Summary
Elizabeth Benton answers listener questions in a Q&A format covering MCT oil and acne, mindset and self-talk, coffee toxins, chewing and spitting food, fasted morning workouts, and intermittent fasting duration. The MCT oil segment addresses a listener who developed acne after switching from coconut oil to pure MCT oil in her coffee, with Benton suggesting the acne may be linked to losing the antibacterial properties of coconut oil rather than MCT oil itself causing breakouts. Benton notes that 80% of the fat in coconut oil is MCTs, so switching back to coconut oil still provides the MCT benefits while retaining the antibacterial component. The episode also touches on intermittent fasting and pre-workout nutrition, emphasizing that the ideal fasting length is whatever makes you feel best and perform at your highest intensity.
Key Points
- Switching from coconut oil to pure MCT oil may cause acne due to losing the antibacterial properties of coconut oil, not from the MCTs themselves
- 80% of the fat in coconut oil is MCTs, so coconut oil still provides substantial MCT benefits
- Pure MCT oil is the type of fat found predominantly in coconut oil but lacks the additional antibacterial elements
- The ideal intermittent fasting length is whatever makes you feel best and allows peak workout intensity
- Pre-workout nutrition doesn't have to be immediately before exercise; evening carbs can fuel morning workouts via muscle glycogen
- Negative self-talk creates self-fulfilling prophecies: "when you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them"
Key Moments
MCT oil and acne - losing coconut oil's antibacterial properties
Elizabeth Benton addresses a listener who developed acne after switching from coconut oil to pure MCT oil in coffee. She suggests the acne is likely linked to losing the antibacterial component of coconut oil rather than MCT oil itself causing breakouts. She notes 80% of coconut oil's fat is MCTs, so switching back provides the same MCT benefits plus antibacterial protection.
"coconut naturally contains antibacterial elements. So, while the MCT oil might not be generating acne, the removal of the antibacterial component of the coconut oil, because she stopped using coconut oil and switched to just pure MCTs, which is not coconut oil. It's the type of fat found predominantly in coconut oil."
