What is Palmitoylethanolamide?
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a fatty acid substance that is naturally made by our bodies and performs 3 critical functions:
- Protects cells
- Reduces inflammation
- Helps with pain relief
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) may protect cells against damage caused by lack of oxygen (hypoxia) or inflammation. It can also increase the effect of regular pain killing medicines. PEA may protect the nerves in chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy and there is also evidence that it may help to reduce inflammation.
The combination of PEA and R-alpha lipoid acid may have a synergetic positive effect on diabetic neuropathy. In chronic and neuropathic pain PEA has been found to be effective in some patients who were considered non-responders to conventional pain medicines. PEA has been used for decades as a potential treatment for chronic pain and is indicated as an anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties.
So where does Palmitoylethanolamide come from?
PEA was first discovered by scientists in 1957 and has since then been used in a number of early studies for its effectiveness in reducing inflammation and pain. Fatty acid amines, such as Palmitoylethanolamide, are combinations of fatty acids and amines that are found in most parts of the body. They play a key role in the biochemical signalling process.
Palmitoylethanolamide PEA is also present in many types of food that we regularly consume such as peanuts, eggs, and milk. It is naturally present in the brain and spinal cord. Some scientific studies have shown that hypersensitivity to pain which occurs wherever there is a constriction of the sciatic nerve in the body is largely caused by lower levels of naturally produced PEA in the spinal cord and brain. You can therefore assume that reduced levels of PEA may be linked to increased pain hypersensitivity.
Source: Self Hacked (https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/palmitoylethanolamide-pea/)
Let's take a look at some of the research into PEA and its role in pain.
PEA may help with chronic pain and inflammation
One of the key features of PEA is that it may significantly reduce pain intensity. In a study conducted to determine the effect of PEA on pain, it was found that patients who were given PEA as a supplement had less pain intensity than those who didn't take the supplement. PEA also has been found to be potentially effective in reducing pain levels among patients suffering from back pain and fibromyalgia syndrome. A study done on women who took PEA for a period of six months showed signs of reduced pain and improved sexual function. PEA has also yielded positive results in the treatment and management of pain caused by chemotherapy. It also shows evidence of being helpful for the management of nerve pain.
PEA may protect the brain
Medical studies have shown that stroke patients who take PEA may have better recovery outcomes than those who don't. This is because PEA may help improve brain status and cognitive skills. It may also help to enhance cognitive skills and social behaviour in autistic children.
PEA experiments done on mice have also yielded interesting results. Findings from the studies showed that PEA plays a role in preserving brain cells and reducing brain cell death and inflammation in mice. It also helped in reducing seizure frequency which means PEA may potentially be helpful for epilepsy, but it is not indicated for this in humans.
PEA may protect the heart
In studies conducted on mice, PEA helped to reduce cell death and heart tissue injury. These studies also showed that PEA lowers the inflammatory cytokines level. This means that PEA may help to keep your heart in optimal condition and may lower blood pressure among hypertensive individuals. More research is needed to determine if these same effects can be replicated in humans.
PEA may benefit eye health
Palmitoylethanolamide has also been studied for its potential in helping to protect the eye and retina in people with glaucoma, diabetes and other retinopathies. PEA has been used as a supplement for diabetic patients with nerve damage and glaucoma. Diabetic rats fed with PEA had reduced inflammation in their eye cells.
PEA may be beneficial to patients suffering from eye pressure that usually follows eye surgery. Some studies have shown that the use of PEA on patients with tension glaucoma, may help to lower eye pressure and reduce eye damage.
PEA may help gut function
Studies done on rats showed that PEA helps with the management and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. It also may help to protect the kidney from injury and lower blood pressure. The supplement was also found to potentially help with irritable bowel movement syndrome in rats by normalizing intestinal movement. Whilst these results are promising, more studies need to be done on humans to determine how effective PEA is for gut health.
PEA may help with other types of pain
Overall, studies indicate that PEA as a dietary supplement, may help to reduce pain in osteoarthritis, back pain, sciatic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, dental pain, vaginal pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, chronic pelvic pain, and fibromyalgia syndrome just to mention a few.
PEA may help pain associated with diabetes and painful neuropathy
There is some evidence that PEA can provide pain relief for people with Diabetes.
How does PEA compare to NSAIDs?
A study was performed to test the effectiveness of PEA against Ibuprofen (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), and the results indicated PEA was better at reducing inflammatory joint pain, also known as TMJ.
Opioid medications
Numerous studies suggest that pain medications containing opioids may carry risks to your health. Side effects include hormonal dysfunction, immunosuppression, constipation, muscle rigidity and nausea. They also carry black box warnings.
Is Palmitoylethanolamide safe?
There is evidence to show that PEA may be safe. No adverse effects have been reported. Over 500 studies have been conducted on Palmitoylethanolamide over a period of more than 60 years and not a single side effect has been found. There were a few older patients who experienced mild stomach discomforts but it was later found that the problem was caused by a sweetener known as sorbitol added to the PEA supplement. Today's PEA capsules don't contain sorbitol or any other ingredient except pharmaceutical grade Palmitoylethanolamide encased in a vegetarian capsule.
PEA is a natural fatty acid with no known overdose level. There is some evidence to suggest that it could be more effective if taken at a higher dosage, but only a doctor could advise you about the safety of higher dosage levels.
The Palmitoylethanolamide used in Pain Pro is produced using high quality pure ingredients and does not contain any harmful or toxic excipients, and is allergen and nut free.
References
Palmitoylethanolamide, a Special Food for Medical Purposes, in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Pooled Data Meta-analysis.
Chronic pelvic pain, quality of life and sexual health of women treated with palmitoylethanolamide and α-lipoic acid.
Co-ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide/Luteolin in the Treatment of Cerebral Ischemia: from Rodent to Man.
Beneficial Effects of Palmitoylethanolamide on Expressive Language, Cognition, and Behaviors in Autism: A Report of Two Cases.
Palmitoylethanolamide protects mice against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity and endoplasmic reticulum stress: In vivo and in vitro evidence.
Protective Effects of Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA-um) in Myocardial Ischaemia and Reperfusion Injury in VIVO.
Palmitoylethanolamide, a Natural Retinoprotectant: Its Putative Relevance for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy
Palmitoylethanolamide normalizes intestinal motility in a model of post-inflammatory accelerated transit: involvement of CB₁ receptors and TRPV1 channels.
N-Palmitoylethanolamide protects the kidney from hypertensive injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats via inhibition of oxidative stress.
Palmitoylethanolamide for the treatment of pain: pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy.
Warnings
Keep out of reach of children. Do not take this or any other supplement if under the age of 18, pregnant or nursing a baby, or if you have any known or suspected medical conditions, and/or taking prescription drugs or over the counter medications.
Disclaimer
Always consult with a licenced and qualified health physician before taking or using any products. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This has been provided for your information only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or TGA.
