What is MCT Oil made from?
MCT Oil is made from coconut or palm kernel oil via a process called fractionation which extracts and isolates the medium-chain triglycerides. These highly concentrated sources of medium-chain triglycerides usually make an oil of either 100% caprylic acid (C8) or 100% capric acid (C10) or a mix of the two.
MCT Oil Making Process: What is Fractionation?
Fractionation is a process you perform to separate a quality (in this case medium-chain triglycerides) from a mixture (in this case coconut oil and / or palm kernel) via a phase transition.
In doing so, you can remove the unwanted qualities from something like a coconut oil or kernel oil and just have the C8 and C10 that you expect from MCT oil.
FYI: If you’re interested in medium-chain triglycerides, you should check out our best mct oil page.
I’ve also had great results using Performance Lab MCT.
Why is MCT Oil made this way?
The reason this is done, because most coconut oils and palm kernel oil contain four main medium-chain triglycerides:
- C6 – Caproic Acid
- C8 – Caprylic Acid
- C10 – Capric Acid
- C12 – Lauric Acid
C6 and C12 are not as effective as C8 and C10 – and they are even linked to causing gastrointestinal distress.
By running fractionation, the unwanted parts of these oils can be discarded and you can be left with 100% of the oils’ best qualities.
For example, C8 and C10 have the ability to raise ketones in your body to help promote:
- Mitochondria within brain cells – The energy production in your brain cells.
- Enhance mitochondria efficiency – Have more reliable brain energy.
- Protect brain cells and mitochondria – Fight off destructive free radicals to give your brain more health support.
It’s great for giving you more brain energy and general ketone support.
For the best results, you should try to ensure that MCT oils you’re getting come from a good source.
The best we’ve seen typically come from 100% non-GMO organic-ceritified coconuts and have a 60% C8 and 40% C10 split.
Sometimes if you’re getting your MCT oil from more questionable sources, for example cheap palm oil – or modified coconuts, the risk for gastric distress increases.
Likewise, if you think you’re fine just using coconut oil, know that it only 55% MCTs, and it also contains C6 and C12, both of which have been linked to gastric distress. There’s also an issue with coconut oils going rancid due to coming from genetically modified hydrogenated trans fats.
Be aware and do your research.
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- How much MCT Oil in Coffee?
- What is MCT Oil Made From?
- Why does MCT Oil cause Diarrhea?
- What does MCT Oil do to your body?
- How much MCT oil should I take daily?
- What are the side effects of MCT Oil?
- Does MCT Oil Go Bad?
- MCT Oil Before Bed
- Performance Lab MCT Review
Hi, I’m Pablo Garduno. I am a biohacking enthusiast, and Head Writer of SanDiegoHealth.org. I write the majority of the content on this site, and appreciate you taking the time to read my work.