Coconut Oil vs MCT Oil: Benefits and Safety of Each: Thomas DeLauer

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Coconut Oil vs MCT Oil: Benefits and Safety of Each: Thomas DeLauer

Are Coconut Oil and MCT Oil the Same?

C6 (Caproic Acid) – There isn’t a high quantity of C6 fatty acids in coconut oil, which might be a good thing. Despite being a ready source of ketone energy for your body, it has been found to cause throat irritation and gastrointestinal distress

C8 (Caprylic Acid) – This is a rare type of MCT (only 6% of coconut oil) and useful for energy via ketone metabolism.

C10 (Capric Acid) – Another major MCT is C10, which is approximately 10% of coconut oil and is considered a useful tool for energy metabolism because (like other MCTs) does not require bile salts for digestive purposes. In short, it’s easy to digest and convert to energy.

C12 (Lauric Acid) – Composing about 50% of coconut oil, lauric acid is considered an MCT, but behaves like a LCT because it must visit our liver before being turned into energy. This makes it less effective than many of the other MCT oils in terms of energy benefits; however, lauric acid has amazing antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral benefits.

MCT Oil

While medium chain fatty acids do occur naturally in foods (such as coconut oil), MCT oil itself is not found in nature, which means it instead needs to be manufactured.

This is done by a machine that extracts all of the medium chain fatty acids from the source.

Unfortunately during this process, lauric acid is typically left behind, or can only be found in miniscule amounts - this is because lauric acid is technically a psudeo-MCT, so it won’t be found in most MCT oils.

Since oils marketed as “MCT oil” contain either a combination of Capric and Caprylic acid, or just concentrated Caprylic acid, they are a faster and more usable source of energy - since they often don’t contain Lauric Acid, which acts like a combination long chain and medium chain fatty acid in the body and slows digestion

Ketones easily cross the typically impenetrable blood-brain barrier and easily get into our brains.

Ketones from MCT Oil are a more efficient source of energy for our brain too. That is, it takes less work for our brain to energy from them than carbs.

Coconut Oil

The dominant fatty acid in coconut oil, on the other hand, is lauric acid, which comprises about 50% of the total fat content.

Coconut oil also contains a very nominal amount of Caproic Acid (C6), about 6% Caprylic Acid (C8) and about 10% Capric Acid (C10).

Lauric acid is most well-known for its antimicrobial properties, since it’s the precursor to monolaurin, a more powerful antimicrobial agent that is able to fight viruses and bacterial infections.

When lauric acid is digested, enzymes within the digestive tract form the valuable type of monoglyceride called monolaurin.

When lauric acid is converted to monolaurin, it essentially acts like a bacteria-killer. It has the ability to kill a wide range of harmful pathogen hosts in the body, making it an effective way to help treat or prevent infections, viruses, digestive disorders and chronic diseases. (1,3)

Key Differences

MCT Oil

Fat Loss

Studies have demonstrated that MCTs enhance thermogenesis and fat oxidation, thereby suppressing the deposition and accumulation of body fat

A 2015 meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials found that, compared to LCTs, MCTs more effectively decreased body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, total body fat, total subcutaneous fat and visceral fat.

There was no difference in blood lipid levels between the two fats.

Brain Health

MCTs are a superior brain fuel, converting to ketones within minutes of ingestion

In small-scale human trials, MCT supplementation boosted cognition in individuals with cognitive impairment and mild forms of Alzheimer's disease after just a single dose

Ketones appear to be the preferred source of energy for the brain in people affected by diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other diseases where certain neurons have become insulin resistant or have lost the ability to efficiently utilize glucose. As a result, neurons slowly die off.


