How does MCT oil affect the brain?

MCT can help your body make ketones, an energy source for your brain that doesn’t have carbs. Some say drinking it will make your mind sharper. But if you don’t have a cognitive disorder, you aren’t likely to get a long-lasting brain boost just by adding some MCT oil.

Does the brain prefer ketones or glucose?

On a standard low carb diet, the brain will still largely depend on glucose, the sugar found in your blood, for fuel. However, the brain may burn more ketones than on a regular diet. On a ketogenic diet, ketones are the primary fuel source for the brain.

How does MCT oil affect blood sugar?

Lowered blood sugar levels. MCTs may also help to improve blood sugar levels and play a potential role in diabetes management. A 2007 study found MCT improved diabetes risk factors, including insulin resistance, in a small group of participants with type 2 diabetes.

Which MCT oil is best for the brain?

If you want a winning combination of MCT oil, brain function and ketone energy, go with C8, which gives you four times more ketone energy than coconut oil. Unlike other MCTs, C8 is more efficiently converted into ketones by the liver before the ketones cross the blood-brain barrier.

Can your brain feed on ketones?

The brain can run on ketones – almost. When you are on a keto diet, or fasting, your brain can switch from using glucose as its main fuel source to using ketones. There are however portions of the brain that do require glucose for function.

What does the brain prefer for fuel?

When there’s no food coming in, our body doesn’t really store glucose and glucose is the primary fuel for the brain. When we’re resting, about two-thirds of the glucose in our blood is actually used by the brain for its metabolism; it relies on and craves glucose.

Does MCT oil increase triglycerides?

Conclusions: MCT oil does not affect total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol levels, but does cause a small increase in triglycerides.