Celadrin is used in the form of topical cream or capsules for arthritis and joint pain. After its discovery in the 70s, it has grown in popularity and now shows promise for muscle pain and psoriasis, but the research is limited. Keep reading to learn the health benefits of Celadrin, safety precautions, and user reviews.
What Is Celadrin?
Celadrin is a natural anti-inflammatory compound that people use for arthritis, to improve joint function and mobility [1].
It is a mixture of cetylated fatty acids, which are formed by combining naturally occurring fats with cetyl alcohol.
Myristoleic acid was discovered in the 1970s in mice that were immune to arthritis. It was combined with cetyl alcohol to form cetyl myristoleate, the first cetylated fatty acid and the main component of Celadrin [2].
Some users prefer Celadrin to other pain-reducing creams due to its good safety profile [3, 4, 5].
Snapshot
Proponents:
- Helps with osteoarthritis
- May relieve muscle pain
- May reduce blood clotting
- May help with psoriasis and fibromyalgia
Skeptics:
- Clinical evidence is scarce
- Long-term safety is largely unknown
- Some people may be allergic
Ingredients
Celadrin is a mixture of various cetylated fatty acids, including [5]:
- Cetyl myristoleate (most common)
- Cetyl myristate
- Cetyl palmitoleate
- Cetyl laurate
- Cetyl palmitate
- Cetyl oleate
It may also contain menthol as an additional active ingredient [4].
How It Works
Celadrin acts to reduce inflammation and pain by:
- Reducing the production of inflammatory compounds, prostaglandins (by blocking the COX-2 enzyme) [6].
- Reducing the release of chemicals that increase inflammation from white blood cells (leukotriene B4 and interleukin-1) [4].
- Regenerating cartilage and improving joint health. It protects cartilage from damage and provides more cushioning for the joint, according to a patent filed by the Life Science company [7].
- Reducing tissue damage by blocking the enzyme (thromboxane-A synthase) that increases inflammation [8, 9, 10].
Health Benefits of Celadrin
Possibly Effective:
1) Osteoarthritis
In a study on 64 patients with osteoarthritis (OA), taking Celadrin capsules for 68 days improved knee flexibility and decreased aches and pains compared to the placebo group [5].
In another study of 42 patients with OA, Celadrin cream greatly improved patients’ functionality. They also experienced less pain and stiffness in their knees just 30 minutes after using it [11].
Celadrin cream reduced pain, improved posture, and increased standing stability in 40 OA patients after 30 days of treatment [3].
In a study of 28 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, elbow, and wrist, Celadrin cream combined with menthol reduced pain and improved functional performance after 1 week [4].
A fatty acid mixture containing cetyl myristoleate effectively reduced knee pain in 24 subjects with mild arthritis [12].
Insufficient Evidence:
No valid clinical evidence supports the use of Celadrin for any of the conditions in this section. Below is a summary of up-to-date animal studies, cell-based research, or low-quality clinical trials which should spark further investigation. However, you shouldn’t interpret them as supportive of any health benefit.
2) Muscle Pain
In a study of 72 patients with chronic neck pain, using Celadrin twice daily with physical therapy reduced pain and improved neck mobility [13].
3) Blood Clotting
When combined with glucosamine, Celadrin prevented the formation of blood clots (by preventing platelet clumping) in 24 healthy subjects. This effect may protect the heart and blood vessels and reduces the chances of heart attack and stroke [1].
4) Psoriasis
In a small pilot study of psoriasis patients, Celadrin improved the symptoms such as skin scales, patchiness, redness, dryness, cracks, and raised skin [14].
5) Fibromyalgia
In a non-controlled study of 13 patients with fibromyalgia, cetyl myristoleate (the main component of Celadrin) reduced pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances caused by the disease [15].
Limitations and Caveats
There are few studies that examine the effectiveness of Celadrin in diseases other than osteoarthritis. Those are either pilot or low-quality trials with no follow-up and have a small number of subjects.
The interactions of Celadrin with other drugs and its long-term safety profile are largely unknown.
Celadrin Side Effects & Precautions
Keep in mind that the safety profile of Celadrin is relatively unknown, given the lack of well-designed clinical studies. The list of side effects below is not a definite one, and you should consult your doctor about other potential side effects, based on your health condition and possible drug or supplement interactions.
No major side effects were reported in clinical trials for both topical and oral Celadrin [4, 3, 11, 5].
Some people may be allergic to Celadrin; two fibromyalgia patients withdrew from a trial after experiencing indigestion and developing rashes [15].
There is no safety data about dosage in young children, pregnant or nursing women, and people with severe liver or kidney disease. These sensitive groups should avoid Celadrin just in case.
Drug Interactions
Supplement-drug interactions can be dangerous and, in rare cases, even life-threatening. Always consult your doctor before supplementing and let them know about all drugs and supplements you are using or considering.
Using Celadrin with blood thinners should be avoided as both reduce blood clotting, which may, in theory, lead to uncontrollable bleeding.
However, this interaction has not been studied yet.
Celadrin Supplementation
Celadrin supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use. In general, regulatory bodies aren’t assuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of supplements. Speak with your doctor before supplementing.
Celadrin is available as a topical cream or oral softgels.
Fatty acid mixtures are extracted from beef fat and then treated with cetyl alcohol obtained from palm oil. The resulting cetylated fatty acids are then used to make Celadrin [16].
Cetyl palmitate is produced from palmitic acid, which is found in palm oil or Chinese vegetable tallow. Cetyl oleate is produced from oleic acid, which is found in olive oil [17].
Dosage
The below doses may not apply to you personally. If your doctor suggests using a grape seed extract supplement, work with them to find the optimal dosage according to your health condition and other factors.
The typical oral dosage of Celadrin is 1,000-1,500 mg daily [1].
When used as a cream, it is applied twice a day to the affected area including the knee, wrist, and elbow [4].
Combination With Other Supplements
- Celadrin and glucosamine may work together to block the clumping of platelets and reduce blood clotting [1].
- Celadrin and creatine bind to each other to enter the bloodstream more easily. This helps to deliver creatine to joints and reduce inflammation [18].
User Reviews and Experiences
The opinions expressed in this section are solely from the users who may or may not have a medical background. SelfDecode does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment. Do not consider user experiences as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on SelfDecode.
Many users like that the Celadrin cream is not greasy, absorbs easily into the skin and is as effective as painkiller pills. Many use it to treat lower back, shoulder, and knee pain.
One user was very satisfied with Celadrin’s fast action and felt pain relief in the knee just 25 minutes after taking 2 capsules.
Another user took Celadrin for their extreme fibromyalgia pain. It reduced their joint pain and they could easily perform daily tasks that they couldn’t before, without experiencing any adverse side effects. They took 2 softgels 3 times a day, stating that this “attack dose” works well for the first week of using Celadrin.
A few users have experienced negative side effects. One felt drowsy, while others have experienced excessive sweating, muscle and chest pain, deep vein thrombosis, and trouble walking. This mainly occurred in older users.
Some users also experienced diarrhea and stomach cramps.
One user mentioned that using glucosamine and chondroitin along with Celadrin helped with their osteoarthritis.
Another user advises others to use Celadrin specifically if they have a pinched nerve or joint inflammation, as it greatly reduced the pressure on the nerve running down their arm.
