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In early 2024, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson and Dr. Eric Venn-Watson, the husband-and-wife team behind Fatty15 — a supplement built around the unique fatty acid C15:0 (pentadecanoic acid). I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. Their energy, passion, and the purpose driving their work are inspiring. I love their story and the incredible effort they’ve put into creating something meaningful. They’re a class act, and I’m a supporter.  > Click here to watch my interview

In fact, after our interview, I introduced Fatty15 to many of my clients and supporters. Eight of them began taking it religiously, excited by the promise of supporting cellular and metabolic health.

However, when we conducted dried blood spot (DBS) testing — measuring biomarkers like omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, omega-3 index, arachidonic acid (AA) percentage, and cell membrane fluidity — the results were clear:

Fatty15 was no replacement for BalanceOil+ (the combination of omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols). All eight clients failed the test.

Each of these individuals then stopped taking Fatty15 and began using BalanceOil+, which provides omega-3s in their natural triglyceride form, stabilized and enhanced by polyphenols derived from unripe olives. After consistent use, every single one of them passed their follow-up test, achieving balance across key metrics:

• • Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio
  • Omega-3 Index (8% or higher)
  • Arachidonic Acid Percentage (ideal range)
  • Cell Membrane Fluidity (restored)

This confirmed what science has already told us:

C15:0 may be a valuable complementary fat, but it cannot substitute the essential roles of omega-3s combined with polyphenols, especially when it comes to cell membrane health.

This article delves into the science and real-world outcomes behind both Fatty15 and BalanceOil+ to help you clearly understand the differences and how to use them effectively if you choose to incorporate both.

What Is C15?

C15:0 (pentadecanoic acid) is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid (OCFA). Unlike the more common even-chain saturated fats (such as palmitic acid, C16:0), this fat has been associated with:

• • Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
  • Improved metabolic markers
  • Lower inflammation
  • Healthier aging outcomes

C15:0 has shown promise in supporting:

• • Mitochondrial function
  • Cell membrane stability
  • Cellular repair and immune balance

Much of the growing interest in C15:0 is fueled by Fatty15, the first commercial supplement to isolate and deliver pure C15:0 in capsule form. It’s marketed as a science-backed tool for long-term health and healthy aging support. Fatty15 also claims that C15:0 provides three times more cellular benefits than omega-3s, a bold statement based on internal and preclinical studies. While this highlights the unique cellular mechanisms of C15:0, such claims should be viewed in the context of essential fatty acid physiology and validated human clinical research.

A Closer Look at the ‘Three Times More Cellular Benefits’ Claim

Fatty15’s claim that C15:0 provides “three times more cellular benefits than omega-3s” is based on internal and preclinical research, primarily in vitro studies where C15:0 outperformed omega-3s across specific cellular markers such as mitochondrial activity, inflammation, and metabolic stress resistance. While these findings are intriguing, they were observed in controlled lab environments and not in human clinical trials.

It’s important to distinguish between cellular benefits measured in a petri dish and what happens in the human body. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential nutrients with decades of clinical research proving their role in reducing inflammation, supporting brain health, improving cardiovascular function, and restoring membrane fluidity.

Structure/function claims like those made by Fatty15 are permitted in the U.S. supplement market, provided they are supported by some form of scientific evidence and accompanied by the FDA disclaimer: “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

So while C15:0 may indeed offer cellular support, it should not be viewed as a replacement for the essential, clinically validated functions of omega-3s.

The Role of Cell Membrane Fluidity

C15:0’s potential benefits, such as supporting mitochondrial function and promoting healthy aging, depend heavily on its ability to enter cells and interact with cellular machinery.

For that to happen, your cell membranes must be fluid — soft, pliable, and permeable. But here’s the problem:

Low levels of omega-3s lead to rigid, inflamed, dysfunctional cell membranes.

Without enough EPA and DHA from omega-3s, your cells are like stiff, clogged doors that even beneficial nutrients like C15:0 can’t fully get through. This means taking Fatty15 without fixing your omega-3 deficiency may severely limit its effectiveness.

This is why omega-3s are foundational. They help restore membrane fluidity, reduce inflammation, and allow molecules like C15 to deliver their benefits.

Where Do You Get C15 from Food?

You can naturally get C15 from:

• • Full-fat dairy (milk, butter, cream, cheese)
  • Ghee (clarified butter)
  • Grass-fed ruminant meat (beef, lamb)
  • Wild-caught fish (like salmon and sardines)

What About C15 in BalanceOil+?

