JUCA Fractionated Cococnut Oil

What is fractionated coconut oil?

Fractionated coconut oil is an oil made from regular coconut oil.

Both regular and fractionated coconut oils are great sources of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), providing fatty acids that contain 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

However, their fatty acid composition is vastly different.

While the main fatty acid in coconut oil is the 12-carbon lauric acid (C12), most or all of this fatty acid has been removed from fractionated coconut oil.

The long-chain fatty acids present in coconut oil have also been eliminated.

Thus, the main medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in fractionated coconut oil are:

• C8: caprylic acid or octanoic acid
• C10: capric acid or decanoic acid

MCFAs are metabolized differently than other fats.

They’re transported directly to the liver from the digestive tract, where they may be used as a quick source of energy. They can also be turned into ketone bodies, which are compounds that may have therapeutic effects in those with epilepsy (1Trusted Source).

Fractionated coconut oil is tasteless, odorless, and usually more expensive than regular coconut oil.

It’s very similar or even identical to MCT oil.

Summary

Fractionated coconut oil is made from regular coconut oil and mainly consists of the medium-chain fatty acids caprylic acid (C8) and capric acid (C10).

How is fractionated coconut oil made?

Fractionated coconut oil is produced via a process called fractionation.

Fractionation is used to separate different types of fats that are naturally found in some oils. It’s often done to make new products for consumers (2).

The different melting points of various fats make fractionation possible.

For example, lauric acid and long-chain fatty acids have higher melting points than caprylic acid and capric acid. Therefore, they will become solid sooner when cooled.

The fractionation of coconut oil is carried out by heating the oil above its melting point. Then, it’s left to cool, and the solid fraction of the oil is separated from the liquid.

The whole process of fractionation can take several hours.

Summary

A process called fractionation is used to produce fractionated coconut oil. This method uses the different melting points of fats to separate them.

Fractionated coconut oil may help you lose weight

A diet high in MCTs, the main component of fractionated coconut oil, may aid weight loss.

Most studies on this effect replaced other fats in the diet with MCTs.

MCTs may help you lose weight because they:

• reduce hunger and calorie intake (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source)
• help you burn more fat and calories (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source)
• are less likely to be stored as fat (9Trusted Source)

However, the amount of weight lost is generally quite modest.

One review of 13 studies found that MCTs reduced body weight by an average of 1.1 pounds (0.5 kg) over three weeks, compared with other fats (10Trusted Source).

The authors also noted that about half of these studies were funded by MCT oil producers. Therefore, there is a high risk of bias.

Summary

Eating a diet rich in MCTs may lead to modest weight loss by helping you eat less and burn more fat. MCTs are also less likely to be stored as fat.

Other potential health benefits

The MCTs in fractionated coconut oil have been associated with several other health benefits, including:

• Reduced insulin resistance: One small study found that taking MCTs may reduce insulin resistance and improve other risk factors in people with diabetes and excess weight. More studies are needed to confirm this effect (11Trusted Source).
• Epilepsy treatment: Children with epilepsy may benefit from a ketogenic diet enriched with MCTs. Adding the MCTs may allow them to eat more carbs and protein, making the diet easier to stick to (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).
• Improved brain function: One study reported that in some people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, MCTs may improve brain function. However, further studies are needed (14Trusted Source ).

Summary

The MCTs in fractionated coconut oil have been suggested to enhance exercise performance and improve various health conditions. However, more research is needed.

Most fractionated coconut oils don’t contain lauric acid

Lauric acid is a major component of coconut oil. In fact, the oil comprises about 50% lauric acid and is one of the world’s richest dietary sources of this saturated fat.

Lauric acid has been linked to many health benefits. It may kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi while protecting against various infections (15, 16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).

Most fractionated coconut oils do not contain any lauric acid, or only very small amounts of it.

Thus, fractionated coconut oil doesn’t offer all of the health effects that regular coconut oil does.

Summary

Fractionated coconut oil is able to stay in liquid form because its lauric acid has been removed. Thus, the oil does not offer lauric acid’s many health benefits.

How is it used?

Fractionated coconut oil has been marketed under three different names.

You may know it as:

• Fractionated coconut oil: This oil is mainly used for various household and personal care purposes, such as a moisturizer, hair conditioner, and massage oil.
• MCT oil: It’s often used as a dietary supplement, with 1–3 tablespoons per day being a common dosage recommendation.
• Liquid coconut oil: This oil is advertised as an edible cooking oil.

Ultimately, these are the same product that has been marketed for different consumer uses.

Uses for Skin and Hair

Coconut oil one of the most versatile oils, considering you can consume it and use it on your body, hair and so on.

Here are some of the uses of fractioned coconut oil for your skin and hair:

• Moisturizes dry skin without causing breakouts or greasiness.
• Can be used in homemade tooth pastes and lip balms.
• Can be used to make homemade coconut conditioners and hair masks.
• Key ingredient in natural or homemade deodorants.
• Helps take off makeup gently without stripping skin.
• Makes a great shaving cream and after shave oil to reduce bumps or irritation.
• Can be applied to sunburns to help reduce dryness and peeling.
• Reduces hair frizz and helps with smoothing and protecting hair.
• Can be used to clean makeup brushes.
• Makes a great soluble carrier oil for blending with essential oils, including for skincare, massages and aromatherapy. It helps to form a protective barrier on the skin without clogging pores before essential oils are applied. This can reduce irritation, and also preserves the smell and benefits of essential oils. To use it with essential oils, dilute one part essential oil to five parts or more of fractionated coconut oil.
• It’s light, absorbs quickly and doesn’t stain clothes.