116. Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson: The New Essential Fatty Acid

Most people hear "saturated fat" and think of something harmful, yet emerging research reveals that one specific fatty acid supports stronger cell membranes, healthier metabolic function, and better long-term resilience. C15 plays a unique role in the biology of aging and may help explain why certain populations experience longer, healthier lives. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, veterinary epidemiologist and co-founder of Fatty15, to uncover how Navy dolphin research led to the discovery of C15 as the first essential fatty acid identified in nearly a century. We unpack why odd chain fats behave differently than traditional dietary fats, how C15 stabilizes cellular aging pathways, and why declining levels in the modern diet may be contributing to metabolic and cognitive decline. We also explore how C15's effects on ferroptosis, inflammation, liver markers, and mitochondrial efficiency offer a new way to support healthspan at the cellular level. Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson is a leading veterinary epidemiologist whose groundbreaking research on marine mammals revealed the essential role of C15 in aging, metabolism, and cellular integrity, ultimately leading to the development of the concentrated and clinically studied Fatty15 formulation. What's Discussed: (07:20) How Navy dolphin research led to the discovery of C15 (11:45) Why C15 functions differently from traditional saturated fats (15:10) The link between C15, cell membrane stability, and aging (19:40) How declining C15 levels influence metabolic and inflammatory markers (24:00) The science of ferroptosis and why it accelerates aging (28:30) How C15 interacts with AMPK, PPAR, mTOR, and mitochondrial pathways (33:10) The challenge of getting enough C15 through modern diets (38:25) How Fatty15 provides a bioavailable source of this essential fatty acid Thank You for Our Sponsors: Nexthealth: NextHealth: Your destination for cutting-edge health optimization—from IV therapy to hormone balancing. Explore at https://www.next-health.com/ Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram: @darshanshahmd Learn more about Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson: Website : https://fatty15.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatty15/ X: https://x.com/meetfatty15 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meetfatty15/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanievennwatson