116. Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson: The New Essential Fatty Acid

Nov 27, 2025

Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, a veterinary epidemiologist and co-founder of Fatty15, reveals fascinating insights on pentadecanoic acid (C15), discovered through research on Navy dolphins. She explains how C15 supports cellular health and longevity, contrasting it with traditional fats. The conversation covers dolphin diet shifts, healthy aging predictors, and C15's role in reducing inflammation and metabolic decline. Venn-Watson also discusses translational research connecting dolphin findings to human health, emphasizing dietary sources and the development of therapeutic supplements.

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ANECDOTE

Dolphin Data Led To C15 Discovery

Stephanie Venn-Watson described using half a century of Navy dolphin health data to find patterns across lifespans and archived serum.
This controlled population revealed C15 as the top predictor of healthy aging in dolphins.

INSIGHT

C15 Rapidly Improves Key Biomarkers

Raising C15 in dolphin diets resolved chronic anemia and improved lipids, insulin, and ferritin within months.
These changes suggested C15 stabilizes red blood cells and improves metabolic markers causally.

INSIGHT

Odd Chains Metabolize Differently

Odd-chain saturated fats like C15 metabolize to propionic acid (C3), which is anti-diabetic; even-chain fats metabolize to pro-diabetic acetoacetic acid.
This metabolic difference explains opposing effects of C15 versus C16/C18 on inflammation and liver fat.

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Most people hear "saturated fat" and think of something harmful, yet emerging research reveals that one specific fatty acid supports stronger cell membranes, healthier metabolic function, and better long-term resilience. C15 plays a unique role in the biology of aging and may help explain why certain populations experience longer, healthier lives.

In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, veterinary epidemiologist and co-founder of Fatty15, to uncover how Navy dolphin research led to the discovery of C15 as the first essential fatty acid identified in nearly a century. We unpack why odd chain fats behave differently than traditional dietary fats, how C15 stabilizes cellular aging pathways, and why declining levels in the modern diet may be contributing to metabolic and cognitive decline.

We also explore how C15's effects on ferroptosis, inflammation, liver markers, and mitochondrial efficiency offer a new way to support healthspan at the cellular level.

Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson is a leading veterinary epidemiologist whose groundbreaking research on marine mammals revealed the essential role of C15 in aging, metabolism, and cellular integrity, ultimately leading to the development of the concentrated and clinically studied Fatty15 formulation.

What's Discussed:

(07:20) How Navy dolphin research led to the discovery of C15
(11:45) Why C15 functions differently from traditional saturated fats
(15:10) The link between C15, cell membrane stability, and aging
(19:40) How declining C15 levels influence metabolic and inflammatory markers
(24:00) The science of ferroptosis and why it accelerates aging
(28:30) How C15 interacts with AMPK, PPAR, mTOR, and mitochondrial pathways
(33:10) The challenge of getting enough C15 through modern diets
(38:25) How Fatty15 provides a bioavailable source of this essential fatty acid

Thank You for Our Sponsors:

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Learn more about Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson:

Website : https://fatty15.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatty15/

X: https://x.com/meetfatty15

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meetfatty15/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanievennwatson