Pentadecanoic Acid: Research

What happened in a supplement trial?

Thirty young adults with overweight or obesity were randomized to 200 mg daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Supplementation increased circulating C15:0. Improvements in liver enzymes were reported in an exploratory comparison of participants reaching a particular blood level, not simply the randomized treatment-versus-placebo comparison. 1

Liver healthToo little evidence

The exploratory subgroup result is a research lead, not an established liver treatment. 1

Why are researchers interested in diabetes?

A pooled analysis of prospective cohorts associated higher circulating dairy-fat biomarkers, including C15:0, with lower type 2 diabetes incidence. It followed people over time rather than assigning C15:0 supplements, so it cannot show that a capsule prevents diabetes. 2

Blood sugarToo little evidence

Observational associations justify testing the hypothesis; they do not establish a supplement effect. 2

Do cardiovascular findings agree?

A 2026 analysis found associations with lower blood pressure, but not with incident cardiovascular disease or cardiac function. Its genetic analysis did not support a causal blood-pressure benefit. These findings temper broad heart-protection claims without settling every possible effect. 3

Could it be an essential fatty acid?

A 2020 paper proposed this hypothesis using experimental findings and human associations. The authors called for further study; their proposal does not itself establish a required human intake. 4

Effects by health goal

Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.