MCT Oil
What is MCT oil? You may have come across it in the Bulletproof coffee recipe and wondered what it’s all about. We love adding MCT oil to coffee because it acts like a natural energy booster that can help kickstart your day. But there’s so much more to MCT oil benefits than quick energy.
Understanding MCT oil’s potential benefits can help you optimize your wellness plan. Whether you want to know how MCT oil can benefit your workout, how it works with keto or how it can support your mental focus, we’ve got you covered. The more you know, the better you can craft a tailored approach to your health that works for your mind and body.
Get ready to learn about MCT oil and its science-backed benefits. We’ll dive into the Bulletproof approach to MCT oil and how we produce it based on strict testing standards. We’ll also share recipes that use MCT oil and common MCT oil questions and answers. Without further ado, let’s take a look at everything MCT oil has to offer.
What Is MCT Oil?
MCT is short for medium-chain triglyceride. MCT oil is a type of dietary fat that contains medium-length chains of fatty acids. Unlike long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), found in most foods, MCTs metabolize differently in the body. MCTs absorb fast and go straight to the liver, where they can be quickly converted into energy or ketones.1 MCT oil is a great source of quick fuel, especially if you’re following a keto diet.
MCT Oil Benefits
How does MCT oil support your health? Here are a few ways it can make a difference in fueling your day.
Quick Energy
MCT oil turns into energy fast because it’s easily absorbed by the body and goes straight to the liver. There, it’s transformed into ketones, which the body and brain can use right away for a quick energy boost.2
Brain Power
MCTs can cross the blood-brain barrier and be used as fuel by the brain. This could enhance memory and cognition, helping you optimize your mental focus.3
Gut Health
MCT oil supports gut health. It provides readily absorbed fats that can enhance nutrient absorption. It also promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. MCT oil’s antimicrobial properties also help maintain a balanced gut microbiome. This potentially reduces the risk of digestive issues and supports gut function.4
Increased Satiety
MCT oil can help you feel full, potentially reducing how much you eat. Plus, MCTs have been shown to increase calorie expenditure and fat oxidation, which may contribute to weight loss and fat loss over time.5
In addition to these known benefits, researchers keep finding new and exciting ways that MCT oil can help your well-being. In the next section, we explore recent scientific studies that spotlight MCT oil.
The Science-Backed Benefits of MCT Oil
Learn more about the science-backed benefits of MCT oil:
A recent study found that MCT oil could improve walking balance in healthy older adults. Participants were randomly assigned to take MCT oil or a placebo for three months. The study found that people who used MCT oil had better balance than the control group.6
Another scientific study highlights how MCT oil can improve brain health.7 Researchers studied 39 participants who took MCT oil for 6 months. The researchers tested participants’ cognition, plasma ketone response and metabolic profile. The participants who took the supplement did better on memory, language and attention tests compared to the placebo. More research could determine whether MCT can help slow some neurodegenerative diseases.
Finally, MCT might help maintain or increase muscle strength in sedentary middle-aged and older adults.8 The study divided participants into groups taking different amounts of MCTs and compared them to a control. After 12 weeks, they found that all MCT groups showed increased knee extension strength compared to the control. These research findings suggest that MCT oil could be a great diet addition for people looking to stay strong as they age.
Research on MCT oil is ongoing, but we’re already convinced it can play an important role in the Bulletproof diet.
The Bulletproof Approach to MCT Oil
At Bulletproof, we value nutrient-dense foods and supplements that can help you optimize your body and mind. We believe it’s important to avoid sugars in processed foods and most grains to support mental clarity and energy levels. We prioritize healthy fats, proteins and vegetables and limit carbs. Through a keto diet, we want to help you enhance your performance.
MCT oil helps support ketosis for increased fat-burning and energy production. That’s why we love to add it to everything from smoothies to salad dressings. MCT oil and keto make a great pair.
