Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, veterinary epidemiologist, public health scientist, and co-founder of Fatty15 (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY), shares the latest science on C15:0, an odd-chain saturated fatty acid she describes as the first essential fatty acid to emerge in over 90 years.
This conversation explores why C15 may be foundational for cellular resilience, metabolic health, liver health, brain development, and long-term vitality. Stephanie explains how low C15:0 levels may contribute to fragile cells, accelerated aging, and modern health issues, and why this nutrient matters not just for adults, but for pregnancy, breastfeeding, babies, and children.
We also talk about food sources like full-fat dairy, cheese, butter, goat and sheep products, why grass-fed matters, how to test your C15:0 levels, and why supplement quality is becoming more important than ever.
Join The LongHer Life for women-specific guidance on peptides, hormones, and longevity.
We talk about:
00:35 - What C15:0 is and why it’s being called the first essential fatty acid in over 90 years
02:55 - How low C15:0 may contribute to fragile cells and accelerated aging
05:55 - The difference between omega-3s and C15:0 for cell flexibility and resilience
07:20 - Why C15:0 matters during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and infant development
11:20 - The “longevity zone” for C15:0 and what higher levels may indicate
15:10 - Why supplement testing and third-party verification matter
18:30 - How C15:0 compares to other longevity molecules like NAD, metformin, and rapamycin
23:35 - Why C15:0 needs to be consumed regularly through food or supplementation
25:00 - Why vegans and dairy-free women may be at higher risk for low C15:0 levels
26:50 - The best food sources of C15:0, including cheese, butter, and grass-fed dairy
30:10 - Why Fatty15 created gummies for kids and families
37:35 - What we know, and don’t know yet, about C15:0 and children’s brain health
41:30 - Why the Navy patent may help protect supplement quality and trust
44:30 - How kids are responding to the new Fatty15 gummies
47:50 - Where to learn more, buy Fatty15, and read the research
Questions answered in this episode:
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What is C15:0 and why is it considered an essential fatty acid?
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How was C15:0 discovered through research on Navy dolphins?
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What happens when C15:0 levels are low?
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How can low C15:0 affect cell membranes and cellular aging?
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How does C15:0 compare to omega-3 fatty acids?
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Why might C15:0 be especially important during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
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Can a mother’s C15:0 levels influence her baby’s development?
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How can you test your C15:0 levels?
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What is the C15:0 “longevity zone”?
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Why do people in some Blue Zones have higher C15:0 levels?
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What foods contain the most C15:0?
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Are vegans and dairy-free people more likely to have low C15:0?
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Why did Fatty15 create a gummy version for children?
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What does the research say about C15:0 and children’s cognitive development?
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How can consumers know if a C15:0 supplement is high quality?
Resources:
- Join The LongHer Life for women-specific guidance on peptides, hormones, and longevity.
- Free Peptide Masterclass for Women: Join the waitlist for the next live class.
- The Her Stack Planner: The first peptide tracking journal built around female biology.
- Fatty15 website (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) and Instagram
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