Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 1

Cetyl myristoleate (CMO), commonly referred to as myristoleate, is a fatty acid ester that has been marketed as a dietary supplement for joint health, including for conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The initial interest in myristoleate for RA stemmed from a 1994 animal study by Dr. Harry Diehl, who reported that CMO could prevent arthritis in mice. Since then, a few small human studies and anecdotal reports have emerged. However, the scientific evidence supporting its use remains minimal and of low quality.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study published in Journal of Rheumatology (1997) evaluated CMO in patients with osteoarthritis, not specifically RA, and reported modest improvements in pain and function, but the study was small and not replicated in RA patients. There is a lack of robust, large-scale randomized controlled trials investigating CMO in RA. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses do not cite strong evidence for its efficacy or safety in this population.

No major medical or rheumatology organizations recommend CMO for RA. The mechanistic rationale for its use is based on possible anti-inflammatory properties, but this remains speculative. In summary, while CMO is sometimes marketed for RA and has a limited scientific rationale, the evidence is weak, inconsistent, and insufficient to support its use as a primary or adjunctive therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

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