5 Ways MCT Powder Levels Up Your Keto Game

MCT powder is creeping into more keto-friendly snacks, coffee creamers, dietary supplements, and wellness products. But unlike most fads in the supplement space, MCTs’ meteoric rise isn’t the result of a fad marketing campaign. MCTs are a legit, scientifically backed powerhouse.

We’re big fans of MCT powder at Keto Brick. 🙌 So, in this ingredient spotlight, we’ll explore what MCTs are, how to find the best MCT powder (they're not all created equal!), and why this champ deserves a prime spot in your keto game plan.

What are Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) Anyway?

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are saturated fatty acids that your body breaks down for energy. Coconut oil contains the highest concentration of MCTs, but small amounts also exist in cheese, butter, milk, and yogurt.

Although MCT oil is derived from coconut oil, the two are not the same. Coconut oil is like a bag of mixed nuts. MCT oil, on the other hand, is like a bag of just one type of nut. Coconut oil contains MCTs and long-chain triglycerides (LCTs). MCT oil is just MCTs.

Here’s What Makes MCTs So Special ✨

Unlike the LCTs found in most dietary fats, MCTs are shorter in structure, making them easier and faster for your body to digest and absorb. Think of it like this:

LCTs take the long way. They require more processing by your digestive system before they get converted into energy. This is why fats are so satiating; their slow digestion releases a steady stream of energy and suppresses your appetite.

MCTs take the express lane. MCTs get absorbed directly from your gut and are transported quickly to your liver, where they’re either used for an immediate energy boost or converted into ketones — your body’s primary fuel source on a ketogenic diet.

MCT Oil vs. MCT Oil Powder: What's the Difference?

Both MCT oil and MCT powder offer all the benefits of medium-chain triglycerides. However, there are some key differences to consider, especially when it comes to convenience and how they fit into your keto lifestyle:

MCT Oil: Liquid Gold

Pure MCT oil is a liquid at room temperature. It has a slightly oily taste and texture, which can be noticeable when added to beverages.

Because it's a pure oil, MCT oil can sometimes cause digestive discomfort, especially when starting out. Think stomach upset, bloating, or diarrhea.

Best uses: Adding healthy fats to smoothies, salad dressings, or low-carb vegetables. It can be difficult to mix thoroughly in beverages due to its oily nature.

MCT Powder: Portable, Ultra Convenience

Imagine a high-tech spray dry machine that turns liquid MCT oil into a fine mist. This mist is then mixed with a carrier substance (like acacia fiber), which acts like a microscopic scaffold to hold the tiny oil droplets in place.

As the mist dries, the powder left behind contains all the benefits of MCT oil, but in a portable, easy-to-mix form, similar in texture to whey protein powder or collagen peptides. The carrier also keeps the powder from clumping when stored in a cool, dry place. That’s MCT powder in a nutshell!

So, what about digestion? The carrier in MCT powder usually helps slow the absorption of MCTs to minimize digestive issues for those sensitive to pure MCT oil.

The MCT oil powder we use in Keto Bricks contains acacia fiber, a prebiotic fiber that offers additional digestive benefits.[*] Prebiotic fiber feeds the good bacteria in your gut to promote a healthy gut microbiome. A happy gut is crucial for digestion, nutrient absorption, satiety, immune function, energy levels, and more.[*]

Best uses: MCT powder is the king of versatility! It mixes well into hot or cold beverages like your morning coffee, tea, smoothies, and protein shakes without clumping or leaving an oily residue. It can also be sprinkled into yogurt or used in your favorite keto recipes.

So now that we have those FAQs cleared up, let’s go:

Beyond the Hype: 5 Game-Changing Benefits of MCT Powder

Researchers say these power-driven healthy fats:

1. Unleash the Power of Ketones To Boost Ketosis (See Ya, Keto Flu!) 👋

The goal of a ketogenic diet is reaching the metabolic state of ketosis, where your body burns fat (ketones) for fuel instead of relying on glucose (from sugar) for energy. Ketones keep your brain and muscles humming when you kick carbs to the curb.

