What if everything we thought we knew about fat is wrong—and one molecule could change how we age, heal, and live?
In this cutting-edge episode of SuperLife with Darin Olien, Darin is joined by Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, a veterinary epidemiologist, former Navy scientist, and co-founder of Fatty15. Together, they unpack the discovery of C15:0, the first essential fatty acid identified in 90 years, and the tidal wave of science supporting its impact on longevity, inflammation, metabolic health, and cellular survival.
From accidental dolphin data to peer-reviewed clinical trials, Dr. Steph reveals how C15 could become one of the most important health breakthroughs of our time.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
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(00:00:00) Introduction – What today’s episode is all about
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(00:04:15) Meet Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson – Her origin story and the accidental discovery of C15
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(00:07:45) What is C15 and how is it different from omega-3s and saturated fats?
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(00:12:02) Why the USDA once told us to avoid fats—and how that caused unintended harm
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(00:16:30) The Navy’s dolphin program & the surprising longevity connection
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(00:20:12) The essential fatty acid problem – Why C15 is needed in modern diets
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(00:24:45) C15 and inflammation – How this fat helps regulate immune response
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(00:29:40) What clinical trials are showing – Type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and more
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(00:34:01) Why our food system lost C15 – Industrial changes to dairy and livestock
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(00:38:25) The mitochondria connection – How C15 supports energy and cellular repair
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(00:43:10) Ferroptosis and cellular death – The antioxidant role of C15
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(00:47:50) What “essential” really means – Revisiting the 1930s nutrient criteria
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(00:52:15) Real-world use cases: pets, children, elders, and chronic illness
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(00:56:40) Gut microbiome and metabolic syndrome – The C15 balancing effect
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(01:00:55) Saturated fat confusion – Not all fats are created equal
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(01:05:00) The science of “good fat” – What makes C15 fundamentally different
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(01:09:45) Global research momentum – Who’s funding and validating the studies
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(01:14:05) The future of C15 in agriculture, food, and longevity medicine
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(01:18:45) What Dr. Steph wishes every doctor and nutritionist knew
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