MCT oil

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Replies

  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    Now I am confused. SHould I not be using the MCT oil?

    As much as you struggle to get in your fats and calories, I would not worry about it too much unless you stop losing weight altogether after 4 weeks.
  • Yogi_warrior
    Yogi_warrior Posts: 5,464 Member
    edited March 2016
    Same calories doesn't mean MCT and Coconut oil are the same. If the calories are all that mattered, why bother eating low carb, we could just eat donuts. There are some big differences between the MCT and coconut oil.

    Coconut oil has these medium chain acids.
    C12 – Lauric Acid
    C10 – Capric Acid ( Highest Ketone booster)
    C8 – Caprylic Acid
    C6 – Caproic Acid


    More than half of coconut oil is made up of Lauric acid (C12) which has many immune boosting benefits and is anti-viral, anti-bacterial which can help body fight infections. Some people use Lauric acid pills to fight flu, herpes etc. There has been some research on Lauric acid to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child.

    MCT doesn't have any Lauric acid, may be a trace depending if any depending on manufacturer. Typically most of the MCT in market contain C8 and C10. Most of the MCT's sold have more C8 than C10. However, C10 boosts ketone levels upto 10 times more compared to C8 ketone levels. I do use MCT occasionally (every few months) if I need quick boost in performance. I only buy MCT which is 100% C10 and use small amounts to achieve better ketone levels than large quantities of C8 and C10 MCT oils.
    Do I consume Coconut oil or MCT, depends on your goals? If performance is the goal, I personally would consume an MCT which is 100% C10. However for general use, I would consume coconut oil because of over all immune boosting benefits of Lauric acid though it doesn't boost ketones like C10 or C8. You could add 1/4 cup of coconut oil to a smoothie and not destroy your stomach. Good luck drinking that amount of MCT.

    This is like debating, do I eat natural wholesome food(Coconut oil) or processed food (MCT)?

  • Yogi_warrior
    Yogi_warrior Posts: 5,464 Member
    Same calories doesn't mean MCT and Coconut oil are the same. If the calories are all that mattered, why bother eating low carb, we could just eat donuts. There are some big differences between the MCT and coconut oil.

    Coconut oil has these medium chain acids.
    C12 – Lauric Acid
    C10 – Capric Acid
    C8 – Caprylic Acid( Highest Ketone booster)
    C6 – Caproic Acid


    More than half of coconut oil is made up of Lauric acid (C12) which has many immune boosting benefits and is anti-viral, anti-bacterial which can help body fight infections. Some people use Lauric acid pills to fight flu, herpes etc. There has been some research on Lauric acid to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child.

    MCT doesn't have any Lauric acid, may be a trace depending if any depending on manufacturer. Typically most of the MCT in market contain C8 and C10. Most of the MCT's sold have more C8 than C10. However, C10 boosts ketone levels upto 10 times more compared to C8 ketone levels. I do use MCT occasionally (every few months) if I need quick boost in performance. I only buy MCT which is 100% C10 and use small amounts to achieve better ketone levels than large quantities of C8 and C10 MCT oils.
    Do I consume Coconut oil or MCT, depends on your goals? If performance is the goal, I personally would consume an MCT which is 100% C10. However for general use, I would consume coconut oil because of over all immune boosting benefits of Lauric acid though it doesn't boost ketones like C10 or C8. You could add 1/4 cup of coconut oil to a smoothie and not destroy your stomach. Good luck drinking that amount of MCT.

    This is like debating, do I eat natural wholesome food(Coconut oil) or processed food (MCT)?

    It won't let me edit the post and interchange C8 and C10. C8 is the one which is more powerful than C10. So buy MCT with 100% C8 not mix of C8 and C10 (cheaper and less effective).
  • kirkor
    kirkor Posts: 2,530 Member
    Good post @Going_The_Distance ; context is definitely key.
  • olivebeanhealthy
    olivebeanhealthy Posts: 127 Member
    Eeewww, I looked a bottle of Bulletproof MCT oil on sale today, and the ingredients say coconut oil and/or palm kernel oil -- what gives? Shady marketing.
  • wishfullthinking79
    wishfullthinking79 Posts: 322 Member
    Eeewww, I looked a bottle of Bulletproof MCT oil on sale today, and the ingredients say coconut oil and/or palm kernel oil -- what gives? Shady marketing.

