Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and cardiovascular disease: A narrative review

Core Tip

Core Tip: Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), an odd-chain saturated fat concentrated in grass-fed dairy, is increasingly recognized as a “good” saturated fat with cardioprotective potential. Prospective cohorts and a recent meta-analysis show that individuals in the highest C15:0 quintile experience 12%-25% fewer cardiovascular events and approximately 14% less incident type 2 diabetes. Mechanistic studies reveal that C15:0 activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha and delta and AMP-activated protein kinase, lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α-driven inflammation, enhances insulin sensitivity, and repairs mitochondrial-endothelial function - findings that prompt calls to test dietary or supplemental C15:0 in randomized trials and to rethink blanket saturated-fat limits.