MCT Oil vs Coconut Oil

MCT oil is a liquid fat created by refining palm or coconut oil. The procedure eradicates and concentrates the medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs, that naturally exist in the source material, allowing you to enjoy specific MCT benefits. Some MCT oil benefits include ketone production (to help burn fat), mental clarity, and increased metabolism. Regular coconut oil does offer some of these advantages, just at a reduced level. Still, because of the other types of fat that exist in coconut oil, it’s ideal for high-heat culinary applications too. Let’s take a look at MCT oil vs. coconut oil and explore their similarities and differences.

MCT Oil vs Coconut Oil: Definition and Explanation

MCTs

It’s worth noting that both MCT oil and coconut oil consist of MCTs. There are four types of MCTs: lauric acid (C12), capric acid (C10), caprylic acid (C8), and caproic acid (C6). All these fatty acids carry distinct benefits, varying from energy boosts to facilitating metabolism, and even antimicrobial properties. So what truly distinguishes MCT oil from coconut oil? The answer lies in their varying MCTs ratios.

Coconut Oil

There is a long tradition of mixing fragrant coconut oil into everything from soups and baked goods to your morning coffee. For centuries now, many cultures have acknowledged the health benefits of coconut oil. 

Now, coconut oil specifically refers to the oil extracted from the coconut’s kernel. There are many ways to extract this oil, including refined and unrefined techniques. But, however, it’s extracted, coconut oil is made up of many healthy fats, over 50% of which are MCTs. However, in terms of the ratio of MCTs in coconut oil, there’s a higher proportion of lauric acid (C12). As a result, coconut oil has many powerful antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral properties. 

Although some people are still wary of consuming saturated fat, more health experts are embracing the safety and benefits of consuming coconut oil. 

What Are the Benefits of Coconut Oil?

• Its main fat is lauric acid, which has antibacterial properties. Studies suggest that this acid can kill Staphylococcus aureus, a deadly bacteria.
• In traditional Polynesian culture, consumption of coconut products is associated with improved health, including significantly low heart disease rates.
• Coconut oil is rich in saturated fat but can improve cholesterol by increasing your HDL levels, which helps eliminate harmful LDL cholesterol from your body.
• Lauric acid can also kill Candida albicans, which is a fungus linked with yeast infections.
• When applied topically, coconut oil may block UV light, helping protect your skin from sun damage. You should still use sunscreen if you are out in the sun.
• Since coconut oil is a great moisturizer, it can also alleviate symptoms of eczema. It provides moisture to irritated or dry skin conditions.
• Its antimicrobial properties can assist in preventing the spread of disease, bacteria, and even some viruses.
• The antimicrobial properties can and have been known to also lend itself to use as a mouthwash, improving your dental health.
• Regular coconut oil intake could help you lose weight, particularly in the abdominal area.

As you’ve seen, there are plenty of benefits to including coconut oil in your diet. But since most of these effects are tied to the presence of MCTs, you may be better off heading straight to MCT oil. 

MCT Oil

MCT products are typically purified coconut oil extractions. They comprise a higher concentration of MCTs (e.g., C8 and C10) than coconut oil. As a result, this concentrated form of fats acts as a very efficient source of energy, making MCT oil a staple of the Keto diet. 

The MCTs typically found in MCT oil skip your body’s normal fat digestion process, heading directly to the liver, where they’re metabolized by the body and turned into energy. As a result, MCTs increase your fat-burning abilities and your energy levels, which is why these fats are a favorite of Keto diet followers.

And that’s not all: MCT oil has a very unique taste, making it a welcome addition to your favorite smoothies, soups, sauces, and even baked goods. Additionally, people love adding MCT oil to tea and coffee to help you stop cravings and facilitate fat loss!

What Are the Benefits of MCT Oil?

If you were excited about coconut oil, get ready to fall for the benefits of pure MCT oil. Here are some suggested MCT oil benefits:

MCT Oil Might Help With Weight Loss

A 2008 study analyzed the effect of MCT vs. olive oil on weight loss for 16 weeks, placing 49 participants between 19-50 years on a weight loss program including identical daily doses of either olive oil or MCT oil. Individuals who received the MCT oil lost more abdominal fat, more weight, and more total body fat. According to researchers, MCT oil might accelerate metabolism and help the body in burning fat more efficiently for energy. As of now, more research is required to determine the right dose of MCT to maximize weight loss.

