For nearly a century, scientists believed we had discovered ALL the essential fatty acids the human body needs. But what if they were wrong?
Stephanie Venn-Watson, a veterinary epidemiologist and longevity researcher, joins Dave to reveal a groundbreaking discovery—a newly identified essential fatty acid, C15, that could be the key to longevity and metabolic health. Originally uncovered in an unlikely place—U.S. Navy dolphins that were outliving their wild counterparts by decades—this forgotten fat is now shaking up the scientific community.
So why hasn’t anyone told you about it? Decades of misguided dietary advice stripped this crucial nutrient from our food system, leaving an entire generation unknowingly C15 deficient. Research now shows that C15 deficiency is linked to cellular aging, ferroptosis, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline. Meanwhile, the rise of grain-fed dairy has further depleted our diets of this essential fat—while grass-fed dairy remains one of the best natural sources.
Now, cutting-edge big data and AI-driven longevity research is proving that biohacking with essential fatty acids like C15 can reverse cellular aging, optimize metabolism, and extend your lifespan. Could C15 be the missing link in human nutrition?
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• The first new essential fatty acid discovered in nearly 100 years—and why it matters
• How Navy dolphins led to one of the BIGGEST breakthroughs in human nutrition
• Why the removal of C15 from our diets is accelerating aging
• The shocking connection between fatty acid deficiency and mental health
• How this “missing” fat could outperform today’s biggest longevity drugs
• The truth about grass-fed vs. grain-fed dairy nutrition and omega-3 benefits
• Should you supplement C15 to boost performance and longevity?
***Get $15 off Fatty15 at www.fatty15.com with code: DAVE ***
Resources:
• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/
• Fatty15 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/fatty15/
• Fatty15 Website: www.fatty15.com
• 2025 Biohacking Conference: https://biohackingconference.com/2025
• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com
• Dave Asprey’s Website: https://daveasprey.com
• Dave Asprey’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daveasprey
• Upgrade Collective – Join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com
• Own an Upgrade Labs: https://ownanupgradelabs.com
• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
• 40 Years of Zen – Neurofeedback Training for Advanced Cognitive Enhancement: https://40yearsofzen.com
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:34 – Meet Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson
00:46 – Discovering C15 in Navy Dolphins
01:58 – Challenges and Skepticism
04:21 – Scientific Validation and Research
06:59 – C15’s Impact on Human Health
27:43 – Big Data, AI, and Longevity Research
36:08 – C15 as a Longevity Nutrient
42:14 – The Navy’s Role in Fatty 15
43:03 – Epigenetic Aging and Lifespan
44:51 – Nutritional Guidelines and C15 Deficiency
50:41 – Mental Health and Endocannabinoids
51:33 – Dairy, Fats, and Nutrition History
56:38 – Fatty 15 in Skincare and Supplements
01:03:58 – Regulatory Changes in Nutrition
01:11:26 – Gender Differences in Fatty Acids
Connect with Dave Asprey!
Website: https://daveasprey.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daveaspreyofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dave.asprey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Daveaspreyofficial/
X: https://x.com/daveasprey
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/daveaspreybpr
The Human Upgrade Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/TheHumanUpgradePodcast/ and https://m.facebook.com/Thehumanupgrade/
