5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

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MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis:




  • C6 – Caproic Acid
  • C8 – Caprylic Acid
  • C10 – Capric Acid
  • C12 – Lauric Acid

MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

MCTs Are Easily Digested:




MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

How MCTs Work:




MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

What are Ketones:



MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

Ketones as a Preferred Fuel For the Brain:




MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

Natural Sources of MCT Oil:





MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

Caproic Acid:


Caprylic Acid:



Capric Acid:



Lauric Acid: 


Lauric acid is an effective anti-microbial but research has shown that caprylic and capric acids are more effective than lauric acid (14, 15) and infectious organisms such as gonorrhea and chlamydia (16, 17).  Caprylic acid is a common supplement used in anti-yeast protocols and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth protocols.

MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

1. MCT Oil Lowers Blood Sugar:

MCTs raise up ketones and lower blood sugar naturally.  They have a strong blood sugar stabilizing effect that helps to reduce inflammation and improve brain function (18).

After a single oral dose of MCTs, a slight drop in blood sugar develops (19). It is caused, apparently, by a decrease in the liver output of glucose and not by an increase in the bodies utilization of glucose.

MCTs significantly improve carbohydrate tolerance and inhibit the production of fatty acids in adipose (fat) tissue (20).

MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

2.  Increased Nutrient Absorption:

MCTs improve the absorption of calcium and magnesium in premature infants.  One study looked at 34 pre-term infants.  The infants were divided into 3 groups and fed various formulas.

Group 1 had corn oil, oleic, and coconut oil (39:41:20); Group 2: MCT, corn oil, and coconut oil (40:40:20); Group 3: MCT and corn oil (80:20). The infants fed MCT-containing formulas absorbed significantly more calcium than the control group. Magnesium absorption was significantly increased in the 80% MCT group (21).

These same groups were then analyzed for protein absorption and nitrogen content.  The 80% MCT group had significant improvements in nitrogen absorption and amino acid sparing (22).  This means the body will be more effective at preserving and building lean body tissue when using MCT oil.

MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

3.  Natural Anti-Convulsive:

The production of ketones has powerful anticonvulsive properties on the brain that has long been used as a treatment for individuals with epilepsy.  The traditional ketogenic diet which is LCFA based that is used for anti-convulsive benefits is made up of 87% of the calories from fat.  This is extremely hard to follow and compliance is often very low.

The use of MCTs, which as described are highly ketogenic, makes it much easier to get into and stay in ketosis.  An MCT based diet only depends upon 60-70% of calories from fat which allows one to handle some nutrient dense sources of carbohydrate and protein.  The diversity of the diet provides more micronutrients, has greater variety and is more enjoyable (23).

MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

4.  Improved Athletic Performance:

MCTs are an elite fuel for athletes or anyone who is performing some sort of physical exertion.  This is due to their rapid rate of absorption through the digestive tract, quick metabolic conversion into cellular energy and their high energy density (24, 25).

Many athletes find great performance benefits using MCTs both pre and post workout.  They are the best form of fat to use right before (within 2 hours) and right after exercise due to their quick mobilization and use for rebuilding muscles and preventing the catabolic breakdown of proteins after rigorous training.

MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

5.  Appetite Control and Weight Loss:

Research has shown that MCTs suppress the appetite which helps individuals who struggle with strong cravings and overeating.  In a 14 day study, 6 healthy males were put on 3 different unlimited diets:  a low MCT diet, a medium MCT diet and a high MCT diet (26).

The study authors found a significantly lower calorie consumption for those on the high MCT diet.  The researchers discussed how substituting MCTs for other fat sources can limit excess caloric intake and resulting weight gain.

A number of studies have also shown that when overweight and obese individuals were put on higher MCT oil diets, they were able to lose more weight and had better energy even though they were consuming less calories (27, 28).

MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

Problems With MCT Oil Consumption:



How To Use MCT Oil:






MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

Introducing Keto Brain MCT Oil:

Keto Brain is a pure 8 carbon chain caprylic acid.  It is free of lauric acid and capric acid.  This formulation turns very quickly into ketones in the body.  This means that it is instant fuel for the brain.  It helps to keep ketones up and allows the body to easily switch over from burning sugar to ketones as its primary fuel source.

Keto Brain is extracted from coconut oil in a time consuming process.  No metal catalysts are used in the manufacturing process, and every batch of our Keto Brain is tested for heavy metals and other toxins to ensure it is 100% pure.

