Does Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) Have Weight Loss Benefits?

What is Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA)?

Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) also called N-2 hydroxyethyl palmitamide or palmitoylethanolamine is a chemical that belong to a group of fatty acid amides. It is a biologically active, naturally occuring lipid that acts on CR2 (cannabinoid receptor) and interacts with inflammatory cells in our nervous system. Palmitoylethanolamide supplement has been proved to have powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. It also influences many physiological functions that are related to cellular and metabolic homeostasis.

What is Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) Made From?

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) (544-31-0) is naturally produced in the body when the body needs to combat pain or inflammation. Several plants and animals also produce PEA. This chemical can therefore be extracted from peanuts, alfalfa, soy lecithin, milk, soybeans, and egg yolk.

How Does Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) Work?

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) stimulates PPAR alpha which is an anti-inflammatory, energy-enhancing, and fat-burning receptor. Through stimulation of this receptor, Palmitoylethanolamide inhibits the release of several inflammatory substances and action of pro-inflammatory genes therefore reducing inflammation. This also triggers regulation of lipid metabolism.

PEA triggers a number of indirect receptor-mediated activities.  PEA indirectly stimulates cannabinoid receptors via different indirect mechanisms.  Palmitoylethanolamide indirectly activate cannabinoid receptors such as CB1 and CB2 by functioning as a false substrate for FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase), the enzyme used in the endocannabinoid AEA degradation, therefore leading to a lowered degradation of AEA.

This action causes increased AEA levels and, in turn, more stimulation of cannabinoid receptor-mediated signaling. Also, recent research has shown that Palmitoylethanolamide boosts CB2 receptor mRNA levels and protein following PPAR-α activation.

PEA therefore lowers the activity of FAAH which breaks down cannabinoid anandamide. This boosts calming anandamide levels in your body, helping you to feel relaxed and fight pain.

Does Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) Have Weight Loss Benefits?

Yes, PEA provides numerous Weight loss benefits. We have discussed some of the benefits below.

i. Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) prevents against pain and inflammation during and after a weight loss workout

Obesity causes the appearance of an inflammatory process that may be initiated even after a moderate weight gain. Palmitoylethanolamide acts as an endogenous lipid that has shown numerous anti-inflammatory properties.

A research study was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Palmitoylethanolamide supplement on human adipocytes. The study demonstrated that PEA inhibits the LPS stimulated secretion of TNF-alpha by human adipocytes. It was also proved that Palmitoylethanolamide showed a great anti-inflammatory activity as the chemical can completely stop the high increase in the levels of TNF-alpha in the serum which had been treated with a high dose of LPS.

Scientists found out that when PEA binds to PPAR-α, the receptor is stimulated and this enhances the ability of your body to regulate breakdown of fats, weight management, anti-inflammatory activity, and pain-relieving responses. Because of its lack of toxicity, PEA proved to be very efficient in the prevention against obesity-associated insulin resistance.

Therefore, use of palmitoylethanolamide powder may be helpful to active bodybuilders, who are looking to shed off fat, build lean muscle, and prevent work out-induced inflammation that would cause pain during and after heavy exercises.

ii. Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) causes a decrease in appetite

Science suggests that fatty acid ethanolamides has a big role in the control of feeding behavior. A study was carried out to investigate the role of palmitoylethanolamide (one of the ethanolamides) in weight gain and appetite regulation. Ovariectomized rats showing increased weight gain were treated with palmitoylethanolamide (30 mg/kg sc) for five weeks. After this, blood was collected, and adipose tissue and hypothalamus were removed for cellular, molecular, and histological measurements .

Researchers showed that palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) caused a remarkable reduction in food intake, fat mass, and body weight. Palmitoylethanolamide also transformed adipose tissue macrophages to M2 lean phenotype, associated with a decrease of inflammatory adipokines/ cytokines.

More research on human body shows that activation of PPAR- α by PEA stimulates the feeling of satisfaction and fullness. Maintenance of a healthy weight lowers the occurrence of inflammation and pain after exercise.  If you’re an active bodybuilder, experiencing inflammation and pain during or after an exercise due to excess body weight, this may lower the efficiency of your workout or discourage you from working out as often as you’d otherwise want. Taking PEA may eliminate this problem.

iii. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) Enhances metabolism

Due to the ability of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) to bind to PPAR- α, it is able to improve metabolism, promote fat burning and cause a feeling of satiety and fullness.

It is therefore a valuable tool in assisting active individuals improve their exercises and reach their weight loss goals. The simplest way to boost your intake of PEA is by taking palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) supplement on a daily basis. This is one of the safest natural way to assist you achieve the most fit shape ever and enable you to have a pain-free and comfortable workout.

