Coconut oil, avocado oil, sesame seed oil – MCT oil? Most cooking oils come from plants and seeds, but we've never heard of an MCT plant before. Show
Technically, MCT isn't a plant but it does come from coconut and palm plants. If we're getting scientific, Mary Onwuka, a physician at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, says MCTs are saturated fatty acids known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). What exactly is MCT oil?MCT oil is a commercially made oil derived from palm and coconut and is high in good saturated fat. You can cook with it or bake with it as you do most oils. It can be used in marinades, baked goods, salad dressings, smoothies, coffee and other foods. As with any oil, check the specifications of its smoking point, which will give you a better idea of how to best use the oil. Isn't MCT oil just coconut oil?Although there are MCTs in coconut oil, coconut oil isn't the same as MCT oil. MCT oil is easier to digest and more easily absorbed than coconut oil. What are the benefits?According to a 2018 study published in the National Institutes of Health, MCT oil has beneficial effects on exercise performance and plays a role in weight loss and decreasing abdominal obesity. MCT oil has started to pop up in commercial products such as coffee and smoothies and has been touted as an energy booster and fat burner. Cara Harbstreet, a registered dietitian and blogger, said that MCTs are generally used to help critically-ill patients absorb nutrition through their intestines, by athletes to burn fat instead of carbs and for epilepsy management. How do you use MCT oil?"It’s colorless and bland in flavor, and since it’s liquid at room temperature, it’s an easy ingredient to add to recipes," said Harbstreet. The possibilities are basically endless: You can put it in food or drinks or drop some directly on your tongue. Onwuka says that MCT oil is used by people on a ketogenic diet as a source of fatty acids. "MCT oil improves mood and cognitive function because it is easily absorbed and utilized by the brain, which can be helpful in Alzheimer’s dementia," said Onwuka. "MCT oil improves heart health by decreasing the occurrence of metabolic syndrome and diabetes through improved metabolism, weight control and decreased inflammation." What are the side effects of MCT oil?Be careful though – just because MCT oil is a wellness supplement doesn't mean there aren't any side effects. Onwuka says that taking MCT oil can have negative gastrointestinal effects and can increase headaches and worsen anxiety. The doctor warns pregnant and nursing women against taking the supplement as she says the effects are not fully clear yet. "Patients with uncontrolled diabetes should avoid taking MCT oil because of increased formation of ketones, which can worsen complications," said Onwuka. "Patients with liver disease like cirrhosis should also avoid taking it since MCTs are primarily metabolized in the liver." MCT oil is a liquid fat produced by refining raw coconut or palm oil. This process removes and concentrates the MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) naturally found in the source material and provides more of the benefits specific to MCTs (increased ketone production, metabolism, and mental clarity). Regular coconut oil does provide some of these benefits, albeit at a reduced level, but due to the other types of fats found in coconut oil, it is more suitable for high-heat culinary applications. In this post you will learn:
 What are MCTs?First off, it's important to understand that both coconut oil and MCT oil contain MCTs, also known as medium chain triglycerides. There are four types of MCTs: capronic acid (C6), caprylic acid (C8), capric acid (C10), and lauric acid (C12). Each of these fatty acids has its own unique benefits ranging from energy to boosting metabolism, to antimicrobial properties. (If you really want to nerd out on these differences, check out this article) It's the different ratios of these MCTs in coconut oil and MCT oil that really set them apart. What is Coconut Oil?Mixing fragrant coconut oil into everything from your baked goods to soups to coffee certainly isn’t new. Plenty of cultures have understood the benefits of coconut oil on some level for centuries. Coconut oil is the oil extracted from the kernel of the coconut. This oil can be extracted in various ways, including refined and unrefined methods. Coconut oil is packed with healthy fats, more than 50% of which are MCTs. However, the ratio of MCTs in coconut is highly in favor of lauric acid (C12), giving it powerful antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. While some people are still scared of saturated fat, it’s becoming more commonly accepted that coconut oil isn’t just safe; it’s good for us. Coconut’s many benefits, including its antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial properties include:
What is MCT Oil?MCT products are purified extractions of coconut oil, ensuring they contain a higher concentration of diverse MCTs (such as C8 and C10) than coconut oil does. This concentrated form of fats proves to be a highly efficient source of energy. Typically, the MCTs found in MCT oil bypass the normal fat digestion and head straight to the liver where they are quickly metabolized by the body and converted into energy, providing increased energy levels and fat burning properties through supporting the production of ketone bodies, making it the popular choice for people following the keto diet. MCT Oil also has a far more discrete taste, making it the perfect addition to your favorite sauces, soups, smoothies, and even baked goods. It’s also a popular addition to coffee and tea to help you stave off cravings and help promote fat loss! MCT oil benefits and uses:
How to Choose Between MCT Oil and Coconut OilIf you’re looking to boost fat loss and cognitive function quickly, a daily dose of MCT oil is the way to go. The concentrated MCTs in MCT oil or MCT Creamer will definitely give you more bang for your buck than coconut oil. And it’s easier for your body to break down and use. When purchasing MCT oil, always be sure to find products with high-quality ingredients, that contain no palm oil, are free from artificial colors and flavors, and contain pure-expeller pressed coconut oil. But that doesn’t mean you should throw out your coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil is still a great source of healthy fats and tastes great in cooking and baking. You just won’t get the concentrated amount of fat-burning, brain-boosting fatty acids that you will in a tablespoon or so of MCT oil. If you’re looking for creative and easy ways to incorporate MCT oil into your daily routine, check out 9 Surprising Ways to Use MCT Oil! Is coconut oil better for you than MCT oil?MCT oil and coconut oil can both be beneficial — but for different uses. MCT oil is a concentrated source of 100% MCTs that's more effective at boosting weight loss and energy production — especially if you're following a keto diet — than coconut oil. Meanwhile, coconut oil has an MCT content of about 54%.
What do doctors say about MCT oil?MCT oil has been shown to support weight and fat loss. This may, in turn, help reduce your risk for heart disease ( 1 ). A study of 24 overweight men found that taking MCT oil combined with phytosterols and flaxseed oil for 29 days reduced total cholesterol by 12.5%.
Is MCT oil like coconut oil?Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil and coconut oil are two oils that have a variety of uses. Although similar, MCT oil and coconut oil both have their own benefits and health risks. MCT oil is a concentration of MCTs from one of several sources, while coconut oil comes from coconuts and contains a good source of MCTs.
Can coconut oil replace MCT oil?While coconut oil isn't a pure source of medium-chain triglycerides (because it also contains LCTs), it may serve as a good replacement for supporting weight loss and overall health. However, keep in mind that MCT oil is best for speeding up nutritional ketosis.
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Mct oil vs coconut oil: the truth exposed
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