The Ultimate Guide to MCT Oil for Brain Health: Benefits, Uses, and Best Types
- MCT oil is a dietary supplement made from medium-chain fatty acids, aka medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).
- MCT can help your body produce ketones, which serve as the primary alternative fuel source for the brain when glucose is limited.
- Studies have shown that this quality fat may benefit those with memory or cognitive conditions.
When thinking about energy, what comes to mind? It could be a cup of coffee, an energy drink or a pair of running shoes. Nevertheless, if the goal is sustained energy, it all starts with MCT oil.
MCT oil is a supplement made from medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). It helps the body produce ketones, an excellent source of brain energy.[1] They fuel the mind and body to help you stay sharp and feel focused. More ketone energy translates into more available fuel for your brain cells.
Discover how and why MCT oil can give your body a significant ketone boost to power your day.
Is MCT oil good for your brain?
Let’s talk about your brain, ketones and MCT oil. Your brain needs more energy than you’d think. It takes up roughly 2% of the body’s weight, but approximately 20% of its total energy expenditure.[2]
Your brain gets most of its energy from glucose, a simple sugar from carbohydrates. Trying to add more glucose raises your blood sugar, and what comes up must come down. “This could feel like fatigue, irritability and an inability to concentrate,” Gonzalez says. It’s like a campfire that burnt down to its embers—without a steady energy supply, your brain can’t function optimally. Enter ketone bodies.
What are Ketones?
Ketones supplement your brain and body with energy. They are an alternate form of energy naturally produced by your liver and are a readily available fuel source.[3]
Did you know you can raise your ketone levels in several ways? You can engage in a fast or, try out the keto diet.[4] Additionally, you can raise your ketones with MCT oil supplementation.
What are the Benefits of MCT Oil for Cognitive Health?
MCT and cognitive health are a perfect pair. Thanks to the keto diet’s popularity, many people know that ketones can be beneficial for memory and cognitive conditions.[5][6][7]
Also, exciting? Evidence has been found that MCT oil may help to minimize some symptoms of cognitive decline.[8] Alzheimer’s is the most common form of cognitive decline that primarily affects older adults.
It is a cognitive condition that affects a person’s memory and thinking skills.[9]
In a 2022 study, researchers wanted to determine whether MCT oil (C8) and ketones would benefit people with cognitive decline.[10] In the six-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 20 participants with mild dementia were recruited. The average age of participants was 72.6 years old.
Participants were given on an average 1.8 tablespoons per day of MCT oil. At the end of the study, eighty percent of participants had stabilized or improved cognitive function. Results were slightly better at the nine-month mark.
While no evidence exists that MCT oil can prevent cognitive decline, the short-term benefits are promising.
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Which MCT Oil is Best for Brain Health?
MCTs are found in many different fats, such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil and even goat milk. There are a few types of MCTs with varying lengths of fatty acids.
The four main types include[11]:
- Caprylic acid
- Capric acid
- Lauric acid
- Caproic acid
If you look at MCT oils on store shelves, you’ll commonly see C8 (caprylic acid), C10 (capric acid) and C12 (lauric acid) advertised—but your body uses them differently. For example, plain coconut oil is mainly C12 and doesn’t produce the same ketogenic effects as the gold standard of MCTs: C8.
If you want a winning combination of MCT oil, cognitive health and ketone energy, go with C8, which gives you four times more ketone energy than coconut oil. Unlike other MCTs, C8 is more efficiently converted into ketones by the liver before the ketones cross the blood-brain barrier.
You might associate ketones with ketosis or a low-carb, high-fat diet. The good news is that when you consume C8 MCT oil, you get more of the beneficial effects of MCTs, including energy and focus—without changing what you eat. The beauty of Brain Octane is that as a C8 MCT oil, it is converted to ketones more effectively in your liver to be used as energy for the brain.
Keep in mind that other companies may substitute less-effective MCTs like C12 for their MCT oil, mix it with coconut oil or even add artificial flavors. (Read your labels. If you want the greatest ketogenic benefits, you want C8!).
How to Use MCT Oil
Here are just a few ways to use MCT oil to power your life and fuel your wellness:
- Transform your morning coffee and make Bulletproof Coffee, an energizing and satisfying blend of Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil, grass-fed butter (or ghee) and clean coffee beans.
- Not sure how to take MCT oil? Add it to smoothies (like this Berry Matcha Smoothie) to increase your quality fat intake.
- Make salad dressings with MCT oil, like this refreshing Avocado-Cucumber salad dressing.
- Use Brain Octane MCT oil as a finishing oil on savory dishes like steak and roasted vegetables. It’s flavorless and accentuates the fat-soluble flavors of foods.
Bulletproof Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil is pure C8 MCT oil and nothing else. C8 rapidly converts into ketone energy, and you want a pure product for the best results.
Potential Side Effects of MCT Oil
MCT Oil is generally safe for moderate use. While there is no definitive dosage, studies typically range from four to seven tablespoons of MCT oil daily.
MCT oil side effects typically include gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping and bloating.
If you’re new to MCT oil and want to know how much to take, start with one to two teaspoons daily. If you tolerate it well, slowly increase your dose.
The Bottom Line on MCT Oil for Brain Health
If you’re looking for better energy, MCT oil is your ticket, as it helps the body produce ketones. Ketones are a source of energy that powers your brain for hours, giving you the energy you need to stay sharp.
If you want the best return on your energy investment, go with C8 MCT oil for brain function. For a pure, reliable source of sustained energy, Bulletproof Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil is fuel to crave less and do more.
Want to learn more about MCT oil? Get the details in the Ultimate Guide to MCT Oil and MCT Supplements.
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