Fatty15 Reviews

Health trends are constantly changing. The role of fats in our diet is one of the most complicated and contentious topics, and the conversation about whether we should or shouldn’t include them seems to flip sides all the time. (For example, egg yolks, which people were long told to avoid for risk of heart disease, actually provide most of the nutritional benefits of eggs.)1 As we learn more about the intricacies of the human body, this advice will continue to shift.

In an exciting turn of events, a team of researchers learned that a kind of saturated fat — what we’ve considered a “bad” fat — called pentadecanoic acid (or C15:0) may actually be essential for our health. They felt it was necessary to bring C15:0 into the limelight and created fatty15, the first (and, so far, only) C15:0 supplement on the market. We researched and tested fatty15 to find out whether or not these little capsules can make a big difference in your health.

Fatty15 is a new kind of supplement for a previously overlooked fatty acid, C15:0, designed by experts who discovered its potential benefits. It's a somewhat expensive addition to a supplement routine, but it’s the only product of its kind available at this time. While extensive animal studies strongly support fatty15’s health benefits claims, we’re anxious to see human clinical trial results to further back up its promises. That said, we think fatty15 could be beneficial for those looking to increase their fatty acid intake, especially individuals on a vegan or dairy-free diet, since C15:0 is naturally found in whole-fat dairy products.

Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions about staying healthy and living healthier lifestyles.

To provide you with an unbiased review, we extensively researched and evaluated fatty15 by examining over 50 scientific studies focused on C15:0, fatty acids, and their potential health benefits. Our testers ordered the product to scrutinize the customer experience and compare fatty15 to other supplement companies to see how it stacks up.

We evaluate the products and services we review based on current health standards and research, continually assessing our information to make sure it’s up-to-date. Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this review was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.

When we evaluate a supplement, we first take into consideration what criteria a product should meet. For this fatty15 review, we used the following four main criteria in order of importance:

• Efficacy: What does current research say about this product and its sole ingredient? How likely is fatty15 to deliver on the company’s promises?
• Safety: Are the quality assurance practices and dosage appropriate for ensuring your safety?
• Cost: How does the sticker price add up with subscription deals and shipping costs?
• Convenience: How was the purchasing and customer support experience? Is this supplement easy to incorporate into your routine?

Efficacy

The makers of fatty15 claim that this supplement promotes healthy metabolism, balanced immunity, and heart health, among other benefits. C15:0, the sole ingredient of fatty15, is said to reverse cellular aging through a number of mechanisms, including the strengthening of cell membranes and repair of mitochondria. After a look at a large number of scientific animal studies, it appears as though the team behind fatty15 is accurately portraying the wide range of potential benefits C15:0 offers as an essential fatty acid.2 3

However, research to date has either been animal-based, cell-based, or population studies that indicate connections between improved health and C15:0 blood levels; results from a long-term human trial of fatty15 supplementation have yet to be published. Luckily, a clinical trial is currently underway, examining fatty15’s effect on young adults at risk of metabolic syndrome, and we're excited to see the upcoming results.4 It’s also worth mentioning that much of the more current C15:0 published research is authored by fatty15 founder Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson; however, all of the laboratory work in these studies was conducted by third parties and published in reputable, peer-reviewed journals.

Research by Dr. Venn-Watson indicates that a 100-200mg daily dosage of C15:0 is ideal for reaching a target blood value of 10-30µM.5 Fatty15 hits the mark with its 100mg, once-daily supplement dosage.

Safety

Because the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements in the same way it does pharmaceutical drugs, it is up to each company to do the right thing and perform quality testing to ensure product safety.31 Fatty15 is manufactured utilizing current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) at an FDA-approved facility. The company also uses third-party testing to confirm the purity of each batch of fatty15.

Additionally, fatty15 has been designated Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status by the FDA (the company states that this means anyone over age four can safely take the product with no ill effects, but we recommend speaking with your child’s pediatrician first). C15:0 is naturally present in foods such as dairy fat, some fish, and plants; the C15:0 in fatty15 is derived from a plant source. The dosage of C15:0 used in fatty15 (100mg) has also been established as safe and therapeutic in research studies.5

Cost

Since fatty15 is the only C15:0 supplement on the market, it’s impossible to assess if fatty15 is pricey versus potential competitors. The product’s cost per serving varies depending on the quantity purchased and whether or not you utilize the company’s subscription plan option (ranging from $1.26-$1.67 a day). Considering this limitation, we thought the best option was to compare fatty15 to another fatty acid product — popular omega-3 fish oil supplements — when analyzing cost.

