Cetylated Fatty Acids (CFAs)
OTHER NAME(S): Acides Gras Cetylated, Acides Gras Cétylés, Acides Gras Estérisés, Acides Gras Mono-Insaturés Cétylés, Ácidos Grasos Cetilados, Cerasomal-cis-9-cetylmyristoleate, Cetyl Decanoate, Cetyl Laurate, Cetyl Laureate, Cetyl Myristate, Cetyl Myristoleate, Cetyl Oleate, Cetyl Palmitate, Cetyl Palmitoleate, Cetyl Stearate, Cetylated Monounsaturated Fatty Acids, Cetylmyristoleate, CFA, Cis-9-cetylmyristoleate, CM, CMO, Esterified Fatty Acid Carbons, Esterified Fatty Acids, Lauréate Cétyl, Myristate Cétyl, Myristoléate Cétyl, Oléate Cétyl, Palmitate Cétyl, Palmitoléate Cétyl, Cetylated fatty acids, Palmitate, Cetylated fatty acids, Cetyl-Myristoleate, Myristate, Cetyl Laurate, Myristoleate, Laurate, Oleate, Palmitoleate, EFAC, Acides gras cétylés, Ácidos grasos cetilados (CFA)
Overview
Cetylated fatty acids are fatty acids mixed with cetyl alcohol in a lab. The most common is cetyl myristoleate. Natural cetylated fatty acids are rare.
Cetylated fatty acids might help lubricate joints and muscles, soften tissues, and increase flexibility. They also might help the immune system and reduce swelling.
People commonly use cetylated fatty acids for osteoarthritis. They are also used for other types of arthritis, knee pain, fibromyalgia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
Possibly Effective for
- Osteoarthritis. Taking a specific blend of cetylated fatty acids combined with soy lecithin and fish oil seems to decrease pain and improve knee motion in people with knee osteoarthritis. Also, applying cetylated fatty acids directly to the skin may decrease pain and improve function in people with this condition.
There is interest in using cetylated fatty acids for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Cetylated fatty acids are possibly safe. The European Food Safety Authority considers cetylated fatty acids to be safe when used in doses up to 1.6 grams daily. It's not clear what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Cetylated fatty acids are possibly safe when used for up to 30 days. Some people might be sensitive to creams containing cetylated fatty acids, but they're usually well-tolerated.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Cetylated fatty acids are possibly safe. The European Food Safety Authority considers cetylated fatty acids to be safe when used in doses up to 1.6 grams daily. It's not clear what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Cetylated fatty acids are possibly safe when used for up to 30 days. Some people might be sensitive to creams containing cetylated fatty acids, but they're usually well-tolerated.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cetylated fatty acids are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Cetylated Fatty Acids (CFAs) overview.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of cetylated fatty acids might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Diehl HW, May EL. Cetyl myristoleate isolated from Swiss albino mice: an apparent protective agent against adjuvant arthritis in rats. J Pharm Sci 1994;83:296-9.
- Hesslink R Jr, Armstrong D 3rd, Nagendran MV, et al. Cetylated fatty acids improve knee function in patients with osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol 2002;29:1708-12.
- Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA, Anderson JM, et al. Effect of a cetylated fatty acid topical cream on functional mobility and quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol 2004;31:767-74.
- Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA, Maresh CM, et al. A cetylated fatty acid topical cream with menthol reduces pain and improves functional performance in individuals with arthritis. J Strength Cond Res 2005;19:475-80.
- Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA, Maresh CM, et al. Effects of treatment with a cetylated fatty acid topical cream on static postural stability and plantar pressure distribution in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Strength Cond Res 2005;19:115-21.
- Golini J, Jones WL. Kre-Celazine® as a viable treatment for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis/juvenile idiopathic arthritis - a pilot study. J Med Food 2014;17(9):1022-6.
- Ameye LG, Chee WS. Osteoarthritis and nutrition. From nutraceuticals to functional foods: a systematic review of the scientific evidence. Arthritis Res Ther 2006;8(4):R127.
- Lee SC, Jin HS, Joo Y, Kim YC, Moon JY. The minimal effective dose of cis-9-cetylmyristoleate (CMO) in persons presenting with knee joint pain: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Mar;96(9):e6149.
- Ariani A, Parisi S, Guidelli GM, Bardelli M, Bertini A, Fusaro E. Short-term effect of topical cetylated fatty acid on early and advanced knee osteoarthritis: A multi-center study. Arch Rheumatol. 2018;33(4):438-442.
- Hudita A, Galateanu B, Dinescu S, et al. In vitro effects of cetylated fatty acids mixture from celadrin on chondrogenesis and inflammation with impact on osteoarthritis. Cartilage. 2020;11(1):88-97.
- Sharan D, Jacob BN, Ajeesh PS, Bookout JB, Barathur RR. The effect of cetylated fatty esters and physical therapy on myofascial pain syndrome of the neck. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2011;15(3):363-74.
- EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA), Turck D, et al. Safety of cetylated fatty acids as a novel food pursuant to regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA J 2021;19(7):e06670.
- Pampaloni E, Pera E, Maggi D, et al. Association of cetylated fatty acid treatment with physical therapy improves athletic pubalgia symptoms in professional roller hockey players. Heliyon 2020;6(7):e04526.