"There's a sucker born every minute," is a quote widely attributed to P.T. Barnum, though he wasn't the one who coined the phrase, evidently. It's just that this phrase was what popped into my head when I was researching the growing trend in the low carb/paleo/primal world of drinking "Bulletproof Coffee."

There's a guy selling "special" coffee beans at a HUGE price markup, along with MCT oil, and touting it as a miraculous weight loss and meal replacement, guaranteed to make you invincible, all while shedding unwanted pounds.

I have no doubt drinking coffee with good fat added is delicious and good for you; I've been doing it for years and have no complaints. And yeah, I think there is a lot of benefit to a diet rich in saturated fats and particularly medium chain triglycerides, but really? Paying an arm and a leg for these "magical" coffee beans seems more than a little ridiculous to me. The Bulletproof Executive has found a niche and has some great marketing strategies, to be sure. He is definitely lining his pockets well with his idea. I've nothing against free market capitalism, but I do not like being taken for a sucker.

My advice for a good energy boost? Using your favorite coffee, or one you can afford, brew it up, add some coconut oil and/or grassfed butter, put it in a blender if you choose, and drink up. No need to spend an arm, a leg, and your firstborn on a bag of coffee beans and a bottle of MCT oil.

This idea isn't all snake oil, but just remember: a fool and his money are soon parted. Keep some of your hard earned cash in your pocket and gain the same benefits without breaking the bank.