In last week's post we announced our brand-new product, CocoTherapy TriPlex™ MCT-3 Oil. We also looked at the benefits of MCT oil, and explained why our oil is different from other MCT oils on the market. If you missed the post, you can check it out here.
In today's post, we'll explore the differences between CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and CocoTherapy TriPlex MCT-3 Oil, and how you can best use them to benefit you pets. So, if you're wondering how these products compare, this post is for you!
What Is CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil?
Total Medium-Chain Triglycerides: 65%
Caprylic Acid (C:8) (min): 12%
Capric Acid (C:10) (min): 7%
Lauric Acid (C:12) (min): 53%
CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a therapeutic-grade oil that's composed of 63% medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). The MCTs are made up of fatty acids that are shorter than most other fats and are called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). The most abundant MCFA in our virgin coconut oil is lauric acid. CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil contains at least 53% lauric acid (compared to 40% or less in grocery store brands).
The value of lauric acid has been widely studied and has shown multiple health benefits. Lauric acid has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. It also strengthens the immune system, acts as a systemic anti-inflammatory, and provides powerful antioxidant support. Besides lauric acid, CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil contains lower levels of capric acid and caprylic acid. These MCFAs are known for their antifungal effects and are highly beneficial to your pet's overall health.
When consumed, the MCTs in CocoTherapy Virgin Coconut Oil are rapidly broken down into individual medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Most of these MCFAs go directly to the liver where they can be used as an efficient fuel source or turned into ketones. Ketones act as an alternative fuel to glucose – a much more potent and efficient fuel that's especially beneficial for brain health. And because the body can immediately use MCTs as a source of energy, they are less likely to be stored as fat.
Lauric acid is converted to ketones by the liver at a slower rate than caprylic and capric acids. However, research has shown that when lauric acid is not converted into ketones immediately by the liver, it will travel directly to the brain. It is then converted to ketones by the brain itself1. While lauric acid is partly converted into ketones by the liver, the rest enters the bloodstream where it can reach the brain and defend it against infection, as well as be converted into brain ketones. This is crucial for reducing brain inflammation and degeneration.
Since lauric acid is the most abundant MCFA in CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, the product is extremely beneficial for brain health. Capric and caprylic acids raise blood ketones to a peak in around 1.5 hours. They are completely assimilated within 3 hours. Lauric acid then increases blood ketones to therapeutic levels with a peak at around 3 hours. However, ketone levels remain elevated for a full 8 hours. For this reason, the combination of all three medium-chain fatty acids provides sustained energy and long-lasting health benefits.
CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is great for cognitive disorders, long-term energy support, and GI support. Furthermore, because lauric acid supports the immune system, it is also beneficial for animals with allergies and compromised immune systems.
What Is Cocotherapy Triplex™ Mct-3 Oil?
Total Medium-Chain Triglycerides: 93%
Caprylic Acid (C:8) (min): 39%
Capric Acid (C:10) (min): 35%
Lauric Acid (C:12) (min): 8%
CocoTherapy TriPlex™ MCT-3 Oil is a unique blend of medium-chain triglycerides, with higher levels of capric and caprylic acid, PLUS lauric acid. It is comprised of 93% MCTs. The most abundant MCFA in TriPlex MCT-3 is caprylic acid (39%). It also has a high percentage of capric acid (35%).
When consumed, the capric and caprylic acids in TriPlex MCT-3 convert to ketones, raising blood ketone levels quickly and efficiently. In addition, lauric acid is then converted to ketones at a slower rate, travelling directly to the brain. It is then converted to ketones by the brain itself, increasing brain ketone levels. For this reason, TriPlex MCT-3 has very pronounced therapeutic effects on brain health and function.
As we mentioned earlier, capric and caprylic acids raise blood ketones to a peak in around 1.5 hours and are completely assimilated within 3 hours. This means that they provide an instant boost of energy. TriPlex MCT-3 also contains a lower level of lauric acid (8%). This helps reduce fatigue and sustains energy levels for longer.
Thanks to its high levels of capric and caprylic acid, TriPlex MCT-3 also has powerful antifungal properties. It attacks and kills yeast cells by penetrating and rupturing their cell walls. This inhibits growth and disintegrates the yeast cell until it no longer functions. This means that TriPlex MCT-3 effectively protects against yeast overgrowth and kills yeast cells both inside and outside the body.
Which Oil Is Right for My Pet?
As we've outlined in this post, both CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and CocoTherapy TriPlex™ MCT-3 Oil are highly beneficial oils. However, thanks to the levels of MCTs in each oil, they each have different primary uses and benefits.
Check out the following table for a side-by-side comparison of CocoTherapy Virgin Coconut Oil vs. TriPlex™ Mct-3 Oil:
We recommend choosing the oil that best suits your pet's needs. For example, CocoTherapy Virgin Coconut Oil is great for pets that suffer from chronic digestive issues or pets with immune-mediated allergies, while TriPlex MCT-3 is perfect for active dogs that need a quick energy boost, or pets with systemic yeast issues. It's also a good idea to rotate both oils so your pet receives the benefits of each. This is especially beneficial for older pets or those with chronic health conditions.
For senior pets or athletic, active pets, we like to give TriPlex MCT-3 Oil with the morning meal for an immediate source of energy. CocoTherapy Virgin Coconut Oil can then be given with the evening meal for sustained blood ketone levels overnight as your pet rests.
We hope you enjoyed today's post. Want to learn more about the differences between our CocoTherapy oils? Check out our CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil FAQ and Cocotherapy TriPlex™ MCT-3 Oil FAQ pages.
