We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we’ll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more about cookies

Cmo3.0

Cetyl Myristoleate Research

Too few graded studies

9 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Too few graded studies

Cetyl Myristoleate doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.

Most evidence is from medium-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2002–2026 with a typical study size of 40 participants.

Based on 9 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 5 RCTs · 68 total participants

Confidence

Moderate confidence

By outcome

Joint pain & arthritisSmall RCTs report improved knee range-of-motion, function, and pain; independent reviews rate the overall evidence as limited · 1-10 weeks
Too few graded studies7 studies

Steady research

2 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026

200220142026

1RCTCited 32×2002

Hesslink R, Armstrong D, Nagendran MV, Sreevatsan S, Barathur R · J Rheumatol (2002)

No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.

2RCT2009

Fragala MS, Kraemer WJ, Volek JS, Maresh CM, Puglisi MJ, Vingren JL · Eur J Appl Physiol (2009)

No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.

View source

3RCT2017

Lee SC, Jin HS, Joo Y, Kim YC, Moon JY · Medicine (Baltimore) (2017)

No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.

View source

4Meta-Analysis2026

In plain English: Overall, CFAs may improve pain levels, knee ROM, and physical function in patients with knee OA, particularly the oral form.

Tung KM, Pan PH, Lin YT, Nhu NT, Wu JL, Hu CC, Chen C, Hou WH. · Clinical and experimental rheumatology (2026)

Significant improvements were observed in pain levels (SMD= -0.37, 95% CI= -0.60 to -0.15, p=0.0009), knee ROM (SMD=7.80, 95% CI=4.15 to 11.45, p<0.0001), and physical function (SMD= -0.32, 95% CI= -0.51 to -0.13, p=0.0007) after CFA intervention.
As for the subgroup analysis, the significant improvements in pain, ROM, and physical function only observed when using oral CFA capsules instead of CFA cream.
No significant difference was observed in the degree of knee stiffness.

View source

5Systematic ReviewCited 139×2006

In plain English: Only limited evidence was found for cetyl myristoleate among osteoarthritis nutraceuticals.

Ameye LG, Chee WS · Arthritis Res Ther (2006)

Systematic review of 53 RCTs of nutritional compounds in osteoarthritis
Graded cetyl myristoleate evidence as 'limited' (below 'moderate' and 'good')
Good evidence existed only for avocado-soybean unsaponifiables

View source Free full text

6RCT2025

In plain English: In patients with knee osteoarthritis, incorporating a CFA oral supplement into the treatment regimen provides superior efficacy in pain relief and range of motion improvement compared to placebo, while maintaining a favorable safety profile.

Zodeleva M, Pochkhua N, Rossato MS, Arziani E. · European journal of clinical nutrition (2025)

Subjects/methods 60 patients (mean age: 66.0 ± 7.7 years, 85% female) with grade 3-4 knee osteoarthritis and a pain intensity of > 4 cm on the visual analog scale (VAS) were enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 1.5 g of oral CFA or a placebo for 60 days.
Results After 60 days of CFA assumption, the mean reduction in pain intensity (VAS) was -1.7 cm (95% CI [-2.0, -1.4]), showing a statistically significant difference compared to placebo (-0.6 cm, 95% CI [-1.0, -0.2]; p < 0.005).
The mean decrease in the WOMAC total score was also greater in the CFA group (-19.5 vs. -15.8), although the placebo-corrected effect was not statistically significant (-3.7, 95% CI [-8.3, 0.8]; p = 0.108).

View source

7ReviewCited 23×2003

In plain English: Neither ginger nor cetyl myristoleate has proven clinical usefulness.

Morelli V, Naquin C, Weaver V · Am Fam Physician (2003)

Clinical review of alternative OA therapies for primary-care physicians
Explicitly states cetyl myristoleate has no proven clinical usefulness
Contrasts with glucosamine/chondroitin, which had variable-quality positive RCTs

8RCTCited 15×n=40 · small study2005

In plain English: A topical cetylated-fatty-acid cream improved static postural stability in knee OA patients, presumably via pain relief.

Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA, Maresh CM, et al. · J Strength Cond Res (2005)

40 knee-OA patients randomized to topical CFA cream or placebo for 30 days
CFA group reduced center-of-pressure excursion and velocity; placebo did not
Improvement attributed to pain relief during standing

View source Free full text

9Open-LabelCited 20×n=28 · very small study2005

In plain English: One week of a cetylated-fatty-acid (plus menthol) cream improved stair-climbing, balance, and reduced pain in arthritis of the knee, elbow, and wrist.

Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA, Maresh CM, et al. · J Strength Cond Res (2005)

Single-group pre-post design, 28 participants with knee OA or severe elbow/wrist pain
Reported ~12% better stair-climbing and 'up-and-go', ~16.5% better balance/strength
No control group — uncontrolled open-label design limits causal inference

View source Free full text

View in Research Library

Cetyl Myristoleate Research

Too few graded studies

Cetylated fatty acids improve knee function in patients with osteoarthritis.

Influences of a dietary supplement in combination with an exercise and diet regimen on adipocytokines and adiposity in women who are overweight.

The minimal effective dose of cis-9-cetylmyristoleate (CMO) in persons presenting with knee joint pain: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Effects of cetylated fatty acids on knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world evidence

Osteoarthritis and nutrition. From nutraceuticals to functional foods: a systematic review of the scientific evidence.

Effects of orally administered cetylated fatty acids on symptoms and functional capacity in patients with knee osteoarthritis: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Alternative therapies for traditional disease states: osteoarthritis.

Effects of treatment with a cetylated fatty acid topical cream on static postural stability and plantar pressure distribution in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

A cetylated fatty acid topical cream with menthol reduces pain and improves functional performance in individuals with arthritis.