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Mar 2025
1h 18m

Scientists Just Discovered the Essential...

Dave Asprey
About this episode

For nearly a century, scientists believed we had discovered ALL of 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 may hold the key to healthier aging and even longer lifespans. 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 deficient. Even worse, pregnant women have been some of the MOST hurt from this cruel change to our modern diet. Now, cutting-edge research is proving that C15 plays a critical role in cellular stability, mitochondrial function, and total mental health. 


What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

• The first new essential fatty acid discovered in nearly 100 years—and why it matters 

• How dolphins led to one of the BIGGEST breakthroughs in human nutrition 

• Why the removal of C15 from our diets is accelerating aging 

• The surprising connection between C15 and mental health 

• How this “missing” fat could outperform some of the biggest longevity drugs today! 

• What foods naturally contain C15—and should you supplement it? 


*** Get 15$ off Fatty15 at www.fatty15.com with code: DAVE *** 



SPONSORS 

Puori | Visit https://puori.com/dave and use code DAVE for 20% off.

Calroy | Head to https://calroy.com/dave for an exclusive discount.

 


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 

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