Are all fats created equal? Common nutritional wisdom suggests that “fat makes you fat,” but recent science reveals that Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) operate by an entirely different set of metabolic rules. In this episode, we move past the hype of “Bulletproof” coffee and dive into the biochemistry of how C8 (caprylic acid), C10 (capric acid), and C12 (lauric acid) uniquely impact the human body.
We analyze groundbreaking research comparing MCTs to Long-Chain Triglycerides (LCTs) like olive oil and beef tallow, revealing why MCTs act more like a “fast-pass” fuel than a stored fat. By bypassing standard digestion and entering the liver directly via the portal vein, these unique fats can ramp up thermogenesis (body heat production) and energy expenditure, helping you burn more calories even while at rest.
In this episode, you will learn:
• The C8 Advantage: Why Caprylic Acid (C8) is emerging as the superior fuel for mitochondrial quality control. We discuss new cellular studies showing how C8—unlike its counterparts—activates the PINK1-Parkin pathway to clean out damaged mitochondria (mitophagy) and significantly promotes skeletal muscle maturation.
• The Coconut Oil Myth: Why relying solely on coconut oil might shortchange your results. With coconut oil comprised mostly of C12 (lauric acid), we explain why it fails to produce the same potent ketogenic and muscle-protecting effects as pure C8 oil.
• Metabolic Fire: How MCTs trigger the release of catecholamines (like adrenaline) to boost fat oxidation and suppress appetite, leading to greater weight loss and reduced body fat compared to standard dietary oils.
• Brain Fuel: How C8 oil revitalizes “half-firing” neurons by providing ketones—a preferred energy source for the brain—offering potential cognitive benefits for those with memory deficits.
Join us as we decode the molecular differences between fatty acid chain lengths and help you determine which oil is the right tool for your metabolic toolbox.We use and recommend Keppi MCT Oil