How Does Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) Help With Weight Control?

When PEA binds to PPAR- α, it stimulates the body to breakdown more fat, instead of having it stored. This stimulation also enhances the ability of the body to burn cholesterol which may otherwise cause quick weight gain. In simpler terms, Palmitoylethanolamide supports a healthy metabolism, resulting in heightened energy levels. The high energy levels in turn assists you shed off weight by enabling your body to burn more calories during and after an exercise.

Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) Other Benefits

Other palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) benefits include:

i. Improvement of brain health

Taking palmitoylethanolamide powder may help patients with stroke and neurodegenerative diseases because PEA assists brain cells survive and reduce inflammation. In a study involving 250 stroke patients, PEA was proved to provide a positive effect on overall brain health, cognitive skills, and daily functioning.

ii. Healing common cold

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) benefits in fighting common cold were proved in a study that involved 900 soldiers. A PEA dosage of 1200mg/day was seen to lower the duration and the symptoms of cold such as sore throat, headaches, and fever. In four other studies, Palmitoylethanolamide reduced the chances getting a cold and the seriousness of the symptoms.

iii. Relieving joint pain

PEA is essential in relieving arthritis because it reduces the development of chronic pain and lowers joint destruction progress associated with arthritis. In an animal study that investigated PEA combined with quercetin showed that this combination lowered inflammatory chemical levels in the joint fluid, enhanced joint function, reduced pain and protected cartilage against damage.

Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) Dosage

Consult your health care provider before taking palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) powder. More clinical research is expected regarding the medical use of PEA but the available information shows that Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA) supplement is safe.

In clinical studies palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) dosage of 300mg  to 1.8g/day was used. In a study involving 610 patients who couldn’t effectively control their chronic pain with normal therapies, a palmitoylethanolamide dosage of 600 mg was administered two times per day for three weeks.  This was followed with one dose per day for one month in addition to a single analgesic therapy. The used palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) dosage was found to reduce the mean score pain intensity in all the patients who completed the observational study.

Palmitoylethanolamide half life has been proved to be eight hours, but the achieved positive effects are felt throughout the day because the palmitoylethanolamide supplement closes the source of pain and inflammation completely.

The recommended dosage of palmitoylethanolamide PEA for nerve pain is 1.2g/day.

There are no known palmitoylethanolamide contraindications, and patients with reduced liver and kidney function can be treated with palmitoylethanolamide PEA powder, as its metabolism is cellular, localized and independent of liver and kidney functions. It doesn’t interfere with other drug therapies and it doesn’t trigger drug to drug interactions.

What Are The Side Effects of Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA)?

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) side effects include:

1. Users reported to experience a feeling of heaviness in the stomach shortly after the PEA tablets were taken.
2. A few users rarely experienced mild diarrhea and gastrointestinal discomfort after the sublingual Palmitoylethanolamide formulation. This is believed to be caused by the use of sorbitol as a sweetener in PEA formulation.

Buy Palmitoylethanolamide(PEA)

Good news is that you can now buy Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) (544-31-0) online. However, be warned that you’ll need to carry out due diligence since most suppliers of this supplement are not legit. To make sure that you are buying legit PEA, take time to research widely and find out what previous buyers are saying about them by reading their palmitoylethanolamide reviews.

You should only buy the supplement from a popular manufacturer who has a good reputation. Such a manufacturer should have more positive reviews and high ratings from buyers than negative ones.

Article by:

Dr. Liang

Co-founder, the company’s core administration leadership; PhD received from Fudan University in organic chemistry. More than nine years of experience in organic synthesis field of medicinal chemistry. Rich experience in combinatorial chemistry, medicinal chemistry and custom synthesis and project management.

References:

• NCBI-PubChem (25 March 2005). “Compound Summary: Palmitoylethanolamide”. PubChem.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov. Bethesda, MD: US NLM-National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Retrieved 12th  March 2020.
• Lo Verme, J.; Fu, J.; Astarita, G.; La Rana, G.; Russo, R.; Calignano, A.; Piomelli, D. (2005). “The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha mediates the anti-inflammatory actions of palmitoylethanolamide”. Molecular Pharmacology. 67 (1): 15–19.
• Jonsson, K. O.; Vandevoorde, S. V.; Lambert, D. M.; Tiger, G.; Fowler, C. J. (2001). “Effects of homologues and analogues of palmitoylethanolamide upon the inactivation of the endocannabinoid anandamide”. British Journal of Pharmacology. 133 (8): 1263–1275.

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