01/08/2026
Brain fuel significantly improves memory with MCT oil – in 90 minutes From Dr. Al Sears.
Your brain makes up only about 2% of your body weight, but it consumes around 20% of your energy.
That’s usually in the form of glucose.
But there’s a problem. As you age, your brain becomes less efficient at using glucose. This is why memories fade... your focus weakens... and things can spiral into full-blown dementia.
brain-fuel
This brain fuel significantly improves memory – in 90 minutes.
However, there’s a backup fuel system that’s been overlooked by mainstream medicine — and it’s far more efficient than glucose, especially in aging brains.
I’m talking about ketones — biochemicals that are produced in your liver when your body breaks down fat — that can then be used for energy instead of glucose.
Multiple studies also reveal that high-fat diets can significantly improve the mental state and cognitive function of people with Alzheimer’s.1
But there’s another way you can flood your brain with ketones…
It’s called MCT oil.
Chances are high you won’t hear about MCT oil from your doctor. That’s a real tragedy.
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. They are a type of fat found naturally in coconut oil, palm oil, and some dairy products.
But as a supplement, MCT oil is a concentrated extract, providing pure, targeted fuel for your brain.
What makes medium-chain triglycerides so special is how your body handles them. Unlike long-chain fats, MCTs go directly to your liver, where they are rapidly converted into ketones.
These ketones then travel through your bloodstream and deliver instant energy to your brain.2
And here’s the best part: Unlike glucose, your brain’s ability to use ketones doesn’t decline with age.
In fact, studies show that even Alzheimer’s patients — whose brains can no longer use glucose effectively — still use ketones without a hitch.3
This means MCT oil bypasses the damaged energy pathways in a diseased brain — and brings it back to life.
Let me show you some of the research.
• A 90-Minute Brain Boost — Proven In Clinical Trials. In a breakthrough study, researchers gave a single dose of MCT to 20 adults with mild cognitive impairment. This is often a precursor to Alzheimer’s.4,5
Within just 90 minutes, those who received MCTs scored significantly better on memory recall tests than the control group. After a single serving.
Reversing Alzheimer’s — The Newport Case. In 2024, Dr. Mary Newport, a physician whose husband was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, published a report in the journal Medical Research Archives.
In the study, she looked at the results of 288 patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s with dementia, and mild cognitive impairment.6
After taking MCT oil, an incredible 89% of the patients reported improvement in areas including:
Memory
Cognition
Recall
Social behavior
Mood
Speech
Conversation
• PET Scans Don’t Lie. One of the most remarkable things about MCTs is how they can bypass damaged pathways in the brain.
With Alzheimer’s, brain cells lose the ability to use glucose effectively. But PET scan studies show that even in advanced Alzheimer’s, the brain continues to absorb and use ketones normally.7,8,9
In other words, when glucose fuel fails, ketones take over — and keep the lights on.
This is a critical discovery. It means that ketone-based nutrition — especially from MCTs — have the power to halt or even reverse a cerebral energy crisis in a degenerating brain.
• Long-Term Benefits — Better Brain Volume, Focus, And Mood. Research also shows that ketones may help preserve brain volume — a key marker of healthy brain aging.
In a study of older adults who followed a ketogenic protocol with MCTs, brain scans revealed a slower rate of brain atrophy compared with controls. These participants also reported better focus, fewer depressive symptoms, and improved executive function.10
Boost Your Brain Power With MCT
MCT oils are almost entirely made from caprylic (C8) and capric acid (C10). MCTs can easily be incorporated into your daily routine.
Here’s what I suggest:
Know What You’re Taking. Be sure to choose a high-quality brand that contains mostly C8 (caprylic acid) and C10 (capric acid). These are the most potent and effective MCTs for brain health.
Avoid MCT powders with artificial additives or sweeteners and stay away from brands that are diluted with long-chain fats or low-grade oils.
Start Slowly. Take ½ teaspoon with food to begin. Then gradually increase your intake over time to avoid stomach upset.
Aim for a maximum of 4-7 tablespoons daily, spread out throughout the day.
Add It To Food. MCT oil is tasteless and odorless, making it a great option for adding to food and drink. I add it to my morning coffee.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD, CNS
References:
Liyang R, et al. “Effects of ketogenic diet on cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” J Nutr Health Aging. 2024;28(8).
Juby AG, et al. “Use of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, with an open-label extension.” Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2022 Mar 14;8(1):e12259
Ramezani M, et al. “Ketone bodies mediate alterations in brain energy metabolism and biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease.” Front Neurosci. 2023;16(17):1297984.
Reger MA, et al. “Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate on cognition in memory-impaired adults.” Neurobiol Aging. 2004;25(3):311–314.
Yomogida Y, et al. “An fMRI investigation into the effects of ketogenic medium chain triglycerides on cognitive function in elderly adults: A pilot study.” Nutrients. 2021;22;13(7):2134.
Newport M. “Ketogenic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments: History, rationale, and 288 caregiver case reports.” Med Res Arch. April 2024;12(4).
Cunnane SC, et al. “Brain energy rescue: An emerging therapeutic concept for neurodegenerative disorders of aging.” Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 15(7), 492–503. 2016.
Kumar V, et al. “Dysfunctional glucose metabolism in Alzheimer’s disease onset and potential pharmacological interventions.” Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23:9540.
Sun L, et al. “The effects of medium chain triglyceride for Alzheimer’s disease related cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” J Alzheimers Dis. 2023;94(2):441-456.
Krikorian R, et al. “Dietary ketosis enhances memory in mild cognitive impairment.” Neurobiol Aging. 201233(2);425.e19-425.e27.
