Could plant oils be the key to softer knees?
NCT ID NCT07695714
First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study investigates whether a plant-derived supplement called cetylated fatty acids (CFA) can reduce knee pain and stiffness in healthy adults who have persistent knee discomfort. Participants take CFA or a placebo daily for six weeks and complete questionnaires and physical tests to measure changes in joint health and mobility. The goal is to see if this natural supplement offers a safe, effective way to support knee function.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- plant-derived cetylated fatty acids (CFA)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a natural supplement option for managing everyday knee pain and stiffness without prescription drugs.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 80 participants, so results may not apply widely. The supplement may prove no better than placebo.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 80 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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35 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Males \& females between 35 and 75 years of age 2. Females not of child-bearing potential, defined as those who have undergone a sterilization procedure (e.g. hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, complete endometrial ablation) or have been post-menopausal for at least 1 year prior to screening Or, Individuals of child-bearing potential must have a negative baseline urine pregnancy test and agree to use a medically approved method of birth control for the duration of the study. All hormonal birth control must have been in use for a minimum of three months. Acceptable methods of birth control include: * Hormonal contraceptives including oral contraceptives, hormone birth control patch (Ortho Evra), vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing), injectable contraceptives (Depo-Provera, Lunelle), or hormone implant (Norplant System) * Double-barrier method * Intrauterine devices * Non-heterosexual lifestyle and agrees to use contraception if planning on changing to heterosexual partner(s) * Vasectomy of partner at least 6 months prior to screening * Abstinence and agrees to use contraception if planning on becoming sexually active during the study 3. A history of symptomatic knee discomfort, defined as experiencing pain in the target knee on most days of the month (≥ 15 days/month) for at least the past 3 months 4. A KOOS Pain Subscale score ≥25 and ≤75 5. Target knee is the primary source of lower-limb pain limiting walking and daily function, as confirmed by the QI 6. A KOOS Function in daily living (ADL) score ≥25 and ≤ 80 7. Travel less than 85% of predicted distance on the 6MWT as calculated using the Enright and Sherrill equation at screening (15) 8. Agrees to refrain from taking any pain relievers during the study, except acetaminophen as a rescue medication specified by the study site 9. Agrees to refrain from taking rescue medication for 48 hours prior to study visits 10. Willingness and ability to complete questionnaires, functional tests, records, and diaries associated with the study and to complete all clinic visits 11. Agrees to maintain current lifestyle habits (diet, physical activity, medications, supplements, and sleep) as much as possible throughout the study 12. Provided voluntary, written, informed consent to participate in the study 13. Healthy as determined by medical history as assessed by the Qualified Investigator (QI) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Individuals who are pregnant, breast feeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study 2. Allergy, sensitivity, intolerance, or dietary restriction preventing consumption of investigational product, placebo, or rescue medication ingredients 3. Individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) \>34.9 4. Prior clinician diagnosis (confirmed via x-ray) of knee OA or evidence of OA (e.g. severe deformity/constant pain) or confounding pain condition such as fibromyalgia 5. Intra-articular injection of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid in either knee within 3 months prior to the Baseline visit 6. Change in knee pain/stiffness/mobility treatment (e.g. physical therapy, braces, orthotics) in the past two months, as assessed by the QI 7. Use of any assistive device for walking/mobility 8. Any knee surgery within the past 6 months, or planned knee surgery within the study duration 9. Individuals with muscle or skeletal disorders or other physical or gait disorders that limit mobility/walking beyond what may be caused by the impacted knee, as assessed by the QI 10. History of knee replacement 11. Unstable metabolic disease or chronic diseases as assessed by the QI 12. Current or history of any significant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as assessed by the QI 13. Unstable hypertension. Treatment on a stable dose of medication for at least 3 months will be considered by the QI 14. Type I or Type II and controlled Type II diabetes 15. Significant cardiovascular event in the past 6 months. Participants with no significant cardiovascular event on stable medication may be included after assessment by the QI on a case-by-case basis 16. History of or current diagnosis with kidney and/or liver diseases as assessed by the QI on a case-by-case basis, with the exception of history of kidney stones in participants who are symptom free for 6 months 17. Self-reported confirmation of current or pre-existing thyroid condition. Treatment on a stable dose of medication for at least 3 months will be considered by the QI 18. Major surgery in the past 3 months or individuals who have planned surgery during the course of the study. Participants with minor surgery will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the QI 19. Cancer, except skin basal cell carcinoma completely excised with no chemotherapy or radiation with a follow up that is negative. Volunteers with cancer in full remission for more than five years after diagnosis are acceptable 20. Individuals with an autoimmune disease or are immune compromised as assessed by the QI 21. Self-reported confirmation of a HIV-, Hepatitis B- and/or C-positive diagnosis as assessed by the QI 22. Use of prescription medical cannabinoid products 23. Chronic use of cannabinoid products (\>2 times/week). Occasional users will be required to washout and abstain for the duration of the study period 24. Regular use of tobacco or nicotine products in the past six months, as assessed by the QI. Occasional users will be required to washout and abstain for the duration of the study period 25. Alcohol intake average of \>2 standard drinks per day as assessed by the QI 26. Alcohol or drug abuse within the last 12 months 27. Current use of prescribed and/or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, supplements, and/or consumption of food/drinks that may impact the efficacy and safety of the investigational product 28. Participation in other clinical research studies 30 days prior to baseline, as assessed by the QI 29. Individuals who are unable to give informed consent 30. Any other condition or lifestyle factor, that, in the opinion of the QI, may adversely affect the participant's ability to complete the study or its measures or pose significant risk to the participant
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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KGK Science Inc.
London, Ontario, N5Y 5V6, Canada
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