Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces organic cream cheese
• 4 ounces organic butter (grass-fed)
• 1 1/2 – 2 cups keto powdered sweetener
• 1 scoop Keto Zone® MCT Oil Powder (Pumpkin Spice)

Instructions: 

1. Set the cream cheese and butter on counter and allow to warm to room temperature.
2. Using a hand mixer, beat all ingredients until smooth. Add a bit of water or almond milk, as needed, to get to desired consistency.
3. Adjust sweetener to preference.
4. Enjoy on pies, breads, desserts, or in coffee!

Nutrition info (per 2 tablespoons): 90 calories, 10 grams fat, 7 grams saturated fat, 1 grams net carbohydrates, (1 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber), 1 grams protein

7 PROVEN BENEFITS OF MCT OIL POWDER

1. Supports Healthy Heart and Cardiovascular Function

Medium-chain triglycerides in MCT oil have been shown to improve cholesterol profiles by decreasing LDL cholesterol, decreasing the number of LDL particles, and increasing HDL cholesterol (1, 2).

There are three primary ways MCT oil improves cardiovascular health.

First, MCTs improve cholesterol profiles by decreasing LDL (bad cholesterol) while increasing HDL (good cholesterol). In turn, this improves the total cholesterol ratio.

In one recent study, 17 overweight women were given MCTs for 27 days.  When tested, their LDL cholesterol decreased, HDL increased, cholesterol ratio improved, and plasma glutathione increased (a powerful natural antioxidant). Researchers stated that their cardiovascular risk profile was improved (3).

In another 2018 study, 96 adults consumed butter, coconut oil, or olive oil. When tested, LDL remained unchanged with coconut oil and olive oil. HDL significantly increased with coconut oil. This change improved the cholesterol profile in the coconut oil group (4).

2. Fights Inflammatory Responses

Inflammation is at the center of most chronic diseases, and is linked to heart disease, diabetes, cognitive degeneration, and more.

MCTs can reduce inflammation in the body. In 2014, 30 adults with high cholesterol and inflammation consumed MCTs for 30 days. When retested, scientists found significant reductions in LDL, increases in HDL, and reductions in C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation) (5).

3. Supports Brain Health, Energy and Focus

When you’re in ketosis, and you consume MCT oil, your body is able to produce increased ketones.

Currently, scientists are studying the effects of ketones, like those from MCTs, in preserving healthy brains and inhibiting degradation from aging (6).

Additionally, researchers have found that ketones are usable fuel for the brain in those with Alzheimer’s disease, similar to young healthy brains. (7). In Alzheimer’s disease, there’s an impairment in the use of glucose by the brain. Utilizing ketones in the brain rather than glucose may result in memory improvements and brain function (8).

Here’s what researchers found: Ketones are associated with many benefits, including reduced brain degradation from aging and improved brain function (9).

4. Promotes Healthy Weights

Amazingly, MCTs can promote healthy weights and BMIs. This is great news since even moderate weight loss can improve cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugars, and inflammation.

What’s more, since MCTs and fats, in general, improve satiety you also won’t feel too hungry even while trying to lose weight (10, 11).

5. Encourages Optimal Blood Sugars

MCTs can improve blood sugars and decrease insulin output, thereby improving health and fat metabolism (12).

In fact, MCTs can help reduce the risk of diabetes by:

• Decreasing insulin resistance
• Providing an alternate energy source to carbohydrates
• Preserving beta-cell health (decline in these cells contributes to diabetes)
• Promoting weight loss

In one recent study, scientists concluded that MCT oils provided benefit to beta cells in both mice and humans. One key to combating diabetes is improving the health of these cells (13).

Additionally, a 2016 animal study showed that MCTs improved both insulin resistance and inflammation. (14).

While more human studies are needed, MCT oil powder is a promising supplement to help improve diabetes outcomes.

6. Supports Healthy Digestion

Amazingly, MCTs can fight unhealthy yeasts while supporting an increase in healthy bacteria and absorption in the digestive tract (15). Unhealthy yeasts plague many people and cause a myriad of digestive and health issues.

Digestive diseases can affect the body in many ways, including:

• Poor absorption, stunted growth, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and low energy
• Direct digestive symptoms such as constipation, bloated, and cramping
• Declining digestive tissues with the risk of ulcers, hemorrhoids, decreased healthy bacteria growth, fungus and yeast overgrowth, and diverticular diseases

MCT oil powder eases digestion, since bile isn’t needed to digest MCTs. In fact, MCTs go from the intestines directly to the liver, and the body quickly uses them as energy or storage. MCTs can nourish those who can’t digest nutrients well.

In one 2018 study, MCT supplementation decreased intestinal candida overgrowth in preterm infants. The candida decreased during supplementation, then increased again once it was stopped (16).

MCTs can improve healthy bacteria levels, fat-soluble vitamin absorption, and energy metabolism (17).

7. Promotes Youthful Energy and Athletic Performance

If you’re looking for a fuel that increases energy, MCTs are one such fuel. Once delivered to the liver from the intestines, MCTs increase energy output in the mitochondria, which are the energy producers in cells (18).

In addition, athletes typically look for ways to decrease lactate levels. When recreational athletes consumed MCTs, they experienced lower lactate levels during moderate and intense workouts than they did with other fats. This may lead to improved endurance and performance (19).

Other researchers found that MCTs reduce high-temperature exercise performance issues and improve overall performance (20).

BOTTOM LINE

It’s never a bad time to add more pumpkin spice to your life. Enjoy our delicious Keto Zone® Pumpkin Spice MCT Oil Powder with these 3 recipes this year. And, let us know your favorite ways to enjoy it!