Can a daily fatty acid pill turn back the clock on aging blood cells?
NCT ID NCT07812792
First seen Sep 10, 2026 · Last updated Sep 11, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers are testing whether a daily supplement of pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) can improve red blood cell health and affect markers of biological age in healthy adults aged 55 and older. The trial enrolls 93 participants who take either 200 mg of C15:0, 300 mg of C15:0, or a placebo for about 12 weeks. The main goal is to see if C15:0 changes red blood cell distribution width, a measure of red blood cell health, compared with placebo. The study also tracks inflammation, iron metabolism, sleep quality, fatigue, energy, and quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), a dietary supplement taken as daily capsules
- What this could lead to
- If it works, C15:0 could become a simple daily supplement that supports red blood cell health and slows some markers of biological aging in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, 12-week Phase 2 trial in healthy older adults, so any changes in blood markers may not translate into real health benefits or hold up in larger, longer studies. Supplements can also cause unexpected side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 93 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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55 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults who are 55 years or older at the time of signing the informed consent. * In otherwise good general health, as deemed by the investigator. * Are able to consume the study product capsules. * Stable medication regimen for ≥3 months * Have a BMI between 18.5 to 34.9 kg/m2 (inclusive) at baseline. * Willing and able to fast overnight (approximately 10 hours) * Have maintained consistent dietary habits, including medication and supplement intake, and lifestyle for the last 3 months before screening and agree to maintain them throughout the study (unless required per the restrictions). * Agree to follow the restrictions on concomitant treatments. * Agree to follow the restrictions on lifestyle. * Agree to use acceptable contraceptive methods. * Willing and able to agree to the requirements of this study, be willing to give voluntary consent, be able to understand and read the questionnaires, and carry out all study-related procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals who are pregnant, intending to breastfeed, or intending to conceive at the time of consent and during the study, or demonstrate a positive pregnancy test * Have a known sensitivity, intolerability, or allergy to any of the study products or their excipients.at baseline. * Have Type I diabetes or Type II diabetes, or uncontrolled thyroid disease ("uncontrolled" defined as being unmedicated, have an unstable use of medication within 3 months prior to screening, or have a stable use of medication for 3 months but still have uncontrolled conditions). * History of heart/cardiovascular disease (e.g. coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke/TIA, clinically significant arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension). Participants receiving antihypertensive medications may be included, provided treatment has been stable for at least 8 weeks prior to screening, with no anticipated changes during the study. * Have medical condition(s) known to interfere with absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of the study product (e.g., Crohn's disease, short bowel, acute or chronic pancreatitis, or pancreatic insufficiency). * Have hematologic disorders affecting RBC production. * Have fat absorption issues. * Recent blood donation (\<8 weeks). * Have a history of renal disease (dialysis or renal failure), hepatic impairment/disease, immune disorders and/or immunocompromised (i.e., HIV/AIDS). * Have a history of cancer (except localized skin cancer without metastases or in situ cervical cancer), unless recovery occurred more than 5 years before the screening visit. * Are receiving treatments for or have been hospitalized in the last 12 months for psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.). * Major surgery in 3 months prior to screening or planned major surgery during the study. * Have a history of alcohol or substance abuse in the 12 months prior to screening (including having been hospitalized for such in an in-patient or out-patient intervention program) or use that in the opinion of the investigator may be of a concern for the study. * Current enrollment or past participation in another study with any product(s) with at least one active ingredient within 28 days before first dose of study product or longer, if the previous test product is deemed by the investigator to have lasting effects that might influence the eligibility criteria or outcomes of current study. * Any other medical condition/situation or use of medications/supplements/therapies that, in the opinion of the investigator, may adversely affect the participant's ability to participate in the study or its measures or pose a significant risk to the participant.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Apex Trials
Guelph, Ontario - on, N1G 0B4, Canada
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