Comparison
Magnesium L-Threonate vs MCT Oil
Magnesium L-Threonate
MIT-developed magnesium that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Shown to enhance synaptic density and reduce 'brain age'.
MCT Oil
Medium-chain triglycerides metabolised directly to ketones in the liver. Provides rapid brain energy substrate; useful for ketogenic protocols and cognitive support.
| Field | Magnesium L-Threonate | MCT Oil |
|---|---|---|
| Category | neuroprotective | neuroprotective |
| Dose range | 1000–2000mg | 5000–30000mg |
| Half-life | 6h | — |
| Onset | — | — |
| Evidence | EVIDENCEB | EVIDENCEB |
| Safety | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Legal (US) | USOTC | USOTC |
| PubMed refs | 90 | 1800 |
The comparison in plain English
Auto-generated from dataMagnesium L-Threonate and MCT Oil are both in the neuroprotective category respectively. Magnesium L-Threonate MIT-developed magnesium that crosses the blood-brain barrier. MCT Oil Medium-chain triglycerides metabolised directly to ketones in the liver.
Bottom line
Magnesium L-Threonate (evidence B, safety 5/5) matches the evidence base of MCT Oil (evidence B, safety 5/5). Magnesium L-Threonate has the slightly cleaner safety profile. For users new to either, the higher-evidence option is the safer first try.
Choose Magnesium L-Threonate if
Magnesium L-Threonate is the better fit when your goal aligns with its mechanism (L-threonate is a sugar-acid carrier that uniquely enables magnesium to cross the blood-brain barrier in meaningful quantities — most oral magnesium forms (oxide, citrate, glycinate) raise serum magnesium but not central magnesium) and the dose range (1000–2000mg) suits your protocol. Half-life is 6h.
Choose MCT Oil if
MCT Oil is the better fit when your goal aligns with its mechanism (MCTs bypass the standard fat digestion pathway, absorbing directly into portal circulation and metabolised by the liver into ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate)) and the dose range (5000–30000mg) suits your protocol. Half-life is —h.