Fatty15 vs. Omega-3s: What this “good fat” does that the others don’t

For years, omega-3s have been the go-to, when it comes to “healthy fats”, and they have earned that good reputation. Backed by research, they help support heart health, reduce inflammation, and benefit the brain.

But a few years ago, I came across something I hadn’t heard of before: a fatty acid called C15:0, the active ingredient in a supplement called Fatty15.

The name caught my attention first (obviously), but what kept me interested was the science, and the fact that this particular fatty acid might be doing things omega-3s just don’t.

At the time, I wrote a detailed Fatty15 review, explaining why I started taking it, what changed over the first 60 days, and why I’ve kept it in my routine ever since. The only supplements I use in conjunction with a healthy whole food diet, are Fatty15, AG1 Next Gen, and sometimes Omega-3s, which all complement each other perfectly.

In this post, I’m going to explain how it stacks up against omega-3s and why this newer “good fat” is worthy of your attention.

What is Fatty15?

Fatty15 is a daily supplement containing just one thing: C15:0 (Pentadecanoic Acid).

It’s a type of odd-chain saturated fatty acid which might sound strange at first, given how saturated fats are often painted as villains. But this one is different, let me explain…

C15:0 was recently identified as the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in 90 years. It’s found in small amounts, in full-fat dairy, but to get a meaningful dose from food, you’d also be consuming a lot of stuff your body doesn’t need.

Fatty15 isolates and delivers C15:0 in a pure, vegan, bioavailable form, and the research behind it suggests it plays a crucial role in long-term cellular health and aging resilience.

Fatty15 vs. Omega-3s: What’s the difference?

While omega-3s are polyunsaturated fats (often from fish oil), C15:0 is a saturated fat but not all saturated fats are created equal.

Here’s a quick comparison:

	Omega-3s	C15:0 (Fatty15)
Fat type	Polyunsaturated	Odd-chain saturated
Main sources	Fish, flax, algae	Full-fat dairy, Fatty15
Supports	Cardiovascular, joint, brain health	Cellular repair, mitochondrial function, metabolic and immune health
Odor/taste	Fishy burps	Odorless, tasteless
Vegan?	Not always	Yes, fully vegan

So, while omega-3s help your systems run better, C15:0 focuses on keeping your cells stronger, for longer. Think of it as upstream support for everything else.

If you have taken Omega-3 supplements in the past, you’ll likely have noticed that they tend to be rather large, I still get subtle anxiety when I take them, with worries that one may get stuck in my throat when swallowing.

The small size of Fatty15 capsules is a strong draw for me, more so than I would have thought initially.

What does the science say about C15:0?

Research around C15:0 is still growing, but it’s already showing promise in areas where omega-3s don’t tend to reach:

• Cell membrane stability
• Mitochondrial repair (aka good energy production)
• Reduced inflammation markers
• Improved red blood cell health
• Activation of longevity pathways (via PPAR receptors)

What surprised me most when I first looked into Fatty15 was how many independent studies already exist, not just company-sponsored claims. You can dive into the science in my Fatty15 review, if you want more of that detail.

My experience with Fatty15 (and why I still take it)

I’ve now been taking Fatty15 for over two years, and it’s one of only a few supplements I use daily, the others being AG1 Next Gen, and on occasion Omega-3s, when my diet lacks it.

When I first started testing Fatty15, I didn’t expect much but within the first few weeks, I noticed:

• More consistent energy throughout the day
• Deeper, more restful sleep
• Calmer mood and clearer focus
• Fewer aches after hard training sessions

Over time, those benefits compounded. I was documenting my training metrics (HRV, resting heart rate, VO2 Max, etc.) in real-time during a half marathon training block, and the trend was undeniable: everything pointed in a healthier direction.

Was it just Fatty15? Maybe not, but it clearly played a role. You can read the full breakdown in my Fatty15 review, if you’re curious about the details.

One tiny capsule, zero fish

One of the nice things about Fatty15 is how simple it is take:

• Just one tiny capsule a day (they are a lot smaller than Omega-3 capsules tend to be)
• No smell, no taste, no massive fishy tablets that get stuck in your throat
• Comes in a refillable glass bottle
• Vegan and made with only one pure, patented ingredient

Compare that with most fish oil routines, which often involve multiple large capsules a day, possible side effects, and quality concerns depending on the source and storage.

Should you take both, or pick one?

This is a good question, and a personal one.

I sometimes take omega-3, when my diet lacks it (usually due to work or travel commitments).

However, Fatty15 covers the areas that I find hardest to get from my daily diet including: long-term cellular resilience, energy, and recovery, so this is a higher priority supplement for me.

I do my best to eat fish, walnuts and chia seeds a few times a week, among other foods that are a source of Omega-3s.

Omega-3s still have plenty of use, especially if your diet is lacking in fish or you have specific cardiovascular needs. But they don’t offer the direct cellular effects that C15:0 does, and for me, that’s the difference that matters.

If you’re interested in the “why” behind my choice, I spell that out in my in-depth Fatty15 review.

Where to get it

Fatty15 is only available direct from their website, fatty15.com. It comes in a 90-day starter kit, and they offer subscribe-and-save options (which I personally use for the 20% discount).

Here’s the current pricing (at time of writing):

• $50 for a 30-day kit
• $120 for a 90-day kit on subscription (20% Savings)

You also get a refillable glass bottle, and free shipping in the U.S.

Final thoughts

Omega-3s have had the spotlight for decades, and they’re not going away anytime soon. But Fatty15 is doing something different, and potentially deeper.

We now know there’s more than one kind of “good fat,” each working in its own way to support long-term health and resilience. How you use that knowledge is up to you but expanding your toolkit beyond the familiar omega-3s could open new possibilities for your well-being.

For me, C15:0 has more than earned its place in my daily routine. If you’re curious about how this newly recognized essential fatty acid might fit into yours, it’s worth taking a closer look, or trying it out for yourself.