Keto Brain works directly in cells to give you an extra boost to maximize your performance.  Tired of constantly craving sugar or caffeine?  Want a thermogenic immune boost with your energy?  Try Keto Brain and I am sure you will see a significant improvement!

MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

Sources For This Article Include:

2. Medium-chain triglycerides Link Here
13. Medium-chain triglycerides  Link Here
18. Page KA, Williamson A, Yu N, et al. Medium-Chain Fatty Acids (MCT Oil) Improve Cognitive Function in Intensively Treated Type 1 Diabetic Patients and Support In Vitro Synaptic Transmission During Acute Hypoglycemia. Diabetes. 2009;58(5):1237-1244.

MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis

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MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for KetosisDr. Jockers




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MCT oil, 5 Reasons to Use MCT Oil for Ketosis




  1. I have been using upgraded XCT Oil for the past week and have benefited from using it daily. Excited to see the health improvements.

      1. Adding MCTS to your diet does not promote ketogenesis in the body.
        It does add free ketones so when you test you have free ketones.
        It’s like having your neighbor in school supply you the answers you have the right answers but you didn’t take the test.
        Ketogenesis is the body changing fat stores to ketones. Adding MCTS may give additional fuel but it does not promote ketosis.
        You need another test method other than keto strips my friends.

  2. We were suggested mct oil for our 1 year old son who started epileptic treatment. They initially said it will improve his bowel as he was constipated but never explained the other benefits. Thank you so much for this article. It enlighted both me and my husband and we will most defnitely be giving him the doses now buy knowing the real benefits

    1. Hey Chris, XCT contain C8 & C10 MCTs while Brain Octane is Pure C8. C8 is much more readily converted into ketones than C10 however both ultimately help to form ketones. I hope that helps!

        1. It is easier for the body to convert into ketones so it would be considered the most efficient MCT for doing so. It is more expensive though so XCT is a great alternative for most people.

  3. How much and how often should you consume MCT oil throughout the day? During meals? Supplement in between meals? 1st thing in the morning? Right before bed? Thanks Dr Jockers for all you do.

    1. Hey Dedra,

      You can try adding a Tablespoon to each meal whether it be a liquid or solid meal and see how you feel. Any time of day is suitable as it will help your body produce ketones and stabilize energy levels. It is not stimulating so no worries taking it before bed!

  4. I have Lyme disease, I have Graves disease and Hashis and yes I have both, I do not have a gallbladder and have MTHFR Gene mutation ( homozygous C677TT) if I don’t stay on a very strict diet or don’t stay on adipex I can gain weight extremely fast. I’m talking 10-15lbs in a week. Will this help balance this and how often should I take it

      1. I had ordered a MCT Oil and realized it did not have Lauric acid. Everyone I talked to stated I purchased the wrong one and I should have Lauric acid. Just to confirm you state we should purchase one that DOES NOT have Lauric acid??

        1. No, you don’t want the lauric acid and I explain why in the article above. Lauric acid is not highly ketogenic and is easily found in coconut oil which is 50% lauric acid whereas capric and caprylic acid are significantly more ketogenic and are harder to get in the diet.

  5. Can you tell me the benefits and difference taking your MCT verses avocado oil. My husband thinks I’ll have the same effect as I need to loose 15 lbs.
    Many thanks for your advise!

    1. Hey Kathy! Avocado oil does not contain medium chain triglycerides that are easily converted into energy for your body. If you are following a ketogenic diet, then avocado oil would be a good addition but pure MCT oil is a more easily processed source of ketones for energy.

  6. Hi Dr. Jockers,

    Is Brain Octane ( 1 table spoon 2 times per day) a safe replacement for Lamictal 100 mg twice daily, or what does would you recommend?

    Also, can Brain Octane help to increase a low thyroid levels?

    1. Hey Julie, I am not qualified to tell you to stop taking any medications but using MCT to raise ketone levels can be helpful for epileptic disorders. Ideally, you will also want to follow a ketogenic diet.

  7. Hi Dr Jockers.

    I have 2 MCT detail question and was happy to see you are still active on this post.

    1. Your point #1 with the cited research (19) somewhat addresses this question, but I’m trying to get a better sense of how MCT supports ketosis vs just temporarily increasing ketone levels due to MCT’s exogenous nature. For example, does MCT oil actually aide entering ketosis if one where to measures levels after the MCT based “spike” in ketones when compared to a theoretical control group without MCT oil? If so, what are the currently understood mechanisms for this?