How to use MCT oil? It has a low smoke point, meaning it can’t withstand high temperatures without breaking down and producing harmful compounds. MCT oil is best used for low-heat cooking methods at temperatures below 320°F (160°C), as a finishing oil or as an add-in supplement to drinks.
Spotlight on MCT Oil
MCT oil is a fantastic addition to the Bulletproof diet and other types of keto diets. This is because it is a beneficial fat source that rapidly converts into ketones, providing you with a quick energy boost. As you already know, we add it to Bulletproof Coffee, a staple in our diet, to help you kickstart your day.
Our MCT oil derives from coconuts, but only a small part, about 7%, of coconut oil consists of C8 fatty acids. We use these C8 fatty acids to make Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil. C8 means that the MCTs contain fatty acids with eight carbons, known as caprylic acid. Research suggests this is the most ketogenic type of fatty acid.9 This means it is converted into ketones by the liver more efficiently than other types of fatty acids, making it a great fuel source for your brain.
We produce MCT oil using strict ingredient sourcing and composition testing standards. We want to make sure you are getting the best quality supplement, with proven efficacity and safety.
Our Supplement Testing Standards
We want to help you feel your best with top-quality products that deliver. We only use pure ingredients with no GMOs, soy, gluten or artificial additives. You can trust our products to do what they say they do.
We choose ingredients based on scientific research and the latest peer-reviewed journals. We use traditional and scientifically proven ingredients and have strict sourcing standards.
Our supplements go through four layers of extensive testing carried out by third-party labs. The first step in testing supplements like MCT oil involves checking that all ingredients are present and not diluted. Then, we make sure they’re pure and don’t have any harmful contaminants in them. After that, we check if they have the right amount of active ingredients as written on the label. The last step is to make sure the supplement meets all the label specifications. This helps us make sure our supplements are safe, work well and have the correct information on the label.
Do these testing procedures take more time? Yes. But we stand by our commitment to uncompromising quality. We make informed decisions using unbiased and accurate results.
Recipes for MCT Oil
There are so many ways you can incorporate MCT oil into your diet. From breakfast smoothies to decadent desserts, discover some of our most popular recipes for MCT oil.
MCT Oil Salad Dressings: Creamy Basil Vinaigrette
32 MCT Oil Recipes That Can Fit Any Diet
Chopped Spring Salad With Herb-Infused MCT Oil Dressing
Avocado-Cucumber MCT Oil Salad Dressing
Bulletproof Guacamole with Brain Octane MCT Oil
Roasted Butternut Squash
Slow-Baked Salmon and Veggie Bowl
Keto Chocolate Ice Cream
Keto Ranch Dressing
Creamy Avocado Pesto
Campfire Keto Coconut Chai
No-Bake Pumpkin Spice Bliss Balls
Learn More About MCT Oil
MCT Oil Articles
What Is MCT Oil? The Ultimate Guide to MCT Oil Supplements
MCT Oil vs. MCT Oil Powder: How to Pick the Best Fat-Burning Supplement
MCT Oil vs. Coconut Oil: What’s the Difference?
MCT Oil Benefits: 5 Science-Backed Reasons to Use MCT
MCT Oil and Keto: How to Boost Ketones with Quality Fat
How MCT Oil Can Power Your Workout
The Ultimate Guide on How to Use MCT Oil for Health and Wellness
Finding The Best MCT Oil to Power Everything You Want to Do
What Is Canola Oil? What You Should Know, Plus Canola Oil Substitutes
10 Ways to Use Brain Octane Oil (and Only One is Coffee)
Is Bulletproof Coffee Good for You? Why You Want Quality Fats in Your Coffee
Save The Rainforest! Brain Octane is Palm Oil-Free
Keto-Friendly Bulletproof Coffee
How to Choose the Best Keto Creamer
6 Ways to Improve Sleep Using Food
The Keto Diet & Bodybuilding – Tips and Meal Ideas
What 20-30 Grams of Protein Looks Like for Breakfast
OMAD: Should You Do the One Meal a Day Diet?