Since MCTs significantly increase ketone levels, they can jumpstart your transition to ketosis.[*] One study revealed that the odds of achieving ketosis within the first three days were higher with MCT supplementation.[*] Supplementation also shortened the average time to ketosis by one day.[*]

This slam dunk means you can potentially bypass or lessen the dreaded “keto flu.” Rather than suffer through fatigue, headaches, and sugar withdrawal for a week or more, you'll feel energized, focused, and more empowered to ignore carb cravings while your body quickly adapts.[*]

2. Skyrocket + Maintain Higher Energy Levels 🚀

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the energy currency of your cells, providing the power for everything you do. Whereas 100 grams of glucose generates 8.7 kilograms of ATP, 100 grams of ketones yields 10.5 kilograms of ATP.[*]

Translation: MCT powder ignites ketone production, and ketones give you more energy to conquer your day.

Ketones are also a much more clean-burning fuel source. Unlike sugary energy drinks that offer a jittery, short-lived burst followed by a crash, ketones supply long-lasting fuel. It’s why so many keto dieters report less lethargy, higher productivity, and a natural need for less sleep.[*]

3. Unlock Your Inner Genius 🤔

MCT oil is a nootropic: a substance that enhances thinking, learning, memory, concentration, creativity, mental health, and more.[*] MCTs easily cross the blood-brain barrier and become an effective alternative energy source for your neurons (brain cells), which typically rely on glucose.[*][*]

According to studies, MCT oil has been shown to:[*][*][*]

• Improve cognitive performance

• Boost mental processing speed

• Elevate concentration during tasks requiring sustained attention

• Strengthen working memory

• Prevent memory decline during aging

• Delay the progression of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, dementia, etc.)

Add MCT powder to your routine, and you'll overcome AM grogginess, blast through afternoon slumps, and achieve peak cognitive performance. 

🧠  Uncover three more potent natural nootropics in this guide: Nootropics: What Are They + How Can You Benefit From Them?

4. Level Up Your Performance 💪

We all want to dominate our training sessions, push our bodies further, and log more coveted PRs. MCTs offer the ultimate athletic edge, helping you:[*][*][*]

• Decrease perceived exertion

• Lower levels of lactate buildup, so you feel less tired during exercise

• Boost endurance and increase time to fatigue

• Improve muscle mass, muscle strength, muscle function, and walking speed

5. Support Your Weight Loss Goals 🔥

A ketogenic diet is a powerful tool for accomplishing your body composition goals.[*] MCT supplementation helps you reach those wins by:

• Firing up your metabolism so you burn more calories [*]

• Torching fat reserves for energy [*][*]

• Stimulating the production of satiety hormones to decrease your appetite (and keep your calorie deficit on track!) [*]

• Decreasing body weight, total body fat (including subcutaneous, abdominal, and visceral fat), and hip and waist circumferences [*]

All these reasons prove it’s best to eat more dietary fat on keto, not less — especially if that saturated fat comes from MCTs. So now that you know the benefits you stand to gain, let’s run through:

Choosing the Highest-Quality MCT Powder

To guarantee you're getting a great product:

🥥  The source matters. Non-GMO-verified, USDA organic MCT oil is the gold standard. Starting with sustainably sourced, organic coconut oil ensures high quality and aligns with responsible environmental practices.

🤓  Pay attention to the numbers. The most ketogenic benefits come from C8 (caprylic acid) and C10 (capric acid) MCTs.[*]

👀  Look for low total and net carbs. Avoid brands using cheap starches and carbohydrates as carriers. Prebiotics like acacia fiber usually net out or come as close to zero as possible.

✅  Prioritize clean labels. Coconut-derived MCTs are naturally unflavored, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. So steer clear of fillers, additives, artificial sweeteners, common allergens (like soy), and hidden sugars in MCT powder.

Keto Bricks: Where Flavor Meets Function

Keto Bricks make it easy to capture the health benefits of MCT powder in a convenient, portable, shelf-stable performance bar.* Proudly made in the USA, our Bricks boast the perfect keto macros and none of the junk you'll find in other bars.

Best part? Keto Bricks have been scientifically proven to amplify ketone levels and spark fat burning.[*] They take the guesswork out of macro-tracking, streamline meal prep, and are the quickest way to add more healthy fats to your diet anytime, anywhere.

*Note: Though our Toasted Almond Coconut Keto Brick doesn't contain MCT powder, it contains toasted coconut chips and organic shredded coconut for a whole-food source of natural MCTs.

Tap Into the MCT Powder Advantage! ⚡

MCT powder is your secret weapon for sustained energy and mental focus, whether you're slaying dragons at the gym or battling email monsters at work. Crack that next level of performance with our MCT-rich Keto Bricks, and experience the difference for yourself.

🧱  Explore our 5-star rating bestsellers and discover why customers love Keto Bricks now!