Palmitoylethanolamide: A Natural Compound for Health Management

Paul Clayton¹, Mariko Hill², Nathasha Bogoda², Silma Subah², Ruchitha Venkatesh³

Institute of Food, Brain and Behaviour, Beaver House, 23-28 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford OX1 2EP, UK ²Gencor Pacific Limited, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, New Territories, Hong Kong, China ³School of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Abstract

All nations which have undergone a nutrition transition have experienced increased frequency and falling latency of chronic degenerative diseases, which are largely driven by chronic inflammatory stress. Dietary supplementation is a valid strategy to reduce the risk and severity of such disorders. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator with extensively documented anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects. It is well tolerated and devoid of side effects in animals and humans. PEA’s actions on multiple molecular targets while modulating multiple inflammatory mediators provide therapeutic benefits in many applications, including immunity, brain health, allergy, pain modulation, joint health, sleep and recovery. PEA’s poor oral bioavailability, a major obstacle in early research, has been overcome by advanced delivery systems now licensed as food supplements. This review summarizes the functionality of PEA, supporting its use as an important dietary supplement for lifestyle management.

Keywords: ALIAmides; bioactive lipids; dietotherapy; endocannbinoids; immunomodulation; immunomodulator; inflammation; lipid signaling; molecular mechanism; neuroinflammation; nutraceuticals; pain.