The Top-10 Vegan MCT Oil Supplements + Guidance and Buying Tips
MCT Oil, or medium-chain triglycerides, supplements have been making waves over the last few years within the fitness communities around the world. MCT oil is a powerful source of energy derived from certain types of fats from oils. [1]
Personally, I have experimented with MCT Oil for over six months while training. There was no denying that MCT Oil was giving me more energy during my workout sessions. I found that I could push a little harder and lift a little more each time.
Coconut Oil is the most popular source of MCT Oil and is commonly used by most MCT Oil products. Below I have ranked the best MCT Oil products you can buy.
Over the last few years, there has been a massive influx in the number of new MCT Oil supplements. Initially, MCT Oil was sold purely as oil to add to your smoothies. Now, you can get a powdered version, as well as tablets.
Top-10 Vegan MCT Oil Supplements
This list is currently ranked by the best MCT Oil supplements, taking quality, price, reviews, and brand reputability.
Performance Lab MCT Oil
Performance Lab is a reputable brand creating sports supplements and is popular among the vegan community. This MCT oil is distilled three times for purity and contains C8 and C10 MCTs.
The MCT is acquired from 100% organic coconuts, and there is no flavor whatsoever. This makes adding the oil to your protein shakes or drinks much easier. You can even add it to foods like soup if you wish, I’ve also added it to salads before.
Performance Labs avoids using any synthetic ingredients, and their manufacturing process is GMP-certified for quality. This means the products have gone through strict processing methods and testing before being put on shelves.
Each serving is 15ml and should be taken daily. One bottle offers you 31 servings, so a month’s supply. Right now, you can buy three bottles for $102 and get one bottle free. This deal is only available on their website.
Sports Research Premium MCT Oil
Sports Research is another top brand and a favorite among vegans. SR is a stickler for proper manufacturing methods and testing to bring you high-quality supplements. This MCT Oil is 100% derived from organic coconuts with no palm oil.
SR Premium MCT Oil is a non-GMO project verified and 3rd party certified keto, paleo, and vegan-friendly. The oil is completely flavorless and odorless, so it works great in your protein shakes.
Each serving is 15ml, and each bottle provides 63 servings in total. You get the full spectrum of MCTs for the best quality MCT oil possible.
Sports Research will also give you a 90-day money-back guarantee with each bottle if you’re not satisfied with their product.
Nature's Way Organic MCT Oil
Nature’s Way is a brand that focuses on providing high-quality and natural supplements. You won’t find any synthetic ingredients, palm oil, fillers, or hexane in this MCT Oil. It is 100% pure organic coconut MCTs.
This is another verified non-GMO project, is odorless, and flavorless. Each serving is 15ml, and you get a total of 32 servings per bottle. Each serving contains 14g of MCTs that will fuel your body and brain for your workout session.
The product is USDA-Organic certified, and the bottle is BPA-free. It even has the official vegan certification.
Nutiva's Organic MCT Oil
Nutiva’s Organic MCT Oil is one of the best-rated and best-priced MCT oils on the market. Currently, Amazon’s Choice is 100% natural and organic, providing you with 13g of MCTs per serving.
“Nutiva Organic MCT Oil is guaranteed to contain 93% Medium Chain Triglycerides, the purest, highest organic concentration available today.”
Nutiva creates high-quality MCT Oil by working with organic farmers to source their coconuts, which adhere to the USDA-Organic standards. The MCT Oil is also certified non-GMO and is packaged in a massive 1-gallon BPA-free bottle.
Bulletproof Brain Octane MCT Oil
Bulletproof Brain claims their MCT Oil “provides rapid mental and physical energy.” Made with C8 MCT, this is a top-quality product that is also sugar-free and contains 100% caprylic acid triglycerides from coconut oil.
The oil is completely odorless and flavorless, so you can add it to protein shakes, soups, and salads. Each 15ml serving provides 14g of caprylic acid designed to rapidly absorb in your body and deliver a rapid physical and mental energy boost.