Supports Ketosis

In the beginning stages, following a ketogenic diet can be challenging as you drastically reduce your carbohydrate intake so your body can start burning ketones instead of carbs for energy. By consuming MCT, you can speed up the process by quickly increasing the levels of ketones in your blood. As a result, the transition to ketosis is much easier. It could also help give you a boost of energy when you’re feeling a little sluggish while on the keto diet.

It Helps You Stay Full

The primary reason why MCTs might support weight loss is that they’re very satiating. So, when you consume MCT oil, it could help you eat less. A 2017 study that analyzed the satiating properties of both MCT and coconut oil. Subjects were provided with a smoothie of 205 calories worth of vegetable oil, coconut oil, or MCT oil for breakfast. After three hours, they were offered lunch and were asked to eat as much as they required to feel full. The group that was given the MCT oil ate much less than the other two groups. Plus, they stuck to all day reductions in food intake. Therefore, beginning your day with MCT oil might assist you in controlling hunger.

Improves Brain Health

Since your brain is mostly fat, you shouldn’t be surprised that fats are essential for your optimal cognitive function. For this reason, MCT supplementation is associated with improved memory recall in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

Promotes Heart Health

Most people think that fats are the primary cause of heart disease. But this isn’t exactly accurate. Current research suggests MCT oil increases LDL particle size,  improving cholesterol levels. Ultimately, this reduces your risk of heart disease.

Boosts Exercise Performance

The C8 and C10 MCTs are mostly used for energy, which could be very useful during a killer workout. A 2009 study discovered that MCT oil supplication significantly lowers blood lactate, which causes perceived exertion in athletes, and muscle fatigue. As a result, your workouts may feel easier when you take MCT oil, helping you exercise for longer durations. 

Helps Regulate Blood Sugar

MCTs might help normalize blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. What’s more, the ability to promote weight loss and satiety can help reduce your risk of diabetes.

 

MCT Oil vs Coconut Oil: How Do You Choose?

For those who wish to quickly boost cognitive function and fat loss, a daily dose of MCT oil is the best way to go. Undoubtedly, the concentrated MCTs in MCT Creamer or MCT oil will give you more bang for your buck than coconut oil. Also, your system will have an easier time breaking down and processing MCT oil. 

When buying MCT oil, make sure to find products with best-quality ingredients. They should not contain artificial flavors, colors, or palm oil, and they should be composed of pure-expeller pressed coconut oil. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the benefits of coconut oil: it’s a great source of healthy fat and tastes great in baking and cooking. You just won’t get the concentrated effect of brain-boosting, fat-burning fatty acids that you consume in a tablespoon of MCT oil.

MCT Oil vs Coconut Oil: Risks and Considerations

Coconut oil and MCT oil are both generally well-tolerated and safe for consumption when taken in moderate amounts. However, excessive consumption of coconut or MCT oil has been associated with diarrhea, bloating, cramping, and stomach discomfort.

If you’d like to supplement with MCT oil due to its weight loss and ketogenic properties, begin by consuming one tablespoon (15ml) every day and increase as tolerated until the maximum daily dose of 4-7 tablespoons (60-100ml). You could also mix MCT oil into various beverages and foods, including tea, coffee, smoothies, sauces, soups, and hot cereals.

MCT Oil vs Coconut Oil: The Bottom Line

Coconut oil and MCT oil can both be useful – but those uses are different. That’s because MCT oil is a concentrated source of 100% MCTs, making it more effective at enhancing energy production and weight loss, particularly when you’re following a ketogenic diet.  

On the other hand, coconut oil contains an MCT content of approximately 54%. It’s mostly used as a cooking oil and might be beneficial for addressing a variety of skin conditions and beauty applications. And guess what? Many of our Tanasi CBD products contain MCT oil, so you can boost the effects of your CBD routine with this beneficial supplement. Just visit our online CBD store’s product page to view all our available products.

The reason Tanasi products use MCT oil as a carrier for CBD is that MCT oil is safe, and has a long shelf life. You do not want to take large levels of MCT oil with CBD. This would be adding unnecessary levels of CBD into your body. You only want a maximum daily dose of CBD to be 100mg, and many people are good at 80mg per day. We always encourage experimentation if you are a first time CBD user. The Tanasi patent-pending University developed hemp extract formula is a one-to-one concentration of Cannabidiolic-acid (CBDA) and Cannabidiol (CBD) which is a full spectrum formula of cannabinoids.