10 replies to this topic

[Ramsay]

I want to try a quality MCT oil, but am concerned about side effects since I have a sensitive stomach. Can you recommend some particular products which are easiest on the stomach? Thanks

[resveratrol_guy]

Speaking from personal experience, the only somewhat effective strategy is to consume it mixed with foods rich in fiber, such as a salad or a vegetable stew. Granted, if you ingest too much sugar in the process of acquiring fiber, e.g. from fruits, then you may well defeat the purpose of consuming MCT oil. Definitely I don't recommend MCT on an empty stomach. As to brands, I personally prefer Now Sports.

Edited by resveratrol_guy, 28 October 2015 - 02:53 AM.

[Heinsbeans]

+1 don't consume MCT oil on empty stomach. I've tried that and it gave me a horrible stomach pain and diarrhea even though it was less than the amount I usually put in my coffee.

Edited by Heinsbeans, 29 October 2015 - 07:33 AM.

[fntms]

I take it mct oil every morning on an empty stomach (1tbsp mct +1tbsp coconut oil) in my coffee and I have no gastric issues. You need to build up gradually though, maybe from 1tbp.
Not sure it's that useful tbh. But at least the coconut oil has some lauric acid which helps immunity iirc.

[proileri]

I was wondering, did the MCT vs. coconut oil discussion ever end up in any conclusion which one is better? 

 

I was looking to try some MCT product out, but as always, each version seems to have it's fans.      

[normalizing]

isnt MCT coconut oil?

[proileri]

isnt MCT coconut oil?

 

Sort of. Coconut oil has 4 main triglycerides, 6-12 carbons long, and 50% of CO is the 12C stuff (lauric acid) that borders on LCT. The stuff sold as 'MCT oil' usually has only the 6-8C fraction. So, there's discussion if lauric acid is good for you or not.

 

It seems that most of the research on MCT is done with 6-10C triglycerides, though.   

[Phlogiston]

The study I've attached below (dealing with humans, not rodents) found that decanoic acid, aka capric acid (C10), a component in both MCT oil and coconut oil, not only boosted mitochondrial activity but actually increased the number of mitochondria. This is highly important because of the increasing suspicion that impaired mitochondrial function plays a major role in neurodegenerative diseases.

 

There have been many anecdotal stories about Alzheimer's patients improving noticeably when they supplement with large quantities of coconut oil, usually several tablespoons a day. Coconut oil contains around 6% C10.  The amount of C10 in MCT oil varies dramatically from brand to brand. Some brands contain none at all. I use Left Coast MCT oil, which contains around 40% C10.

 

I have clinically significant cognitive problems which I've discussed elsewhere on the forum. I do a lot of supplementation aimed at optimizing mitochondrial function. For several weeks 1 used 3-4 tablespoons of coconut oil, and perceived no changes at all in cognition or energy level. But when I use 3-4 tablespoons daily of Left Coast, it causes hypomania, experienced as irritability. While annoying, this seems to indicate, in this n=1 study, that the stuff really is neurologically active.

 

 

 

 

Attached Files

•  C10 AND MITOCHONDRIA.pdf   390.24KB   11 downloads

[normalizing]

^ irritability type of feeling similar to dosing high on caffeine?

[Phlogiston]

No, I never get dysphoric irritability on caffeine, even though I consume a lot of it.

 

This is a type of resentment-centered dysphoria that usually only appears when I am extremely short on sleep or have had my sleep pattern disrupted, such as by jet lag or night work.

[normalizing]

sounds nasty. i wonder if something else in that specific oil you consume adds to this and not just that high content of capric acid. i checked it and it says it also has palm oil to it.