Cetylated fatty acids as therapeutic supplements
Cetylated fatty acids are a specialized mixture of fats that have gained attention as potential therapeutic supplements, particularly for conditions like osteoarthritis. Since their introduction in 2004, they have been primarily marketed for joint health, with some studies suggesting they may improve mobility and reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis. Dosages typically range from 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams daily when taken orally, or through topical application of creams multiple times a day.
Research indicates that cetylated fatty acids may also have limited effectiveness for treating related conditions such as knee and shoulder pain, and there are ongoing discussions about their potential benefits for psoriasis and various autoimmune diseases. While some proponents claim that cetylated fatty acids can reduce inflammation and protect joint health, the scientific support for these claims remains sparse, and there have been no direct comparisons with other supplements like glucosamine. Safety studies suggest a low toxicity level; however, more research is needed to establish safe usage parameters, especially for vulnerable populations. Overall, cetylated fatty acids present a promising area of study, but more definitive evidence is required to substantiate their therapeutic claims.
Cetylated fatty acids as therapeutic supplements
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USE: Osteoarthritis
OTHER PROPOSED USE: Psoriasis, autoimmune diseases, various other medical conditions
Overview
In 2004, a special mixture of fats called cetylated fatty acids began to be widely marketed as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Although, at first, the claims associated with this product appear to exceed what had actually been proven, it is fair to say that cetylated fatty acids have shown definite promise in some studies.
Requirements and Sources
There is no dietary requirement for cetylated fatty acids.
Therapeutic Dosages
Cetylated fatty acids are used both orally and as a topical cream. A typical oral dose of cetylated fatty acids is 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams daily. Cetylated fatty acid creams are applied two to four times daily to the affected area.
Therapeutic Uses
Some double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have found cetylated fatty acids helpful for osteoarthritis. These have involved topical products and oral formulations.
In one study using a cream, forty people with osteoarthritis of the knee applied either cetylated fatty acids or a placebo to the affected joint. The results over thirty days showed greater improvements in range of motion and functional ability among people using the real cream than among those using the placebo cream. In another thirty-day study, also enrolling forty people with knee arthritis, use of cetylated fatty acid cream improved postural stability, presumably because of decreased pain levels.
In addition, a sixty-eight-day double-blind, placebo-controlled study of sixty-four people with knee arthritis tested an oral cetylated fatty acid supplement (the supplement also contained lesser amounts of lecithin and fish oil.) Participants in the treatment group experienced improvements in swelling, mobility, and pain level compared with those in the placebo group. Inexplicably, the study report does not discuss whether side effects occurred. Studies have also shown limited effectiveness of cetylated fatty acids on treating knee and shoulder pain unrelated to osteoarthritis as well.
Although this is a promising body of research, it is far from definitive. Advertising claims for cetylated fatty acids go far beyond the existing evidence. For example, a number of Internet sites claim that cetylated fatty acids are more effective than glucosamine or chondroitin. However, no comparison studies have been performed upon which such a claim could be rationally based.
It is not known how cetylated fatty acids might help osteoarthritis. Proponents cite the known benefits of fish oil for rheumatoid arthritis, but since the fatty acids in fish oil are rather different from those in cetylated fatty acids, and the origin of rheumatoid arthritis is quite unlike that of osteoarthritis, there is little relevance to these observations. Proponents also make multiple specific claims, including that cetylated fatty acids reduce inflammation, protect cartilage from damage, lubricate cell membranes, and increase fluid in joints. Proponents of cetylated fatty acids also claim they improve prostaglandin production, which also serves as a mechanism to reduce inflammation and regulate the immune system. However, none of these explanations have more than limited scientific support. If cetylated fatty acids do help osteoarthritis, their mechanism is still being studied. Cetylated fatty acid creams have also been proposed for treatment of psoriasis.
Supplementation with cetylated fatty acids may have benefits for other health conditions, but the scientific evidence is even more limited than that for osteoarthritis. Cetylated fatty acids may help individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and other joint inflammation issues for many of the same reasons. Supplementation with cetylated fatty acids has been suggested for patients with autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, health conditions that have been hypothesized to benefit from cetylated fatty acid supplementation include fibromyalgia, emphysema, benign prostatic hyperplasia, silicone breast disease, some cancers, and Behcet's syndrome. Far more scientific study is necessary to support these many claims.
Safety Issues
Cetylated fatty acids appear to have a low level of toxicity, according to safety studies conducted by the primary manufacturer. However, maximum safe doses in young children, pregnant or nursing women, and people with severe liver or kidney disease have not been established.
Bibliography
"Cetylated Fatty Acids (CFAs)." Versus Arthritis, 2023, www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/cetylated-fatty-acids-cfas. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
"Cetylated Fatty Acids (CFAs): Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews." WebMD, www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-400/cetylated-fatty-acids-cfas. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
"Cetylated Fatty Acids: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions." RxList, www.rxlist.com/supplements/cetylated‗fatty‗acids.htm. Accessed 14 Sept. 2024.
Hesslink, R. Jr., et al. "Cetylated Fatty Acids Improve Knee Function in Patients with Osteoarthritis." Journal of Rheumatology, vol. 29, 2002, pp. 1708-1712.
Kraemer, W. J., 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." Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 19, 2005, pp. 115-121.
Lanzisera, Rosaria, et al. "A Prospective Observational Study on the Beneficial Effects and Tolerability of a Cetylated Fatty Acids (CFA) Complex in a Patch Formulation for Shoulder Tendon Disorders." BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, vol. 23, 2021. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05304-x.