Comparing MCT Oils and Coconut Oil for your Metabolism

Coconut oil has many good properties but for the purposes of energy, metabolism and brain function MCT oil is better.

Short chain fatty acids have fewer than 6 carbon atoms.

Medium chain fatty acids have 6-12 carbons.

Long chain fatty acids are more than 12 carbons long. 

Let’s Look closer at MCT oils. They are in lengths of 8, 10 and 12. All can be found in coconut oil.

However 80% of coconut oil is the length of 12. The 12 length chains are good for the immune system but not for energy, metabolism or brain function. Even though they are considered a “medium chain” they process more like a long chain.

Cheap Brands of MCT Oil

Cheap brands of MCT oil are similar to coconut oil in that they mostly use the chains of 12 carbons. 

NuMedica uses only chains of 8 and 10.  Which is why you see the price difference.  Also NuMedica is USP certified, which means you are getting what you paid for.

I don't believe that all supplements need to be USP certified however in the case of oils, it is a good idea.​  There is a lot of fraud in the oil industry. Most virgin olive oil from Italy is cut with all sorts of other oils.  It is a real problem.

If the oil you buy does not tell you that it is only chains of 8 and 10 or and USP certified, it isn't, they would clearly advertise that.

NuMedica MCT oil is 100 % chains of 8 and 10. Also called caprylic acid acid.

Coconut Oil and typical MCT oil is 80% chains of 12. This is not what you need for metabolism and brain function.

Short chain fatty acids are produced by bacteria in the gut during fermentation of insoluble fiber. Include:

Butter and vegetables have very short chains. They buffer the medium chains , which could be a little harsh on your stomach when taken alone for a long time. This is why we add butter to the fat coffee drink.

If coconut oil, or even MCT oil, is consumed alone it could cause more inflammation which counteracts your intentions of taking the coconut/MCT oil in the first place.

A good way to balance this out is by consuming more short chain fatty acids, as well as fiber.

By combining MCT oil, specifically the NuMedica we sell that contains caprylic (C8) and capric acids (C10), with short chain fatty acids you will keep inflammation down and receive the full benefits of MCT oil and coconut oil.

Better Metabolism, Brain function and less inflammation.

Here is a recipe to use these oils in your coffee.



Short Chain



Medium Chain



Long Chain





100% of what you need


MCT Oil is Best for energy, brain and metabolism





Only 20% of what you need



80% of what you do not need for metabolism

Coconut Oil is not as good for energy and metabolism as MCT










Butter and vegetables have very short chains. They buffer the medium chains , which could be a little harsh on your stomach when taken alone for a long time. This is why we add butter to the fat coffee drink.