Excellent! My morning glucose has been in the low 90s. I asked AI about it, and it said yeah, that's common in keto and fasting and nothing to worry about - just your body adjusting. I had been thinking of adding MCTs again... and also saffron. You gave me the go-ahead! Good story!
Hi, Thanks for your reply. I am struggling with not being able to get my A1C lowered.
I googled Iranian Aargol Saffron & see multiple links so I’ll try one. I see Amazon sells too but I avoid Amazon for supplements. Thank you so much for being so generous with your time in helping our community!!! :)
• Yes, MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) are absorbed directly into the portal vein and go straight to the liver, unlike long-chain fats that get packaged into chylomicrons.
• Because of that, they tend to have less post-prandial lipemia and less immediate impact on LDL than saturated long-chain fats.
• But… “less” does not mean “none,” particularly in APOE4 carriers.
APOE4 + MCTs
• APOE4 individuals are more sensitive to saturated fat, even shorter-chain ones.
• Several lipidologists (and plenty of N=1 data) have seen LDL-C and ApoB rise in some APOE4 carriers using MCT oil or powder.
• The liver can convert excess MCTs into acetyl-CoA → cholesterol and VLDL, especially if total caloric intake is high or insulin resistance is present.
C8 vs C10 vs “generic” MCT
This is where nuance matters:
C8 (caprylic acid)
• Most ketogenic
• Rapidly oxidized
• Least likely of the MCTs to raise LDL
• Shorter half-life, less incorporation into lipoproteins
C10 (capric acid)
• Still MCT, but behaves a bit more like long-chain fat
• More likely to raise LDL than C8
C12 (lauric acid)
• Not really an MCT physiologically
• Clearly raises LDL (especially in APOE4)
👉 If an APOE4 patient is going to use MCT at all, C8-only is the safest choice.
Thank you Karin for bringing Saffron to the frontline with glucose metabolism. I have been taking BrainMD Saffron Plus which has 30 mgs of saffron extract and 400 mgs of Curcumin for the past 3months and my HgbA1C went down from 5.3 to 5.0 without any other change. I already use MCT caprilic acid from Dr Mercola with my daily coffee. It is a must. I do not worry about LDL elevation as I am on Repatha as part of my prevention stack against APOE4/4 neurodegeneration.
Karin this is awesome! So glad you met a wise spice merchant and got an amazing result! I appreciate all you do and share with us 4/4s. This is reassuring to me as I am getting saffron in Qualia Mind which I take most days and I have been using C8 oil in my coffee with a couple tablespoons of org coconut cream and stevia and ceylon cinnamon. Big hugs.
Be careful with the MCT oil. In people with an APOE4 allele, dietary saturated fats have a more pronounced effect on LDL. MCT oil might increase LDL in some APOE4 carriers, especially if they have a tendency to have high cholesterol. It’s not universal, but it’s worth monitoring lipids if someone with APOE4 is adding MCT oil to their diet. So, personalized lipid checks are a smart. IMHO.
I was aware that MCT oil can increase LDL in some. What's your thought on MCT powder with APOE4? I thought it goes straight to the liver via portal vein so should have minimal impact on LDL. Haven't checked my LDL since starting MCT C8 powder.
Wow, thats really great! I have used a supplement that is a combination of saffron, turmeric and ginger for about 2 months now. But that was for antiinflammation. I hope it will have effect on my HbA1c as well then 🙂.
Karin, Thank you once again for sharing something so important. I struggle with an A1C of 5.9 although I’m very thin, & eat low carb. It’s my night blood sugars that run around 100 for no logical reason. Even 1000 mgs of Metformin is not making a difference.
Can you share the source of the Saffron you are taking & how much ?? Are you still using it in a tea or a supplement ?? Thank you.
Hi Nancy, I'm using the Iranian saffron I got in Istanbul. My supply will last me about a year. I do not know of a reputable source in the US, while I'm sure there are some, it's not cheap. I use it as tea, the photo shown in the post is the daily glass I share with my husband (using about 10-12 threads). If you can find Iranian Sargol saffron, that would be perfect!
Karin thanks for sharing this. I have had good luck with MCT Oil, but I have heat disease and am concerned about it clogging my arteries. Is this something to consider for people in my boat?
As Dr. O'Keefe mentioned in this thread, MCT can increase LDL in some of us. The only way to find out is try it and re-check your LDL after a month or so. I use the powder.
Excellent! My morning glucose has been in the low 90s. I asked AI about it, and it said yeah, that's common in keto and fasting and nothing to worry about - just your body adjusting. I had been thinking of adding MCTs again... and also saffron. You gave me the go-ahead! Good story!
Hi, Thanks for your reply. I am struggling with not being able to get my A1C lowered.
I googled Iranian Aargol Saffron & see multiple links so I’ll try one. I see Amazon sells too but I avoid Amazon for supplements. Thank you so much for being so generous with your time in helping our community!!! :)
Great question Karin — here is what CHAT GPT says
Big picture first
• Yes, MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) are absorbed directly into the portal vein and go straight to the liver, unlike long-chain fats that get packaged into chylomicrons.
