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Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO) for arthritis
Can you tell me about a substance called CMO to treat arthritis? I have read a book that claims dietary supplement that regulates the immune system to beat arthritis. Is there any scientific proof of this?
The short answer to this is no and the reason there are no clinical trials in humans is that since CMO, which stands for Cetyl Myristoleate, is found naturally in whales, beavers, and some species of mice, it cannot be patented which means companies do not want to invest in the research. That said, sales of this supplement, which is an essential fatty acid, are on the rise thanks to good anecdotal evidence and if you do plan to use it, the recommended dosage is 10-15g a month for three months.
You will also find supplements, which are made from bovine marrow, vary in strength from just 12% CMO to 40%. In this instance, the higher strength is not necessarily better because all the supplements will contain other essential fatty acids too. And since most 500mg capsules provide 12% CMO which is the equivalent to 60mg, you would have to take 6-7 capsules daily.
My advice would be to take cod liver oil which scientists now know works by switching off the enzymes which cause an inflammatory response and to use a less expensive anti-inflammatory supplement called bromelain which is made from pineapple stems and which is now widely available in healthstores and even supermarkets.