    I believe that is what mine says. Is that bad?
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    I wouldn't say it is bad, but palm kernel oil is considered to not be as good of a form of the nutrients as coconut oil. Mine is coconut oil MCT (Buried Treasure Brand). It's mostly a matter of preference. I think @Sunny_Bunny_ might be able to shed some light, as she's done the most diligent research I know of...
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    edited March 2016
    Ok. So I agree with almost everything that @Going_The_Distance said. Seems very well informed, at least from everything I've learned myself on the subject.
    First off, I specifically use a high concentration Caprylic acid (C8, not C10) MCT oil as treatment for ADHD with great success. I have lowered my daily dosage of Adderall XR from the maximum dosage, 30mg to 20mg just this week. In addition to the MCT oil, I use highest dose I can find of krill oil or fish oil when I'm poor. I also eventually added Ginkgo Biloba. And I take higher than average amounts of different forms of magnesium and very high dose (8000mg or more) a day of vitamin C. But, my first thing I did was start MCT oil. I noticed a difference from it and just kept my research going and adding in more things as I figure out how to best "hack my brain" health.
    So anyway, the main difference between coconut oil and MCT oil is the fatty acid content and concentrations. While you will get the same fatty acids and concentration no matter what coconut oil you buy, YOU WILL NOT GET THE SAME FATTY ACIDS AND CONCENTRATIONS IN ALL MCT OIL PRODUCTS.
    The manufacturers aren't making it easy for us to know what we're getting.
    Why might you choose MCT oil over coconut oil?
    1.) Want a higher concentration of a short chain (quick brain energy) fatty acid
    2.) Want something that stays liquid.
    3.) Want flavorless. (Though refined CO is also)
    That's pretty much it.
    Why would you choose coconut oil over MCT oil?
    1.) Want higher concentration of lauric acid, which has those great anti viral, anti bacterial qualities @Going_The_Distance mentioned. Those apply to topical use as well. (Ladies, no more bikini line razor bumps :wink: I promise!)
    2.) Want yummy coconut flavor
    3.) Cheaper than MCT oil and you don't really care about the differences.
    That's pretty much it.

    So, why does MCT oil provide a greater energy boost than coconut oil? Because the short chain fatty acids (C10 and smaller) do not require breakdown by liver enzymes before being available for fuel. They pretty much immediately becomes ketones. This even applies to sugar burners. Impressive energy source huh? These are the specific fatty acids that are associated with many Alzheimer's studies. The brain loves these fats and will use them preferentially to available glucose. Great for anyone with a brain glucose metabolism problem, and apparently ADHD too, so probably lots of other brain related stuff.
    So you get a faster energy source, but it burns faster than the longer chains, so you may get more steady energy if your MCT includes some lauric acid like @KnitOrMiss said. Or, just take some more later when you need a boost.

    As far as which one to buy? Well, so far the only brands I've found that are only (>99%) caprylic acid are Dave Asprey's Brain Octane at 15g caprylic acid and about $44 for 32 ounces or MiCkeyT8's MCT Oil at about 13.6g caprylic acid and about $40 for 32 ounces.
    I've looked at Now Foods, Carrington Farms, Buried Treasure ... Ugh I can't remember all of them, but they were all nearly identical in composition and concentration. Typically had equal amounts of lauric and caprylic acid and about 1g less of capric acid. So, those offer the option of getting more short chain than coconut oil, without giving up the inclusion of lauric acid entirely.

    Here's a chart with the composition of coconut oil.
    http://www.chempro.in/fattyacid.htm

    The math based on the chart of all the fatty acids of 14g regular coconut oil would be
    0g-.112g caproic (C10 Hexoic)
    .7g-1.26g caprylic (C8 Octoic)
    .84g-1.4g capric (C10 Decoic)
    6.16g-7.28g lauric (C12 Dodecanoic)
    1.82g-2.66g myristic (C14 Tetradecanoic)
    1.12g-1.54g palmitic (C16 Hexadecanoic)
    .14g-.42g stearic (C18 Octadecanoic)
    .7g-1.12g oleic (C18:1)
    0g-.14g linoleic (C18:2)
    0g-.07g arachidic (C20 Eicosanoic)

    Comparing 14g CO to Carrington Farms MCT: (estimating an even number from the above range for CO)

    Lauric: 7g in CO / 4.3g in MCT
    Caprylic: 1g in CO / 4.2g in MCT
    Capric: 1g in CO / 3.4g in MCT

    Of course if you compare CO to Brain Octane, it's 1g of caprylic acid compared to 15g in Brain Octane.

