MCT Wellness is an MCT-based powder made by cardiac-surgeon-turned-supplement-maker Steven Gundry. But this particular MCT powder distinguishes itself from most of the market’s other MCT-based in two major ways.
For one, it contains several extra ingredients…two, it makes claims that you wouldn’t normally associate with a product in its category.
But does MCT Wellness deliver?
Let’s take a closer look.
The Brand Behind MCT Wellness
I’ve reviewed several of Gundry MD’s other products in the past (including Primal Plants and Vital Reds), so I’m fairly familiar with this brand and the man behind it.
Steven Gundry MD is a former cardiac surgeon who segued into the wellness marked once he realized that certain nutritional problems were behind many of the western world’s modern health conditions.
Gundry went on to found an exclusive private practice, the Center for Restorative Medicine, while also reaching the masses through his supplement brand. In addition, Dr. Gundry has penned several best-selling books, including ‘Plant Paradox: the hidden dangers in ‘healthy’ foods that cause weight gain’.
But let’s focus on Gundry MD’s supplemental products for now.
Among the many products in his lineup are reds blends, probiotics, and weight loss supplements. Many of these products are designed around Dr. Gundry’s belief in leaky gut, a digestive disorder that may allow irritating food particles to enter the bloodstream.
Other supplements I have reviewed you may be interested in:
MCT Wellness: A Basic Overview
MCT Wellness is a powdered MCT product designed to mix into smoothies or drinks.
Its primary active ingredient is a “uniquely potent blend of caprylic acid — one of the most powerful medium-chain triglycerides known to man — and bioflavonoids”.
Gundry claims this formula can boost metabolism, increase energy levels, and promote cognitive function.
That’s just the start of the brand’s marketing claims, however.
Gundry says MCT Wellness can also help you:
- Get a “fat-burning furnace” metabolism
- Keep your mind sharp and focused
- Experience a noticeable energy boost
- Experience lasting energy (even on busy days)
- Possess a more radiant, ‘glowy’ complexion
- Look as good as you feel
In case you haven’t noticed, these are some strong claims.
Let’s test their accuracy by seeing if MCT Wellness’s ingredients measure up.
MCT Wellness: What’s In It?
MCT Wellness is made in a GMP Certified Facility and tested for quality, purity, and precision by 3rd-party facilities.
Each jar of MCT Wellness contains 30 one-scoop daily servings.
Each serving contains:
- 30 calories
- 2.5g fat
- 3g carbohydrates
- 2.5g dietary fiber
- An MCT prebiotic blend (5500mg) comprised of C8 MCT oil powder and acacia gum
- MitoHeal (400mg), a blend of Redcurrant and Blackcurrant Extract
- CogniGrape (250mg), a proprietary Red grape Extract
MCT Wellness’s inactive ingredients include malic acid, natural flavor, “enzymatically modified” stevia, citric acid, silica, and Reb. M from fermented sugarcane.
As you may have noticed from the bullet points listed above, all of MCT Wellness’s active ingredients are held within proprietary blends. That means none of these active ingredients have their quantities precisely disclosed.
We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again: the lack of disclosure caused by proprietary blends is a serious problem.
Technically we can’t know if MCT wellness contains 5499mg of C8 MCT oil and 1mg of acacia gum…or 1mg of MCT oil and 5499mg of acacia gum!
Here are the MCT Wellness supplement facts:
MCT Wellness: Top (Potential) Benefits
Gundry MD recommends mixing one scoop of MCT Wellness into your favorite beverage.
You can incorporate it into the water, coconut milk, coffee, tea, or practically anything else.
Have it between meals or with a meal — the brand says this formula digests easily enough that it doesn’t matter.
Theoretically, at least one scoop daily may be enough to deliver several tangible health benefits. (We can’t know for sure, however, due to the problematic proprietary blends mentioned above.)
C8 MCT Oil Powder
Also known as caprylic acid, C8 MCT oil is a special type of MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil. While all medium-chain fats are pro-metabolism, pro-thyroid, and pro-ketosis, 8-carbon MCTs may help you get into ketosis even faster than the rest.
Perhaps this ingredient explains why so many MCT Wellness users report having more energy. (Source)
Acacia Gum
Acacia gum, also known as gum arabic, is a naturally-occurring, fibrous gum often used as a binder or filler.
While it may have some cholesterol-lowering properties, I’m guessing its role here has more to do with regulating MCT Wellness’s consistency.
Redcurrant and Blackcurrant Extract
Redcurrant and blackcurrant extracts are among nature’s best sources of a standout class of antioxidants called polyphenols. (Source)
More specifically, these extracts are rich in quercetin.
