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POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Osteoarthritis. Cetylated fatty acids seem to reduce pain and improve function when used orally or topically in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Details: Some clinical research in patients with knee osteoarthritis shows that taking a specific blend of cetylated fatty acids (Celadrin, Imagenetix Inc.) 350 mg combined with 50 mg soy lecithin and 75 mg fish oil twice daily for 68 days decreases pain and improves knee range of motion and function. However, it does not appear to improve morning stiffness (8924). Applying the same specific blend of cetylated fatty acids topically twice daily for 30 days, either alone or in combination with menthol for 7 days, also seems to decrease pain and improve functionality in patients with knee osteoarthritis (12076,13104,13105). Other preliminary clinical research in patients with knee osteoarthritis also shows that applying a cream containing a specific blend of cetylated fatty acids (Cetilar, PharmaNutra) to the knee twice daily for one week modestly reduces pain and improves functionality when compared with baseline. Stiffness was also improved in patients with moderate, but not mild, osteoarthritis based on radiographic measurements (101995).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Fibromyalgia. Although there has been interest in using oral cetylated fatty acids for fibromyalgia, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of cetylated fatty acids for this purpose.
• Knee pain. It is unclear if oral cetylated fatty acids are beneficial for mild knee pain. Details: A small, preliminary study in adults with idiopathic mild knee pain shows that taking a specific cetylated fatty acid product (JOINTRUS, SFC Bio, Inc) 125 mg twice daily for 12 weeks does not improve pain scores when compared with placebo (97425).
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Oral cetylated fatty acids have only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research in children 2-16 years of age with JIA shows that taking a specific supplement (Kre-Celazine, All American Pharmaceutical) containing creatine and cetylated fatty acids 750 mg twice daily for 30 days may improve pain and inflammation when compared with baseline. Over 80% of patients reported near zero pain after use (90322). The validity of this study is limited by the lack of a comparator group. Additionally, it is unclear if any benefits were due to cetylated fatty acids, creatine, or the combination.
• Myofascial pain syndrome. Topical cetylated fatty acids have only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical trial in patients with myofascial pain syndrome of the neck shows that applying a cream containing cetylated fatty acids 5.6% with menthol 1.5% twice daily, in addition to undergoing physical therapy twice weekly for 4 weeks, reduces pain by a small amount and improves disability by a moderate amount when compared to physical therapy alone (101997). It is unclear if the benefits of the cream were due to cetylated fatty acids, menthol, or the combination.
• Pain (chronic). It is unclear if topical cetylated fatty acids are beneficial in athletes with chronic groin and lower abdominal pain. Details: A very small, uncontrolled clinical study in professional roller hockey players who are participating in physical therapy shows that applying a specific cream or patch containing cetylated fatty acids (Cetilar Crema or Cetilar Patch, PharmaNutra) to the pelvic area on both limbs daily for 12 weeks, excluding weekends, improves symptoms of athletic pubalgia, a condition characterized by chronic groin and lower abdominal pain, when compared to baseline (107915). The validity of these findings is limited by a lack of control group. It is unclear if these findings are due to cetylated fatty acids, physical therapy, or the combination.
• Psoriasis. Although there has been interest in using oral cetylated fatty acids for psoriasis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of cetylated fatty acids for this purpose.
• Sjogren syndrome. Although there has been interest in using oral cetylated fatty acids for Sjogren syndrome, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of cetylated fatty acids for this purpose.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although there has been interest in using oral cetylated fatty acids for SLE, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of cetylated fatty acids for this purpose. More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of cetylated fatty acids for these uses.

(Read more about CETYLATED FATTY ACIDS (CFAs))

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. The European Food Safety Authority considers cetylated fatty acids to be safe when consumed at doses up to 1.6 grams daily (107914).. ...when used topically and appropriately. A topical cream containing a cetylated fatty acid blend (Celadrin, Proprietary Nutritionals, Inc.) has been applied twice daily with apparent safety for up to 30 days (12076,13104). A topical cream containing cetylated fatty acids 5.6% has also been applied twice daily with apparent safety for up to 28 days (101997).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

(Read more about CETYLATED FATTY ACIDS (CFAs))

(Read more about CETYLATED FATTY ACIDS (CFAs))

General ...Orally, no adverse effects have been reported; however, a thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted. Topically, cetylated fatty acids seem to be well tolerated.

Dermatologic ...Topically, hypersensitivity rash occurred in one patient in a clinical trial using a cream containing cetylated fatty acids, menthol, and other ingredients. However, it is unknown which ingredient was responsible for the adverse effect (101997).

(Read more about CETYLATED FATTY ACIDS (CFAs))