Medium-chain triglycerides, popularly known as MCT oil, has recently become the health food darling. It’s a souped-up form of coconut oil popular with the low-carb, keto folks, and has people claiming to have better concentration and reduced food cravings. It’s also constantly on the displays at my local Sprouts. I thought it was time to give it a try.

Now before I go on, you should know that I don’t really believe in diets, in that, I don’t believe that one should drastically change their way of eating for a period of time until they reach their desired weight only to go back and do exactly what they did before they lost it. So if I adopt a new form of restrictive eating, it has to be something I’m willing to take on for the rest of my life. So the “paleo” way of eating has been most effective for me because of my family history of diabetes. It just makes sense to eat whole, minimally processed foods, and stay clear of all the wheat, rice, and refined sugar.

That doesn’t mean that I couldn’t have stood to lose a few pounds, which I have recently. My “aha moment” was realizing I was eating entirely too much food every day. But my body, used to operating on a higher caloric intake was yelling at me. I thought the MCT oil might become a thing.

I did a preliminary search and saw that the Bulletproof brand of MCT oil received tons of favorable reviews. For $14, I gave it a try for a week. Here’s what I observed.

MCT Oil Does Seem to Have an Effect on Appetite Suppression. I took a tablespoon straight up no chaser. Some use it in coffee, and I have, but it was just “meh” for me. It really just tastes like…nothing, with a hint of coconut. The texture is oily, obvi. Taking the oil in the morning kept my hunger at bay until around noon, but I still ate sensibly.

I Felt Mentally Sharp. Sometimes hunger causes lack of concentration and focus. The MCT oil seems to help with this. From the Dr. Axe website: “Medium-chain fats are digested easily and sent directly to your liver, where they have a thermogenic effect and the ability to positively alter your metabolism. This is one reason why many people claim that MCTs, including coconut oil, are burned by the body for energy, or “fuel,” instead of being stored as fat.” From the liver to the brain, this stuff is lubing my neurons.

Taking Too Much MCT Oil Will Anger Your Sphincter. Duuuude…after I got the hang of the MCT morning swallow, I stopped measuring and took a gulp and thought it was close enough. It was too much. About an hour later from the big gulp and I was on the toilet experiencing a serious laxative effect. Ex-Lax has NOTHING on MCT oil, let me tell you! Have you ever heard of a “shart?” You will if you take too much MCT oil. You’ll wish you had some adult diapers handy if it happens away from home.

Is it worth you trying? I would say so, but your sphincter insists you use as directed.

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