Myristoleate (Cetyl Myristoleate)
Synopsis of myristoleate
Myristoleate is an omega-5 monounsaturated fatty acid, most commonly encountered in its esterified form as cetyl myristoleate (CMO)—a compound formed by bonding myristoleic acid with cetyl alcohol. While myristoleic acid itself occurs naturally in small amounts in whale oil, dairy fat, butter, and certain animal tissues, its medicinal significance emerged primarily in the 1990s with the development of CMO supplements, which are used to support joint health.
The compound became popular for its reported anti-inflammatory, lubricating, and immunomodulating effects—particularly for conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other joint or connective tissue disorders. It is not a traditional herb or plant-based remedy, but a synthesized compound that mimics a naturally occurring fatty acid.
Research into cetyl myristoleate suggests that it may help by reducing inflammation and pain in the joints, improving mobility, and possibly protecting joint cartilage. Proposed mechanisms of action include the inhibition of lipoxygenase and prostaglandin pathways, much like other fatty acid-based anti-inflammatory agents. Myristoleate is often used in combination with glucosamine, MSM, or other joint supplements, either topically or orally.
While robust clinical evidence is limited, anecdotal and preliminary studies have shown promise. Some topically applied forms of cetyl myristoleate may help with range of motion and stiffness, though its effects are more often reported in the realm of dietary supplementation.
Historical Use
Myristoleate does not have a historical record in herbal medicine, as it is not derived from herbs or plants, nor was it known in classical traditions such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, or Greco-Arabic medicine. Its modern therapeutic use stems from the work of Dr. Harry Diehl, a researcher at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, who in the early 1990s patented cetyl myristoleate after claiming it cured arthritis in laboratory mice.
Following Diehl’s discovery, the compound was synthesized for supplemental use, primarily aimed at arthritis sufferers. While not FDA-approved as a drug, it has gained popularity in alternative medicine and nutritional supplement markets, where it is marketed for joint lubrication and inflammation relief.
In this way, myristoleate represents a more recent entry into the field of integrative health, derived from biochemical innovation rather than botanical or ethnomedicinal tradition. Its history is rooted in modern fatty acid research and joint health science rather than herbal folklore.
Myristoleate is used for these health conditions
Arthritis (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (Scientific)
