MCT AND CBD OIL, A HAPPY MARRIAGE

Since the legalization of CBD in the United States, many other countries such as Canada and the European Union have adopted various laws to allow its usage in various forms.  Manufacturers use MCT oils to improve the bioavailability of CBD oil. Learn more about the benefits of MCT oil below.

CBD is a phytocannabinoid naturally produced by cannabis-related plants, hemp, and marijuana. Hemp was approved for commercial production of CBD since it naturally contains low levels of THC. However, some states approve the use of marijuana for hemp production so long as it contains low levels of THC, that is, not more than 0.3% of THC. CBD is highly favored over THC as ongoing research has shown that it has antipsychotic effects and portrays no potential for abuse by its users.

CBD Carrier Oils

According to Orchard et al. (2019), a carrier oil transports the active compound's contents, in this case, CBD. Carrier oils dilute essential oils in beauty products because the essential oil may be too strong. For example, a lavender reaction can cause the skin to itch, burn, or break out in blisters. Carrier oils are important for CBD because they help dissolve the molecules of the cannabinoid to be absorbed by the body. Many carrier oils are similar, but they may differ in ways important to you for various reasons. For example, most of them are nut- or plant-based, and you may be allergic to them. Orally administered oils may not have a pleasant taste; thus, using carrier oils may help dissolve some of the taste. There are numerous carrier oils such as MCT, hemp seed oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, pomegranate oil, arnica oil, and olive oil. According to Cabrera et al. (2021), MCT is regarded as one of the best carrier oils because it has numerous benefits to CBD oil.

Medium Chain Triglyceride

MCTs are a type of lipid in which three intermediate carbon length saturated fats are bound to a glycerol backbone. This structure is known as triacylglycerols or triglycerides. MCTs differ from other triacylglycerols in that each fat molecule has between six and twelve carbons. MCT absorption and transport differ from that of long-chain triglycerides (LCT). MCT and LCT are digested to their respective fatty acids within the gastrointestinal tract. However, LC fatty acids are repackaged as LCT into chylomicrons for transport via the lymphatic system via the peripheral circulation. Because of their shorter chain lengths, medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) do not require chylomicron formation for absorption and transport. As a result, MCFA bypasses peripheral tissues such as adipose tissue and travels directly to the liver via the portal circulation. MCT's different mode of transport from LCT allows for faster absorption and utilization. Because MCFAs are primarily oxidized by the liver for use as an energy source, they have been reported to behave more like glucose than fats (Anonymous, 2002). According to Clegg (2017), MCT can increase energy expenditure and thus benefit people who want to lose weight.

Medium Chain Triglycerides And CBD Oil

When incorporating any food supplement into your diet, it is critical to consider its bioavailability, the amount of active ingredient that will enter your bloodstream. CBD is frequently broken down by the liver before it can be used by the body. If you consume CBD, only 4 to 20% will enter your bloodstream, taking up to two hours. However, this is still a popular way to consume CBD. It is still used because:

• It is easy to consume CBD, and it can be easily added to food or drink.
• When CBD is ingested, the effect is often prolonged.
• Taking CBD in this manner eliminates the need to carry additional items such as vaporizers.

Because ingestion is the preferred method for many CBD users, there has been much research into improving its efficiency. When CBD and other cannabinoids are combined with fats, the amount of CBD and other cannabinoids that reach your bloodstream increases. MCT oil is especially effective at this. Because CBD is fat-soluble, MCT acts as a carrier to keep it from breaking down in the digestive system. This allows more CBD to enter your bloodstream than if you took the CBD orally.

Advantages of MCT Oil As a Carrier Oil

Yassin & Robinson (2019) suggested that MCT Oil aids in the rapid metabolization of CBD by avoiding the normal digestive process. This causes the active compound to degrade when it reaches the liver. Instead, CBD is absorbed directly through the gut wall, retaining a greater proportion of its original potency. As a result, CBD is distributed more quickly and more effectively throughout the body. With MCT Oil, a higher concentration of CBD is absorbed and, inevitably, used by the body rather than being lost to the complexities of digestion. Other carrier oils combined with CBD include hemp seed oil, grape seed oil, olive oil, and vegetable glycerin, but none contain comparable MCTs levels. MCT oil is effective, has no discernible flavor, and extends the shelf-life of your favorite CBD Tincture.

Sources of MCT Oil

MCT oil is typically derived from coconut or palm kernel oil and is created by extracting pure MCTs from the whole food. MCT oil is primarily derived from coconut oil, but palm kernel oil is also widely used, accounting for nearly 34% of MCT oil production. Consumers frequently mix up MCT oil and coconut oil, but coconut oil contains all four types of MCTs and other fats. In contrast, MCT oil only contains MCTs and no other types of fat.

Conclusion

MCT oils are great carrier oils when paired with CBD as they increase the bioavailability of CBD to the body. MCTs are from unsaturated fats that contain short chains of carbon atoms, making them light and easily absorbed by the body. They are a perfect pairing with CBD as it is made up of long-chain fatty acid molecules. Therefore, they easily combine. In addition, MCT is a great way to enhance the benefits of CBD as they are useful in weight loss since they are easily metabolized by the body.

References

Cabrera, C. L. R., Keir-Rudman, S., Horniman, N., Clarkson, N., & Page, C. (2021). The Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Cannabidiol And Cannabigerol Alone, And In Combination. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 69, 102047.

Clegg, M. E. (2017). They Say Coconut Oil Can Aid Weight Loss, But Can It Really?. European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, 71(10), 1139-1143.

Orchard, A., Kamatou, G., Viljoen, A. M., Patel, N., Mawela, P., & Vuuren, S. F. V. (2019). The Influence Of Carrier Oils On The Antimicrobial Activity And Cytotoxicity Of Essential Oils. Evidence-Based Complementary And Alternative Medicine, 2019.

Yassin, M., Oron, A., & Robinson, D. (2019). Effect Of Adding Medical Cannabis To Analgesic Treatment In Patients With Low Back Pain Related To Fibromyalgia: An

Observational Cross-Over Single Centre Study. Clin Exp Rheumatol, 37(Suppl 116), S13-20.