    By contemplating switching from CO to MCT, you just need to decide these things:
    1.) Do I specifically want the most short chain fatty acids I can get because I want the most extra brain energy possible and want the most blood ketones or am I ok with just a little bit more? (Note: more ketones in this way does not equal more weight loss)
    2.) Do I care if I lose lauric acid from my diet? If so, my options are to use highest caprylic acid MCT and also include CO in other ways, or use a blend MCT oil and get lower short chain doses.
    3.) Do I simply hate coconut flavor or just want the convenience of liquid and don't care about the rest? Then buy what's cheaper and easiest to get.

    I hope this helps.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    Ok. So I agree with almost everything that @Going_The_Distance said. Seems very well informed, at least from everything I've learned myself on the subject.
    First off, I specifically use a high concentration Caprylic acid (C8, not C10) MCT oil as treatment for ADHD with great success. I have lowered my daily dosage of Adderall XR from the maximum dosage, 30mg to 20mg just this week. In addition to the MCT oil, I use highest dose I can find of krill oil or fish oil when I'm poor. I also eventually added Ginkgo Biloba. And I take higher than average amounts of different forms of magnesium and very high dose (8000mg or more) a day of vitamin C. But, my first thing I did was start MCT oil. I noticed a difference from it and just kept my research going and adding in more things as I figure out how to best "hack my brain" health.
    So anyway, the main difference between coconut oil and MCT oil is the fatty acid content and concentrations. While you will get the same fatty acids and concentration no matter what coconut oil you buy, YOU WILL NOT GET THE SAME FATTY ACIDS AND CONCENTRATIONS IN ALL MCT OIL PRODUCTS.
    The manufacturers aren't making it easy for us to know what we're getting.
    Why might you choose MCT oil over coconut oil?
    1.) Want a higher concentration of a short chain (quick brain energy) fatty acid
    2.) Want something that stays liquid.
    3.) Want flavorless. (Though refined CO is also)
    That's pretty much it.
    Why would you choose coconut oil over MCT oil?
    1.) Want higher concentration of lauric acid, which has those great anti viral, anti bacterial qualities @Going_The_Distance mentioned. Those apply to topical use as well. (Ladies, no more bikini line razor bumps :wink: I promise!)
    2.) Want yummy coconut flavor
    3.) Cheaper than MCT oil and you don't really care about the differences.
    That's pretty much it.

    So, why does MCT oil provide a greater energy boost than coconut oil? Because the short chain fatty acids (C10 and smaller) do not require breakdown by liver enzymes before being available for fuel. They pretty much immediately becomes ketones. This even applies to sugar burners. Impressive energy source huh? These are the specific fatty acids that are associated with many Alzheimer's studies. The brain loves these fats and will use them preferentially to available glucose. Great for anyone with a brain glucose metabolism problem, and apparently ADHD too, so probably lots of other brain related stuff.
    So you get a faster energy source, but it burns faster than the longer chains, so you may get more steady energy if your MCT includes some lauric acid like @KnitOrMiss said. Or, just take some more later when you need a boost.

    As far as which one to buy? Well, so far the only brands I've found that are only (>99%) caprylic acid are Dave Asprey's Brain Octane at 15g caprylic acid and about $44 for 32 ounces or MiCkeyT8's MCT Oil at about 13.6g caprylic acid and about $40 for 32 ounces.
    I've looked at Now Foods, Carrington Farms, Buried Treasure ... Ugh I can't remember all of them, but they were all nearly identical in composition and concentration. Typically had equal amounts of lauric and caprylic acid and about 1g less of capric acid. So, those offer the option of getting more short chain than coconut oil, without giving up the inclusion of lauric acid entirely.

