MCT oil is a very beneficial supplement for keto and low-carb dieters. Unlike most dietary fats, MCT oil is broken down rapidly and transported directly to your liver. Once there, it is quickly converted into ketones. Those ketones can then be used in place of glucose as fuel during the ketogenic diet. Increasing ketone production can have several welcome effects, including:
- More energy
- Fewer keto flu symptoms
- Less hunger
- Less brain fog
- Faster fat loss
In addition, MCT oil is also closely linked to better digestive health and a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. It’s also anti-inflammatory. This really is a super fat!
MCTs are naturally present in coconut oil and palm oil, but MCT oil supplements contain a much more concentrated source of this vital fat. Because MCT oils like coconut oil are a natural product, it is usually very well tolerated and causes very few side effects. The few side effects that it can cause, mainly digestive upset, are easily avoided by starting off with a small dose of oil and increasing gradually.
With so many MCT oils around, it can be hard to know which one to choose. Use this guide to select the best MCT oil product for you.
1. Onnit MCT Oil
Onnit MCT is a very pure product that is supplied in liquid form. It contains 100% medium chain triglycerides and is unflavored.
? Key Features
- Pure MCT oil
- Unflavored and odorless
- Sourced only from coconuts
Onnit MCT oil contains nothing other than medium chain triglycerides. Some MCT oils are made from palm oil which not only produces a lower quality oil, it’s also harmful to the environment. Because the oil is odorless and unflavored, it can be added to any beverage or food without affecting the taste. However, it is not suitable for cooking.
✅ Pros
- Very concentrated, so a little goes a long way
- Easy to modify dose
- Fast-acting source of energy
- Perfect for the ketogenic diet
- Better for the environment than MCTs made from palm oil
‼️ Cons
- Cost
- May cause temporary, unwanted side effects
If you want a pure, unflavored MCT oil product made from environmentally-friendly coconuts, this is the one for you. Because it contains a pure source of MCTs, a little goes a long way which is good news for your pocket too. While it is unsuitable for cooking, being unflavored means you can add it to almost any cooked food or beverage. This makes consuming your daily dose of MCTs much easier.
2. Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil
Bulletproof is a name synonymous with the ketogenic diet and MCT oils. A lot of keto dieters start each day with a cup of MCT-infused coffee. Octane fuel is a special type of MCT oil – C8.
? Key Features
- Rapidly digested
- Made from 100% coconut oil
- No additives
- Flavorless and odorless
MCTs are found in a variety of types, including C12, C10, C8, and C6. C8, which is also called caprylic acid (also known as capric acid), is the easiest to digest. This means caprylic acid is rapidly broken down into ketones and provides a quick but sustained burst of energy. It’s also less likely to cause side effects than other, less digestible MCTs.
✅ Pros
- Fast-acting source of energy
- Can be added to a wide range of foods and beverages without affecting the taste
- Liquid at room temperature so easy to use
- Also available in capsules
‼️ Cons
- Cost
- May cause bloating, nausea, diarrhea, or gas if used in excess
Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil is a premium MCT oil product. Bulletproof are market leaders in MCT oils, and they even invented that keto staple beverage, bulletproof coffee. Unflavored and odorless, this is as pure an MCT oil as you can get. If you are looking for the fastest-acting MCT oil product around, this is it!
3. Pruvit Keto Kreme
Pruvit Keto Kreme is an MCT oil product designed especially for adding to your coffee. If you like to start your day will MCT-infused bulletproof coffee, Keto Kreme is a tastier alternative.
? Key Features
- Made from coconut butter
- Contains natural, sugar-free sweeteners
- Contains cinnamon
- Easy to use single-serving sachets
Even unflavored MCT oils affect the taste and texture of your coffee. They float to the top of your drink and can take some of the enjoyment out of your energy-boosting cup of joe. Pruvit Keto Kreme provides you with 12 grams of MCTs but will actually enhance the flavor of your drink. The cinnamon is not just added for taste, it also speeds up glucose dispersal by increasing insulin sensitivity.
✅ Pros
- Easy to use
- Enhances the taste of your coffee
‼️ Cons
- Cost
- Potential side effects
- Contains milk-derived ingredients
Some MCT users find that even flavorless and odorless MCT oils are unpleasant to use. Designed to be mixed with coffee, Keto Kreme is much more pleasant. While a few users didn’t like the taste, the majority report that this product enhances their coffee and makes consuming MCTs much more enjoyable.
4. Quest Nutrition MCT Oil Powder
Most MCT oils are liquid at room temperature. They can be used straight from the bottle, added to beverages, or used as salad dressings. Quest Nutrition MCT Powder is different, and some users find that it is easier to use and more versatile than liquid MCT oil.
