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You may be on the hunt for the best MCT oil after hearing about all of its health-boosting properties, and who could blame you? Whether you want to lose weight, boost your energy, or generally improve your health, an MCT oil can help you achieve your health goals. So, what is this wonder oil you’ve been hearing about?
What is MCT?
Medium chain triglycerides, or MCTs, are a type of saturated fatty acid with a wide array of health benefits. Recently, there’s been a surge in popularity for one product in particular — MCT oils. Created from a process called fractionation, which extracts the MCTs from coconut oil or palm oil, MCT oil is all the rage at the moment — and for good reason. MCT oil is great for those on the keto diet because it supports ketosis, which is when your body uses fat to create energy instead of glucose. And doing so means that you need to eat more healthy fats to balance out your diet. That’s where an MCT supplement can come in as part of a keto meal plan.
The best way to take MCT oil is as a daily supplement — but it all depends on the type that you buy. If you get the capsules, simply take your dose every day as you would your other daily vitamins. If you get the powder form, mix it in with your pancake or smoothie mix. The oil, on the other hand, is more flexible meaning you can seriously put it anywhere. From mixing it into your favorite morning drink and drizzling it onto your salad to making your own MCT-oil infused dips, mayonnaise, or nut butter, MCT oil is extremely versatile. If you’re in a hurry, though, just pour it into a spoon and gulp it down.
When is the best time to take an MCT oil supplement?
It’s widely regarded that the morning is the best time to take MCT oil, but this depends on why you’re taking it. If you want to lose weight, taking it in the morning with your breakfast may help you fight hunger during the day and kickstart your metabolism. In the same vein, if you’re using MCT oils for mental clarity, taking it in the morning will help you throughout your busy day. Because experts advise taking MCT oil before a workout, if you tend to exercise at night, there is no harm in taking it in the evening for an energy boost.
What is the best MCT oil supplement?
While some may prefer to get their daily dose of MCT from coconut oil, palm oil, or dairy products, for many it’s easier to get an MCT oil supplement to do the job. After all, when you’re trying to source MCT from different foods, it may be hard to calculate how much MCT you’re actually getting. With a daily supplement, you can easily track your progress because you know the exact amount in each dose. So which MCT oil is the best? We’ve done our research, and rounded up 11 of the most highly-rated MCT oils, just for you. Keep scrolling for FIRST’s picks for the best MCT oils that’ll keep you healthy and trim.
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This MCT oil by Nature’s Way has a 100% potency, and it's made solely from premium coconuts without any palm oil or fillers. It’s flavorless, odorless, and vegan-friendly. Just mix it into your smoothie, shake, or coffee — or simply take it by the tablespoon. One positive reviewer on Amazon writes, “Two days using and immediately you can feel a difference! Add it to your coffee, it doesn't change the taste. You'll feel energized and alert! Not just because of the coffee. But you'll feel different. Better. Not hyped. Just focused.”
Now Foods has been around since 1968, and they are a leader in the field of dietary supplements and vitamin aids. Their MCT oil is a top-quality oil supplement that helps you manage your weight. It’s vegetarian and comes in three flavors: pure, chocolate mocha, and vanilla hazelnut. One happy buyer, Nancy, says, “Great product for a great price. No side effects at all. Lots of energy, [and] appetite control. I'm finally losing weight and am able to focus better. No more fatigue. I feel twenty again instead of middle aged.”
3. Best MCT Oil for Weight Loss by Sports Research
Sports Research uses 100% coconut oil in their MCT oil supplement with no palm oil whatsoever. It’s non-GMO, and perfect for keto, paleo, and vegan diets. “This stuff is the truth,” says one happy reviewer. “Paired with good eating habits, half a gallon of water daily and exercise, this MCT helps the body to burn fat quicker by attacking fat not muscle. But, you have to drastically lower your carb and sugar intake.”
For a pure, tasteless, and odorless MCT oil supplement that is safe for paleo, vegan, and kosher diets, try this non-GMO MCT oil by Artizen. “This MCT oil is great,” writes Fran. “I am very pleased. I take 2-3 tablespoons a day. Some use it in smoothies and I have also… there isn't any flavor [so] you don't taste it... I have been taking it now for about a little more than a month and it gives me a natural energetic feeling. And not to mention I've noticed shrinkage in my waistline and thighs... This is a great product and good size that’s sure to last approximately 1 to 3 months.”
