Can medium-chain fatty acids pass the blood-brain barrier?

People often ask what the difference is between regular MCT oil, Bulletproof XCT and Brain Octane.

The difference is made by the different fatty acids it contains. All the oils mentioned contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).

– MCT ? Fatty acids with chain length C8, C10, C12
– “XCT” ? C8, C10
– “Brain Octane” ? C8

Apparently, the C8 fatty acid (called octanoate or octanoic acid / caprylic acid) is the only medium-chain fatty acid that can pass through the blood-brain barrier and act as an additional energy carrier for brain cells, without the detour via ketone body formation.

The other medium-chain fatty acids are first metabolized to ketone bodies and can then be available to the brain as an energy source.

Always stay up to date with our Newsletter.

Literature:

“Energy Contribution of Octanoate to Intact Rat Brain Metabolism Measured by 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ” https://www.jneurosci.org/content/23/13/5928.full

Brain uptake and metabolism of [1-11C]octanoate in rats: pharmacokinetic basis for its application as a radiopharmaceutical for studying brain fatty acid metabolism. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/8534586/

Photo: Shutterstock.com / vitstudio

This article was written by

Marina Lommel

Marina gründete Foodpunk nach ihrem Abschluss in Ernährungswissenschaften und ist aktuell CEO des Unternehmens. Während ihres Studiums arbeitete sie in verschiedenen Bereichen, darunter in der Wissenschaftsredaktion beim Radio, Redaktion beim TV und Uni-Wissensmagazin sowie im Labor am DZNE in der Parkinsonforschung. Marina ist außerdem Autorin von 5 ernährungswissenschaftlichen Sachbüchern.

Similar posts by Foodpunk

4 minutes reading time

In 10 steps to becoming a food punk

More zest for life, vitality and health! Lose weight and feast at the same time! Supply the brain with energy! All this can be achieved with the right dietary changes.

Holzbrett mit Granatäpfeln, Limetten, Äpflen, Smoothies / Wooden board with pomegranates, limes, apples, smoothies

2 minutes reading time

So much fruit you can eat in the keto diet

Here we have created a fruit table in which you can see exactly what amount of fruit contains what amount of carbohydrates.

2 minutes reading time

Coconut oil vs. MCT oil – The daily bite of knowledge

A comparison of the two fats in a practical overview.

2 minutes reading time

5 Facts about Vitamin D – The Daily Bite of Knowledge

For what do we need the vitamin? What does this have to do with cholesterol? Learn more about it here!

2 minutes reading time

Cheat Day vs. Refeed – The Daily Bite of Knowledge

In a so-called refeed, you specifically eat a higher amount of carbohydrates than usual at a meal. A healthy refeed should not be confused with a cheat day.

Salmon, avocado, almonds, and many other healthy sources of omega-3 fatty acids

13 minutes reading time

All about omega-3 fatty acids

I'm sure you've heard about the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, perhaps pay attention to eating fatty sea fish or even take fish oil capsules. But why exactly are omega-3 fatty acids relevant for the body?

4 minutes reading time

How are carbohydrates structured?

Sure! Carbohydrates are pasta, rice, potatoes. Everybody knows it! But do you really know what a carbohydrate molecule looks like?

1 minute reading time

Reader Question of the Month – Can children also eat xylitol?

Are children also allowed to eat xylitol? In this post you will learn the answer!

7 minutes reading time

How to define ketosis?

Ketosis and ketone bodies. These two terms are happily thrown around in the low carb and keto world. Can be measured somehow. But what is actually behind it?

Back to overview