• Because of that, they tend to have less post-prandial lipemia and less immediate impact on LDL than saturated long-chain fats.
• But… “less” does not mean “none,” particularly in APOE4 carriers.
APOE4 + MCTs
• APOE4 individuals are more sensitive to saturated fat, even shorter-chain ones.
• Several lipidologists (and plenty of N=1 data) have seen LDL-C and ApoB rise in some APOE4 carriers using MCT oil or powder.
• The liver can convert excess MCTs into acetyl-CoA → cholesterol and VLDL, especially if total caloric intake is high or insulin resistance is present.
C8 vs C10 vs “generic” MCT
This is where nuance matters:
C8 (caprylic acid)
• Most ketogenic
• Rapidly oxidized
• Least likely of the MCTs to raise LDL
• Shorter half-life, less incorporation into lipoproteins
C10 (capric acid)
• Still MCT, but behaves a bit more like long-chain fat
• More likely to raise LDL than C8
C12 (lauric acid)
• Not really an MCT physiologically
• Clearly raises LDL (especially in APOE4)
👉 If an APOE4 patient is going to use MCT at all, C8-only is the safest choice.
MCT oil vs MCT powder
• Powder = MCT oil + carrier (usually acacia fiber or tapioca-derived starch)
• Lipid effects come from the fat itself, not the form
• Powder may blunt absorption slightly, but does not eliminate LDL effects
Practical advice I usually give
For APOE4 carriers:
• ✅ Prefer C8-only
• ✅ Keep dose low (e.g., 5–10 g/day, not 20–30 g)
• ✅ Use in a metabolically healthy context (exercise, low refined carbs)
• ❌ Avoid if LDL-C, ApoB, or LDL-P rise meaningfully
• 📊 Check ApoB after 6–8 weeks — that’s the arbiter
Bottom line
• Your instinct is right: portal vein transport does reduce—but does not eliminate—LDL effects
• C8 is “less bad,” not “neutral,” in APOE4
• In APOE4 carriers chasing metabolic or cognitive benefits, I treat MCTs as a trial with labs, not a free pass
Thanks, I've been taken C8 powder since October now, and I think this is giving me enough of a push to get LDL checked next week. Now I'm curious!
Thank you Karin for bringing Saffron to the frontline with glucose metabolism. I have been taking BrainMD Saffron Plus which has 30 mgs of saffron extract and 400 mgs of Curcumin for the past 3months and my HgbA1C went down from 5.3 to 5.0 without any other change. I already use MCT caprilic acid from Dr Mercola with my daily coffee. It is a must. I do not worry about LDL elevation as I am on Repatha as part of my prevention stack against APOE4/4 neurodegeneration.
That being said, I am a fan of N=1 experiments in perceptive and resourceful people like you, Karin
Karin this is awesome! So glad you met a wise spice merchant and got an amazing result! I appreciate all you do and share with us 4/4s. This is reassuring to me as I am getting saffron in Qualia Mind which I take most days and I have been using C8 oil in my coffee with a couple tablespoons of org coconut cream and stevia and ceylon cinnamon. Big hugs.
Be careful with the MCT oil. In people with an APOE4 allele, dietary saturated fats have a more pronounced effect on LDL. MCT oil might increase LDL in some APOE4 carriers, especially if they have a tendency to have high cholesterol. It’s not universal, but it’s worth monitoring lipids if someone with APOE4 is adding MCT oil to their diet. So, personalized lipid checks are a smart. IMHO.
I was aware that MCT oil can increase LDL in some. What's your thought on MCT powder with APOE4? I thought it goes straight to the liver via portal vein so should have minimal impact on LDL. Haven't checked my LDL since starting MCT C8 powder.
Wow, thats really great! I have used a supplement that is a combination of saffron, turmeric and ginger for about 2 months now. But that was for antiinflammation. I hope it will have effect on my HbA1c as well then 🙂.
Karin, Thank you once again for sharing something so important. I struggle with an A1C of 5.9 although I’m very thin, & eat low carb. It’s my night blood sugars that run around 100 for no logical reason. Even 1000 mgs of Metformin is not making a difference.
Can you share the source of the Saffron you are taking & how much ?? Are you still using it in a tea or a supplement ?? Thank you.
Hi Nancy, I'm using the Iranian saffron I got in Istanbul. My supply will last me about a year. I do not know of a reputable source in the US, while I'm sure there are some, it's not cheap. I use it as tea, the photo shown in the post is the daily glass I share with my husband (using about 10-12 threads). If you can find Iranian Sargol saffron, that would be perfect!
Karin thanks for sharing this. I have had good luck with MCT Oil, but I have heat disease and am concerned about it clogging my arteries. Is this something to consider for people in my boat?
As Dr. O'Keefe mentioned in this thread, MCT can increase LDL in some of us. The only way to find out is try it and re-check your LDL after a month or so. I use the powder.