Does MCT Oil Break A Fast?

The short answer is: No, MCT oil will not break your fast.

The long answer is: Technically, any xenobiotic will break your fast, but clinically a small dosage of MCT will not. While more research needs to study the effects of using MCT oil during an intermittent fast, there is no question that they can be used simultaneously. Taking 1-2 teaspoons of MCT oil will keep you in your fasted state. 

So how does using MCT oil fit into your Intermittent Fasting (IF) routine? (Learn more about intermittent fasting.)

If you are new to IF, you may wonder if certain foods are acceptable to consume during your fasting period. After all, fasting for 16 hours is a long time. Unfortunately, if you are looking to do a traditional fast, any food or beverage with any caloric value is off-limits.

However, like most diets, there are exceptions. One of these exceptions is the use of MCT oil during your fast.

Intermittent fasting (IF) has recently become popular in the health and fitness world. The cyclic eating pattern that alternates between periods of fasting and eating has proven to be very effective for more than just weight loss.

Research has found that IF may improve blood sugar levels, enhance longevity, and increase brain function. Furthermore, IF may also reduce risk factors for certain diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Can you use MCT oil while fasting?

A small dose of quality fats such as MCT oil won’t significantly disrupt your intermittent fast. The key to using MCT oil during your fast is to keep the dose to minimal amounts.

By keeping the dosage to a minimum, it ensures that your blood sugar levels do not spike and your total caloric intake is not affected.

When you are not fasting, a typical serving size for an MCT oil supplement is 4-6 capsules per day. However, if you are looking to use MCT oil during your fast, you don’t want to use the typical serving as it may break your fast.

The reason for this is because using a small dose of MCT oil won’t cause an insulin induced response in your body. Meaning, if used appropriately MCT oil won’t spike up your blood sugar and break your fast. In fact, using MCT oil may even help you fast longer.

It is important to remember that in order to get optimal results from your fast, avoiding high-calorie, high-sugar foods and beverages is important as it may break your fast.

How to use MCT oil while fasting?

If you are following the traditional 16:8 IF routine - and your fasting period is between 8 PM and 12 PM of the next day, one of the easiest ways to add MCT oil into your IF routine is to take your capsules with your morning coffee or other non-caloric drink such as water when you wake up. 

For most individuals this seems to be the most helpful time to use MCT oil as it gives individuals an extra boost to finish off the last several hours of their fast until they break it.

It is important to note that every individual is different and has different IF experiences. With that being said, though most individuals find that using MCT oil in the morning is the most helpful, the best time to use MCT oil in your fast is when you feel like you need an extra boost to get through those last hours of fasting.

How much MCT oil while fasting?

To avoid breaking your fast, it is recommended to use 4-5 capsules (1-2 teaspoons) of MCT oil with coffee or another low calorie or calorie free beverage. 

The use of MCT oil in your fast is not meant to provide calories because that would break your fast.

The purpose of using MCT oil during your fast is to give you an extra boost and to take advantage of the other additional benefits that MCT oil has to offer. If you are concerned about getting the full dose of MCT oil for the day, just remember that the remaining dose can be taken during your eating period.

Benefits of MCT Oil While Intermittent Fasting

  • Prolonged Satiety- may help extend fasting period

  • Increased Weight Loss

  • Increased Energy Expenditure

  • Enhanced Longevity

  • Improved Blood Sugar

  • Enhanced Brain Function

Though more research needs to be done on the effects of combining the use of MCT oil while intermittent fasting, there seems to be a lot of potential benefits with any use of MCT oil.

The Bottom Line

The overall effect of using MCT oil during IF is in favor of weight loss, and it may also provide other additional health benefits. Using MCT oil while intermittent fasting is a great way to obtain the health benefits associated with IF and MCT oil use.

However, it is important to note that for some individuals using MCT oil, especially during a fast, may increase the production of your hunger hormones. Though this research is limited to animal studies, it is important to notice how you are feeling when you use MCT oil during your fast. If it does not seem to work in your favor, simply save the MCT oil for your eating period.

For most individuals, MCT oil does not have this effect. In fact, majority of people acknowledge that using MCT oil while intermittent fasting is not only helpful, but also beneficial.

Tracy Boulware