    2. I’m curious about your opinion on some of the unknowns about MCT Oil, such as Dr Longo’s point that we don’t know what the long term effects are of/(if we are) pushing the body in two metabolic directions. I don’t think this concern applies to once already be in nutritional or fasted ketosis, but I do think it is interesting in regards to the idea of using MCT Oil as a mechanism to allow more carbohydrate consumption while staying in ketosis as defined by higher levels of ketones. For example, if MCT oil induces hypoglycemia but you are still eating higher carbs, where do the extra carbs go?


    1. Hey Dave,

      1. Essentially MCT is processed coconut oil. Your body makes ketones in a similar way it would from ingesting fats, just at a quicker rate and without as much processing by the digestive system and liver.
      2. I would only be concerned with someone who is chronically hyperglycemic while also being hyperketonic. This mirrors keto acidosis and is not a natural state for the body.

  8. if excess MCT oil is not stored as fat

    and if mct oil is converted to ketones and excess ketones are excreted

    then when you count the NET CALORIES in a tablespoon of mct oil

    would if be reduced compared to regular fat calories

    sorta like net carbs when you subtract the fiber content out

    1. This is likely the case Larry, and why I don’t recommend counting calories. Your metabolism completely changes when in ketosis and so the number of calories is almost irrelevant. More important to make sure you are consuming enough fat and very little carbs. Once in ketosis, hunger is most often the best gauge of how much you should eat.

      1. Appreciate your straightforward article, very informative. I have a question about not counting calories…and the idea of “very little carbs”. I’ve read 70/20/10% in fat/protein/carb % breakdown. Since there are non-starchy vegetable carbs and starchy carbs, sweet potato carbs don’t metabolized the same as kale carbs. Can you elaborate a bit? What would be considered very little carbs in % of total calories for both types of carbs based on the 70/20/10 split? Thanks

  9. Dr. Jockers is it possible to have an allergic reaction to mct oil such as swelling of the throat blocking all air. I started off to strong I believe. I took 4 tablespoons in one day and no side effects. The next day I took a dose and no sides. Took again hours later and started eating and began choking. No food in the airway. Luckily, I work at a hospital and was here when this happened. So bad they treated me like a trauma patient.

    I tried a little test the next day by placing a little on my finger and tasting. My throat became just a little itchy and felt a little tightness in my chest.

    What do you recommend? Am I allergic? I have never been allergic to coconut oil. I cook with it all the time.

    1. So sorry to hear this! Yes it is possible to have an allergic reaction to anything. I would avoid the MCT for a while and if you want to try it back in a few months…you want to try a different brand.

  10. Dr. I have an acne when I was teenager and until now one i a while. I am using proactive topical cream. It did help me but it is not working well with my children as they have it too as they became teenagers. Can MCT be effective for them?

  11. Dr. Jockers,
    I have been subjected to what they call long-term carbon monoxide exposure. I was exposed to a low consistent amount for 9 months. After being treated with oxygen therapy for 24 hours. I thought I for lack of better words, dodged a bullet. 30 days after the oxygen treatment. I started to become sick with several, not so ordinary symptoms. Long story short 3 years later I have been diagnosed with the following:
    IGG insufficiency
    Venous insufficiency
    Endocrine deficiency
    Brain Demiliazation
    Just to name a few…
    The brain fog from lupus is cronic. Will this oil help with any of my symptoms?
    I have chosen to stop the pharmaceutical route for treatment due to side effects, cost, and time spent at hospitals.
    I am a single mother of 3 young children, one with Autism and I have no time to be this sick. I have no support system and am in need of a supplement that will help give me and my children some quality of life. Because, I am not living, I’m existing. I would be in measurably grateful for ANY suggestions.
    Thank you

    1. So sorry to hear about this Jean-Marie, the oil itself will have limited effects. It will have more benefits if you use it in conjunction with a ketogenic diet and potentially even hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help reverse what damage has been done. You may want to consider working with one of our health coaches to put together a comprehensive plan to address as many factors as possible.

  12. Great Article! I was wondering if there is stores sugar in the fat cell and MCT oil is used and produces ketones will the body prefer the ketones to use for fuel? If so and the body is now using fat as a fuel source what happens to the sugar that’s been stored? Does it eventually get used up when the fat is burned off.

    If I understand correctly keystones are produced when there is no carbs/sugar left to use. But in case that there is stored sugars and MCT is used in coffee or something like that then the liver will produce ketones and if the body uses the key tones does the stored sugar get used and out of the body at some point and does once your liver converts the MCT and ketones are gone I guess it goes back to the stored sugar?

