Myristin Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO)

Cetyl Myristoleate, also known as CMO or CM, was discovered by Harry W. Diehl. Diehl took a fatty acid, myristoleic acid, and combined it with a fatty alcohol molecule, cetyl alcohol, creating an ester of that fatty acid called cetyl myristoleate. He discovered that it was the presence of this compound in swiss albino mice that prevented them from developing joint problems.¹ Diehl's laboratory experiments on CMO were published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences in March, 1994.

According to the manufacturer of patented CMO, one 20-day course (some people may require a longer course) could provide relief for years.


The clinical data supporting Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO)is scant and multiple double-blind placebo studies have not been documented. However, a study by Dr. H. Siemandi did indicate a positive correlation between use of Cetyl Myristoleate reduced Arthritis and Psoriasis symptoms. Cetyl Myristoleate may function in 3 ways:

1. As a surfactant and not only lubricates joints, but also lubricates the entire body, allowing muscles to move more smoothly.
2. As an immune system modulator, which may be effective against auto-immune problems.
3. As a fatty acid in the mediation of histamine and leukotrine response.

Research has indicated an overall success rate as high as 88.2 percent (as compared to only 16.1% in the placebo groups) when used in conjunction with supportive nutrients for cartilage growth and control of histamine and leukotrine response (glucosamine hydrochloride, sea cucumber, and hydrolyzed cartilage).


The following facts about cetyl myristoleate (CMO), a patented product (US Patent # 5,569,676), are provided from the manufacturer. We do NOT represent that this information is adequate to justify the use of CMO for any purpose, but rather we supply as further background information in making your decision on whether to use this supplement or not. Statements concerning CMO have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and CMO is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease.


Harry Diehl discovered Cetyl Myristoleate, the product we refer to as CMO. This nomenclature--CM vs. CMO--is rather arbitrary, which causes some confusion among consumers. You should not try to differentiate products based on people referring to them as either CM or CMO.

One thing that always holds true, however, is that Harry Diehl's product is sold only under the name "Myristin". This is his patented and trademarked product, and it is cis-9-cetyl myristoleate. This is also the substance used in Diehl's oft cited research that appeared in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences in March 1994. It is also the substance used (and given orally) in a 32-week, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial by Siemandi, MD, PhD (et al).

Cis-9-cetyl myristoleate is the substance on which Diehl performed his research. Marketers of other products claim that Diehl's substance is an injectable product only. This simply is not true. Their marketing approach is to attack Diehl's patented formula, rather than pay royalties; cis-9-cetyl myristoleate is patented for use. The two studies cited above both used cis-9-cetyl myristoleate orally; which is Myristin Brand Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO).

Myristin (CMO), is an oil in the hexadecyl ester of the unsaturated fatty acid cis-9-tetradecenoic acid. As such, it is not immediately digested by most people, which is why it is sold with ReJoin™. ReJoin™ formula was specifically designed to aid in the digestion of Myristin. The two products used in conjunction have been shown (in the Siemandi study) to provide improvement in symptoms for 88.2% of participants, compared to a rate of only 13.9% in the placebo group.

CMO is absorbed through the liver. Given this, we include a bottle of the herb Milk Thistle in our "CMO Kit". Milk Thistle helps cleanse the liver, increasing CMO's efficacy. We are the only company we know of that includes Milk Thistle with Harry Diehl's patented CMO.


CMO was discovered by Harry W. Diehl, then of Rockville, Maryland, working alone in his home lab. Diehl was a chemistry researcher employed for forty years at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Some books, articles, and marketing literature have made too many misstatements about the discovery and history of CMO to clarify in this report, but a few facts will help. Diehl cites 1964 as the year in which he actually identified CMO. CMO was never an NIH project; therefore, NIH never provided or cut the funding for its research, as some sources have stated. Diehl's laboratory experiments on CMO were published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences in March, 1994.


Harry Diehl obtained a U.S. patent for CMO for rheumatoid arthritis in 1977. He next obtained a U.S. patent for CMO for osteoarthritis in 1996.


Several distributors claim that their product is from a vegetable source. At the present time there are no vegetable-derived commodities or articles of commerce that contain commercially viable concentrations of myristoleic acid, a necessary ingredient in manufacture of CMO. As a practical matter, CMO is made by using the myristoleic acid from bovine sources, which are generally available and contain sufficient amounts of myristoleic acid. Anyone buying a CMO product claimed to be from a vegetable source should demand incontrovertible proof of the vegetable source. lndependent laboratory analysis of CMO products has demonstrated at least one CMO product claimed to be from a vegetable source is actually Cetyl Myristate, which is from the saturated fatty acid, Myristic Acid. Myristic Acid is available in vegetable sources, but its cetyl ester demonstrated negligible benefits in laboratory experiments. If proof is given of vegetable source, the buyer must then be sure that the product is not Cetyl Myristate instead of Cetyl Myristoleate. Recently a national network marketing company has added a vegetable-derived form of Cetyl Myristate, and markets it as CMO, so be wary. If they tell you it's from a rare tropical plant, ask them when sunflowers became rare and tropical!


CMO as a dietary supplement offers great promise, but some of the claims being made for it are unjustified.

1. While most people do not need to continue taking CMO indefinitely on a daily basis, one "protocol" is not all that will ever be needed. Like any other dietary substance, CMO is excreted over time. For some people, that can be rather slow, but for others it could be more rapid. Whatever relief is brought by CMO can be expected to last as short a period as three to four months or as long as five years without any additional amounts. Harry Diehl's problem was in remission from 1991 to 1996, when he needed additional amounts of CMO. Other factors, such as exercise or exertion, initial absorption, quantity of CMO used, and consumption of joint-aggravating substances such as caffeine play a role, too. Most people will need a repeat course in one to two years, depending on many factors.
2. Most of the healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable in dietary supplementation with CMO think that a usage range of 10-15 grams of elemental CMO per course is about right. However, some people have reported significant improvement with as little as 3-4 grams while others have used 20-30 grams in two courses.
3. CMO does not work in all cases, but it does appear to have a positive effect in 60-75% of cases. To reach the higher percentages of the range, a synergistic capsule containing glucosamine, along with lecithin and lipase for absorption, is required.