We often hear about "good" and "bad" fats, but what about the less common ones? Recent research is shedding light on two unique fatty acids, pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0), and their surprising connection to hypertension, or high blood pressure. A new study, which looked at data from thousands of participants in the …
We often hear about “good” and “bad” fats, but what about the less common ones? Recent research is shedding light on two unique fatty acids, pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0), and their surprising connection to hypertension, or high blood pressure.
A new study, which looked at data from thousands of participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), suggests that higher levels of C15:0 and C17:0 in your blood might be linked to a lower risk of having hypertension.
What Are These Fatty Acids?
C15:0 and C17:0 are known as odd-chain fatty acids. Unlike the more common even-chain fatty acids found abundantly in many foods, odd-chain fatty acids are less common in our diet. They are typically found in small amounts in dairy products (like milk, butter, and cheese) and some ruminant meats.
The Study’s Key Findings
The study found a significant inverse association between the levels of these fatty acids in the blood and the odds of having hypertension. This means that as the levels of C15:0 and C17:0 went up, the likelihood of having high blood pressure went down.
Interestingly, the protective effect of C15:0 seemed particularly strong when its levels were lower. The study also noted that for people aged 65 and older, higher C15:0 levels were more clearly linked to a lower risk of hypertension.
Why Does This Matter?
While this study is “cross-sectional” (meaning it looks at data at a single point in time and can’t prove cause and effect), its findings are exciting because they suggest that:
- C15:0 and C17:0 could be potential biomarkers: This means measuring their levels in the blood might someday help doctors monitor and assess the risk of hypertension.
- Dietary implications: Future research may explore whether dietary strategies to increase these specific fatty acids could play a role in blood pressure management.
It’s important to remember that more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these associations and to determine if increasing dietary intake of C15:0 and C17:0 directly leads to lower blood pressure. However, this study offers a compelling hint that these unique fats might be more important for our cardiovascular health than we previously thought!
Chen T, Luo J, Li S, Li X, Wang W, Lu W, He Y, Xu X. Associations between serum pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) levels and hypertension: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data. Lipids Health Dis. 2025 Jun 20;24(1):219. doi: 10.1186/s12944-025-02640-4. PMID: 40542410.
Stay tuned for more updates on how the foods we eat impact our health!
Book a Consultation
It’s easy and free!