    Thank you so much!

    1. Hey Mike, if you are following a ketogenic nutrition plan that is low in carbs and high in healthy fats then you will continue to burn ketones and fats! If you are not following a ketogenic eating plan then you will likely go back to burning sugar once the mct oil has been metabolized.

  13. Hi Dr Jockers I have been following Dr Jelineck’s OMS diet for over 10 years, I fact probably since my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Luckily I’ve been in remission for most of the time but have suffered significant fatigue, brain fog and chronic pain.

    Within the last year I have all but eliminated the pain and as a result my brain fog has lifted and I am now working on stimulating favourable neuroplasticity and regaining strength. I’ve recently read Dr Wahls’ book, The Wahls Protocol and am just about convinced that I should switch to her dietary guidelines and adopt her Wahls Paleo Plus diet with its inclusion of MCT.

    What are you thoughts on these two completely differing dietary guidelines and which would you chose to follow if you had MS.

    Many thanks for answering this tough question.


  14. Hi Doc…
    I really enjoyed this article!!!.. quick question though.. I’m 70lbs over weight and just started the keto diet a week ago.. I am in ketosis very good average of 60 on the urine pee strips.. and I’m wondering should I add ketones through using mct oil.. or should I burn my own ketones?? which will help me lose weight the fastest??? I may not fully understand how it works yet??? Seems like I should burn mine and not add extras??? Am I confused???

  15. Just wandering if this would be good for me,I’m 67 had a brain aneryerisum, everything is good but wondering if th his mct would affect it at all, also I have no gallbladder, and very small veins an arteries,

  16. Have been on Keto diet for five weeks and on 16 hours daily fasting (using MCT oil in my coffee as well). I am still not fat adapted, havent lost any significant amount of weight (3lbs over five weeks) and still experience hunger and sugar cravings. My Blood sugar after 16 hours fasting 5.7 and ketones strips tests indicate low ketones level despite the low carbs diet 15-25 g carbs daily. Any recommendations?

  17. I’m a type 1 diabetic (for 34 years & on a pump for the last 6 years) and have been on the Keto diet for a couple of years. I had noticed that when my sugar levels were very low (hypo) in the morning, I wasn’t feeling confused or seeing spots, like I used to before eating LCHF. However, I hadn’t realised it was the ketones causing this. My question is…. how best should the hypo be treated? To avoid eating glucose I’ve been suspending my pump’s basal doses for about half an hour and drink a mug of chicken broth (home made), which raises my sugar level to a safe range. If I didn’t routinely check by blood, to realise I was low, would the hypo be resolved by the ketones alone?

  18. Hi Dr Jockers, I did keto about 3 times for about 10 days each time – but I could not sustain eating all the greens , meat , fish , cheese as I found that i couldn’t eat the volume of these foods -it was too restrictive and I got sick of eating these things . I lost 4lbs only and that also put me off. I also found it expensive.
    I am now doin a low carb diet -I lost 4lbs in first 4 days but then things slowed down a lot. I wanted to ask would MCT oil help me lose more weight on this diet??
    Is it worth me buying it??
    Or would it not work because it’s not a strict keto diet ??

    I can’t face doing a strict keto diet again.
    Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer my question. marie

  19. Is it safe to take c8 mct oil while on total food replacement,, I.e I’m substituting meals for shakes and bars,, I have read that it’s better to take with actual food.

    1. Hey Laura – it is best to use it with meals and not to take it as a meal replacement alone. You can’t get enough MCT oil in a sitting to have it as a meal replacement. It is good to put in shakes.

  20. Hello Dr. Jocker – currently I’m on a low carb diet and run 3-6 miles at least 3 times a week. I usually take fat burners and was wondering if I could combine it with the MCT oil. I don’t want to do keto diet at all, too strict for me. Thanks.

  21. Hello Dr. Jocker,

    ty for great article.
    Can i use mct oil during exercise or i dont need it? I mean use it like carbohydrates for protect power,muscle or reduce cortisol. Sometimes i train 2-3 hours ( i hope it is ok when i am on keto diet). I find information that it can be use like pre or post – workout but nobody talks about mct during exercise. Thank you in advance for your answer.

    1. Hey Lewis, MCT oil is excellent source of fats to boost ketone production and stabilize blood sugar! MCTs are immediately metabolized into ketone bodies to be used for quick energy in the body. I would recommend it pre-workout to increase endurance and improve stamina but consuming it whenever possible is beneficial! Just make sure you are choosing a high quality MCT oil for optimal benefits.

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