A New Emerging Essential Fatty Acid

C15:0 is emerging as a healthy, odd-chain saturated fatty acid that our bodies require to maintain physiological health. This discovery is backed by multiple independent teams, including gold-standard studies.

Molecule

How C15:0 Compares to the Omegas

While omega-3 (alpha linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid) have been recognized as the first two essential fatty acids, C15:0 is emerging as the third essential fatty acid. Let’s talk about the differences between the omegas and C15:0.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 are polyunsaturated fatty acids that contain multiple double bonds.

While double bonds enable polyunsaturated fatty acids to be flexible, these double bonds are also susceptible to lipid peroxidation.

Omega-3 fatty acids can provide health benefits, including improving cell membrane flexibility, anti-inflammatory activities, and helping with cellular signaling.

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Reference: NIH In Depth Summary of Omega-3 Supplements

C15:0

In comparison, C15:0 (also called pentadecanoic acid) is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid with no double bonds in the main chain. This makes C15:0 sturdy and resistant to oxidation.

Studies have also linked C15:0 to better long-term health, including better heart, metabolic, immune, red blood cell, cognitive, and liver health.

C15-0 Molecule Stylized Vertical 07.17.26 (2)

Reference: Venn-Watson et al. 2020

Odd vs. even-chain saturated fatty acids

Even-chain saturated fatty acids, like C16:0, are pro-inflammatory and continue to be associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and chronic inflammation.

Odd-chain saturated fatty acids, like C15:0, are anti-inflammatory and are consistently associated with lower risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver disease.

What are essential fatty acids?

Essential fatty acids are nutrients that our bodies need to maintain physiological health, but our bodies don’t make.

Similar to vitamins, this means we need to get adequate amounts of essential fatty acids routinely from our diet.

Until recently, there were only two known essential fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3) and linoleic acid (an omega-6).

C15:0: A new essential fatty acid

A growing body of evidence supports that C15:0 is the third-ever discovered essential fatty acid.

Read the C15:0 study on Nature

Repairing & Restoring Cellular Health

C15:0 works at the cellular level to reverse key hallmarks of aging, while reducing clinically-relevant drivers of chronic disease.

See the Mechanism
Repairing & Restoring Cellular Health