MCT Oil

What are MCT’s (medium chain triglycerides) in Virgin Coconut Oil?

There are the four MCTs that are naturally found in Virgin Coconut Oil:
Caproic Acid (C6)
Caprylic Acid (C8
Capric Acid (C10)
Lauric Acid (C12)

Caproic Acid (C6)
MCT oil supplements that taste a bit off or create a tingle in our throat typically have too much caproic acid (C6) in them.
While it doesn’t taste good at all, there’s usually not enough of it in coconut oil or MCT oil to experience it in full effect. The upside of caproic acid is that it is absorbed and converted into ketones more quickly than any other MCT.

Caprylic Acid (C8)
Caprylic acid makes up 12% of the MCTs found in coconut oil. This MCT is known to have strong anti-microbial properties that help maintain gut health. As you search for MCT oil supplements, you will find that caprylic acid is typically the most prevalent MCT in them. The higher the C8 content, the more quickly that supplement will raise your ketone levels.

Capric Acid (C10)
This MCT makes up 10% of MCTs in coconut oil. Like caprylic acid and caproic acid, capric acid turns into ketones quickly in the liver. However, due to its two extra carbons, capric acid is processed a bit slower than C8 and C6.

Lauric Acid (C12)
Lauric acid is the main reason why coconut oil is typically used as an MCT supplement. This is because it makes up roughly half of the fats found in coconut oil.