A ketogenic diet works by changing the fuel the body runs on. Cut carbohydrate low enough and the liver shifts from burning glucose to breaking fat down into ketones — a switch known as nutritional ketosis. The practical challenge of keto is simply supply: getting enough quality fat, protecting protein and lean muscle, and managing the mineral and water shifts of the first week. Our keto collection is built around exactly that — the MCT oils, collagen and gelatin proteins, keto creamers and replenishing formulas that make a low-carb way of eating easier to sustain.

How MCT oil works — the fat that behaves like a fast fuel

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are the centrepiece of most keto ranges, and they behave quite differently from ordinary dietary fat. Long-chain fats need bile and the lymphatic system to be absorbed and are mostly stored or burned slowly. MCTs are short enough to be absorbed straight across the gut and carried directly to the liver by the portal vein, where they are rapidly converted into ketones. That's why MCT oil raises blood ketones faster than almost any other food, and why it's used for quick, clean energy rather than storage.

Not all MCTs are equal, and this is the detail worth reading the label for. MCT oil is a blend of chain lengths — chiefly C8 (caprylic acid) and C10 (capric acid). C8 is the most efficiently converted to ketones, so a product concentrated in C8 delivers more ketone per spoonful than a cheaper mixed oil. The range we stock includes straight MCT oils and MCT oil powders (an easier-on-the-stomach, travel-friendly form), so you can match the format to how you use it — blended into coffee, a smoothie, or taken before training.

Protein on keto — collagen, gelatin and keeping it moderate

Keto is a moderate-protein, not a high-protein, way of eating: enough protein to protect lean muscle, but not so much that the surplus is converted to glucose. Collagen and gelatin fit this well because they add protein while supplying the specific amino acids — glycine, proline and hydroxyproline — that support skin, joints and the gut lining. One honest caveat: collagen is not a complete protein (it lacks tryptophan), so it complements rather than replaces varied protein in the diet. The collagen coffees and creamers in this collection combine that protein with keto-friendly fats in a single cup, which is why they've become a common way to start a low-carb day. See our Collagen range for the full selection.

The first week — water, minerals and \"keto flu\"

The tiredness some people feel in the first days of keto is largely a mineral story, not a fat one. As carbohydrate drops, insulin falls, and the kidneys release stored water along with sodium, potassium and magnesium. That rapid loss — not the diet itself — is behind the headaches and flatness of so-called keto flu. Staying hydrated and replacing those minerals smooths the transition, which is why a replenishing mineral and B-vitamin formula sits alongside the fats and proteins here.

Who may benefit

People following a ketogenic or low-carb way of eating, those using MCTs for steady energy or mental clarity, anyone practising intermittent fasting who wants fat-based fuel without breaking a fast heavily, and low-carb eaters looking to keep protein and minerals adequate.

Frequently asked questions

What is MCT oil and why is it used on keto?
MCT oil is a concentrated source of medium-chain fats that the liver converts quickly into ketones. On a ketogenic diet it's used as a fast, low-carb energy source and to help raise ketone levels — most often blended into coffee or smoothies.

C8 or C10 — which MCT is better?
Both are genuine MCTs, but C8 (caprylic acid) is converted to ketones most efficiently, so C8-rich oils give a stronger ketone response per serve. C10 is still useful and usually more economical; many general MCT oils blend the two.

Does collagen break ketosis?
Collagen is almost pure protein with no carbohydrate, so a normal serve doesn't take you out of ketosis. Keep total protein moderate across the day, as very large protein intakes can be partly converted to glucose.

Explore related ranges in our Energy, Nootropics, Collagen and Weight Management collections.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. A ketogenic diet does not suit everyone — if you are pregnant, have diabetes, kidney or liver conditions, or take medication, talk to your healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes. Introduce MCT oil gradually, as large amounts can cause digestive upset.