Bulletproof Brain claims its C8 MCT product is of the best quality on the market by using superior extraction methods that exclude the use of chemicals. They only use USA-sourced organic coconuts.
California Gold Nutrition MCT Oil
California Gold Nutrition is one of the most reputable and well-respected supplement brands in the USA. Its MCT Oil is 100% pure MCTs derived from organic coconuts and delivers 14g per 15ml serving. You get 23 servings per bottle.
The product is non-GMO, vegan-friendly, and contains no nasty stuff like palm oil, fillers, or other synthetic ingredients.
Viva Naturals Organic MCT Oil
Viva Naturals is slowly becoming one of my favorite brands for vegan supplements. Its MCT oil is 100% derived from organic coconuts and is a mix of C8 and C10 MCTs. This is a pure product that avoids any use of nasty ingredients or solvents used in manufacturing.
Viva Naturals adhere to strict standards to ensure that each of its products is of the highest quality. This includes third-party testing for purity and quality, certified non-GMO, certified USDA-organic, and certified vegan and paleo.
Even their packaging is HDPE and BPA-free. If you’re looking for a high-quality MCT Oil from a brand that cares, Viva Naturals is the way to go.
NOW Sports Nutrition MCT Oil
NOW Foods and NOW Sports are no strangers to my lists of top supplements. NOW is a top-quality brand that is reputable and extremely popular for its reasonably priced supplements.
This MCT oil from NOW Sports is pure, thermogenic, and vegan/keto-friendly. It’s a non-GMO Verified Project and provides 14g of MCT per 15ml serving, which you can use in smoothies or on salads.
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated MCT Oil
Garden of Life is another frequent visitor to my list of best supplements. Why? Because they make great products, simple as that. This formulated MCT oil from Garden of Life contains only clean ingredients and USDA-Organic Certified and Non-GMO Project Verified.
You get 13g of MCT (caprylic acid and capric acid) per 15ml serving. The entire bottle provides 32 servings, which should last just over a month. Garden of Life goes through lots of testing to ensure the highest quality product is made and includes no nasty ingredients like hexane or solvents.
You can also buy a powder version from Garden of Life, which can be added straight into protein shakes or smoothies.
Left Coast Performance Keto MCT Oil
Left Coast Performance is currently growing in popularity as a brand. This 100% natural MCT Oil is derived from organic coconuts, and their product travels from warehouse to sale very quickly. Unlike other MCT oils, it doesn’t sit on shelves for months at a time.
This MCT Oil is third-party tested for purity and quality. Left Coast uses a mix of pure C8 (60%) and C10 (40%). The brand also offers a full refund to any customer who is not satisfied.
Each bottle has 63 servings and provides 14g of MCT per 15ml serving. This MCT Oil is certified organic and non-GMO.
What is MCT Oil?
MCT Oil is a supplement made up of fat named medium-chain triglyceride. MCT molecules are much smaller than those found in other fats that you eat, called long-chain triglycerides.
MCT’s small molecules make it much easier to digest, which allows you to absorb the MCT much quicker in your body. MCT quickly absorbs into your bloodstream and then turns into energy, which can be used for physical activity or focus.
Do Vegans Need to Supplement MCT Oil?
No, MCT is not essential for vegans, but there are many reasons for vegans’ incorporation of MCT Oil into their diet. MCT is typically supplemented by those looking to boost energy for their workouts, aid with weight loss, and help those with issues absorbing fat.
MCT Oil is a 100% vegan product (as long as it was not tested on animals) and can be a powerful addition to anyone’s workout routine. Many MCT users report elevated levels of energy during their workouts and increased focus at work.
What Are the Main Benefits of MCT Oil?
People claim all sorts of health benefits from using MCT Oil regularly. But, I’m only really concerned about the benefits that have been noted during scientific research. Here are five science-based benefits to using MCT Oil.
Promotes Weight Loss
Research on MCT has consistently shown that it can effectively aid with weight loss. There are several reasons why MCT promotes weight, MCT:
- Increases two hormones that make you feel full.
