MCT vs Coconut oil

What is MCT oil?

We all know MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil is a dietary supplement, if you didn’t, now you do.

MCT is made up of MCT fats, which are fats that can also be found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and dairy products.

MCT oil is mainly used by people looking to lose weight, boost their energy levels during a workout or intake more fats due to their Keto lifestyle.

What are MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) and what makes them a better choice over other fats?

Let’s get a little scientific here.

Fats are made up of chains of carbon (C) atoms, and most of the fats in a person’s diet are made up of approximately 3 to 21 of these atoms. These are called long-chain fatty acids.

Where as, short-chain fatty acids are made up of 6 or fewer carbon (C) atoms.

MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) sit in the middle of the other two types (C6-C12) They are of medium length and are made up of 6 to 12 carbon (C) atoms.

MCTs are found in coconut oil and are processed by the body in a different way to long-chain fatty acids. Unlike other fats, they go straight from the gut to the liver. From here, they are used as a source of energy or turned into ketones.

When the liver breaks down a lot of fat it produces Ketones. These are then used by the brain for Energy (ATP) instead of glucose or sugar.

Because of the way MCTs are metabolized they are less likely to be stored as fat. Many have great success losing weight on a Ketogenic diet.

My Coconut oil supplement says MCT oil on the label is that good enough?

So many coconut oils are advertised and are labeled MCT oil. Unfortunately you won’t be getting enough of the quality MCTs you are looking for in coconut oil. You would find the shorter chain MCTs and lots of the cheaper but ineffective lauric acid(C12). (See the diagram above)

Lauric acid is actually considered to be more of a LCT (Long Chain Triglyceride) than a MCT so you won’t get that fast ketone energy then you would from a true MCT source.

How does a true quality MCT oil get processed in the body?

Well once the MCTs are consumed they're very quickly converted into energy to fuel your brain and body instead of requiring the liver to process it. Therefore, Lauric acid even though labels will list it as an MCT because chemically it is, but it truly isn’t because of the way our bodies process it (gets processed through the liver).

So how does BulletProof Brain Octane (C8) MCT Oil compare to Coconut oil (MCT) supplement 🥥?

First and most importantly it has some awesome potent anti-microbial properties to help maintain a healthy microbiom (gut flora) and it is the fastest to metabolize into energy for your brain. Our liver does not need to process caprylic acid (Brain Octane), and it only takes a few steps for your body to turn it into ATP (energy batteries) fuel. This is why Brain Octane is my go to while I fast because it suppresses my cravings and is the most powerful oil that complements my morning Bulletproof Coffee beautifully without the crash.

FUN FACT

Did you know you need about 18 that’s right 18!!! tablespoons of coconut oil to get just obtain the benefits of just ONE tablespoon of Brain Octane MCT oil.

Yuck!!!!! NO thank you! Pass the Brain Octane please!