Understanding Cetyl Myristoleate (CM8®)
The science and facts behind Flexcin's key ingredient
CM8 is the key ingredient in Flexcin. It is a purified form of cetyl myristoleate which is clinically proven to help with joint discomfort.* CM8 is not found in any other supplement. But what exactly is it and why is it so important?
What Is CM8?
CM8 is a form of the natural compound Cetyl Myristoleate (described in more detail below). Cetyl Myristoleate is a cetylated fatty acid that occurs naturally in certain mammals. It has many biological functions including working as a joint lubricant and has reduces swelling properties*. It is a patented compound used for the joint discomfort (US Patents # 4,049,824; 4,113,881; and 5,569,676).
In simplest terms, CM8 is a form of Cetyl Myristoleate that is distilled and crystallized for purification and strength. This is done to isolate the most effective properties of Cetyl Myristoleate. More Scientifically, CM8 is a specific form of Cetyl Myristoleate in which only the “physiologically active” fatty acid esters have been isolated. This eliminates the inert fatty acid esters. It is named for the 8 “critical markers” that have been identified and used in the raw material patented by Dr. Harry Diehl, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) researcher who discovered Cetyl Myristoleate. These critical markers make CM8 a form of Cetyl Myristoleate that is purer and more concentrated than other forms (such as CMO, which is an “analog” of Cetyl Myristoleate. In chemistry terms, this means “similar” – it is not Cetyl Myristoleate, but a “similar” compound). CM8 is only currently available in products produced by Flexcin International.
The Research Behind CM8
In 1962 Dr. Harry Diehl, a research chemist with the NIH, brought personal concern into his work. He began worrying about his neighbor who was suffering from joint discomfort. While performing his tests and research, he subsequently isolated a compound that was causing mice to be immune to a form of joint discomfort – Cetyl Myristoleate. Through further research, it was discovered that this compound had a similar effect when given to humans. Clinical trials have been performed (information on those trials can be found here) which have shown Cetyl Myristoleate to be effective in humans.* The overall physician assessment of patient improvement (by percent) was 84.2% compared to 13.9% for placebo.
Dr. Diehl also developed a method for recreating the exact compound through the esterification of myristoleic acid. This was done by combining cetyl alcohol with myristoleic acid. This enables the compound to be readily available without the use of any animals. Cetyl Myristoleate is now known to also exist in sperm whale oil and in a small gland in the male beaver. However, the recreated compound has been found to be just as effective as that found in the animal sources and is used in its creation.
No animals are used in the creation of commercially available CM8.
Why Isn't CM8 More Common if It Is So Effective?
The short answer is: money.
Drug companies cannot get a “product” patent because this is a natural compound. This means they can not control the market and the pricing. As a result, it is not profitable enough for pharmaceutical companies to pursue.
Most supplement companies stay away from Cetyl Myristoleate because it is expensive to produce. This means that they need to either charge more for the product so they can keep the same profit margins (essentially pricing themselves out), or take a hit on their profits. Because they are unwilling to do that, they stay away from using Cetyl Myristoleate. So it basically comes down to financial viability and profits.