MCT oil is more easily converted into ketones. If you're eating a super high carbohydrate diet, MCT oil is probably not really all that useful or effective. The other ketones esters and salts, it's not, I think they may have a role for some specific conditions. But what's clear is that you don't get all of the brain benefits by just drinking a bottle of ketones.
Christopher Palmer, MD, is the Director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education at McLean Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. For over 27 years he’s held administrative, educational, research, and clinical roles in psychiatry. His new book, Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health—and Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and More, is out now.