How to Find the Best MCT Oil for Brain & Body-Boosting Benefits

Everyone’s talking about MCT Oil these days – so we’re here to tell you if it’s worth all the hype. If you or someone you know is following a low-carb or keto diet, chances are you’ve at least heard of MCT Oil – a highly-concentrated, super-charged oil that contains most of the “good stuff” in coconut oil. It’s not only a hot new “it” health product, but it’s become a bit of a buzzword, too…

So, what is MCT Oil? And how does it differ from coconut oil – which also carries a ton of health benefits? And most importantly, how do you find the best MCT Oil to support your ultimate wellness goals (and avoid the not-so-great ones)?

Let’s start with what exactly this healthy fat is, and where you can find it…

What Is MCT Oil?

MCT Oil is a health supplement that contains a ton of beneficial fats. These fats are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Studies show that MCTs may offer both glowing health and weight loss benefits. (1)

While most of the other fats in your diet contain long-chain fatty acids, MCTs have a shorter chain. This allows them to break down and absorb into the body quicker – becoming an instant source of energy.

MCTs head straight to the liver once in your body, where they turn into ketones. (6) This provides an awesome source of energy for your body and brain, instead of the usual glucose. It’s thought by keto-enthusiasts that ketones are a superior source of “fuel”, leading to clear thinking and boundless energy.

Where Can You Find MCTs?

The best place to get MCTs is through a high-quality MCT Oil supplement (we’ll go into that a bit more later). But there are other places you can find it, just in smaller amounts. (2)

You can find MCTs in:

• Coconut oil (55-60% MCTs)
• Palm kernel oil (more than 50% MCTs)
• Dairy products (10-12% MCTs)

Consuming coconut oil is one of the best ways to get MCTs. But it won’t give you 100% MCTs as a supplement will, and here’s why…

MCT vs Coconut Oil

There are tons of benefits to consuming coconut oil, which is why it’s great for a healthy diet! But when it comes to MCTs, coconut oil contains only about 55-60% MCTs. MCT oil, on the other hand, is 100% MCTs (if you get one of the best MCT Oil supplements).  (3)

Additionally, there are different types of MCTs, and coconut oil contains all four of them. However, it’s thought that two of them are the most efficient MCTs (caprylic and capric acid). The best MCT oils will contain large doses of these and small doses of the other MCTs…

Types of MCTs:

• C6 – Caproic acid
• C8 – Caprylic acid (found in large doses in MCT oil)
• C10 – Capric acid (found in large doses in MCT oil)
• C12 – Lauric acid

Coconut oil is mostly made up of lauric acid, with a smaller percentage of the other MCTs. For this reason, it takes longer to digest and won’t give you the quick burst of energy that MCT oil will.

Plus, caprylic acid (C8) and capric acid (C10) are the MCTs that go directly to the liver where they’re metabolized into ketones.

MCT Oil Benefits

Now the fun part… more benefits of these “seemingly magical” MCTs! We discussed how MCTs (particularly C8 and C10) become a source of fast fuel for your body and brain, but what else can they do? (4)

1. Promote Weight Loss

Helps keep you full– MCT Oil promotes the release of two satiety hormones in your body: peptide YY and leptin. This helps you feel more satisfied after consumption.

Reduces body weight & waist circumference– This oil also has 10% fewer calories than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) found in other sources of good fats such as olive oil, nuts, and avocados. Plus, since your body uses MCTs as instant energy, it doesn’t store them as fat. So MCT Oil helps increase fat burning! And MCT Oil reviews show that the supplement does work to help some people lose weight.

2. Supports Great Gut Health

MCT Oil helps boost the growth of “good”, beneficial bacteria in your gut, also called probiotics. It also helps support your gut lining. This promotes enhanced digestive, immune, and overall health, along with weight loss.

3. May Reduce Heart Disease Risk Factors

Taking MCT Oil may reduce your risk of heart disease since it can help improve your weight and cholesterol levels and could help reduce inflammation. Studies have shown that people who regularly consumed MCT Oil had reductions in LDL or “bad” cholesterol and increases in HDL or “good” cholesterol.

MCT Oil Uses

MCT Oil is very versatile, so you can consume it in different ways. It’s a clear liquid that’s odorless and has a light, almost flavorless taste. The most popular way to ingest it is to put MCT Oil in your coffee or a smoothie. You could also add it to salad dressings and other foods, or even take it straight by the tablespoon.