    Here's a chart with the composition of coconut oil.
    http://www.chempro.in/fattyacid.htm

    The math based on the chart of all the fatty acids of 14g regular coconut oil would be
    0g-.112g caproic (C10 Hexoic)
    .7g-1.26g caprylic (C8 Octoic)
    .84g-1.4g capric (C10 Decoic)
    6.16g-7.28g lauric (C12 Dodecanoic)
    1.82g-2.66g myristic (C14 Tetradecanoic)
    1.12g-1.54g palmitic (C16 Hexadecanoic)
    .14g-.42g stearic (C18 Octadecanoic)
    .7g-1.12g oleic (C18:1)
    0g-.14g linoleic (C18:2)
    0g-.07g arachidic (C20 Eicosanoic)

    Comparing 14g CO to Carrington Farms MCT: (estimating an even number from the above range for CO)

    Lauric: 7g in CO / 4.3g in MCT
    Caprylic: 1g in CO / 4.2g in MCT
    Capric: 1g in CO / 3.4g in MCT

    Of course if you compare CO to Brain Octane, it's 1g of caprylic acid compared to 15g in Brain Octane.

    By contemplating switching from CO to MCT, you just need to decide these things:
    1.) Do I specifically want the most short chain fatty acids I can get because I want the most extra brain energy possible and want the most blood ketones or am I ok with just a little bit more? (Note: more ketones in this way does not equal more weight loss)
    2.) Do I care if I lose lauric acid from my diet? If so, my options are to use highest caprylic acid MCT and also include CO in other ways, or use a blend MCT oil and get lower short chain doses.
    3.) Do I simply hate coconut flavor or just want the convenience of liquid and don't care about the rest? Then buy what's cheaper and easiest to get.

    I hope this helps.

    And, @Sunny_Bunny_, regarding the sourcing from coconut versus palm kernel?
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    edited March 2016
    KnitOrMiss wrote: »
    Ok. So I agree with almost everything that @Going_The_Distance said. Seems very well informed, at least from everything I've learned myself on the subject.
    First off, I specifically use a high concentration Caprylic acid (C8, not C10) MCT oil as treatment for ADHD with great success. I have lowered my daily dosage of Adderall XR from the maximum dosage, 30mg to 20mg just this week. In addition to the MCT oil, I use highest dose I can find of krill oil or fish oil when I'm poor. I also eventually added Ginkgo Biloba. And I take higher than average amounts of different forms of magnesium and very high dose (8000mg or more) a day of vitamin C. But, my first thing I did was start MCT oil. I noticed a difference from it and just kept my research going and adding in more things as I figure out how to best "hack my brain" health.
    So anyway, the main difference between coconut oil and MCT oil is the fatty acid content and concentrations. While you will get the same fatty acids and concentration no matter what coconut oil you buy, YOU WILL NOT GET THE SAME FATTY ACIDS AND CONCENTRATIONS IN ALL MCT OIL PRODUCTS.
    The manufacturers aren't making it easy for us to know what we're getting.
    Why might you choose MCT oil over coconut oil?
    1.) Want a higher concentration of a short chain (quick brain energy) fatty acid
    2.) Want something that stays liquid.
    3.) Want flavorless. (Though refined CO is also)
    That's pretty much it.
    Why would you choose coconut oil over MCT oil?
    1.) Want higher concentration of lauric acid, which has those great anti viral, anti bacterial qualities @Going_The_Distance mentioned. Those apply to topical use as well. (Ladies, no more bikini line razor bumps :wink: I promise!)
    2.) Want yummy coconut flavor
    3.) Cheaper than MCT oil and you don't really care about the differences.
    That's pretty much it.

    So, why does MCT oil provide a greater energy boost than coconut oil? Because the short chain fatty acids (C10 and smaller) do not require breakdown by liver enzymes before being available for fuel. They pretty much immediately becomes ketones. This even applies to sugar burners. Impressive energy source huh? These are the specific fatty acids that are associated with many Alzheimer's studies. The brain loves these fats and will use them preferentially to available glucose. Great for anyone with a brain glucose metabolism problem, and apparently ADHD too, so probably lots of other brain related stuff.
    So you get a faster energy source, but it burns faster than the longer chains, so you may get more steady energy if your MCT includes some lauric acid like @KnitOrMiss said. Or, just take some more later when you need a boost.

