Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) was first identified as a natural food ingredient with medical properties in 1943 when it was part of an epidemiological study on childhood rheumatic fever. It was noted the occurrence of rheumatic fever was lower in children fed egg yolk powder.
PEA was subsequently identified as an active anti-inflammatory agent in chicken egg yolk and can be found in many foods such as peanuts, soybeans, soy lecithin, corn, peas and beans.
People suffering from chronic pain may have lower levels of PEA and supplementing with PEA may help with the pain response. PEA may be used for its neuroprotective properties and its anti-neuroinflammatory and pain-relieving actions.
Results from many placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials performed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of PEA in treating chronic pain, neuropathic pain and inflammatory conditions have shown PEA to be a non-addictive and safe analgesic, although it is stated that more research needs to be done in this area.
What is PEA?
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is associated with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system regulates and balances an assortment of physiological functions in the body and dysfunction may result in the development of numerous pathological conditions.
PEA is an endogenous fatty acid amide naturally produced in response to pain and inflammation. It has been supplemented in Europe for many years (classified as a food for medical purposes) and in the U.S. as a diet supplement. It has been shown to be effective for many different types of chronic pain - such as nerve pain, visceral pain (endometriosis and interstitial cystitis) and pain from joint inflammation (arthropathy).
How does PEA work for pain?
Chronic pain is thought to be largely due to a process called neuroinflammation (an inflammatory response within the brain and spinal cord). PEA offers pain relief through its ability to bind to a receptor in the cell nucleus (the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor) where it is able to perform many and various biological functions related to chronic and neuropathic pain and inflammation.
Conditions that may benefit from PEA
Conditions that may benefit from PEA are those involving acute and chronic pain and neuropathic pain. Some of these conditions include:
Mild osteoarthritis
- to improve joint mobility
- to reduce pain and inflammation
- to relieve mild nerve pain
Neuropathic pain - Fibromyalgia – when taken with other medication, PEA may help in the reduction of pain
Nerve pain – depending on the pain source. This may includes nerve pressure, nerve sensitivity and pinched or compressed nerves such as:
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- sciatica
- spinal injury
Glaucoma – to reduce intraocular pressure
Exercise Recovery
A study evaluating the effect of PEA on recovery from muscle-damaging exercise showed it may help improve muscle recovery after intensive exercise by reducing the concentration of myoglobin and lactate.
Absorption of PEA
Supplemental forms of PEA are often produced using specialised technologies to help with absorption. Some of these technologies include:
Micronisation: This is used to reduce particle size to aid in absorption.
Combined with antioxidants flavonoids: PEA is especially effective when co-micronized with antioxidants such as luteolin, polydatin, quercetin or silymarin.
Water dispersible technology: This aims to improve absorption in the gastrointestinal system. Advanced cold-water dispersion technology allows lipophilic-active ingredients – those that have an affinity for lipids – to be more easily dispersed in water. This increases their bioavailability and uptake in the body.
Cautions
PEA is generally well tolerated and in most cases may be taken with other medication for pain. It is still advised and always important to consult your healthcare professional before taking any new medication or supplements.
Related Reads:
References
- Nestmann, E. R. (2016). Safety of micronized palmitoylethanolamide (microPEA): lack of toxicity and genotoxic potential. Food Science & Nutrition, 5(2), 292–309.
- Clayton, P., Hill, M., Bogoda, N., Subah, S., & Venkatesh, R. (2021). Palmitoylethanolamide: A Natural Compound for Health Management. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(10), 5305. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8157570/
- Lang-Illievich, K., Klivinyi, C., Lasser, C., Brenna, C. T. A., Szilagyi, I. S., & Bornemann-Cimenti, H. (2023). Palmitoylethanolamide in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients, 15(6), 1350. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10053226/
- Clayton, P., Hill, M., Bogoda, N., Subah, S., & Venkatesh, R. (2021). Palmitoylethanolamide: A Natural Compound for Health Management. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(10), 5305. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8157570/
- Rossi, G. C. M., Scudeller, L., Lumini, C., Bettio, F., Picasso, E., Ruberto, G., Briola, A., Mirabile, A., Paviglianiti, A., Pasinetti, G. M., & Bianchi, P. E. (2020). Effect of palmitoylethanolamide on inner retinal function in glaucoma: a randomized, single blind, crossover, clinical trial by pattern-electroretinogram. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7320139/
- Mallard, A., Briskey, D., Richards, A., Mills, D., & Rao, A. (2020). The Effect of Orally Dosed Levagen+TM (palmitoylethanolamide) on Exercise Recovery in Healthy Males—A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients, 12(3), 596. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32106527/
- Petrosino, S., Cordaro, M., Verde, R., Schiano Moriello, A., Marcolongo, G., Schievano, C., Siracusa, R., Piscitelli, F., Peritore, A. F., Crupi, R., Impellizzeri, D., Esposito, E., Cuzzocrea, S., & Di Marzo, V. (2018). Oral Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide: Plasma and Tissue Levels and Spinal Anti-hyperalgesic Effect. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, 347962. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00249
- Petrosino, S., & Di Marzo, V. (2016). The pharmacology of palmitoylethanolamide and first data on the therapeutic efficacy of some of its new formulations. British Journal of Pharmacology, 174(11), 1349–1365. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.13580
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