Biohacking Beauty: The Anti-Aging Skincare Podcast

Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson: The Essential Fat That Reverses Aging—Why No One’s Talking About It?

Mar 5, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, a veterinary epidemiologist and co-founder of Fatty15, reveals groundbreaking insights about C15, the essential fatty acid identified through studies of long-lived Navy dolphins. She explores how C15 strengthens cell membranes, combats oxidative stress, and influences epigenetic aging. Dr. Venn-Watson also explains why modern diets lack this vital nutrient and its role in enhancing skin health and metabolic function, advocating for its supplementation as a powerful addition to our diets.
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ANECDOTE

Discovery From Navy Dolphins

  • Stephanie discovered C15 while studying long-lived Navy dolphins with archived serum samples and metabolomics.
  • She found C15, a saturated odd-chain fatty acid, was the top predictor of healthy aging dolphins.
INSIGHT

Population-Level C15 Decline

  • Modern dietary shifts reduced population C15 levels by removing dairy fats after 1977 saturated fat guidance.
  • Many people sit near the deficiency cliff at ~0.2% C15 while longevity populations like Sardinia have ~0.6%.
INSIGHT

Membrane Protection Mechanism

  • C15 is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid that embeds in cell membranes and resists lipid peroxidation.
  • Its lack of double bonds makes membranes less fragile and lowers oxidative damage that triggers ferroptosis.
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