Did you know that the popular MCT oil for the ketogenic diet is now also available in powder form? Find out when MCT powder is the right choice for you here.
Table of contents
BRAINEFFECT HACK : Are you looking for a high-quality MCT powder? Then our ROCKET C8 MCT POWDER with 100% caprylic acid is the right choice for you.
1. MCT oil powder: How does it work?
The abbreviation MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides . However, most MCT oils often do not consist of a single fatty acid, but rather a combination of up to three different medium-chain fatty acids and a glycerol molecule.
Like coconut oil, MCT comes from the flesh of the coconut. Most commercially available oils contain a combination of the fatty acids caproic acid (C6) and capric acid (C10), as well as the particularly valuable caprylic acid (C8) .
But what's the difference between MCT oil and powder? MCT powder is the result of adding fiber to the oil . During production, the oil is supplemented with acacia fiber.
The oil-to-fiber ratio in most products is approximately 70% to 30%. Acacia fiber comes from the tree's bark, which is considered particularly nutrient-rich. Thus, it contains a high proportion of soluble fiber .
2. Who is MCT powder suitable for?
The powder is particularly appealing to MCT fans whose gastrointestinal tracts cannot process the oil well on its own . However, the powder's better tolerability may also be due to the fact that pure C8 is often used in the production of MCT powders due to the smaller amount required . C6, in particular, is suspected of being irritating to the stomach.
If you're on a ketogenic or simply low-carb diet , MCT powder is just as good for you as MCT oil. The advantage of ketogenic energy sources over carbohydrates is that they don't cause unpleasant blood sugar fluctuations .
As a reliable source of ketone bodies, the oil and powder, with their neutral flavor, make good additions to drinks, smoothies, porridges, and other foods. However, consuming sufficient healthy fatty acids is also essential for maintaining normal cognitive function.
MCT powders or oils are among the best sources of brain power , as the metabolism between the blood and liver is very rapid, allowing the supplied energy to be utilized immediately [1], [2]. This also makes MCT products popular among office athletes.
MCT powder is an unbeatable hack, especially for competitive athletes with a particular focus on endurance . The oil's high bioavailability means that medium-chain fatty acids can be converted into cellular energy much faster than other fat sources [3].
BRAINEFFECT HACK : With us you can get classic MCT oil ROCKET C8 or the practical ROCKET C8 MCT POWDER .
3. Benefits of MCT powder
Overall, MCT powder is particularly attractive because of its good tolerability. If you have a particularly sensitive stomach, the fiber it contains can also help balance your intestinal flora .
This, in turn, has a positive effect on your nutrient absorption , which indirectly also influences your overall performance. Studies have also shown that MCTs help neutralize pathogenic viruses and bacterial strains that are responsible for the development of various digestive problems [4].
The powder form also makes a great addition to various recipes: The fibrous consistency of the fiber can improve the texture of your teas, coffees, smoothies, and porridges. The additional fiber also provides a pleasant feeling of fullness, so the powder can also be used as a supplement to low-carbohydrate protein shakes.
BRAINEFFECT HACK : Our ROCKET C8 MCT POWDER is the perfect alternative to our ROCKET C8 . Ideal for baking and making your next Rocket Coffee creamier.
4. Conclusion
MCT powder is just as easy to use as the oil: easy dosing, great effect, and neutral flavor. Those with a sensitive stomach or who prefer a little more texture in their shakes can use MCT powder as a good alternative to the oil. An additional benefit is the pleasant satiety effect and the positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
However, as with pure oil, caution is advised regarding the composition of the fatty acids. Yes, MCT mixtures with C10 and C6 are often cheaper, but they are also much less well-tolerated.
It is therefore ideal if you check with the manufacturer whether the oil used is actually C8 from controlled coconut cultivation or whether it contains other, lower-quality fatty acids.
5. Sources
[1] Croteau, E.; Castellano, CA; Richard, M.A.; Fortier, M. [...]; Cunnane, S. (2018), Ketogenic Medium Chain Triglycerides Increase Brain Energy Metabolism in Alzheimer's Disease, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Volume 64, Issue 2, p. 551 - 561, [https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad180202].
[2] Ota, M.; Matsuo, J.; Ishida, I.; [...]; Kunugi, H. (2019), Effects of a Medium-Chain Triglyceride-Based Ketogenic Formula on Cognitive Function in Patients With Mild-To-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease, Neuroscience Letters, Volume 690, p. 232-236, [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304394018307304?via%3Dihub].
[3] Wang, Y; Liu, Z.; Han; [...]; Li, Z. (2018), Medium Chain Triglycerides enhances exercise endurance through the increased mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism, PLoS ONE, Volume Volume 13, Issue 2, e0191182, [https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0191182].
[4] Boateng, L.; Ansong, R. ; [...]; Steiner-Asiedu, M. (2016), Coconut and palm oil's role in nutrition, health and national development: A review, Ghana Medical Journal, Volume 50, Issue 3, p. 189 - 196, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5044790/].