    As far as which one to buy? Well, so far the only brands I've found that are only (>99%) caprylic acid are Dave Asprey's Brain Octane at 15g caprylic acid and about $44 for 32 ounces or MiCkeyT8's MCT Oil at about 13.6g caprylic acid and about $40 for 32 ounces.
    I've looked at Now Foods, Carrington Farms, Buried Treasure ... Ugh I can't remember all of them, but they were all nearly identical in composition and concentration. Typically had equal amounts of lauric and caprylic acid and about 1g less of capric acid. So, those offer the option of getting more short chain than coconut oil, without giving up the inclusion of lauric acid entirely.

    Here's a chart with the composition of coconut oil.
    http://www.chempro.in/fattyacid.htm

    The math based on the chart of all the fatty acids of 14g regular coconut oil would be
    0g-.112g caproic (C10 Hexoic)
    .7g-1.26g caprylic (C8 Octoic)
    .84g-1.4g capric (C10 Decoic)
    6.16g-7.28g lauric (C12 Dodecanoic)
    1.82g-2.66g myristic (C14 Tetradecanoic)
    1.12g-1.54g palmitic (C16 Hexadecanoic)
    .14g-.42g stearic (C18 Octadecanoic)
    .7g-1.12g oleic (C18:1)
    0g-.14g linoleic (C18:2)
    0g-.07g arachidic (C20 Eicosanoic)

    Comparing 14g CO to Carrington Farms MCT: (estimating an even number from the above range for CO)

    Lauric: 7g in CO / 4.3g in MCT
    Caprylic: 1g in CO / 4.2g in MCT
    Capric: 1g in CO / 3.4g in MCT

    Of course if you compare CO to Brain Octane, it's 1g of caprylic acid compared to 15g in Brain Octane.

    By contemplating switching from CO to MCT, you just need to decide these things:
    1.) Do I specifically want the most short chain fatty acids I can get because I want the most extra brain energy possible and want the most blood ketones or am I ok with just a little bit more? (Note: more ketones in this way does not equal more weight loss)
    2.) Do I care if I lose lauric acid from my diet? If so, my options are to use highest caprylic acid MCT and also include CO in other ways, or use a blend MCT oil and get lower short chain doses.
    3.) Do I simply hate coconut flavor or just want the convenience of liquid and don't care about the rest? Then buy what's cheaper and easiest to get.

    I hope this helps.

    And, @Sunny_Bunny_, regarding the sourcing from coconut versus palm kernel?

    Oh yeah.
    Well, my research there isn't as good, but, I think much of it is politically motivated in that nobody wants to buy unsustainable palm kernel oil or GMO or from unfair labor sources. That's a little tricky there. Any brand that does use sustainable or non GMO Palm kernel oil, will surely lable it as such. But, if you look at the fatty acid breakdown on the linked chart, you'll see chemically, they are nearly identical. So, other than sourcing, it's a non issue.
    And if you think about it, if Dave Asprey, who lays on a nail bed, wears special color changing lenses, and all his other bio hacking things that seem crazy is ok with palm kernel oil, I am good. If that nut job, :smile: who I really do respect, but he is kinda crazy, can trust it, then so can I.
  • wishfullthinking79
    wishfullthinking79 Posts: 322 Member
    Oh my goodness. SO much information. This is can be very overwhelming. I struggled with the idea of buying the MCT oil, putting it off for weeks. Now that I have actually broke down and bought some, I am struggling with the idea of using it. I do know that when I bought it I was feeling very sluggish for days. I did notice an immediate change in my state of mind.

    I typically only use it when I go to the gym because that is when I drink a protein shake which is 5 or 6 days out of the week. SHould I be trying to incorporate it into other drinks and food?

  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    Oh my goodness. SO much information. This is can be very overwhelming. I struggled with the idea of buying the MCT oil, putting it off for weeks. Now that I have actually broke down and bought some, I am struggling with the idea of using it. I do know that when I bought it I was feeling very sluggish for days. I did notice an immediate change in my state of mind.

    I typically only use it when I go to the gym because that is when I drink a protein shake which is 5 or 6 days out of the week. SHould I be trying to incorporate it into other drinks and food?

