When a single nutrient can add over a decade to a large mammal’s lifespan, we need to pay attention. That is what studies of a newly discovered Essential Fatty Acid revealed in studies of Dolphins trained by the Navy in San Diego CA., when compared to a similarly trained group of dolphins in Florida. A single fatty acid makes a difference of about 1/3 of the typical lifespan between dolphins with the lowest levels of this fat in their tissues and those with the highest levels, who live well-over a decade longer. This fat proves to be ‘Essential’ – meaning we mammals can’t make it, and have to get it from our diet, and it is essential for life. This discovery was spearheaded by veterinary scientist Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, who tells this story in her TED Talk from 2023. (Very worth watching – scroll down when you get there to find it)

We do get a dose of it during fetal gestation, as the placental environment apparently provides for synthesis of this fat, and when nursing, as the milk-generating tissues of all female mammals produces it as well. Hence our dietary supply of it largely comes from consumption of butter fat: from whole-milk, butter and some cheeses. The kicker is that these also contain high amounts of even-chain fats such a C16:0 and C18:0. This recent discovery highlighted the fact that Odd-chain fats like C15:0 and C17:0 are anti-inflammatory, while even-chain fats promote increased inflammation with aging.

Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) is an essential odd-chain saturated fatty acid with broad activities relevant to protecting cardio-metabolic, immune, and liver health. It plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, particularly those related to the production, regulation and storage of other fats. It is critical for the stability of cell walls and shape-stability of our cells. It also promotes better repair of our mitochondria (better energy production), and improves cellular signaling leading to less hunger, fat storage and diabetes. Plus, C15:0 is required for synthesis of higher order odd-chain fats important to health.

Quoting from a recent study: “In addition to slowing the aging rate, and as would be expected of a health-span and longevity-enhancing nutrient, C15:0 can positively affect routine clinical indices. Specifically, higher circulating C15:0 concentrations are associated with, and show in relevant animal and cellular models to cause lower inflammation, lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, lower glucose and improved insulin sensitivity, lower liver enzymes, healthier body weight, and, as mentioned above, higher and healthier hemoglobin levels”.

And from another part of the same study: “Consistent with these studies, the cell-based phenotypic profile of C15:0 at higher doses (50 µM) closely mimics leading and broad anticancer therapeutics, gemcitabine and paclitaxel, which aligns with associations found between higher circulating C15:0 concentrations and lower risks of having breast cancer, small lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, pharyngolaryngeal cancer, and hematologic malignancies (leukemias) in humans.”

According to Dr.SV-W’s TED talk, Dolphins with the lowest C15:0 levels live 20-30 years, while those with the highest levels live into their late 40s to 50s: That is a massive increase in longevity and health-span! One might guess that in humans, this could be on the order of 2-3 decades of added health-span; far more than any single yet-discovered factor! So, if you wish to ‘Do Good on Earth’ for years to come, this seems the biggest bang for the buck yet to be discovered, available from Fatty 15 and reasonably priced at that. I’m using it, I’m recommending it for all; Go to Fatty15/SRFIT for a 3-month starter kit with a 20% discount.
This is yet another Practical Strategy to live life to the fullest!

To your Greater Health and Fitness,
Frank