What is another name for C15 supplement? Pentadecanoic Acid Explained

November 21, 2025 •

3 min read

C15:0, an odd-chain saturated fatty acid, is gaining attention in the wellness community, with research suggesting links between higher circulating levels and better health. This emerging nutrient, often found in supplements, is not as widely known by its scientific name, prompting many to ask what is another name for C15 supplement.

Quick Summary

The C15 supplement is most commonly known by its scientific name, pentadecanoic acid, and by the supplement brand name Fatty15. It is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid derived from dietary sources, including dairy fat and certain ruminant meats.

Key Points

Scientific Name: C15 is also known as pentadecanoic acid and C15:0, an odd-chain saturated fatty acid.
Brand Name: The most prominent consumer brand offering a C15:0 supplement is Fatty15.
Dietary Sources: C15 is naturally found in full-fat dairy products like milk and butter, as well as in ruminant meats.
Cellular Benefits: Research indicates C15:0 can strengthen cell membranes, reduce inflammation, and activate longevity pathways like AMPK.
Supplementation vs. Food: Supplements offer a concentrated and practical way to achieve recommended daily intake levels that are difficult to reach through diet alone.
Differentiation from Other Fats: Unlike traditional even-chain saturated fats, C15:0 is not typically associated with negative health effects and shows distinct beneficial activities compared to omega-3s.
Emerging Research: Studies are ongoing to explore C15:0's potential benefits for metabolic health, liver function, and overall longevity.

C15 Supplement: More Than One Name

While C15 supplement is a common name, its formal scientific designation is pentadecanoic acid. This fifteen-carbon, odd-chain saturated fatty acid is found naturally in full-fat dairy products and some ruminant meats, but supplementation has become a popular method to increase intake. The most prominent brand name for a pure C15:0 supplement is Fatty15, which has contributed significantly to increasing awareness of this unique fatty acid. The different names—C15, C15:0, pentadecanoic acid, and Fatty15—all refer to the same molecule, but are used in different contexts, from chemical classification to consumer marketing. Understanding these alternative names helps in navigating product labels and research.

The Science Behind Pentadecanoic Acid

Unlike the more common even-chain saturated fats, pentadecanoic acid is an odd-chain fatty acid. Recent research suggests that these odd-chain fatty acids may have beneficial effects on health, challenging some long-held assumptions about saturated fats. Studies on cell models and in animal trials indicate that C15:0 may support cellular stability, reduce inflammation, and improve metabolic function. It works by incorporating itself into cell membranes, strengthening them and potentially protecting against cellular breakdown as we age. This cellular fortification, also known as the Cellular Stability Hypothesis, is central to the claims surrounding C15:0 supplements.

Potential Benefits of C15 Supplementation

Several potential benefits are associated with maintaining healthy levels of C15:0, many of which are still under investigation. Research, including epidemiological studies, links higher circulating C15:0 levels with better cardiometabolic health outcomes.

Metabolic Health: Studies suggest C15:0 may help regulate glucose metabolism and support liver function. A pilot study on participants with NAFLD showed some improvements in liver enzymes with supplementation.
Cellular Longevity: Some studies observe that C15:0 activates pathways linked to longevity and cellular repair, potentially slowing aging-related damage.
Heart Health: Higher C15:0 levels have been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease in observational studies.
Reduced Inflammation: C15:0 has shown anti-inflammatory properties in cell-based systems.

Comparison of C15:0 with Other Fatty Acids


Feature	C15:0 (Pentadecanoic Acid)	EPA (Omega-3)	Even-Chain Saturated Fats	Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Type of Fat	Odd-chain saturated fatty acid	Polyunsaturated fatty acid	Even-chain saturated fatty acid	Polyunsaturated fatty acid
Natural Sources	Dairy fat, ruminant meat, some fish	Fatty fish, algae oil	Red meat, butter, processed foods	Vegetable oils, nuts, seeds
Cellular Stability	Strengthens cell membranes	Weaker cell membranes due to peroxidation risk	May promote inflammation and metabolic issues	Prone to oxidation, potentially pro-inflammatory
Key Mechanisms	Activates AMPK, inhibits mTOR	Primarily reduces inflammation via resolvins	May impair metabolic function	Can promote inflammation if imbalanced
Supplementation Risks	Generally well-tolerated	Potential for fishy aftertaste, oxidation	Potential for negative health effects with high intake	Potential for pro-inflammatory effects if over-consumed

Getting C15:0 into Your Diet

Increasing C15:0 intake can be done through diet or supplements. Getting enough from food alone (like 100–300 mg daily) can be difficult due to modern dietary trends; for example, consuming 100 mg of C15:0 from whole milk requires about five cups daily. Supplements offer a concentrated route, often providing around 100 mg per capsule. When selecting a supplement, look for high purity (≥ 99% C15:0) and third-party testing. The vegan-friendly, free fatty acid form used in some supplements is noted for high bioavailability.

Conclusion

In summary, the C15 supplement is scientifically known as pentadecanoic acid and is available under brand names like Fatty15. As an odd-chain saturated fatty acid, it is being researched as a potential essential nutrient with cellular benefits distinct from traditional saturated fats and omega-3s. While more human clinical data is needed, current research suggests potential for supporting metabolic health, cellular longevity, and reducing inflammation by strengthening cell membranes. Awareness of this fatty acid and its various names continues to grow as research progresses.

Learn more about the science behind C15:0 and its mechanism of action from sources like Discoverc15, the website by Fatty15's creators(https://www.discoverc15.com/mechanism/).

Frequently Asked Questions

The scientific name for C15 is pentadecanoic acid, a 15-carbon saturated fatty acid. It is also referred to as C15:0 in lipid numbering nomenclature.

Yes, Fatty15 is the brand name of a dietary supplement that contains a patented, pure form of pentadecanoic acid, or C15:0. The name is often used interchangeably with the ingredient itself in marketing materials.

C15, or pentadecanoic acid, is an odd-chain saturated fat, which has different biological effects than common even-chain saturated fats. Research suggests that C15:0 has beneficial properties, like strengthening cell membranes, unlike some even-chain fats.

C15:0 is found naturally in small amounts in full-fat dairy products, such as milk, butter, and cheese, as well as in ruminant meats like beef and lamb.

C15:0 is a fatty acid that the body recognizes as a nutrient. Studies on the Fatty15 brand supplement report that it is well-tolerated with no major side effects at recommended doses. It has also been granted Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status by the FDA.

While both are beneficial fatty acids, C15 and omega-3s act on different metabolic pathways. C15 strengthens cell membranes, while omega-3s primarily help cool inflammation. They are considered complementary nutrients rather than competing ones.

Current research suggests that C15:0 may support metabolic and liver health, enhance cellular longevity by strengthening cell membranes, and provide anti-inflammatory effects.

More information, including peer-reviewed studies and scientific explanations, can be found on websites like Discoverc15 and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) repository, PubMed.