MCT Oil Creamer (FAQs)

Description

Z Natural Foods is dedicated to providing our customers with a diverse range of high-quality foods in their most versatile forms. Our creamy and delicious MCT Oil Creamer exemplifies our commitment to quality and creating great formulas. 

Because our delicious MCT Oil Creamer has been crafted through a careful process that considers its role in the ketogenic and low carb lifestyle, the result is a perfect, palate-pleasing blend that takes this lifestyle experience from ordinary to extraordinary. 

Today, we aim to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this versatile product and its individual ingredients as they pertain to the low carb and ketogenic lifestyle, so you have all the information you need to make an informed purchase decision.

So let’s get started:

1) What are some of the most important terms and facts that customers should know regarding the ketogenic lifestyle?

While often interchangeably used, causing great confusion, the following three terms are essential when understanding the foundation of the ketogenic lifestyle:  

• Ketones are chemicals produced by the liver when it breaks down fats. They are used as an energy source when carbohydrates are absent.
• Ketosis is a metabolic state that occurs when the body lacks sufficient carbohydrates to burn for energy. In this state, the body turns to fats, which are broken down to produce ketones for fuel. This is the fundamental principle behind the ketogenic diet. 
• Ketogenesis is the biochemical process of producing ketone bodies by breaking down fatty and ketogenic amino acids.

While modern takes on the ketogenic lifestyle have changed its foundation (a minimum fat content of 65-70% is required to achieve consistent ketosis), the following facts are what the original lifestyle and studies were based on: 

• The ketogenic diet is believed to mimic the effects of fasting, whereby glycogen depletion forces the body to burn fat and produce ketones.
• While your brain normally runs exclusively on glucose, when you cut out carbohydrates, your liver turns fat into ketones, providing an alternative fuel source for your heart and brain.  
• While protein is essential, too much will kick you out of ketosis because your body converts excess amino acids into glucose, a process called gluconeogenesis. 

2) How are medium-chained triglycerides different from other fatty acids?

To answer this question correctly, several facts must be stated. 

• Fats constitute the most significant nutritional source of energy. 
• Medium-chain triglycerides are uniquely processed in the body, making them easier to digest and metabolize. MCTs provide your body with plenty of readily available energy and support your overall health and well-being. 
• In the past, MCTs were considered unhealthy due to their high saturated fat content. 

That said, MCTs are unique fat molecules that make them different from most fats we consume. 

The following was stated in a paper titled  “Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) formulas in pediatric and allergological practice.”

• MCT's proper use by the body involves several complex mechanisms of digestion, absorption, distribution, and metabolism. 
• These mechanisms are facilitated by fats containing medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), making them an easy, quick energy source.
• A quality supply of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) is essential for digestion and absorption. 

3) Why is the MCT C8 considered the “gold standard” for this fatty acid group?

C8 has the shortest carbon chain among the major MCTs, allowing it to bypass standard digestion and reach the liver, where it is converted into ketones within minutes. 

Here is what makes C8 so unique and special. It is estimated that C8 alone is 3 times more ketogenic than other MCTs, providing an instant, alternative energy source for the brain and ensuring your body gets the most concentrated, efficient fuel and ketone production available. Furthermore, C8 is significantly easier to digest and less likely to cause digestive distress.

4) What is the purpose of adding nonfat milk to a ketogenic blend?

While the primary purpose is to improve texture and mouthfeel, non-fat milk powder also serves as an emulsifier and provides a source of milk protein. Many foods provide nourishing amounts of high-quality protein; each is unique in its own right. One of the many nutritional qualities of whole milk is its unique blend of fast-digesting (whey) and slow-digesting (casein) proteins, enabling optimal utilization of this essential macronutrient. 

The following was stated in an article in the National Library of Medicine titled "Health-Related Aspects of Milk Proteins."

• Casein and whey protein are the major proteins of milk 
• Casein constitutes approximately 80% of the total protein in bovine milk, and whey protein accounts for about 20%. 
• Casein is primarily phosphate-conjugated and forms phosphate micelle complexes. It is a heterogeneous family of 4 major components: alpha (As1 & 2 casein), beta-, gamma-, and kappa-casein.” 
• Whey protein is a collector of globular proteins with a high level of a-helix structure. 
• The acidic, basic, and hydrophobic-hydrophilic amino acids are distributed in a fairly balanced form. 
• Alpha-Lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin are the predominant whey proteins. 
• Among other whey protein components, immunoglobulins, serum albumin, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, and protease-peptones must be mentioned. 

5) What role does soluble fiber play in the ketogenic lifestyle?

There are three primary reasons soluble fiber is beneficial for the ketogenic lifestyle. 

