what can be a helpful alternative for supporting brain health. 

To protect brain neurons it can be helpful to shift their fuel source from glucose to ketones.

Well what are ketones and how are they created?

• Ketones are an alternative energy source that can be used by brain cells when glucose is restricted, created by the liver breaking down fats into a water-soluble energy source. 

• Ketone production occurs during prolonged fasts, exercise, and nutritional ketosis (i.e., a high fat, low carb diet). 

• Ketones are easily created by consuming medium-chain-triglycerides (MCT’s). 

• MCT’s are found in: coconut oil, palm kernel oil, coconut milk, coconut cream, coconut butter, grass-fed butter, grass-fed ghee.

• MCT’s are quickly absorbed from the GI tract, sent to the liver, and then metabolized.

• Ketones are a useful energy source to the brain because they are able to cross the blood brain barrier, providing a non-glucose fuel source to brain cells. 

• Ketones show neuron protection.

Benefits of integrating MCT oil: 

• Improvement in logical and working memory

• Improvements in verbal memory and processing speeds (as found in Alzheimer's patients)

• Improvements in overall cognition

• Helps improve insulin resistance by providing an alternative energy source to the brain

• Reduces stress in brain cells and improves their metabolic function

An easy way to increase your MCT oil intake? Add a little coconut oil or coconut milk to your morning coffee or your smoothie and start to notice the energy shift.