    I start every single day with 1 tablespoon of it. Before I switched to MCT I was using the same amount of coconut oil. I do it to get a good start on my hunger control as well as the other things I mentioned. And, if I did manage to control hunger without it, I would be too low on calories to be healthy so it gets me a good start on that too.
    Besides cooking with coconut oil and/or butter, that's all the MCT I consume the entire day.
  • wishfullthinking79
    wishfullthinking79 Posts: 322 Member
    @Sunny_Bunny_ You know it seems like I have more cravings since I started using the MCT oil. I find myself wanting to snack now when this wasnt the case before I started using it in the mornings.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    wishfulthinking just do what works for you, follow your own rules :wink:
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    @Sunny_Bunny_ You know it seems like I have more cravings since I started using the MCT oil. I find myself wanting to snack now when this wasnt the case before I started using it in the mornings.

    It would be the first I've ever heard anyone say that, but it doesn't mean it isn't true for you. It is very surprising since fat is so satiating. But, it is also said to increase metabolism, which is a good thing.
  • V_Keto_V
    V_Keto_V Posts: 342 Member
    I will say it over & over again, the most economical MCT is Carrington Farms MCT oil; literally $8 for 16 fluid ounces at Target. Labeling even breaks down Caprylic, Lauric, & capric acid content...>>> random overpriced food "supplements".
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    @Sunny_Bunny_ You know it seems like I have more cravings since I started using the MCT oil. I find myself wanting to snack now when this wasnt the case before I started using it in the mornings.

    It would be the first I've ever heard anyone say that, but it doesn't mean it isn't true for you. It is very surprising since fat is so satiating. But, it is also said to increase metabolism, which is a good thing.

    It happens, to me, too, @Sunny_Bunny_ and @wishfullthinking79! Not cravings, but a general increase in hunger, which I think is due to the metabolism boost. I stopped it for a while, hoping to get my ... bathroom drama ... under control... I don't overly miss it, but I'm not avoiding it, either.
  • slimzandra
    slimzandra Posts: 955 Member
    Thanks for this thread. I found it to be very informative. Learning something new everyday thanks to the folks in this group. I can only add my personal experience.

    Omega Nutrition MCToil ($14.00)/16fl.oz has 50% caprylic acid and 50% capric acid. Reading the label it is sourced from palm kernel OR coconut oil. Interesting. I can now make a more educated purchase in the future. I've been using 2 teaspoons in my morning coffee or tea. I found it helps with the morning mental fog. I do not feel an increase in hunger.

    I use a mix of coconut oil and Kerrygold butter in my cooking. I read somewhere that the medium chain triglycerides in MCT oil break down when heated in cooking. (no cite) I also prefer the coconut flavoring on meats and fish, not in my coffee or tea. I feel both have been a positive new addition to my WOE.
  • wishfullthinking79
    wishfullthinking79 Posts: 322 Member
    @Sunny_Bunny_ I think it is strange as well since most say is curves the appetite. I didn't make it to the gym this morning so I didn't drink a protein shake. I was literally a walking zombie this morning. I took 4 oz of my boyfriends coffe, one tbsp of MCT oil and two tbsp of heave whipping cream mixed it all in my ninja. It wasn't half bad. I tummy ached for a little while after drinking it. Not sure if it was from the MCT oil or the coffee because I do not drink coffee that often. As of right now I do not have the desire to snack.

