Seraphina Therapeutics Inc. of San Diego announced it achieved Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its FA15 ingredient -- pentadecanoic acid, also referred to as C15:0, as an active dietary saturated fat demonstrating evidence of broad health benefits.
Seraphina claims to be the first to discover pentadecanoic acid. "A growing body of global evidence supports that C15:0, a trace odd-chain saturated fatty acid found in butter and whole fat milk, is the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in 90 years, demonstrating promotion of cellular integrity and function in human cell systems and in vivo models," the company said.
In addition to its demonstrated long-term benefits that support health and wellness with aging, FA15 naturally targets PPAR ɑ/δ receptors throughout our bodies and brains that regulate immunity, metabolism, mood, appetite and sleep.
Seraphina's FA15 has been available to consumers in its pure state via a capsule supplement, sold as Fatty15, but it was previously unavailable for use in other products. Now, with the GRAS affirmation, it can be used as a food ingredient, up to 245mg per day.
“Many people … now use plant-based milks [which] are deficient in C15:0, an important fat that large population-based and ongoing clinical studies support as being beneficial to our health,” said Nicholas Schork, professor at the Translational Genomics Research Institute, Scientific Director of the government-funded Longevity Consortium, and Seraphina’s senior scientist. “Having FA15 deemed safe as a vegan-friendly food ingredient could help fortify foods, like plant-based milks, with C15:0 to help ensure that consumers can still get this essential nutrient through their diets.”
"This is particularly exciting news for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers who may not get enough C15:0 from diet alone," added Stephanie Venn-Watson, CEO and co-founder of Seraphina Therapeutics. "FA15 offers a great way to get C15:0, minus the cows or calories.”