References

[stephenmonchak]

Stopped drinking sugary drinks and started MCT and fasting. Whent from a 42 waist to a 32 waist in 6 months. I have more energy and I can think on the spot. This really does work and I am in better shape now than I was at 25 as a soldier. I am 40 now and feel like I can do pretty much anything ;)

[StephanieHalim]

it's true about parkinson. my mum have advanced parkinson diseases, and giving her daily dose of coconut oil actually make my mum have more energy, responded better and have better cognitive function. my mum haven't speaks a single word in 1.5 years after the minor stroke, and suddenly speaking again, even only a few words, not long after started taking coconut oil. i use organic coconut oil

[mmgibson]

Great that you mention coconut oil is superior for cooking, Thomas - it has a higher smoke point than MCT oil does, which means it will not cause scary things to happen in your frying pan that will set off the smoke detector and ruin your peace. MCT oil is useful because it is temperature stable and it will not turn back into a solid if you add it to a cold drink, so each has its uses, but of the 2 pure coconut oil is better for you. Unless you are prone to digestive woes from either of them, then they are not.

[shellymcgrew]

Love all the important info. May I suggest, though, take out the videos of people while you are speaking and replace them with a very helpful written image of the verbal lesson. The verbal + the written will help us learn better. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.

[markal-jaybaratang]

man, you deserve more subscribers with such rich content

[cserannie]

I use virgin coconut oil for oil pulling every morning, use it for my face, hair and body...sometimes I drink a little sip in the afternoon. I feel great

[rachellegill]

I just want you to know I appreciate you.

[jvonhaugg]

Thank you for including the transcript of your videos. I have found I enjoy reading all those long word you say with ease. And sometimes I miss what was said so it's nice to read it. Thank you!

[colleenhennessy]

So, I rarely leave comments on anyone page but I love your channel. Now that you and your wife have had a child at home maybe you could do a keto based meal prep or snacks video for busy Moms (or dads)? I have two little ones at home and I’m always looking for fun/healthy snacks that I can enjoy and my toddler can appreciate too! (Not that she’s eating keto...but she likes to eat what I’m eating!)
Thanks!

[thunderkiss]

ONNIT has a good quality MCT oil in case anybody was wondering 👍

[Dr_Dieta]

coconut oil frequently cause gastrointestinal bloating. Does MCT cause it too? I really appreciate your videos. You have influenced more people than you can imagine

[plentyformanymany]

Thanks for the continuing clear & concise outstanding information! I used IF to lose the 40# in 4 months. I've been stable at my weight for over 6 months. It was easy and effective and i felt the brain boost as my job entails being nimble minded, and it increased my ability. Now it's time to go for another 40# and will be incorporating what you've shared.
Would you comment on the MCT Oil vs Powder?

[liesheal]

Do a video on when 'Keto Diet' or 'intermittent fasting' or other diets are not best. For instance, I'm a dialysis patient, and the chemistry that happens in my body is not the same as a healthy persons therefore I'm not sure which approach is best for me. Any advice would be great, thanks!

[kilombo]

Remember whenever humans manufacture things there's a side effect later on....after further research. I'm sticking with 100% unrefined coconut oil. God never makes mistakes.

[fractalspace]

I have wondered if MCT oil raises LDL cholesterol and how it would compare to olive oil in terms of its effects on cholesterol. Diet is extremely important though and you need to find a good balance. I look at people saying they eat nothing but meat or nothing but veggies, like no you need both of those. The bad stuff is in processed food and preserved foods. You can be a vegan and eat muffins every night and be incredibly unhealthy, though muffins are delicious and it hurts me every time I have to walk away from them in the store. I still believe the Mediterranean diet is a very good one.

[kritsaphongphuthibpaphaisi]

MCT ----> For weight loss, Body composition, Cognitive function

Coconut ---> use for cooking, digestive and immune system

[vhelma]

Great explanation, without a bunch of non-sense info! Thanks for always have amazing videos with all the info we all crave and need!

[bgerardj]

Keep the great info and content coming brotha!

[Flickit]

Coconut oil contains Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) and MCT oil contains higher concentrations of MCTs.

[LoveQueen]

Thanks, I prefer coconut oil, cinnamon in my lite Coffea