Using MCT oil as a supplement and coconut oil as a food shows great promise for treating many neurological diseases, including dementia and Alzheimer’s.
MCT oil is a nutritional supplement that has been called “rocket fuel for your brain” and the “cure for Alzheimer’s.”
But it’s also been called the “dregs” left over from the manufacturing process of coconut oil.
That’s a lot of hype and controversy for a supplement that, until recently, few people had heard of.
What exactly is MCT oil and what are its proven benefits?
Here’s what you need to know to decide if MCT oil is a brain supplement worth taking.
WHAT IS MCT OIL?
MCT oil is a nutritional supplement that consists of naturally occurring fats called medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs.
The best food source of MCTs, by far, is coconut oil, but they can also be found in palm oil and high-fat dairy products such as cheese and butter.
The difference between medium-chain triglycerides and either long or short-chain triglycerides is the number of carbon atoms in each molecule.
Compared to the long-chain triglycerides found in other vegetable oils, MCTs are smaller and, consequently, more readily absorbed and metabolized — qualities that make them a good source of fuel for the brain.
MCTs are unique among fats in that they don’t require bile salts for digestion or extra energy for absorption, use, or storage.
MCT oil is sold mostly as a supplement to aid weight loss or improve athletic performance.
It’s popular with bodybuilders and endurance athletes who use it to increase energy, decrease body fat, and increase lean muscle mass.