Watanabe S, Tsujino S. Applications of medium-chain triglycerides in foods. Front Nutr. 2022;9:802805. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.802805 What’s more, one animal study found that administering MCT oil to mice fed a high-fat diet helped protect against insulin resistance and inflammation ( 33 ). Our bodies mostly use MCTs as fuel because it can be absorbed into the bloodstream and converted into energy easily. Is MCT oil the same as coconut oil?

An analysis of 29 studies found an association between MCTs and lower calorie intake. People consuing MCTs had a moderately lower calorie intake when compared to people consuming LCTs ( 6). There doesn’t seem to be many negative consequences of taking MCT oil. Just remember to start off with a low dose and gradually increase to see how your body responds Han FY, Conboy‐Schmidt L, Rybachuk G, et al. Dietary medium chain triglycerides for management of epilepsy: New data from human, dog, and rodent studies. Epilepsia. 2021;62(8):1790-1806. doi:10.1111/epi.16972

References

An analysis of 16 clinical trials found that coconut oil significantly increased “bad” LDL cholesterol compared to non-tropical vegetable oils ( 54).

The shorter the carbon chain (6 carbons vs. 12 carbons, for instance), the less work it takes your body to process and utilize the energy. For example, lauric acid has 12 carbons and takes longer to process than caprylic acid, which has six. Pre- and post-workout shakes and smoothies. Improve your performance by adding one serving size of MCTs to your pre- and post-workout drinks. You’ll have the energy you need to power through your workout. Caprylic acid has impressive antibacterial and antifungal benefits that can aid digestive issues, accelerate weight loss, and clear acne. Read on to discover seven powerful ways C8 could benefit you! 1. Fights Fungal & Bacterial Infections Although studies show that higher saturated fat intake isn’t associated with an increased risk of heart disease, it may be tied to several heart disease risk factors, including higher levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and apolipoprotein B ( 28, 29, 30).The most critical sign of a C8 MCT oil’s quality is when there’s proof of third-party testing. (In fact, we take this so seriously, you can view our third-party test results right here!)

Increase fullness. One study found that compared with LCTs, MCTs resulted in greater increases in peptide YY and leptin, two hormones that help reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness ( 13). It’s important to remember that MCTs are not a replacement for prescription medications or medical treatments. You shouldn’t start taking any supplements without speaking with your doctor first. Epilepsy Studies have shown that MCT oil and a ketogenic diet may help manage conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism ( 26). One of the benefits of MCT oil is that it has almost zero taste or odour, so you could just take it by the spoonful – but where’s the fun in that! Setting high standards for the C8 MCT oil you choose ensures you’re giving your body the highest quality food possible. Not only could this help you achieve your metabolism-boosting and energy-increasing goals faster, but it could also prevent the unpleasant side-effects that come with the toxins potentially present in lower quality brands that cut corners.

How to use MCT oil for weight loss

However, note that most of the research on MCTs and immune support has been conducted via in-vitro or animal studies. High-quality human studies are needed before stronger conclusions can be made. Summary Overall, the evidence is limited to short studies with small sample sizes, so more research is needed. SUMMARY