The Longevity Nutrient - C15

In this episode of Peak Human Labs, Dr. Sanjeev Goel reconnects with Dr. Steph Venn-Watson, co-founder of Fatty15, to unpack the groundbreaking research behind C15:0—an odd-chain saturated fatty acid once overlooked, now emerging as a powerful longevity nutrient. What began as an accidental discovery while caring for aging Navy dolphins has grown into a movement to reimagine nutritional health and aging. From reversing cellular fragility and metabolic dysfunction to improving cognitive health and potentially slowing the progression of age-related diseases like Alzheimer's, this episode dives deep into what makes C15 so essential—and why most of us aren’t getting enough.

Ready to learn how a molecule you’ve never heard of could redefine your health span? Tune in now!

Fatty15 and C15 Supplementation

www.fatty15.com/drsanjeevgoel (Use code DRSANJEEVGOEL)

Key Takeaways

• Discovery of C15 (pentadecanoic acid) through dolphin health research
• Role of C15 in reversing cellular fragility and ferroptosis
• Association between low C15 and conditions like anemia, fatty liver, and iron overload
• Differences between even-chain (e.g., C16) and odd-chain saturated fats
• How C15 improves red blood cell health and reduces aging biomarkers like RDW
• Sardinia’s high C15 levels linked to longevity and heart health
• C15’s presence in grass-fed dairy, especially pecorino cheese
• The supplement Fatty15 as a vegan-friendly, concentrated source of C15
• Emerging research into C15’s role in gut health, Alzheimer’s, and cognitive protection
• Future applications in food fortification, pediatric nutrition, and global health policy

In This Episode:

• [00:00:00] Why getting C15 into cells takes time
• [00:01:10] Introduction to guest Dr. Steph Venn-Watson and Fatty15
• [00:02:31] Origins of the C15 discovery in Navy dolphin care
• [00:03:50] Metabolic disease and accelerated aging in dolphins
• [00:06:42] C15 identified as top predictor of healthy aging
• [00:09:27] C15’s effectiveness confirmed in feeding studies
• [00:11:31] Corroborating human data on C15 and disease risk
• [00:14:14] Understanding ferroptosis and cellular fragility
• [00:17:35] How C15 lowers ferritin and liver iron overload
• [00:19:14] C15 blood levels and how much you need
• [00:20:49] Sardinia’s lifestyle and natural C15 optimization
• [00:23:36] Supplementation potential vs. lifestyle changes
• [00:25:12] Navy-backed development of pure C15 supplement
• [00:27:09] C15’s impact on aging biomarkers and RDW
• [00:28:45] Dog studies, gut health, and C15 in Alzheimer’s research
• [00:31:52] Is Alzheimer’s a disease of aging or longevity?
• [00:34:15] Why C15 may be the most promising geroprotector
• [00:37:52] Dosage, absorption timeline, and blood level targets
• [00:41:23] Future of C15 in nutrition policy and public health
• [00:43:46] The C15 content in eggs and Australian meats

Our Guest

Dr. Steph Venn-Watson is a veterinary epidemiologist, former Navy researcher, and co-founder of Fatty15. While studying aging dolphins, she accidentally uncovered the powerful health effects of C15:0, a molecule now recognized as a potential longevity nutrient. Her work bridges veterinary science, human medicine, and public health, with implications ranging from metabolic disease prevention to cognitive health and cellular stability. Her new book, The Longevity Nutrient, lays out the science, stories, and strategies to integrate this once-overlooked nutrient into modern life.

Resources and Links

Peak Human Labs

• https://www.youtube.com/@peakhumanlabs/videos
• https://www.peakhuman.ca/
• https://www.instagram.com/peakhumanlabs/?hl=en
• https://open.spotify.com/show/5hx9R37ElxgzCrBccRWoHd?si=8atK0n82QbeL3DWg5-vjvg&nd=1&dlsi=ce0f77aa4f304724

Dr. Sanjeev Goel

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjeevgoelmd/?originalSubdomain=ca

Dr. Steph Venn-Watson

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanievennwatson/
• https://fatty15.com/