If you are on a keto diet, you have probably heard about MCT oil. But, you aren’t exactly sure what is the best MCT oil. Why should you add it to your diet? What are the health benefits of MCT oil? How do you choose a high-quality MCT oil?
We understand that you may be feeling confused. We will tell you the benefits of MCT oil, what to look for when purchasing MCT oil. And, most importantly, we will advise you of our picks for the 15 best MCT oil for keto.
What is MCT Oil?
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, which are fatty acids containing between 6-12 carbon molecules. Our bodies digest MCT oils more efficiently. Furthermore, it goes directly from the digestive system into the liver and converts to ketones.
There are several different types of fatty acids that differ in chain length:
- caproic acid (six carbon atoms or C6)
- caprylic acid (C8)
- capric acid (C10)
- lauric acid (C12)
While you can find medium-chain triglycerides in dairy products and coconut oil, it’s challenging to get MCT oil from food alone, so taking an MCT oil supplement ensures you get the optimal amount. Some people think that MCT oil and coconut oil are the same thing; however, they are mistaken. Coconut oil contains all four MCTs, but it also contains long-chain triglycerides (LCT), which take longer for the body to absorb.
The 15 Best MCT Oils for Keto
These are our picks for the best MCT oils on the market. They all have unique features that make them the top MCT oil supplements.
1. Perfect Keto MCT Oil Powder – Best MCT Supplement Overall
4.6 stars out of 5
Perfect Keto
2. Nature’s Way – Best Liquid MCT Oil
4.6 stars out of 5
Nature’s Way Organic MCT Oil is a potent oil sourced from non-GMO, USDA Certified Organic coconuts. It assists the body in producing ketone bodies that permeate the blood brain barrier to provide energy for essential brain functions. Nature’s Way offers a product that is flavorless, odorless, and versatile, so it’s easy to add MCT oil to beverages or salad dressings.
3. Natural Force – Best Pure C8 MCT Oil
4.6 stars out of 5
Natural Force offers an unflavored pure C8 oil rich in dietary fats. Natural Force uses cold-pressed virgin coconut oil from non-GMO coconuts, and each serving contains 14 grams of C8. Natural Force puts its MCT oil in a recyclable glass bottle with a biodegradable label. Independent, third-party labs test each batch for purity.
4. Bulletproof Brain Octane – Best for Travelers
4.5 stars out of 5
Bulletproof’s Brain Octane Oil is a premium MCT oil that comes in a convenient travel size so you can enjoy your bulletproof coffee wherever you go. It’s a pure C8 oil that will increase mental energy throughout the day. Bulletproof Brain Octane isn’t just for coffee; use it in a salad dressing, soups, or any beverage to help suppress hunger and reach your health goals.
5. Sports Research Store – Best Full Spectrum MCT Oil
4.8 stars out of 5
Sports Research MCT Oil contains capric and caprylic acid. In addition, it also contains lauric acid, which is known to improve gut health. This top-quality MCT oil is available in three different sizes. An independent lab certifies that Sports Research Store MCT oil products contain no filler palm oil.
6. Viva Naturals – Best Organic MCT Oil
4.5 stars out of 5
Viva Naturals makes a pure organic MCT oil that you can add to your morning coffee or any hot beverage to boost brain energy and improve mental focus. It is USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO, and Paleo and Keto Diet certified. Viva Naturals doesn’t put any fillers in its oil.
7. Left Coast – Best Cooking Oil
4.8 stars out of 5
Left Coast Performance MCT oil should be a staple in your kitchen pantry. It can go in your stir-fry and then on your salad. The company sources its MCT from sustainable coconuts, and a third-party lap tests the product to ensure that it’s free from fillers.
8. Radha Beauty – Best Return Policy
4.4 stars out of 5
Radha Beauty Premium MCT Oil is 100% organic that contains 99% C8 and C10 and 1% lauric acid. The company offers a 100% Money-back Guarantee for unsatisfied customers. It’s also reasonably priced.
9. Now Foods – Best Value MCT Oil
4.6 stars out of 5
Now Foods offers a no-frills product perfect for people looking to try MCT oil for the first time. It does contain palm kernel oil, which is a drawback. It’s suitable for cooking, beverages, and dressings; however, the company recommends not to use it for frying due to its low smoke point.
10. Garden of Life – Best for Brain Health
4.8 stars out of 5
Garden of Life puts out a highly reputable MCT oil. David Perlmutter, M.D., F.A.C.N., Board-certified neurologist, formulated this 100% organic coconut MCT oil to fuel the brain and the body. It’s also a perfect MCT oil supplement for athletes looking to boost their performance.
11. VitaTradingCo – Best Luxury MCT Oil
4.7 stars out of 5
VitaTrading Co. C8 MCT Oil offers a high-quality MCT oil that’s more expensive than its competitors. The company sources all its products from ethically certified farms. It then extracts the MCT from coconuts and triple distills its product to get the purest MCT oil available with no contaminants, impurities, or filler oils.
12. Quest MCT Oil Powder – Best Texture
4.8 stars out of 5
Customers enjoy the creamy texture of Quest Nutrition MCT Powder oil. It mixes well into shakes, smoothies, and coffee. It contains 7 grams of saturated fat, and it is gluten-free.
13. Elinella Naturals – Best for Workouts
4.7 stars out of 5
Elinella Naturals MCT oil gives you the energy to get through tough workouts. It tastes great on its own, or you can easily blend it into your favorite drink. This MCT oil will decrease your appetite and help with your weight loss efforts.
