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BACKGROUND AND HISTORY:
Cetyl myristoleate (CMO) is the common name for cis-9-cetyl myristoleate. CMO was discovered in 1972 by Harry W. Diehl, Ph.D., a researcher at the National Institutes of Health. At the time, Dr. Diehl was responsible for testing anti-inflammatory drugs on lab animals. In order for him to test the drugs, he first had to artificially induce arthritis in the animals by injecting a heat-killed bacterium called Freund’s adjuvant. Dr. Diehl discovered that Swiss albino mice did not get arthritis after injection of Freund’s adjuvant. Eventually, he was able to determine that cetyl myristoleate was the factor present naturally in mice that was responsible for this protection. When CMO was injected into various strains of rats, it offered the same protection against arthritis.1 It has been proposed that CMO acts as a joint “lubricant” and anti-inflammatory agent. Patents were granted to Dr. Diehl for the use of CMO in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, based upon the animal studies and several case histories.2 3 4 In a double-blind study, 106 individuals with various types of arthritis who had failed to respond to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs received cetyl myristoleate (540 mg per day orally for 30 days), while 226 others received a placebo. These individuals also applied cetyl myristoleate or placebo topically, according to their perceived need. Some 63.5% of those receiving cetyl myristoleate improved, compared with only 14.5% of those receiving the placebo (a statistically significant difference).5
WHERE IS IT FOUND?
Cetyl myristoleate is a completely natural medium chain fatty acid found in certain animals, including cows, whales, beavers, and mice. As a nutritional supplement it is packaged in a highly purified, refined form in capsules and tablets. CMO is also available in creams and lotions for topical application.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Cetyl Myristoleate is reported to function in four very different capacities:
- It serves as a lubricant for the joints & muscles.
- Facilitates cartilage building.
- It functions as an immune system modulator.
- It functions like a fatty acid in that it mediates inflammatory processes.
IS IT HARMFUL IN ANYWAY?
Cetyl Myristoleate studies began at the U.S. National Institutes for Health more than 25 years ago. Recently, clinical application studies were conducted by a San Diego Clinic. No harmful short or long term effects were ever observed in humans or in laboratory animals, even in extremely high doses. Similar substances have been used in common foods, including cheese and chocolate and even in medicines and cosmetics. It is a perfectly safe, naturally derived substance. It is not habit-forming and contains no harsh chemicals or drugs that can cause side effects. It works in a natural manner by acting at the site of inflammation, is highly resistant to oxidation, it has a relatively long life in the body.
HOW IS IT AVAILABLE?
As supplied, it is a naturally derived, highly purified, and refined waxy ester prepared for oral administration. Because it is an ester form, highly resistant to oxidation, it has a relatively long life in the body. We have carefully chosen a particularly effective concentrated brand to distribute in gelatin capsules each containing the highest 1100mg of CM together with 5 other oleates (Cetyl Myristate, Cetyl Palmitate, Cetyl Laurate, Cetyl Palmitoleate, Cetyl Oleate) which facilitate absorption and efficacy.
SUBSEQUENT CMO RESEARCHA more recent Cetyl Myristoleate study, performed by H. Siemandi, M.D., Ph.D., was published in the August / September 1997 issue of the Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients. This Cetyl Myristoleate study was performed as a randomized, double blind, placebo parallel trial with 382 patients who had been diagnosed with degenerative joint disease (DJD or osteoarthritis), rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. This group was divided into three groups for testing. The first Group A received a complex of fatty acids (90 grams) containing 12% Cetyl Myristoleate, the second Group B received the same complex of CMO fatty acid esters plus glucosamine hydrochloride, sea cucumber (a sea animal commonly found in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia – related to the Starfish), and hydrolyzed cartilage, and the third Group C received a placebo. Treatment consisted of a one-month protocol. Outcome measures included a variety of patient-reported, clinical, laboratory, and radiographic assessments. The results were as follows (expressed in percent improvement):
| | Group A | Group B | Group C |
| Treatment Response | 63.3% | 87.3% | 14.5% |
| M.D. Overall Assessment | 58.1% | 84.2% | 13.9% |
| Patient Overall Assessment | 59.2% | 88.2% | 16.1% |
| Joint Swelling Score | 47.5% | 77.2% | 21.1% |
MECHANISMS OF CMO ACTION AND INDICATIONS
(Written by Dr Chuck Cochran, D.C.)