People are loving the Bulletproof Brain Octane MCT oil. It's made from 100% sustainable coconut oil. As soon as you take your daily dose of Brain Octane, it rapidly gets absorbed into your system and changed into ketone bodies, which provide instant energy to the brain without breaking down glucose from sugars or carbohydrates. It keeps you full and focused for hours. Bulletproof also has an entire line of MCT-infused products to suit your lifestyle and needs.
This premium MCT oil by Left Coast is made from a formula that is easy on the stomach. All the good stuff in the supplement is immediately transported to the liver, where it's rapidly utilized for energy and not stored as fat. Made from 100% coconut oil, Left Coast's MCT oil gives all-day energy and helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels while boosting the body's metabolic rate. It’s ideal for suppressing cravings and improving mental clarity; however, if this is your first time trying MCT oil, start with half a teaspoon and build up to a tablespoon to avoid an upset tummy.
The Viva Naturals Organic MCT oil is a firm five-star favorite with almost 3,000 reviews. It comes in either an oil or powder form, and it is extracted from organic coconut oil. J. Yocum says, “Keeps me full longer. Before I added MCT to my morning smoothie I would always get hungry around 11am... just couldn't make it to lunch. After adding MCT to my smoothie I can easily make it to 12 or longer without getting 'hangry.' Also, when I do eat lunch I tend to eat less, which is great for appetite control.” Another happy user, Shannon, raves, “This is truly odorless and tasteless! I’ve put it in my coffee, I’ve used it on salads, I’ve used it to cook with… It has taken the 'fog' and 'haze' that is usually there, completely away! The more I researched it, I see how it does affect the brain but never after everything I have tried did I think this would have helped.”
We’ll let this review from chef and dietary manager, Michelle, speak for itself. “I’m a chef and dietary manager for an assisted living facility. I decided to start the keto way of life when a doctor friend of mine wanted me to explore the Keto or Atkins diet with a couple of our residents, who are very obese and in need of surgery for back issues. He said they can’t have the surgery until they drop to a certain BMI. He suggested MCT oil and gave me some to try before I implement a dietary plan for the residents. Wow! What a difference it’s made in my own life. I liked it so much I bought more of the same brand from Amazon. I was diagnosed by 2 doctors with moderate ADHD so I have a lot of energy as it is, but after using 1-2 tablespoons of MCT oil a day, I have a more focused energy and more sense of well-being… I will definitely continue to order and use this oil, as well as recommend to others!”
9. Best MCT Oil Powder Supplement by Quest Nutrition
Some people find the idea of incorporating an oil into their daily diet a bit off-putting or gut-churning, and that’s where MCT oil powder comes in handy. The Quest Nutrition MCT powder can be added to any smoothie, shake, or baked good, and it’s deliciously creamy and easy to digest. You get 50 servings in every 16-ounce container, which should last you about a month and a half, or you can opt for the two-pack, which works out slightly cheaper and will last around three months.
For anyone who travels often, another reason MCT powder might be better for you than MCT oil is the fear of nasty oil spills in your luggage. The Perfect Keto MCT oil in powder form contains zero fillers, corn starch, fiber additives, carbs, or sugar. It's only made of natural MCT fats from coconut. It will keep you fuller for longer and won’t spike your blood sugar. This versatile, unflavored powder can be used as a coffee, tea, or other beverage creamer, made into a smoothie, or enjoyed straight even take in a glass of water. It dilutes perfectly with a quick stir of a teaspoon, no blender necessary!
11. Best MCT Oil for Keto by Kiss My Keto — Capsules
If you don’t have time to make smoothies or you hate the idea of drizzling oil over your meals, these MCT softgel oil capsules by Kiss My Keto are your best solution. You'll get all the benefits of MCTs without the added hassle. They're gentle on the stomach, easy to digest, and completely flavorless. One happy buyer says, “I started taking [these] for help with weight loss. I take 3 pills twice a day and along with diet I have [noticed] weight loss and better mental clarity." Another says, “I can actually feel the difference. It takes a few days, but I can feel the difference in the fact that I began to remember things that I had forgotten.”
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