However, because it’s unrefined and has a low smoke point, you don’t want to cook with MCT oil, or heat it up at all. If you do this it may become rancid and unhealthy.

How Much MCT Oil Should You Have per Day?

As for the dosage, you want to start small, with about half a tablespoon to see how your system responds. Then, gradually work your way up to 1-3 tablespoons. However, it’s not recommended to go beyond that amount in a day, since the oil is still calorie-dense. You also want to start smaller to avoid potential side effects (more on that in a second).

But first, here are two recipe ideas to get your daily dose of MCT Oil…

Delicious MCT Oil Recipes

Bulletproof Coffee

Butter and oil in coffee?! Yup! It’s believed that this spin on your morning cup of joe gives you the perfect mix of good fats combined with caffeine. This creates a powerful boost for your body and mind that can keep you energized and focused for hours.

Ingredients:

• 1 or 2 cups of coffee (whatever strength brew you like)
• 1-2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter
• 1-3 tablespoons of MCT Oil
• Optional: Add 1 scoop of collagen powder or other low-carb protein powder for an extra protein boost!

Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients into a blender, blend until frothy and enjoy!

MCT-Infused Power Smoothie

Meal replacement shakes are a quick and easy way to get the nutrients your body needs. This includes protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and more, promoting a healthy lifestyle and weight management. Make it even more satisfying (and keto-friendly) with MCT Oil.

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop of high-quality, low-carb meal replacement powder full of clean and nutritious ingredients (give our #1 top-rated shake a try!)
• 1-3 tablespoons MCT Oil
• 12-16 ounces of water or low-fat milk
• Optional: Add fruits and veggies (low-carb options if you’re following keto) and other healthy ingredients with it into a blender and blend until smooth

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into a Shaker Cup, shake and enjoy!

MCT Oil Potential Side Effects

With any new food that you introduce into your body, you want to take it slow so your digestive system has time to adjust. When it comes to MCT Oil, if you go too fast with the introduction you may experience some side effects such as:

• Nausea
• Gas
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Or cramping

Also, don’t take it for the first time on an empty stomach. And make sure you mix it with a beverage or food instead of taking it straight until your body gets used to it.

Who Should Not Have MCT Oil?

If you fall into any of the following categories, you should check with a doctor before consuming MCT Oil, or avoid drinking it completely: (5)

• Pregnant or nursing: We don’t know enough about the safety of regular MCT Oil use while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it may be best to avoid it.
• Diabetes: Some sources show that high levels of ketones in the blood (brought on by MCTs) could be unsafe for some people with diabetes.
• Liver problems: MCTs are primarily processed by the liver. So this can cause issues for anyone with cirrhosis or other liver problems. 

Finding the Best MCT Oil

Now that you know all about MCTs and MCT Oil, you need to make sure you pick the right MCT Oil product. Unfortunately, there are some impostors on the scene! From all the info you learned in this article, here are the key takeaways of what you want in an effective MCT supplement:

1. 100% Pure MCT Oil

You want it to come from coconut oil and contain a large dose of C8 (caprylic acid) and C10 (capric acid) with low doses of C6 (caproic acid) and lauric acid.

Unfortunately, many companies use a blend of oils, combining coconut oil with cheaper palm kernel oil. And some will include large amounts of lauric acid. This reduces the quality of the more efficient MCTs.

2. Clean, High-Quality Oil

You want an MCT Oil that’s extracted with excellent quality control and without solvents. In other words, you want it to be free from fillers, additives, and flavorings, with a neutral smell and taste. (Our #1 rated Shake 310 has a positively reviewed and high-quality MCT Oil!)

3. Avoid Chemicals

Finally, you want to ensure that the extraction process and the final product are both free of chemicals. Look for an MCT Oil with a BPA-free bottle, and check how it was manufactured. Many MCT Oils are made using a refining process requiring the use of chemicals. These may include hexane, along with various enzymes and combustion chemicals, like sodium methoxide. You want a product that doesn’t use harsh chemicals for extraction and is hexane-free.

We hope after reading this article on MCTs you’re motivated to go out and find the best MCT Oil for you! Make sure you check out our in-depth meal replacement shake reviews on this site, so you can also find your perfect health-boosting match.

Sources:

1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mct-oil-101#section2
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/medium-chain-triglyceride
3. https://perfectketo.com/mct-oil/#5
4. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mct-oil-benefits#section6
5. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-915/medium-chain-triglycerides-mcts
6. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/qa/what-are-ketones