C15:0 deficiency is the first nutritional deficiency syndrome discovered in over 75 years. Low levels of C15:0, also known as pentadecanoic acid, lead to cellular fragility, accelerated aging, and increased risk of developing chronic metabolic, cardiac, and liver diseases.
According to a study by Serafina Therapeutics, MetabolitesThe new nutritional C15:0 deficiency syndrome has been named Cellular Fragility Syndrome, and its effects may affect one in three people worldwide.
C15:0 Deficiency Syndrome
“The discovery of nutritional C15:0 deficiency syndrome is the culmination of more than a decade of rigorous research,” said Stephanie Venn Watson, PhD, lead author and co-founder of Seraphina Therapeutics. “It’s a hopeful inspiration for fellow scientists and future scientists, demonstrating that there are still simple, impactful discoveries out there that can meaningfully improve global health.”
before Low levels of C15:0 It has been shown to increase the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). C15:0 levels are decreasedThis decrease is due to people avoiding full-fat dairy products. Worsening with each generationThe USDA describes this trend as “difficult to reverse,” which is unfortunate because C15:0 is a stable odd-chain saturated fatty acid found primarily in whole milk fat, as well as in some plants and fish.
the study
of Recent Research How does the level of C15:0 in the cell membrane change? Ferroptosis (a type of cell death) Accelerated aging, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Heart diseaseand Type 2 diabetesThe incidence of these diseases has been steadily increasing, especially among young adults, and the cause of ferroptosis has been a mystery, but in this study, Dr Ven Watson presents evidence that explains how nutritional C15:0 deficiency leads to cellular vulnerability and ferroptosis.
“As C15:0 levels decreased, a somewhat enigmatic type of cell death called ferroptosis emerged,” says Dr. Ven Watson. “We demonstrated that not only does lowering C15:0 lead to ferroptosis and its downstream complications, but replenishing these levels directly shuts down all of the core components of this new cell killer.”
What they found
Researchers found that increasing C15:0 levels through diet or supplementation reversed all key components of ferroptosis by stabilizing cell membranes, halting iron deposition in the liver, repairing mitochondria, and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). C15:0 supplementation was observed to lower glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, restore liver function, and improve red blood cell health in all relevant models. Based on these findings, it appears that a nutrient deficiency causes symptoms, and supplementing it reverses the symptoms characteristic of a nutritional deficiency.
Promoting longevity
Currently, most people have C15:0 levels of around 0.2% of total fatty acids, and while research recommends maintaining circulating levels at 0.2%-0.4% to prevent cellular fragility syndrome, there is also evidence that maintaining higher levels may further promote longevity and long-term heart health.
Research published in ProsMedicine A 16-year follow-up of over 4,000 participants showed that those with C15:0 levels between 0.40% and 0.55% had the lowest risk of developing heart disease.
Sardinia’s Blue Zone
Another study Geroscience A study following people living in the Blue Zone of Sardinia, Italy, found that C15:0 levels in longevity warriors were three times higher than the general population living in a low-life zone. The people of this Blue Zone Instead of meat Cheese made from goats and sheep that graze in the local mountain regions High C15:0 content.
The Blue Zone of Sardinia is home to the highest percentage of centenarians in the world, a percentage that is thought to be due to a low mortality rate from heart disease. Promotes longevityIt has been shown to have a more beneficial effect on cells than most of the leading lifespan-promoting molecules, including acarbose, rapamycin, and metformin.
“Identifying nutritional deficiency syndromes has two big advantages,” says Dr. Ven Watson. “Firstly, we can measure C15:0 and identify people who have low levels. Secondly, we can make meaningful changes to diets and global nutritional guidelines to replenish C15:0 levels across the population to address these deficiencies.”
Attached Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1yRoeAeI68&t=2s