In our guide to the best fish oil supplements currently on the market, we found that a serving of our top picks could cost anywhere from $0.18-$0.93. This is much cheaper than fatty15 ($1.26 per serving at its lowest), but again, it’s not exactly comparing apples to apples. With a brand new, patented product like fatty15, paying an elevated price is not unusual. And, unlike some fish oil supplements, fatty15 has stringent quality assurance protocols and isn’t prone to oxidation (it doesn’t contain the double bonds of unsaturated fats), which may help to justify the price tag.6 Fatty15 also offers free shipping on all supplement purchases.

Convenience

Fatty15 is only available for purchase on its website, but we found our ordering experience to be easy and straightforward. We purchased the 30-day Trial Kit (which becomes a subscription) and found that the website makes managing or canceling your subscription easy and straightforward. After ordering, we received frequent e-mail communication about our order, but not to the level that it became annoying — and our order arrived three days after purchase.

You can reach customer service by phone, text, or email. When we had a question about the product, we utilized the text option. After reaching out, we had to wait about an hour to receive a response, but when we did, we got a thorough answer to our question right away. Fatty15 offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for its products.

We like that fatty15 has a one-capsule daily serving size, making it easy to incorporate into a routine. Other fatty acid supplements, such as fish oil, can often come in larger soft gels that require taking multiple per day.

Fatty15 (also known as FA15) is a pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) supplement designed by Drs. Stephanie and Eric Venn-Watson. Dr. Eric Venn-Watson worked for over 25 years as a physician in the Navy and Marine Corps, and Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson is a veterinary epidemiologist and researcher.

While studying dolphin health, they noticed that dolphins who ate fish with a greater fatty acid content lived longer and were generally healthier. They expected that dietary omega-3s would be the defining factor, as older, healthier dolphins ate more fatty fish. However, the difference wasn't in omega-3s but rather in the amount of C15:0 in their diet. Considering we share many biological and cellular mechanisms with dolphins, they began studying if C15:0 could impact human health in the same ways and published their findings in Scientific Reports in 2020.2 Fatty15 was created soon after.

Seraphina Therapeutics, the parent company of fatty15, has exclusive licensing rights from the U.S. Navy for C15:0, protecting the commercialization and usage of C15:0 as a supplement, food or beverage ingredient, or pharmaceutical. The company also has over 40 patents covering the usage, dosing, and formulation of C15:0 to support various health conditions.

Each fatty15 vegan capsule contains 100mg of C15:0 made at a cGMP-compliant, FDA-approved manufacturing facility. The product is derived from plant-based fatty acids, most commonly sourced from nutmeg (no nutmeg is left remaining in the completed product). Fatty15 is extensively tested in-house and by an independent third party for the purity of every batch.

The makers of fatty15 suggest you take one capsule daily, with or without food.

Fatty15 has been given generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status by the FDA and should be safe for most people to take. It also appears to be safe for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Landscape of customer reviews

Currently, you can only purchase fatty15 on the company website. Seraphina Therapeutics (parent company of fatty15) has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, but there are no customer reviews on the BBB website at the time of this review.

There are over 2,000 reviews of fatty15 on the company’s website, and the vast majority are positive, giving an overall 4.9 out of 5-star rating. Negative reviews mostly revolve around users not having found a noticeable benefit from taking the product. Notably, there is a lack of complaints about customer service or adverse side effects, which is nice to see. Positive reviews of fatty15 report improvements in sleep, energy levels, joint pain, skin appearance, and mood.

To start off, let’s examine essential fatty acids. We need them to maintain our health, but these fatty acids aren’t synthesized (created) by the body, so we have to consume them through our diet.32 C15:0 (fatty15) is an odd-chain (based on the number of carbon atoms it carries) fatty acid found in whole-fat dairy products, particularly butter. Though we’ve known of its existence since the 1940s, most research around C15:0 has taken place in the last decade, uncovering its potential as an essential fatty acid in human health.

Also known as pentadecanoic acid, C15:0 is a saturated fatty acid, so it does not contain any double bonds that are prone to oxidation.6 Saturated fats have long been considered “bad” when compared to unsaturated fats like essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. But while even-chain saturated fats are linked to a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes,7 recent discoveries around C15:0 reveal that this odd-chain fatty acid can have just the opposite effect.8

A 2013 study of over 2,800 adults published in the Journal of the American Heart Association revealed the inverse association between plasma C15:0 levels and risk factors for cardiovascular disease.9 In other words, people with a higher circulating C15:0 concentration had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. In 2014, an additional large cohort study pointed out yet another inverse relationship, this time between C15:0 blood levels and type 2 diabetes.10

In 2020, Dr. Venn-Watson and two other scientists published a study in Scientific Reports investigating C15:0’s potential role in human health after finding it helped dolphins’ metabolic health as they age.2 3 This paper directly suggests that C15:0 plays a role in stemming:

• Inflammation
• Anemia
• High cholesterol
• Fibrosis (hardening or scarring of tissues)11

Most notably, the study proposed that C15:0 is an essential fatty acid that might bind to metabolic regulators and repair mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial functioning is an important clue into C15:0’s role in the human body since the mitochondria, as the powerhouses of the cell, control our cellular energy. At the same time, another 2020 study by a separate group of researchers found that C15:0 had an anticancer effect against a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer.12

It’s worth mentioning that the studies on C15:0 thus far have been animal or human-cell-based studies. However, a clinical trial researching C15:0 supplementation in young adults at risk for metabolic syndrome appears to be underway.4

The latest studies

With new research being published every year, there is an exciting amount of data demonstrating C15:0’s potential health benefits. As we await information regarding fatty15’s clinical trials, here is a breakdown of the most recent published research on C15:0.

Fatty15 could benefit people looking to boost their health on a cellular level. Notably, this supplement might be especially useful for those who avoid dairy or consume a vegetarian or vegan diet. Plant-based milk and butter products don’t contain C15:0, so fatty15 might be a good way to ensure you are getting enough of this fatty acid.

And while those who consume foods like butter from cow’s milk could increase their C15:0 intake by simply consuming more whole-fat dairy products, that approach would also mean you are likely ingesting unhealthy even-chain saturated fats, too. If you are looking to specifically increase your C15:0 consumption and are able to swing the price tag, fatty15 might be a healthier option.

Fatty15 may also be a good supplement choice for those who want to increase their fatty acid intake via a supplement but can’t take omega-3 supplements like fish oil (for reasons like side effects or simply not being a fan of fish oil). Also, many people have difficulties with fish oil supplements because of the large size of the capsules as well as the serving size. Fatty15’s one capsule-a-day dosage could be an ideal alternative if this is a concern for you.

Who should avoid fatty15?

There are no known contraindications between fatty15 and other supplements, vitamins, or prescription drugs. This makes fatty15 a safe product to consume (as far as we know), with no common side effects. However, if you eat a diet already high in whole-fat dairy, you may not need to take a supplement to get a sufficient amount of C15:0.

As with all dietary supplements, we recommend consulting with your doctor before starting a new product, especially if you’re currently taking any other medications or have a chronic health condition.

Despite both being fatty acids, there are many differences between C15:0 and omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids — found in fatty fish, krill, algae, and a few other aquatic sources — are unsaturated fats.33 The most common omega-3s are:

• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

A quick way to know if a fat is saturated or unsaturated is its state at room temperature: saturated fat will be solid (like butter), whereas unsaturated fat will be liquid (like olive oil). Omega-3s and omega-6s are the two categories of essential fatty acids, and they’re known to help:

• Cardiovascular disease17
• Inflammation18
• High triglycerides19
• Blood pressure20
• Arthritis and joint pain21
• Neurodegenerative disease22
• Fetal development23

C15:0 is a saturated fat commonly found in butter and other dairy fats. The American Heart Association recommends limiting your saturated fats to no more than 5-6% of your total daily calories.24 As a whole, saturated fats do not have the same benefits as unsaturated fats like omega fatty acids, although recent research has revealed that even- and odd-chain fatty acids may affect our health in different ways.8

A 2022 study by Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson (creator of fatty15) and her colleagues compared the clinical effects of omega-3 and C15:0 using a human primary cell disease model.25 Specifically, they tested four different concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and C15:0, as EPA is one of the most thoroughly researched omega-3 fatty acids. The study suggested that C15:0 could accomplish everything that EPA did and more, with 26 more clinically relevant activities, especially those of an anti-inflammatory nature. (This is where fatty15 pulls the claim that it’s three times better than omega-3s.) In addition, various concentrations of C15:0 had comparable cellular properties to:

• The antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• Antifungal and antibiotic medications climbazole and clarithromycin
• Chemotherapy medications gemcitabine and paclitaxel

While also beneficial, EPA didn’t appear to repair as many cell types as C15:0 (33% versus 83%, respectively) and was actually toxic to some cells at the highest concentration due to its susceptibility to lipid peroxidation.25 Notably, this study was authored by Dr. Venn-Watson but was performed in a third-party laboratory.

Fatty15 and omega-3s target shared and differentiated mechanisms to improve our metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune health, so you can take both as supplements simultaneously. We’ve broken down some of their key differences from a convenience standpoint below.

Also, Fatty15 is taken in a single 100mg capsule daily, whereas omega-3 supplements can be large and require multiple per day to meet the recommended daily dosage.26 If you’re looking to increase your fatty acid consumption but eat a vegan diet or avoid dairy products, a supplement like fatty15 may be a good alternative to fish or krill oil supplements.