Why Carb Cycling Can Be an Effective Strategy for Keto Dieters
16 Ideas for Delicious Bulletproof Coffee Hacks
Constantly Snacking? Nutrition Expert Shares How to Eat Mindfully
6 Common Questions About Bulletproof Coffee
What Is Bioavailability? How to Make Sure Your Supplements Actually Work
Does Bulletproof Coffee Break Your Fast? Understanding the Impact on Intermittent Fasting
Does Intermittent Fasting Help With Your Weight? What You Should Know
Bulletproof Coffee vs. Regular Coffee: Why People Are Making the Switch
4 Healthy Fats for High Heat Cooking
Kick-Start Your Day With Bulletproof Keto Creamer
New and Improved Bulletproof Collagen Protein Bars: Fewer Carbs, Less Crumbles, More Flavor
The Neuroscientific Way to Be More Bulletproof with Caffeine
What is BHB and Should You Be Taking It on Keto?
How to Boost Your Intermittent Fasting Results
Why Sushi Could Make You Fat — And What to Do About It
Bulletproof Coffee’s Benefits: How It Supercharges Your Morning
5 Ways to Stick to Your Goals This Thanksgiving (Plus, Two Recipes)
Best Keto Supplements: The Ones You Want (and Some You Can Skip)
9 Reasons You’re Not Losing Weight on Keto And How to Get Back on Track
Keto on the Go: How to Fuel Up With Bulletproof Coffee & Snacks—No Matter Where You Are
What Is the Keto Flu? What to Do When Keto Makes You Crash
Vegetarian Keto: Can Vegetarians Go Keto ?
Bulletproof Coffee Versus Fatty Coffee
7 Keto Side Effects and What to Do About Them
Hacking the Cost of the Bulletproof Diet On A Budget
The Skinny on Fat Bombs: Everything You Want to Know, Plus Recipes
Complete Beginner’s Guide To The Ketogenic Diet
13 of the Best Keto-Friendly Foods to Buy at Whole Foods
Complete Keto Food List: What to Eat on Keto
The Truth About Metabolism-Boosting Foods, According to Experts
What Are Brain Supplements? What to Know About Nootropics
10 travel hacks to stay bulletproof on the road
Inside Bulletproof: Trey Sanders, Dad of 3 and Product Developer, Talks ‘Energy You Can Feel’
The Bulletproof Guide to Supplements
How to Stock a Healthy Pantry with Long-Lasting Staples, Plus Recipes
Break Your Intermittent Fast With These 19 OMAD Recipes
Locavore 101: How to Shop, Cook and Eat Locally
9 Ways to Start Your Day With Sustained Energy
The Ultimate Bulletproof Guide to Fitness, Exercise Supplements and Recovery
10 Secrets for Success on the Bulletproof Diet
Bulletproof Diet for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started
Is Fat Good for You? Everything You Need to Know About Dietary Fats
Why Does Fat Make Food Taste So Good?
What Are Collagen Peptides? Your Complete Guide to Collagen Supplements
Rooibos Tea Benefits Weight Management, Plus 9 Other Reasons to Drink It
Himalayan Salt Benefits: Why It’s Better Than Table Salt
Mind-Body Motivation: 16 Ways to Reignite Your Routine
How to Reset Your Sleep Schedule When Your Routine Goes Out the Window
New Year New You: 8 Tips to Start the New Year Off Right
Baking With Sugar Substitutes 101: Everything You Should Know
Your Gut Bacteria Are Making You Old… And What to Do About It
Targeted Ketogenic Diet vs. Standard Keto: What’s the Difference?
What It Looks Like to Eat Vegetables With Every Meal
5 Easy Biohacks for Beauty, Detox, and Better Sleep
How to Use Cacao Butter, the Keto-Friendly Fat Your Diet Needs
How to Sleep Better: Science-Backed Sleep Hacks to Wake Up Ready to Go
#BETHEPROOF: How Bulletproof Helped Me Find My Balance
What are Macros, and Should You Count Them?
