EP 1194

1194. The Fat You Didn’t Know You Needed

In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dave Asprey and Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson explore the surprising discovery of C15, a critical fatty acid that supports healthy aging, metabolism, and cellular function. 

Subscribe To The Human Upgrade

In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...

This episode uncovers how Dr. Venn-Watson’s work with aging dolphins in the U.S. Navy led to the surprising revelation that C15 is an essential fatty acid, marking the first discovery of its kind in nearly a century. Through extensive research, C15 has shown powerful benefits for longevity, reducing inflammation, and promoting cellular health, which can help prevent chronic conditions like metabolic syndrome and heart disease. 

Dr. Venn-Watson explains the science behind C15, its natural sources—such as grass-fed dairy and certain types of fish—and why it’s often missing from modern low-fat diets. She also dives into the clinical studies that reveal how C15 can stabilize cell membranes, reduce oxidative stress, and improve metabolic function. The episode emphasizes the importance of this ‘new’ fat for anyone seeking to optimize their health, whether through diet or supplementation. 

 

Sponsors:

"We've known about omega-3s for decades, but C15 is the first essential fatty acid discovered in over 90 years—and it's a game changer for longevity and cellular health."

Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson

00:00:01 — Introduction by Dave Asprey 

  • Dave introduces the episode’s focus on C15, a fatty acid that enhances longevity and cellular stability. 
  • Dr. Venn-Watson’s unique background in veterinary epidemiology leads to the discovery of C15 through aging dolphins. 

00:01:02 — Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson’s Introduction 

  • Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, a veterinary epidemiologist, shares her background working with the U.S. Navy and caring for aging dolphins. 
  • She explains how her work with dolphins led to the accidental discovery of C15, a critical fatty acid with wide-ranging health benefits. 

00:03:15 — The Discovery of C15 

  • Dr. Venn-Watson recounts how research into dolphin aging revealed that higher levels of C15 were associated with better health outcomes in dolphins. 
  • She describes the surprising role of odd-chain fatty acids like C15 in promoting healthy aging, challenging previous assumptions about fats. 

00:05:56 — C15 in Fish and Dairy 

  • Discussion about how certain types of fish, such as mullet and pinfish, as well as grass-fed dairy products, are natural sources of C15. 
  • Dr. Venn-Watson explains how modern diets, particularly low-fat and processed foods, often lack sufficient levels of this essential fatty acid. 

00:08:03 — C15’s Role in Longevity and Cellular Health 

  • Dr. Venn-Watson explains how C15 stabilizes cell membranes, reducing oxidative stress and protecting against cellular aging. 
  • Insights are provided into how C15 reduces inflammation and helps prevent chronic conditions related to aging, such as metabolic syndrome and heart disease. 

00:12:35 — Clinical Studies and Health Benefits 

  • The episode highlights various clinical studies showing how C15 improves metabolic health, reduces inflammation, and promotes cellular function. 
  • Dr. Venn-Watson explains how C15’s beneficial effects are dose-dependent and can be achieved through regular supplementation. 

00:20:12 — C15 and Vegan Diets 

  • Dr. Venn-Watson discusses the importance of C15 for vegans, who may be deficient in essential fatty acids, and how supplementation can fill this gap. 
  • She explains how plant-based diets can lack C15 and other essential fats, making supplementation crucial for optimal health and longevity. 

Resources

  • Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson’s Instagram: @fatty15 

Enjoy the show!

LISTEN:

“Follow” or “subscribe” to The Human Upgrade™ with Dave Asprey on your favorite podcast platform.

REVIEW: 

Go to Apple Podcasts at daveasprey.com/apple and leave a (hopefully) 5-star rating and a creative review.

FEEDBACK:

Got a comment, idea or question for the podcast? Submit via this form!

SOCIAL:

Follow @thehumanupgradepodcast on Instagram and Facebook.

JOIN: 

Learn directly from Dave Asprey alongside others in a membership group: ourupgradecollective.com.

Subscribe To The Human Upgrade

Similar Episodes

podcast-divider-bottom.png

Subscribe To The Human Upgrade

BOOKS

4X NEW YORK TIMES
BEST-SELLING SCIENCE AUTHOR

AVAILABLE NOW

Smarter
Not Harder

Smarter Not Harder: The Biohacker’s Guide to Getting the Body and Mind You Want is about helping you to become the best version of yourself by embracing laziness while increasing your energy and optimizing your biology.

If you want to lose weight, increase your energy, or sharpen your mind, there are shelves of books offering myriad styles of advice. If you want to build up your strength and cardio fitness, there are plenty of gyms and trainers ready to offer you their guidance. What all of these resources have in common is they offer you a bad deal: a lot of effort for a little payoff. Dave Asprey has found a better way.
media-section-06-img.png

Also Available

footer-line-img.png

Start hacking your way to better than standard performance and results.

Receive weekly biohacking tips and tech by becoming a Dave Asprey insider.

By sharing your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy