Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous fatty acid amide that modulates inflammatory responses through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) activation. PEA provides analgesic and neuroprotective effects by reducing neuroinflammation and supporting endocannabinoid system function.
Reported Benefits (Provisional)
Origin & History
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a naturally occurring fatty acid amide found in foods like egg yolk and soy lecithin. It is synthesized in the body and can also be extracted from these sources for supplemental use.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Studies include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses indicating its efficacy in pain management and inflammation reduction. Preclinical studies support its neuroprotective properties.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
- Contains fatty acid amide that interacts with cannabinoid receptors. - Non-psychoactive and naturally occurring in the body. - Often used in micronized form for better absorption.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
PEA primarily activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), which regulates inflammatory gene expression and reduces production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β. It also modulates mast cell degranulation and enhances anandamide signaling through entourage effects. Additionally, PEA influences transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways to provide analgesic effects.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
Multiple randomized controlled trials involving over 2,000 participants demonstrate PEA's efficacy for chronic pain conditions. Studies show 300-1200mg daily reduces pain scores by 30-50% in neuropathic pain, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia over 4-12 weeks. Double-blind trials in carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatic pain reveal significant improvements compared to placebo. However, most studies are relatively small (50-300 participants) and longer-term safety data remains limited.
Also Known As
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