MCT Oil Recipes
MCT Oil Salad Dressings: Creamy Basil Vinaigrette
Chopped Spring Salad With Herb-Infused MCT Oil Dressing
Avocado-Cucumber MCT Oil Salad Dressing
Bulletproof Guacamole with Brain Octane MCT Oil
Slow-Baked Salmon and Veggie Bowl
No-Bake Pumpkin Spice Bliss Balls
Low-Carb Dumpling Cabbage Wraps with Black Vinaigrette
10 Best Keto Ice Cream Recipes – No Churn Required
Minty Vanilla Blueberry Popsicles
Chocolate Shake With Collagen Peptides
5 Easy Bulletproof Dinners for Delicious Lower-Carb Meals
Bulletproof Ice Cream: Creamy Coconut “Get Some” Ice Cream
Easy Keto Desserts: 16 No-Bake Recipes
Smoked Salmon and Garlic Spinach Breakfast Sandwich
Salmon Protein Bowl With Broccoli and Leeks
Bulletproof Veggie Buddha Bowl
Unfairly Simple Vodka Cocktail
Spicy Asian Meatballs With Thai Vinaigrette Dipping Sauce
Keto Coffee Recipes to Keep You Happy and Laser-Focused
How to Make Bulletproof Coffee Blocks for Busy Mornings
Break Your Fast With Quality Fats: Fuel Up With These 20 Recipes
Coconut and Lemon Sugar Cookies
Bulletproof Pumpkin Spice Latte
Paleo Cauliflower Rice Sushi Rolls
17 Sweet, Crunchy and Easy Keto Cereal Recipes
Homemade Collagen Protein Bars
Maple-Roasted Nut Mix with Turmeric and Black Pepper
Low-Carb Shrimp Pad Thai with Shirataki Noodles
Sweet Potato Salmon Avocado Toast
Keto Cinnamon Roll Protein Balls
Easy Prebiotic Bulletproof Coffee With Collagen Protein
Bacon Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
Keto Chocolate Shake With Coconut Milk
Keto Iced Coffee Protein Shake
Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Chimichurri Sauce
No-Bake Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
13 Easy Low-Carb Memorial Day Recipes
Best Foods for Gut Health: Build a Thriving Microbiome With These 12 Recipes
Carrot Cake Collagen Muffins With Cashew Icing
Gingerbread Cake With Cashew Icing
Gut-Friendly Collagen Smoothie Recipe
Best Pre- and Post-Workout Meals to Fuel Your Sweat Session
Low-Carb Angel Hair Pasta With Lemon Chicken
Bacon-Avocado Caesar Deviled Eggs
FAQs
MCT oil and coconut oil are both derived from coconuts, but they have some key differences. MCT oil is made by extracting medium-chain triglycerides from coconut oil. Coconut oil contains a mix of MCTs and other types of fats. MCT oil contains a higher concentration of specific types of MCTs, like caprylic and capric acid. Your body can quickly convert these into energy. Coconut oil contains more lauric acid, which is metabolized differently.
If you’re new to MCT oil, start with 1 tablespoon per day. You can gradually increase your dose to 2 or more tablespoons per day,10 spread out from morning until night. If you take too much, too fast, you may experience digestive discomfort. Start small and see how you feel.
MCT oil can raise ketone levels. But the body may not use these ketones as well as its main energy source during endurance exercise.11 More research is needed to understand the role of MCT oil in endurance training. That said, consuming MCT oil before exercising could help give you an initial burst of energy for your workout.
MCT oil is a natural energy booster because it’s easy for the body to digest and turn into fuel.12 It can help you lose weight by making you feel full and supporting fat burning.13 Plus, MCT oil can be beneficial for your brain function and focus because it can provide an alternative energy source to glucose.14 In summary, MCT oil can be helpful for energy, weight management and brain health.