What are the proven benefits of Fatty 15 (fatty acid supplement)?

No Proven Benefits of Fatty 15 Supplements for Health Outcomes

There is insufficient evidence to recommend fatty 15 (pentadecanoic acid) supplements for improving health outcomes related to morbidity, mortality, or quality of life.

What is Fatty 15?

Fatty 15 (pentadecanoic acid) is a saturated fatty acid supplement that has been marketed as having potential health benefits. However, when examining the available clinical evidence:

• No major clinical guidelines mention or recommend fatty 15 supplements specifically
• Current dietary guidelines focus on established fatty acid types (omega-3, omega-6, saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated)
• Even for well-studied fatty acid supplements, evidence for benefits is limited

Evidence on Fatty Acid Supplements in General

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Most Studied)

Despite being the most researched fatty acid supplements:

• The American Diabetes Association does not recommend omega-3 supplements for prevention or treatment of cardiovascular events in people with diabetes 1, 2
• Systematic reviews have concluded that omega-3 dietary supplements did not improve glycemic management in individuals with type 2 diabetes 1
• The ASCEND trial found no cardiovascular benefit from omega-3 supplementation (1g/day) in people with diabetes without evidence of CVD 1
• Only at very high doses (4g/day of EPA) was there evidence of cardiovascular benefit, and only in specific populations with established atherosclerotic CVD and hypertriglyceridemia 1

Other Fatty Acid Supplements

• The American Heart Association recommends obtaining fatty acids from food sources rather than supplements 1
• Dietary supplements in general are only necessary in cases of nutrient deficiency 3
• There is no evidence that adjusting the daily level of protein or fat intake will improve health outcomes in individuals without specific deficiencies 1

Clinical Implications

When considering fatty acid supplementation:

1. Food First Approach: Guidelines consistently recommend obtaining fatty acids through dietary sources rather than supplements 1, 2

2. Specific Medical Conditions: Supplements should only be considered in specific clinical scenarios:

   • High-dose omega-3 (3-4g/day) for severe hypertriglyceridemia 1
   • Long-chain N-3 fatty acids may help stabilize appetite and body weight in patients with advanced cancer undergoing chemotherapy 1

3. Potential Risks:

   • Supplements are not reviewed or approved for safety or efficacy 4
   • Ingredient lists might be incomplete and advertising could be misleading 4
   • Some supplements may worsen glycemic control in patients with diabetes 2

Bottom Line for Practice

For patients inquiring about fatty 15 supplements:

• Explain that there is no established clinical evidence supporting fatty 15 supplements for improving health outcomes
• Recommend focusing on obtaining a variety of fatty acids through food sources
• For patients with specific medical conditions (severe hypertriglyceridemia, cancer cachexia), refer to established guidelines for appropriate fatty acid supplementation
• Remind patients that the type of fats consumed is more important than total amount when looking at metabolic goals and cardiovascular risk 1

If patients still wish to take fatty acid supplements, they should be monitored for potential adverse effects, particularly if they have diabetes or other metabolic conditions 2.