Fact Check: Does MCT Oil Expire?
CBD

Fact Check: Does MCT Oil Expire?

Twenty-five years ago, most people had never heard of MCT oil.

That was until the appearance of the ketogenic diet (known as keto), greater awareness of supplements that may help with health and wellness — and the legalisation of CBD in the UK and most developed nations.

MCT oil, which is made from a type of fat called medium-chain triglycerides, is a big deal for those on keto, those who regularly take supplements, and CBD users. MCTs are easy to digest and they’re believed to provide a number of wellness benefits.

And most importantly to our readers, MCT oil is often used as a so-called “carrier oil” in CBD products. It helps the cannabinoid reach the bloodstream instead of being broken down immediately in the digestive system, so the CBD’s effectiveness is greatly enhanced.

Does MCT oil go bad? Eventually. The MCT oil in your CBD oil or on your shelf doesn’t have an indefinite shelf life, which means your CBD oil will eventually go bad. That usually won’t happen for a couple of years though, so most users won’t have to worry about their oil turning rancid.

Want to learn more about this multi-purpose ingredient, why it’s so important, and how to prolong its shelf life? Read on.

What Is MCT Oil?

Let’s first talk about MCTs. As mentioned, they’re a form of fat containing medium-chain triglycerides, which are very different from most of the fats we consume.

Triglycerides are fats made up of a glyceride molecule attached to a chain of fatty acids. Most are long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), which differ from medium-chain (and short-chain) triglycerides because of the number of carbon molecules in the chain. Long-chain triglycerides have 13-21 carbons, MCTs have 6-12, and short-chain triglycerides (SCTs) have fewer than six.

Meat and other proteins are among the many foods containing LCTs, and safflower, sunflower, corn, soy, and olive oils are examples of LCT oils. SCTs are mostly absorbed by eating fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fiber, and they’re not commonly found in fatty foods. MCTs are found in far fewer foods; they’re in coconut oil, palm oil, and some dairy products.

Medium-chain triglycerides are primarily made up of fatty acids like lauric, capric, caprylic, and caproic acids, and here’s what makes them important and unique.

MCTs are shorter than the more common LCTs, of course, so most don’t have to be broken down in the gut. Instead, they go right into the bloodstream and then to the liver, which metabolizes the triglycerides and turns them into energy sources called ketones. They’re also much less likely to be saved as body fat as well.

MCT oil is usually extracted from palm oil or coconut oil, most often from organic coconut oil. Some people confuse those three oils, but they’re different. Coconut and palm oils contain all four of the fatty acids we’ve mentioned, as well as other fats. Extracted MCT oil only contains caprylic and capric acids, the two that are most quickly metabolized by the body.

The Importance of MCT Oil

The ability to bypass digestion with few side effects is what makes MCT oil particularly valuable.

As a supplement, it accelerates energy production when keto dieters are in ketosis. As a carrier oil for CBD (cannabidiol), it essentially whisks the CBD right into the bloodstream without getting stuck in the digestive system.

Let’s look a little deeper at the health benefits (and apparent benefits) of MCT oil.

MCT Oil as a Supplement

MCT oil has become a very popular wellness supplement.

  • MCT oil contains fewer calories than LCT oils.
  • MCT oil is less likely to be stored as body fat.
  • MCT oil may boost exercise performance.
  • MCT oil may support with digestion and promote gut wellness.
  • MCT oil may promote cognitive function and promote brain wellness.

MCT oil is used in numerous ways as a supplement. Keto dieters commonly blend it into coffee to create so-called bulletproof coffee, which provides the benefits discussed above while increasing their fat consumption (which is encouraged by the diet). MCT oil can also be mixed into salad dressing, used as a smoothie ingredient, stirred into cereal, or spread on toast.

Others use the oil as a hair or skin conditioner and moisturizer, a massage oil.

MCT Oil in CBD Products

MCT oil is the carrier oil of choice for CBD products. Cannabidiol is fat-soluble, so it easily combines with the fatty oils in MCT oil. And as mentioned previously, medium-chain triglycerides quickly enter the bloodstream without being sidetracked in the digestive system, “dragging” the CBD along with them.

That makes MCT oil far superior to any other type of oil for the delivery of CBD. It’s not only used to make high-quality CBD oil, MCT oil is also the carrier oil commonly used in CBD products like gummies, other forms of edibles, and CBD topicals.

Bottom Line: MCT oil is a crucial ingredient for many people who use wellness supplements, and those who use CBD.

That leads us to two key questions.

Does MCT Oil Go Bad? Does CBD Oil Expire?

Whether you have a bottle of MCT oil or a bottle of CBD oil on your shelf — or even if you have CBD products stored at home — the shelf life of MCT oil makes a big difference in how long you can keep it around before tossing it.

The brief answer to the questions we’ve posted: yes. MCT oil eventually goes bad, and CBD oil eventually expires. Proper storage of these products will greatly increase their shelf life, but neither oil will be usable forever. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll just be referring to MCT oil in this section, but the details apply to both.

You should store MCT oil in a dark place (and a dry place) with no exposure to direct sunlight. It should ideally be kept at room temperature (and never in a cabinet above a stove or oven), although you can store it in a refrigerator to increase the oil’s shelf life. It shouldn’t harden unless the temperature goes below 0°C.

With those precautions, MCT oil has a pretty long shelf life, perhaps as long as two years. Once the bottle is opened, though, the oxidation process begins and the oil starts to degrade. You can somewhat prolong MCT oil’s life by making sure the bottle is fully sealed after use.

Most bottles of MCT oil (and CBD oil) have a “use by” or expiration date printed on their labels, but that date only refers to unopened containers. Once the bottle is open, the clock is ticking and the expiration date no longer applies.

How do you know if your oil has gone bad? A rancid smell or unpleasant taste will be hard to ignore; it’s also a bad sign if the normally clear oil looks yellow or has dark spots inside (which can be bacteria or mold). The use of MCT oil that’s become lumpy or very thick should also be avoided.

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*It is important to note that the benefits of these products have not been conclusively proven. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and the NHS has not made any guarantees about the efficacy of such products.