From the Guidelines
There are no established clinical recommendations for using pentadecanoic acid as a therapeutic agent in humans, and its use should be approached with caution due to limited evidence on its safety and efficacy. Pentadecanoic acid is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid found naturally in dairy products and some fish, but it has not been approved by regulatory agencies for therapeutic use 1. Research into its potential health benefits is still in early stages, with some studies suggesting it may have anti-inflammatory properties, improve metabolic health, and potentially benefit cellular health by strengthening cell membranes and supporting mitochondrial function.
Some key points to consider when evaluating the potential use of pentadecanoic acid include:
- The discrepancy in the results examining the effects of dietary fat on health can be explained by the quality of fatty acids contained in food 1
- Pentadecanoic acid and heptadecanoic acid intake have been associated with a lower incidence of diabetes 1
- Circulating pentadecanoic and heptadecanoic acid levels correlate with self-reported dairy food intake and have thus been used as objective markers of dairy fat consumption 1
- Evidence from large observational studies indicates different associations for saturated fatty acids of varying physical, chemical, and metabolic structures, thereby supporting divergent effects of different saturated fatty acids on blood lipids, glucose-insulin homeostasis, insulin resistance, and diabetes 1
While pentadecanoic acid is available as a dietary supplement in some markets, specific dosing guidelines, treatment durations, or therapeutic regimens have not been established through clinical trials. Individuals interested in pentadecanoic acid should know that consuming dairy products like full-fat milk, butter, and cheese can provide small amounts naturally. Anyone considering supplementation should consult with a healthcare provider first, especially those with existing medical conditions or who are taking medications, as safety profiles and potential drug interactions have not been thoroughly evaluated.
From the Research
Recommendations for Using Pentadecanoic Acid as a Therapeutic Agent
- The use of pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) as a therapeutic agent in humans has been studied in various research papers, including 2, which compared the dose-dependent and clinically relevant cell-based activities of pure C15:0 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a leading omega-3 fatty acid.
- Studies have shown that C15:0 has broad anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities, involving 36 biomarkers across 10 systems, and had cell-based properties similar to bupropion, a compound commonly used to treat depression and other mood disorders 2.
- Additionally, C15:0 has been found to have activities that parallel common therapeutics for mood disorders, microbial infections, and cancer, including antimicrobials and anti-cancer therapeutics 2.
- Another study found that C15:0 shares clinically relevant cell-based activities with leading longevity-enhancing compounds, including acarbose, metformin, and rapamycin, and had dose-dependent activities that were equivalent to or surpassed these compounds 3.
- The anti-cancer effects of pentadecanoic acid have also been evaluated, and it was found to exert selective cytotoxic effects in human breast carcinoma cells and reduce the stemness of these cells 4.
- Furthermore, pentadecanoic acid has been shown to have sensitizing insulin effects, reduce the severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, and display anti-inflammatory properties in several pathology models 5.
Potential Health Benefits of Pentadecanoic Acid
- Pentadecanoic acid may have a role in promoting human health through multiple pathways, including its potential to suppress the stemness of cancer cells, reduce inflammation, and improve metabolic function 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The presence of pentadecanoic acid in the body may be associated with a healthier physiological state, and its essentiality is being considered due to its potential health benefits and the fact that it is not synthesized in sufficient quantities endogenously 5.
- Gut microbe-derived pentadecanoic acid could represent a novel health-promoter via multiple pathways, including its potential to regulate the gut microbiota and increase its concentration in the human body 6.
Future Directions for Research on Pentadecanoic Acid
- Further investigations are needed to enhance knowledge on the odd-chain fatty acid pentadecanoic acid, including its potential as a protective supplement nutrient and its role in human health 5.
- More research is needed to identify PA-producing bacteria, increase the concentration of PA by regulating the gut microbiota, verify the efficacy of PA in the human body, and elucidate related mechanisms 6.