    @KnitOrMiss It is more an urge to eat for me as well. I think that fits more than saying it is an actual craving.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    If the hunger is truly associated with a boost in metabolism, that would be a very good thing that would allow you more calories. Eating lower calories consistently is definitely associated with lowering metabolism, which is the reason so many people gain weight back after dieting. So, even if you eat a bit more, if it's due to a metabolic boost, that's great news for long term weight management.
    I've been a hard core calorie counter since day one and I kinda doubt it's done me a whole lot of good. Except for maybe helping me learn when I would eat from boredom or cravings because if I had eaten at TDEE or over and was still thinking I was hungry, and had no above average activity to explain it, I could easily see that I should not be hungry.
    But, I really do think that our desire to lose weight, and see it on the scale, can interfere with our ability to make the best decisions about what and when to eat quite often.
    I haven't stopped counting calories yet. I think I may have slowed my metabolism down a bit since I started last May. I've consistently averaged no more than 1325 calories a day the entire time. Even lower in the beginning. My TDEE should never be lower than 1450 on my absolute laziest days but probably averages out to about 1550 based on my fitness tracker. I'm really not very active at all. Sad..
    Though I'm losing weight incredibly slowly. It takes 2 months for my trend weight to show any loss these days. It doesn't make sense from traditional standards. And while I do not believe that calories are the absolute factor in creating weight loss, I do have to wonder if my "all in" attitude in the beginning caused me to slow down metabolism and now I'm paying the price for it.
    Anyway, I say all that because it's been on my mind a lot lately and it makes me want to warn against discontinuing MCT or CO because of the increased hunger. I would say to discontinue something like sweetener or nuts or dairy if the reaction were the same, but because of the MCT being what it is, I think the hunger response may actually be helpful in creating a better running metabolic system. I'm just basically thinking out loud here... I realize this is wandering a bit. Lol
    During the April challenge, I'm going to do all animal and no calorie counting and I will be ok with a scale weight gain if that happens. I would like that month long experience to create a boost in metabolism for me. I'm not going to try to restrict eating. I'm just going to eat when hungry. I will still be including MCT and coconut oil too.
    If it does create a gain, I will likely continue with it anyway in hopes that my body will regulate itself and settle into a more efficient metabolism. I guess the hope is ultimately to prove that stimulated hunger from a healthy fat source is a good thing for developing a healthier metabolism.
    I've heard that idea over and over again, but I have never been willing to allow myself higher calories consistently. I'll eat when I'm hungry, but on extra hungry days, I always try to be careful about the calorie density of the food so that I can eat, be satisfied, but not go too much over goal or too much over TDEE. I'm not going to worry about that anymore. We will see what happens.
  • wishfullthinking79
    wishfullthinking79 Posts: 322 Member
    @Sunny_Bunny_ I know that in some ways it is good that I have the desire to eat throughout the day because in the past I did not. I too definitely look at the calories. I have done a lot to increase my fat which as proven to be challenging for me. I have added foods in my diet that I did not eat in the past.

    I do now suspect that the increase in appetite is caused from the protein shake. This is the first day I have taken mct oil without the protein shake and as of now I have had no urge to eat anything.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    @Sunny_Bunny_ I know that in some ways it is good that I have the desire to eat throughout the day because in the past I did not. I too definitely look at the calories. I have done a lot to increase my fat which as proven to be challenging for me. I have added foods in my diet that I did not eat in the past.

    I do now suspect that the increase in appetite is caused from the protein shake. This is the first day I have taken mct oil without the protein shake and as of now I have had no urge to eat anything.

    I recall talking about the artificial sweetener in your protein shake before.
  • wishfullthinking79
    wishfullthinking79 Posts: 322 Member
    I am sure there is some kind of AS in it. I drink it when I work out because the trainer said I need to consume protein after I workout. I have to force myself to do that because I am not one who typically eats anything that early. But I choke about 4 oz of that down.
  • Yogi_warrior
    Yogi_warrior Posts: 5,464 Member
    The only MCT oil so far I found which is pure C8 is keto8. Its the only MCT I have if needed. My blood ketone levels already average like 4.8 milli molars and adding MCT is not gonna make a big difference.
  • Yogi_warrior
    Yogi_warrior Posts: 5,464 Member
    @Sunny_Bunny_ I know that in some ways it is good that I have the desire to eat throughout the day because in the past I did not. I too definitely look at the calories. I have done a lot to increase my fat which as proven to be challenging for me. I have added foods in my diet that I did not eat in the past.

    I do now suspect that the increase in appetite is caused from the protein shake. This is the first day I have taken mct oil without the protein shake and as of now I have had no urge to eat anything.

    Make sure you get enough protein. I don't drink protein shakes but I always get enough protein, not too much, not too little.
  • DittoDan
    DittoDan Posts: 1,850 Member
    I should of asked what is the best brand to get? I have done a little reading on it. It list a few different ones. Then the article said to be sure to buy a good quality one. There is one that is sold on amazon that I was going to get. It is the same one that I seen at sprouts.

    I just took pics today (by coincidence) of the one I use:

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    I hope this helps,
    Dan the Man from Michigan
    Keto / The Recipe Water Fasting / E.A.S.Y. Exercise Program
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  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
    MCT oil gives you the energy boost that carbs will, but without the insulin response! Pretty cool! :)