? Key Features
- Easy to use
- Suitable for cooking and baking
- Makes for creamier shakes
- Unflavored and odorless
Quest Nutrition MCT Oil Powder is straightforward to use. Because it is a powder, it tends to disperse evenly in liquids rather than float to the top. This means it enhances rather than ruins things like smoothies and coffee. Users report that it makes beverages creamier. As it’s a powder, you can also take this product on planes – something you cannot do with MCT oils. It’s also more stable and less likely to be affected by heat.
✅ Pros
- Very versatile
- Good for all aspects of the ketogenic diet
- Very stable product
‼️ Cons
- Not as pure as most MCT oils
- Contains ingredients made from milk
- Could cause issues including allergic reactions
Quest Nutrition MCT Powder isn’t as pure as regular liquid MCT oil, but that’s the price you have to pay for such a versatile product. Some people find it easier to use than MCT oil, and that increased versatility can be very welcome.
5. Kegenix Prime
Kegenix Prime is more than just an MCT oil supplement; it also contains a range of keto-friendly ingredients designed to enhance every aspect of the low-carb diet. If you can’t decide which supplement to buy, this could the solution you are looking for.
? Key Features
- Contains BHB ketone salts
- High in MCTs
- Contains amino acids
- Sweetened with carb-free sugar alcohols
- A good source of electrolytes
- Contains caffeine
Kegenix Prime is a multi-ingredient keto product. It contains virtually everything you need to beat keto flu and make your low-carb diet even better for weight loss. From muscle-preserving amino acids to metabolism-boosting green tea extract, as well as MCTs and exogenous ketones, this product really does do it all.
✅ Pros
- All-in-one convenience
- Faster fat loss
- Increased energy
- Increased focus and clarity
- Fewer keto flu side effects
‼️ Cons
- Unpleasant taste
- 163 calories per serving
- Contains traces of milk
- Possible issues including allergic reactions
Providing you can tolerate the taste, Kegenix Prime makes consuming all your supplements a breeze. It really does contain everything you need for successful low-carb dieting. However, cramming so many ingredients into one product does mean that you won’t get as much of each one, compared to using them individually. If you want to increase your MCT intake without consuming more caffeine, BHB, or electrolytes, a pure MCT oil may be a better option.
6. Ballistic Keto MCT Oil Powder
Where most MCT oils are flavorless and odorless, Ballistic Keto MCT Powder is available in a range of flavors. This includes tiramisu, cookies and cream, Mexican mocha, and salted caramel. For many users, these flavors are very appealing.
? Key Features
- MCTs derived from coconuts
- Mixes easily
- Interesting flavors
- Versatile and easy to use
Even though most MCT oils are odorless and flavorless, they still have a decidedly oily texture and taste. Many users find this off-putting. Ballistic Keto MCT Oil Powder gets around this problem by adding some exciting flavors to their product. For many users, this is very appealing, and also increases versatility too.
✅ Pros
- Pleasant taste
- Can be combined with a range of foods and beverages
- Rapid source of energy
- Increases ketone production
- Can help reduce the severity and duration of keto flu
- Can help reduce hunger
‼️ Cons
- Not a pure MCT product
- Only 6 grams of MCTs per serving
- Contains potential allergens
- Some users disappointed with the taste
If you don’t like the taste or texture of regular MCT oils, Ballistic Keto MCT Powder could be the solution you’ve been looking for. It’s not as pure as other MCT oil products, but if that means you’ll actually use it regularly, that’s a small price to pay. Most users enjoy the flavors, but you may like some more than others so try them all to find your favorite.
Conclusion
MCT oils can provide a range of benefits, but only if you use them regularly. That means you need to find a product that is both easy and enjoyable to use. The best MCT oil is the most concentrated, but, despite being unflavored and odorless, some users still find them unpleasant. They are not suitable for cooking, and usually float to the top of liquids.
In contrast, MCT oil powders are more versatile and easier to use but are not as pure. There are certain manufacturing processes and additives needed to turn a liquid oil into a powder. However, the addition of flavors can be very welcome, and MCT oil powders usually blend more evenly with liquids.
Which one is right for you? That depends! If you are happy to gulp down a tablespoon or two of oil per day, pure MCT oils are your best choice. It’s purer and more concentrated. But, if you can’t face that oily texture, an MCT oil powder may be a better choice.
The bottom line is that MCT oil makes many aspects of the ketogenic diet more tolerable and effective. In any form, MCT oils will do you good!