Since C15:0 is naturally found in wild-caught fish, it’s possible that BalanceOil+, which contains 60% fish oil from wild fish, may provide trace amounts of C15. However, BalanceOil+ is not formulated or measured for C15 content. Its purpose is to deliver essential omega-3s (EPA and DHA) combined with polyphenols to restore cell membrane fluidity, balance omega-6 intake, and reduce inflammation, which are foundational requirements for molecules like C15 to function optimally.

In other words, BalanceOil+ helps create the cellular environment where a nutrient like C15 can work, but it is not a significant source of C15 itself.

People who avoid dairy or eat primarily low-fat, ultra-processed diets are unlikely to get meaningful amounts of these odd-chain fats from food.

Essential vs. Beneficial: Understanding the Difference

Omega-3 and omega-6 are the only fats officially classified as essential. They are required for:

• • Brain and hormone health
  • Inflammation regulation
  • Immune function
  • Cell membrane structure and signaling

Although Fatty15 promotes C15:0 as a newly discovered essential fatty acid, it has not yet been formally recognized as such by scientific or regulatory bodies. Your body can function without it, but emerging research suggests it may offer beneficial support in today’s inflammation-prone, stress-heavy world.

Fatty15 vs. BalanceOil+: What’s the Difference?

Summary: Fatty15 may help support mitochondrial health, but without omega-3s, the cellular environment may not allow it to work properly. BalanceOil+ provides essential fats and the polyphenol protection needed for full absorption and function.

Final Thoughts: Foundations First

C15:0 — made popular by Fatty15 — is an exciting molecule with potential benefits. But it is not essential, and it is not a replacement for omega-3s.

If your cells are rigid, inflamed, or nutrient-deficient, even high-quality C15:0 won’t unlock its full potential. That’s why the smart path forward is:

1. 1. Fix your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio with test-based, food-based solutions
   2. Restore cell membrane fluidity to improve nutrient exchange
   3. Then consider C15:0 as a complement — not a shortcut

A healthy cell needs more than a trendy molecule — it needs a stable foundation.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I found the founders of Fatty15 to be wonderful, and I see the potential value of their product. However, some of their marketing efforts aren’t ethical in my opinion. To make claims that discredit the clinically proven essential need of omega-3s to persuade people to think C15 can be a replacement for omega-3s is a disservice. Instead, it would have been more genuine to market the potential benefits of Fatty15 on top of cell membrane fluidity — which happens when the cell membrane is optimized with an adequate intake of omega-3s.

Call to Action

If you’d like to learn more about our at-home dried blood spot test and how BalanceOil+ can help optimize your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, improve cell membrane fluidity, and support total body health, contact the person who shared this article with you. You can also email me directly at robert@dietfreelife.com or schedule a free consultation to get personalized guidance.

References

1. 1. Venn-Watson, S., Lumpkin, R., & Metz, T. (2020). Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) as a potential essential fatty acid: Discovery and rational development of a novel dietary intervention to improve human health. Frontiers in Nutrition, 7, 582140. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2020.582140
   2. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements. (2022). Essential Fatty Acids Fact Sheet. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/
   3. Calder, P. C. (2017). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochemical Society Transactions, 45(5), 1105–1115. https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20160474
   4. de Oliveira Otto, M. C., Mozaffarian, D., Kromhout, D., Bertoni, A. G., Sibley, C. T., Jacobs, D. R., & Nettleton, J. A. (2012). Dietary intake of saturated fat by food source and incident cardiovascular disease: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 96(2), 397–404. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.025783
   5. Jenkins, B., West, J. A., & Koulman, A. (2015). A review of odd-chain fatty acid metabolism and the role of pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) in health and disease. Molecules, 20(2), 2425–2444. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules20022425
   6. Sala-Vila, A., Harris, W. S., Cofán, M., Pérez-Heras, A. M., Pintó, X., Lamuela-Raventós, R. M., … & Ros, E. (2016). The omega-3 index and clinical outcomes: A review of observational and interventional studies. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 22(3), 372–384. https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666151112145931
   7. von Schacky, C., & Harris, W. S. (2007). Cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Cardiovascular Research, 73(2), 310–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardiores.2006.10.019

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Robert Ferguson is a California- and Florida-based single father of two daughters, nutritionist, researcher, best-selling author, speaker, podcast and television host, health advisor, NAACP Image Award Nominee, creator of the Diet Free Life methodology, and Chief Nutrition Officer for iCoura Health. He also serves on the Presidential Task Force on Obesity for the National Medical Association and the Health and Product Advisory Board for Zinzino, Inc.

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