The exact mechanisms of Cetyl Myristoleate action are not fully understood. Several theories have been presented, but as of today, there has been no research in this regard. Being a fatty acid ester, one mechanism being presented is that Cetyl Myristoleate somehow manipulates the production of the favorable prostaglandins, (series 1 and/or 3) and leukotrienes over the unfavorable prostaglandins of the 2nd series and pro-inflammatory leukotrienes. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are unsaturated fatty acids that regulate many local metabolic processes including inflammation, platelet aggregation, pain, fluid balance, and nerve transmission. These effects could be accomplished by inhibition of the arachidonic acid cascade and the cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways.
Another mechanism being discussed is that these CMO fatty acid esters are somehow incorporated into the phospholipid cell membranes and alter cell membrane permeability and receptor sites. This could explain the possible theory of altering T-lymphocyte function during the hyper-immune response related to autoimmune diseases. Although the mechanisms are unknown, we can clinically observe Cetyl Myristoleate’s effects.
Cetyl Myristoleate seems to function in at least four different ways. One of the first observations noted when favorable results are seen is the lubricating quality of Cetyl Myristoleate. Decrease or loss of morning stiffness is commonly noted shortly after commencing CMO treatment. Next, Cetyl Myristoleate functions as an anti-inflammatory. Lessening of swollen digits is often seen after the 4th or 5th week of Cetyl Myristoleate treatment. Third, Cetyl Myristoleate functions as an immunomodulator or immune system regulator. Cetyl Myristoleate’s ability to regulate or calm down hyper-immune responses is one of the most exciting qualities and shows that Cetyl Myristoleate may be helpful in addressing the symptoms related to many autoimmune diseases. And finally, Cetyl Myristoleate functions as an analgesic or painkiller and CMO has been helpful for many sufferers of muscle tension headaches and fibromyalgia.
Cetylated Fatty Acids Improve Knee Function
in Patients with Osteoarthritis
OBJECTIVE: To determine the benefit of cetylated fatty acids (CFA) on knee range of motion and function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).
METHODS: Sixty-four patients with chronic knee OA were evaluated at baseline and at 30 and 68 days after consuming either placebo (vegetable oil; n = 31) or CFA (Celadrin; n = 33). Evaluations included physician assessment, knee range of motion with goniometry, and the Lequesne Algofunctional Index (LAI).
RESULTS: After 68 days, patients treated with CFA exhibited significant (p < 0.001) increase in knee flexion (10.1 degrees) compared to patients given placebo (1.1 degrees). Neither group reported improvement in knee extension. Patient responses to the LAI indicated a significant (p < 0.001) shift towards functional improvement for the CFA group (-5.4 points) after 68 days compared to a modest improvement in the placebo group (-2.1 points).
CONCLUSION: Compared to placebo, CFA provides an improvement in knee range of motion and overall function in patients with OA of the knee. CFA may be an alternative to the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for the treatment of OA.
SOURCE: J Rheumatol. 2002 Aug;29(8):1708-12. Authors: Hesslink R Jr, Armstrong D 3rd, Nagendran MV, Sreevatsan S, Barathur R.
Verification of the Anti-Arthritis Properties of
Cetyl Myristoleate
Administered Orally and by Injection
Hunter KW, Gault RA, Stehouwer JS, Tam-Chang SW. Department of Microbiology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 89557, Reno, NV, USA
OBJECTIVE & METHODS: Cetyl myristoleate (CMO) was reported by Diehl and May [J Pharm Sci 83 (1994) 296] to block inflammation and prevent adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. To verify this earlier work, we have synthesized pure CMO and tested its anti-arthritic properties in a collagen-induced arthritis model in DBA/1LacJ mice.
RESULTS: Multiple intraperitoneal injections of CMO in 450 and 900mgkg(-1) doses resulted in a significantly lower incidence of disease and caused a modest but significant diminution in clinical signs in those mice that developed arthritis. CMO administered in daily oral doses of 20mgkg(-1) also reduced the incidence of arthritis and caused a small reduction in the clinical signs in mice that developed arthritis.
CONCLUSION: Although the protective effect of CMO in collagen-induced arthritis observed in the present study was less dramatic than that reported earlier, our results confirm the anti-arthritic properties of pure CMO.
Source: Pharmacol Res. 2003 Jan;47(1):43-7.
This revolutionary compound works to lubricate joints and helps to promote mobile joint function.CMO is a compound that promotes the relief of joint discomfort following exercise. With age, the ability to produce some of the nutrients necessary for joint function and cartilage building declines. CMO helps to nourish and maintain the natural lubricating fluid in joints and cartilage.
SUPPLEMENT FACTS
Serving Size: 2 capsules
Servings Per Container: 60
Cetyl Myristoleate ( Myristate, Myristoleate, Oleate, Palmitate, Palmitoleate, Stearate) 1.1 g
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