• Blood sugar stabilization through slowing down macronutrient absorption, preventing insulin spikes, and ensuring that you stay in ketosis. 
• Lipid management is based on the fact that soluble fiber binds to and removes bile acids, potentially lowering LDL lipids.
• Soluble fiber acts as a prebiotic through fermentation, which produces short-chain fatty acids that support a healthy microbiome.

These benefits primarily stem from the fact that soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance that also acts as a stabilizer and regulator. It stabilizes fats and ensures the blend mixes smoothly without separating. 

Fats, such as MCTs, naturally float to the top, and soluble fiber binds to these fats, allowing them to dissolve perfectly.  Soluble fiber dissolves into a subtle gel-like matrix when mixed with liquid. This mimics the rich, heavy viscosity of real dairy cream.

6) What is Ghee, and how does it benefit the low carb and ketogenic lifestyle?

Essentially, ghee is produced by simmering butter to remove water and milk solids (proteins and lactose). The result is a pure, nutty butterfat rich in the following:

• Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K 
• Butyrate: a short-chain fatty acid produced by the gut that supports intestinal barrier integrity and reduces inflammation. 
• Medium-chain fatty acids that are specifically known to enhance nutrient absorption and promote gut energy metabolism,
• CLA: fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and support brain health, potentially complementing the neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects of herbal compounds. 

Because Ghee is a pure fat, it acts through the following mechanisms: 

• Ghee is a lipid carrier that facilitates passage across the lipophilic blood-brain barrier by mimicking body lipids. Therefore, it is well known in Ayurvedic medicine for delivering fat-soluble active herbal compounds deeper into nervous system tissues.  
• Ghee is also considered a Medhya (intellect-promoting) substance that nourishes nervous tissue/bone marrow and improves overall absorption (known as digestive fire). High-quality fats are the ultimate nourisher for the nervous system. 

Ghee is effective in the context of the ketogenic lifestyle because it is rich in saturated fats and short-chain fatty acids, such as butyric acid. These fatty acids effectively dissolve and transport fat-soluble compounds across cell membranes, delivering them into deeper tissues and organs. 

Furthermore, Ghee is a pure, clean, animal-based fat (free of protein and lactose) rich in all fat-soluble vitamins, further enhancing bioavailability. Ultimately, ghee is a primary staple in the keto community because of its purity, unique fatty acid profile, and high oxidative stability.

7) What is the purpose of adding both C8 MCT powder and coconut oil to our MCT Oil Creamer?

In simple terms, it is because they both create unique benefits. As mentioned earlier, C8 has the shortest carbon chain among the major MCTs, allowing it to bypass standard digestion and reach the liver, where it is converted into ketones within minutes. It is estimated that C8 alone is 3 times more ketogenic than other MCTs, providing an instant, alternative energy source for the brain and ensuring your body gets the most concentrated, efficient fuel and ketone production available. 

Furthermore, C8 is significantly easier to digest and less likely to cause digestive distress. 

Coconut oil contains both C8, C10, and C12 within its matrix of fatty acids, so you have both fast and slow burning sources of these essential fatty acids as a sustained energy source. Furthermore, lauric acid in coconut is known for its super-nutritional value. Lauric acid is a saturated medium-chain fatty acid with a 12-carbon backbone that is also found in human breast milk. 

According to an article titled “The properties of Lauric acid and their significance in coconut oil”, “the primary fatty acid of coconut oil is lauric acid, which is present at approximately 45–53 %—the metabolic and physiological properties of lauric acid account for many of the properties of coconut oil. 

Coconut oil is rapidly metabolized because it is easily absorbed, and lauric acid is easily transported. Detailed studies have shown that most ingested lauric acid is transported directly to the liver, where it is converted to energy and other metabolites rather than stored as fat. 

Such metabolites include ketone bodies, which can be used by extrahepatic tissues, such as the brain and heart, as a quick form of energy. Studies on the effect of lauric acid on serum cholesterol are contradictory. Among saturated fatty acids, lauric acid has been shown to contribute the least to fat accumulation.”

In conclusion, I hope I have clearly answered your most frequently asked questions about these various aspects of the ketogenic lifestyle and fats.  My primary goal was to give you the information to understand that each source of fat is unique in its own right, and that our MCT Oil Creamer can be part of your low carb journey to nourish and support good health. 

For more information about our MCT Oil Powder, go here: MCT Oil Powder

The Author’s Bio
Michael Stuchiner is a Master Herbalist and proud graduate of The School of Natural Healing, and has worked in different areas of this field for over 25 years. He is a retired elite-level powerlifter who competed for 27 years. As an avid international traveler, he is passionate about using medicinal and tonic herbs, as well as foods traditionally found in local markets, in the 35 countries he has visited. Michael brings you his years of experience as a Master Herbalist, traveler, and athlete through the hundreds of articles he has written and his YouTube channel (A Master Herbalist Perspective). He is considered a true educator in this field. For more articles written by Mike, go here: Master Herbalist.