Something else to consider is that foods with C15:0 content (such as butter) may also include high amounts of other saturated fats (like even-chain fatty acids), which could be undesirable, making fatty15 a good alternative. Omega-3s can be found in fatty fish, which are a healthy addition to any meal but unsuitable for those on a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Fatty15 was given generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status by the FDA in 2021. This means it should be safe for most people. There are no common side effects reported with taking fatty15, and the company website reports that there haven’t been any contraindications between it and other supplements, vitamins, or prescription drugs. Of course, more research on the supplement in humans is necessary to confirm these statements.

Fatty15 is manufactured in cGMP-compliant facilities in the U.S. And the company utilizes third-party testing to confirm the purity of every batch of product.

Notably, people with bleeding disorders are often told to avoid omega-3 fatty acid supplements due to evidence that they can cause prolonged bleeding.27 One of our testers, who has a platelet disorder, was able to confirm with fatty15’s customer service that, unlike omega-3 supplements, there is no indication that C15:0 causes issues with blood thinning.

Fatty15 is the brand's only supplement, so navigating the ordering process is pretty straightforward. There’s only one dose available (100mg), and you can order fatty15 in four different ways:

There are very few material differences between these options. In all of them, you’ll get a glass bottle to hold all of your fatty15 capsules along with paper packets, each holding 30 days' worth of fatty15 (30 capsules). If you join the subscription service, you’ll receive refills every 90 days to keep your jar full. Managing your subscription on the website is easy, and canceling only requires you to click a “cancel subscription” button and select your reason. You can also skip deliveries or alter the frequency of them.

Each starter kit contains:

• A postcard with a printed thank-you note from co-founders Drs. Eric and Stephanie Venn-Watson
• A booklet, “30 days with fatty15,” illuminating customer reviews and rehashing fatty15’s purported benefits
• A refillable glass jar
• Packets of 30 fatty15 capsules, depending on the plan you’ve ordered

You can pay for your subscription with any major credit or debit card, PayPal, Shop Pay, or Google Pay. You can also use HSA or FSA funds to get reimbursed for your fatty15 purchase; instructions for how to initiate this process are on the company website.

Fatty15 also offers a referral program. If a new customer signs up for a subscription using your referral code, you’ll get a $10 discount off your next refill (and they’ll get 20% off their first subscription). Referral rewards never expire, and there’s no limit to how many people can use one referral code.

Other products

Fatty15 sells a few pieces of merchandise so that you can support them or flaunt your love for the supplement with branded clothing or accessories. These include:

• Tote bag: $60
• Drawstring hoodie in navy blue or black: $49.95
• “Treat Yo Cells” design T-shirt in light green, navy blue, and gray: $19.95
• “Ask me about mitochondria” design T-shirt in light green, navy blue, and gray: $19.95
• White metal water bottle: $25

You can purchase a gift card for fatty15, with a few different options. You can choose between a 30-day supply (with a subscription) or a 90-day supply (with or without a subscription), and the pricing is the same as that listed above (as if you were purchasing for yourself). There are no shipping, processing, or other fees associated with buying a gift card.

And if you break or lose the glass bottle that fatty15 includes with your first order, you can also order a new one for $10.

Shipping and returns

Shipping is free for fatty15 pills, subscriptions, and refills, but all other merchandise ships at varying rates depending on your order. At this time, you can only buy fatty15 within the United States. Subscription refills arrive several days before you run out of capsules, but if you forget to take them (or lose a bottle), it’s easy to move your ship date up or push it out.

Fatty15 has a 100% satisfaction guarantee for the first 30 days of your first order. If you start fatty15 and don’t like it for any reason, reach out to customer service to get your refund rolling. Beyond the first month, you can cancel your subscription at any time without penalty.

When our testing team ordered a 30-day starter kit from fatty15, the package shipped the next day and arrived two days after that. Shipping with USPS was free and the only shipping option at checkout.

We received frequent communication from fatty15 regarding our order. Along with the order confirmation, we got a reminder to activate our fatty15 account for subscription management, a shipping notification (with tracking number), a link to a check-in survey, and a delivery confirmation notice.

The company’s website makes it straightforward to manage your subscription. You can skip deliveries, alter their frequency, or cancel your subscription altogether. On your customer dashboard, a timeline graphic lets you see what phase of the fatty15 benefit process you are in.

Fatty15 is currently the only C15:0 supplement available. With Seraphina Therapeutics’ numerous patents for C15:0, we don’t anticipate that changing anytime soon. However, if you’re looking for an alternative to fatty acid supplementation to tackle the cellular aging process, there are some other options to consider.