- Has been shown to reduce body weight and waist circumference.
- Has 10% fewer calories than olive oil or avocados.
- Processes differently than other oils in your body, which helps you to burn more calories.
- It is transferred into energy very quickly, meaning your body does not need to store the fat for energy.
- Promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, which helps you to lose weight.
Instant Energy
MCT when the consumer does not get stored as fat because it quickly converts to energy. This gives you a surprising boost in energy for workouts and helps fuel your brain, keeping you focused.
Those who routinely take MCT will find themselves naturally able to punch harder in each workout. This further aids with weight loss and muscle gain as you push your body to do more.
MCT Oil can easily be added to pre-workout smoothies or drinks for that boost of energy.
Reduces Lactate Buildup
When we train hard and long, lactate builds in our muscles, making them feel sore and weak. Research has found that MCT oil can reduce the amount of lactate buildup to keep you going for longer. This is just one reason why elite athletes have started using MCT Oil.
Better yet, MCT Oil actually helps your body to burn fat rather than carbs when exercising. This further helps you to lose fat and control your weight.
Other Health Benefits of MCT Oil
The above are the main benefits that have been studied and observed by scientists. Below are some other benefits of MCT Oil that some research has discovered. However, much more research is required before they can be made fact.
- Help manage epilepsy, Alzheimer’s Disease, and autism.
- Fight against yeast and bacterial growth.
- Reduce risk factors for heart conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, high blood pressure, and obesity.
- Control blood sugar levels and help manage type-2 diabetes.
MCT Oil Vs. Coconut Oil
You may have thought why we don’t just use coconut oil is MCT oil is derived from this source. Coconut oil does contain MCTs but only in tiny amounts. You get about 6% of C8 MCT and 9% of C10 MCT.
C8 and C10 are the most common MCTs used in MCT Oils due to the speed at which they convert to energy in the body. MCT Oil is specially made to extract these two MCTs and deliver them in higher concentrations.
Therefore, taking MCT Oil is far more beneficial for energy and focus than consuming general coconut oil. When buying MCT Oil, it’s best to opt for one that sourced the MCTs from pure and organic coconuts. This ensures you’re getting quality MCTs that deliver the benefits set out in this article.
Organic coconuts also provide a higher concentration of lauric acid, which further helps to burn the C8 and C10 MCTs for quicker energy conversion. So, MCT Oil is much more beneficial than coconut oil if you want to realize the real benefits of MCTs.
How Do I Use MCT Oil?
MCT Oil is currently sold in three ways; oil, powder, and pills. Each is effective, but the oil is the quickest at converting to energy in the bloodstream to boost during a workout.
Some people actually drink the oil straight from a tablespoon, but most like to mix it with their pre-workout shake or meal. Here are the ways you can use MCT Oil supplements:
- MCT Oil – Add to smoothies, protein shakes, cereal, hot drinks, and drizzle on salads.
- MCT Powder – Add to smoothies, protein shakes, or stir into soup and cereal.
- MCT Pills – Swallow recommended amount with some water or other beverage.
It’s not advised to cook with MCT Oil as it has a low smoke point.
What are the side-effects of MCT Oil?
Side-effects are rare when taking MCT Oil, but they happen. The known side-effects include:
- Allergic reactions including rashes, hives, itching, swollen skin, eczema breakouts, and trouble with the throat.
- Upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Pains in the abdomen.
- Severe skin irritation.
Final Thoughts
MCT Oil isn’t an essential supplement for anyone, but it does offer some incredible health benefits when taken regularly. The most significant advantage of taking MCT Oil is the quick boost in energy and focus, which can improve your workouts and allow you to push harder and go for longer.
MCT Oil has become a firm favorite among elite athletes for reducing lactate in the muscles and improving endurance. Anyone looking to improve their physical workouts will benefit from an MCT Oil supplement, and it’s easy to incorporate into your diet.
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