14. Keto Science – Best Unflavored MCT Oil
4.7 stars out of 5
Keto Science makes 100% of its MCT oil from coconuts. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, lactose-free, and sugar-free. It contains 14 grams of medium-chain triglyceride oils to increase fat burning and metabolism.
15. Simply GOODFats Vanilla Coconut Swirl MCT – Best Tasting MCT Oil
4.5 stars out of 5
Simply GoodFats Creamy MCT Vanilla Coconut Swirl is the MCT oil for when you want to treat yourself. It makes coffee rich and creamy with a delicious vanilla taste. Monk Fruit extract gives this MCT oil its sweetness without kicking you out of ketosis. It contains C8, C10, along with lauric acid.
How is MCT Oil Made?
Pure MCT oil is man-made; however, it is all-natural. Manufacturers typically start with coconut or palm kernel oil. From there, they use a process known as fractionation to isolate and extract the different fatty acids. This process removes all the fats that you don’t want and leaves only the beneficial ones.
Do MCT Oil Supplements Help With Weight Loss on Keto?
One of the reasons that MCT oils are popular with people on a ketogenic diet is their ability to increase fat loss. There are several ways MCT oil is beneficial for weight loss.
- MCT oil increases the amount of peptide yy and leptin in the body. The small intestine produces peptide yy, and fat cells release leptin. Both are released into the bloodstream, where they can signal to your brain that you are full and decrease your appetite.
- Consuming medium-chain triglycerides leads to more fat oxidation and subcutaneous fat loss. One study concluded that MCT oil benefited weight loss more than olive oil.
- MCT oil may help people lose weight by improving their gut health.
- MCT oil is easily converted to ketone bodies, helping you to stay in ketosis.
What are the Other Benefits of MCT Oil?
Besides helping with weight loss, MCT oil has plenty of other things to offer.
- Increasing energy: Since the body quickly digests MCT oil, it acts as an immediate energy source. Athletes had a lower blood lactate concentration after consuming foods with MCT, giving them more endurance during workouts.
- Boosting brain health: Adding MCT oil to a daily wellness routine can improve brain energy by 8-9%. It may also postpone brain aging, protect brain cells from aging, and help protect against memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease.
- Managing blood sugar levels: A study shows that a daily MCT supplement reduces blood sugar levels. In addition, as stated previously, MCT oil increases fat burning and weight loss to help those with diabetes better manage their condition.
- Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease: Losing weight decreases your risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and improving heart function. MCT oil also lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL’s (bad cholesterol) and increasing HDL’s (good cholesterol).
Are There Any Side Effects from MCT Oil?
MCT supplements are safe to use, and side effects are not common. However, some people may experience the following:
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Irritability
- Intestinal gas
- Essential fatty acid deficiency
Take your supplement with food to lessen the likelihood of side effects. Also, since the liver does the primary processing of MCT oil, it should not be used by anyone with liver problems, such as cirrhosis.
How Do I Choose MCT Oil?
When looking for the best MCT oil for you, consider the following:
Type
MCT supplements come in various forms, such as soft gels, powder, and oil. If you take a multivitamin in capsule form, then the soft gel may be best for you. However, the powder and liquid forms of MCT oils are the most versatile.
Medium-Chain Fatty Acids in the Ingredients
As stated previously, there are four types of medium-chain triglycerides. Most MCT oils contain caprylic acid (C8) and capric acid (C10). Manufacturers typically leave out caproic acid due to its extremely unpleasant smell and taste. Lauric acid acts more like a long-chain triglyceride as it takes longer to metabolize.
Suppose you are looking for an MCT oil to keep you in ketosis. In that case, you need to look for an MCT composition with the highest amount of caprylic acid but pass over the ones that contain equal amounts of caprylic and capric acid.
Additives
Some MCT oils add flavoring or sweeteners. While most artificial sweeteners won’t take you out of ketosis, if you prefer your MCT oil to be all-natural, then look for unflavored ones.
Also, read the labels. The best MCT oils don’t contain filler oils, such as palm oil.
How Much MCT Oil Should You Take Each Day?
If you are just beginning to use MCT oil, you will want to start with a low dosage and gradually increase. Start with either a half or whole tablespoon each day. Stay at that dosage for a few days while your body adjusts. This method will help prevent any gastrointestinal distress. After a few days, start slowly increasing your dosage, keeping it at each level for a few days. Experts recommend that you consume no more than 4-7 tablespoons daily.
If you are using powder, such as Keto MCT Oil Powder, the company recommends that you start with a quarter serving while your body adjusts.
Bottom Line
There are several MCT oil products on the market, but some are better than others. We have given you our list of what we consider the best MCT oil brands on the market.
Taking MCT oil as part of your daily diet has several health benefits. It can help you lose weight and burn fat, increase your energy levels throughout the day, lower blood glucose levels, and decrease your risk of heart disease.
If you are on a ketogenic diet, then a good MCT oil should be a pantry staple. It metabolizes quickly, and the liver easily converts it to ketones. MCT oils will help you stay in ketosis and increase your fat loss.
Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the highest quality MCT oil? Let us know.
And, if you’re looking for recipes that use MCT oils, then head over to KetoConnect for some great recipes. Here are some of them we’d like to recommend to you:
Written by
Matt Gaedke
Matt is a former college basketball player turned computer engineer who discovered his passion for health and nutrition after cutting sugar from his diet in 2016. That year he founded KetoConnect with Megha in order to share their ketogenic lifestyle through recipes, videos, and educational content. Matt is always seeking to grow and try new things, a passion he shares with his wife and two amazing sons.
