GUT HEALTH & MICROBIOME - RŌNIN V4.1
Why 1,500mg of MCT Powder?
C8/C10 medium-chain triglycerides, rapidly oxidised by the liver into ketone bodies. Ketones are an alternative cellular fuel used by brain neurons and cardiac muscle - particularly relevant in the morning fasted state. Spray-dried for clean, non-oily incorporation.
- CATEGORY
- Performance
- DOSE
- 1,500mg
- FORM
- C8/C10 blend - spray-dried, acacia-free flow agent
- EVIDENCE LEVEL
- Strong - established in energy metabolism research
coconut-derived — drives tree-nut trace allergen note; dual-listed under Flavour & Format
How MCT Powder works
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are fatty acids of 8-10 carbon chain length that, unlike long-chain fats, are transported directly to the liver via the portal vein rather than via chylomicrons through the lymphatic system. In the liver, they are rapidly beta-oxidised and converted to ketone bodies - primarily beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) - which are exported to peripheral tissues as an alternative fuel to glucose.
The brain preferentially uses BHB when available, particularly during periods of low carbohydrate intake (morning fasted state, ketogenic diet, or caloric restriction). Cardiac muscle also oxidises ketones efficiently. C8 (caprylic acid) is the most rapidly ketogenic MCT fraction; C10 (capric acid) provides a complementary, slightly slower ketone release. Spray-drying onto a flow agent prevents the oil clumping that would otherwise make incorporation into a powder formula impossible.
Key benefits
- Rapidly converted to ketones in the liver (C8/C10 blend)
- Ketones fuel brain neurons as a glucose alternative
- Particularly effective in the morning fasted state
- Traditional dietary lipid in the coconut family
- Spray-dried: clean, non-oily powder form
The research
Peer-reviewed human trials supporting this ingredient at this dose.
- Physiological effects of medium-chain triglycerides: potential agents in the prevention of obesity.PubMed →
- Mechanisms of action for the medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet in neurological and metabolic disorders.PubMed →
- MCTs with a C8:C10 ratio of 30:70 enhance cognitive performance and mitigate cognitive decline associated with prolonged exercise.PubMed →
IN THE FORMULA
MCT Powder
1,500mg
C8/C10 fractionated coconut
WHEN TO TAKE IT
Any time of day - ideal in the morning or pre-focus work. C8 caprylic acid is the most ketogenic MCT fraction, rapidly converted to ketones in the liver. Avoid taking immediately before intense physical exercise as MCTs can cause GI discomfort at high doses in the unacclimatised.