MCT Oil
Also known as: medium-chain triglycerides, medium chain triglyceride oil, C8/C10 oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, fractionated coconut oil
MCT oil is a clear, flavorless oil made by fractionating coconut or palm kernel oil to isolate the medium-chain fatty acids caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid as triglycerides. Medium-chain fats are absorbed directly into the portal circulation and oxidized rapidly in the liver, producing ketones, which is why the oil is popular in ketogenic, energy, and weight-management products. It is dosed in grams and is almost always sold as a liquid, since a standard softgel holds only about one gram.
Research summary
C8 and C10 triglycerides bypass chylomicron packaging, reach the liver via the portal vein, and are rapidly beta-oxidized, raising ketone body production and short-term energy expenditure.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 g | 5–15 g | — | — |
Dosed in grams of oil (1 tablespoon is about 14 g). Start at 5 g and increase gradually; larger single doses commonly cause loose stools and stomach upset. The 2015 meta-analysis of 13 trials pooled studies that replaced long-chain fats with MCTs at varied doses and noted the dose needed was not established, so dose_max_studied is left null. Usually taken with food or blended into beverages.
Standardization: Declare C8:C10 ratio (e.g. 60:40, 70:30, or 100% C8)
Source material: fractionated coconut or palm kernel oil
Forms of MCT
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCT Oil | 5–15 g | — | Liquid, Softgel | low |
| MCT Oil Powder | 5–10 g | — | Powder, Capsule | mid |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Liquid is the practical format at gram doses. Softgels hold only about 1 g each, so a 5-15 g serving would need 5-15 softgels; softgel is listed for low-dose combination products only.
Formulation notes
Derived from coconut, which FDA lists as a tree nut for allergen labeling; declare coconut where applicable. No notable drug interactions at food-level doses.
- Allergen: tree nuts
Sources
Related ingredients
Caffeine Anhydrous
Sports performancePurified, dehydrated caffeine — the standard stimulant in pre-workouts, energy, and focus products.
Typical: 100–200 mg
Guarana Extract
BotanicalGuarana is the seed of Paullinia cupana, an Amazonian vine whose seeds contain more caffeine by weight than coffee beans, along with theobromine and tannins.
Typical: 100–400 mg
MCT Oil Powder
Fatty acidMCT oil powder is MCT oil spray-dried onto a carbohydrate carrier, most often acacia gum or maltodextrin, to produce a free-flowing powder that disperses in water.
Typical: 5–10 g
Yerba Mate Extract
BotanicalYerba mate is the leaf of Ilex paraguariensis, brewed as a tea across South America.
Typical: 500–1,500 mg
Green Tea Extract (50% EGCG)
BotanicalA leaf extract of Camellia sinensis concentrated for catechins, especially EGCG, with a small amount of naturally occurring caffeine.
Typical: 300–500 mg