Fatty acids, like those in Organika’s MCT Oil Powder, are an important macronutrient required by the body to perform roles like producing hormones, building cell membranes and brain cells, regulating blood sugar and pain response, controlling inflammation and carrying fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D.

Fatty acids are composed of carbon atoms in a chain, varying in length. In our food, these fats are found in the form of triglycerides - a molecule comprised of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone. Once digested, long-chain triglycerides travel through the lymphatic system, whereas short- and medium-chain triglycerides travel directly through the portal vein to the liver. Here they can be directly used for energy as ketone bodies.

Ketone bodies are a form of energy that, when carbohydrates and blood sugar levels are very low, can be used as an alternative fuel to glucose. We do this without any aid from insulin, helping with blood sugar regulation challenges. Ketones can also cross the blood brain barrier, fueling the energy-intensive brain. Using ketones for energy helps the body to also burn adipose fat for fuel as well; the foundation of the ketogenic diet. We can also use these fats when we are not in ketosis for a slow, steady energy source, forgoing the peaks and crashes that can come on with a refined carbohydrate diet.

Medium-chain triglycerides, unlike many fats, don’t require bile for absorption. This makes it an ideal fat for those with gallbladder insufficiencies.

Coconuts are an excellent source of MCTs. They do however also contain many long-chain saturated fats as well, so separating out the MCTs allow all the fats to be used in this direct-to-liver pathway. 

• Medium-chain triglycerides, Acacia gum.

Make creamier, dreamier coffee by adding 3 heaping teaspoons of MCT Oil Powder to every cup (~250 ml)

Q: How many calories am I getting from Organika’s MCT Oil Powder?
A: Per 10g or 3 heaping teaspoon serving, you get 60 calories, 5 grams of saturated fat, 4 grams of complex carbohydrates and 0.1 gram of protein. Approximately 45 calories are coming from saturated fatty acids, which are used in our slow and steady energy system.

Q: Aren’t saturated fats supposed to be bad for me?
A: Saturated fats are actually quite beneficial for you. We use them to build cell membranes and keep arteries stable. Much of the science on saturated fats was shown to be influenced by the sugar lobby to direct the blame of cardiovascular health issues away from refined carbohydrates.

Q: Is it okay to cook with MCT powder? Will cooking damage the fats like with flax oil?
A: Because MCTs are saturated fats, they are quite stable with heat (like cooking), light and oxygen. Something like flax oil, an excellent source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, are very unstable, and can easily be damaged and made toxic by cooking.

Q: How is Organika’s MCT Powder processed?
A: To make MCT oils into a convenient powder form, the oil is spray out thinly and dried into a solid powder. As it is stable with heat, light and oxygen, none of its beneficial properties are lost or damaged in the powdering process.

Q: If it’s made from coconuts, why doesn’t it taste like coconuts?
A: Organika’s MCT Oil Powder is deodorized (removes coconut taste and smell) through a specialized carbon filtration process. This makes it flavourless and easily mixed.