There may not be enough of these extracts in MCT Wellness, however; a typical dose is somewhere in the 1,000mg range, while this product contains only 400mg in total.
Related: Best polyphenol supplements
Red Grape Extract
Red grape extract is another potent antioxidant source.
This one is especially rich in resveratrol, the healthspan-increasing compound famously found in red wine.
True to its proprietary name (CogniGrape), the red grape extract may reduce one’s chance of experiencing cognitive decline as one gets older. Most studies use a slighter higher dosage than the 250mg present in MCT Wellness, however. (Source)
MCT Wellness: Potential Side Effects
MCT Wellness may produce mild side effects in some new users, primarily due to its C8 MCT oil content.
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
Does MCT Wellness Have Good Customer Reviews?
It does indeed!
One older customer reports feeling younger and less bloated:
I’m 68 and have been struggling with recent weight gain. As a small petite person even a small gain has a huge effect on energy levels and looks. My frustration was [that] I wasn’t consuming much food, but I was STILL gaining weight, I felt sluggish, bloated, and had brain fog. In just a few weeks the bloating is gone, more regular bowel movements, and my energy level has noticeably increased. I feel years younger.
Another happy customer says MCT Wellness works almost like a probiotic:
Have been doing a morning dose for almost two weeks now. Feeling more energy and not feeling hungry even after eating. I started this primarily for weight loss, but am very happy with the other benefits. I had been using a probiotic for regularity, but MCT has made me very regular without diarrhea or constipation. “Perfect Poops” with no struggle. Now that’s something to write home about………..well maybe not. But it makes me happy.
Last but not least is another person who seems to confirm MCT Wellness’s pro-metabolic effects. This customer also notes that it tastes good.
I have noticed that I have more energy which is important because I don’t usually have much energy. I have lost a few pounds and I also don’t have the desire to just eat for the sake of eating. I eat when I am hungry. It doesn’t hurt that the product tastes good, too.
MCT Wellness Pricing
Perhaps the single biggest downside to MCT Wellness is its pricing.
Check out the details below:
- $79.95 for one jar
- $215.85 for three jars
- $407.70 for six jars
While there is a significant discount ($49.95/jar vs. $79.95 per jar) for those who create a free Gundry MD account, I’m not so sure this is a good thing.
If Gundry can afford to make this product so much cheaper, why aren’t they doing so?
There’s nothing wrong with making money, but MCT Wellness’s profit margins are pretty huge.
On the bright side, all Gundry MD products have a pretty stellar moneyback guarantee.
The brand offers a 90-day money-back guarantee on MCT wellness.
Where to buy MCT Wellness
You can buy MCT Wellness on Gundry’s website here. And while it doesn’t always seem to be in stock on Amazon, you can check the brand’s dedicated Amazon page here.
MCT Wellness: My Werdict
Dr. Gundry has a very solid reputation in the medical and wellness worlds.
He’s helped thousands of people attain better health as an MD and a provider of theoretically-great supplements.
Somewhere along the lines, though, MCT Wellness fails to jump from theory to wellness. Its combination of unknown ingredients and high pricing makes for a pretty poor cost-benefit analysis.
If I’m going to spend 70+ dollars on an MCT-based product, I’m going to want to know exactly how many MCTs are in it!
Until Gundry’s products are labeled more transparently (are more thoroughly researched), I’ll be getting my MCTs from elsewhere. Perhaps from good old-fashioned, highly affordable coconut oil.
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MTC Wellness I have learnt contains Silicon Dioxide that is a hazardous additive. It is used in the product as a anticaking agent. This additive may contain nanoparticles, tiny molecules that may induce oxidative stress in certain intestinal cells and alter their composition.
Silcon dioxide nanoparticles can also damage kidney tissue and impair liver function.
Actually David there isn’t enough evidence to confirm it’s dangerous from consuming it. Silicon dioxide is used in many foods and supplements.
You can read more from healthline here. If you have other references then please share to support your information 🙂
Appreciate your thoughtful review. Sickening to read some obviously phony paid-for reviews, and one should check the BBB rating of this company to see how hard they make returns and how people get barraged with promos for other Gundry products. He is likely both a genius, or expert at many things AND a greedy profiteer. Doesn’t matter. I hate the taste of stevia. I’ve had kidney stones and grateful to commenter who mentioned high oxalates. But I wish you would answer the many requests to know what MCT product you use
So making $ off a product means you are “greedy”??? I guess you don’t produce anything (or even work) or try to benefit from your work.
Beware those who are prone to kidney stones. I contacted Dr. Gundry’s team and asked about oxalate content of MCT Wellness product. They have not tested at all for oxalate content despite red and black currents being considered hi-oxalate foods as well as Stevia.
appreciate your comments, esp as I’ve had kidney stones.