PEA400 Palmitoylethanolamide for Chronic Pain Relief
Uses and benefits
- Helps manage chronic pain and discomfort
- Provides a plant-based therapy to relieve chronic pain
- Used to relieve the pain associated with nerve compression and inflammatory conditions
- Micronized for effective solubility and absorption by the body
- Provides 1200 mg of PEA per day, the same dose supported by clinical studies
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
Suitable for
- Adults who suffer from chronic pain
- Individuals looking for a natural alternative or complement to standard pain therapies
- People with nerve compression conditions, including sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome
- Adults suffering from specific pain conditions, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or low back pain
Feature summary
PEA400 from Natural Factors contains palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) that is naturally produced from non-GMO safflower oil to help relieve chronic pain. PEA is a fatty-acid-like compound made by the body’s nervous and immune system cells for regulating pain and inflammation. It is also found in certain foods, such as safflower lecithin, soybeans, peanuts, and egg yolks.
PEA has analgesic, neuroprotective, and anti-neuroinflammatory properties. It activates the endocannabinoid system and has been used successfully for conditions associated with chronic pain and discomfort. It has been studied for nerve compression syndromes, including sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome, and for pain caused by pinched nerves and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
PEA400 is made from fractionated non-GMO safflower oil. It then undergoes a micronization process to improve its solubility and absorption by the body. Each vegetarian capsule contains 400 mg of PEA to be taken in a daily dose of three capsules, which is within the range of doses supported by clinical studies. PEA400 is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and is well tolerated with little to no reported side effects. It is a great choice for adults who suffer from chronic pain conditions but have had limited success with conventional therapies.
How it works
Chronic pain can result from damaged neuronal tissue as well as nervous system dysfunction. The inflammation caused by nerve pressure can also activate a cascade of chemical reactions in the body, ultimately leading to enhanced pain sensitivity.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a fatty acid ethanolamide that is made by the body’s cells and is part of the endocannabinoid system. It has multiple roles in regulating physiological processes throughout the body, including chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and inflammation.
PEA binds to a receptor in the nucleus of cells called the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha. This is believed to interrupt the transcription of genes for specific molecules involved in pain and inflammation. It has also been shown to activate endocannabinoid receptors such as GPR55 and GPR119 that influence pain and inflammation.
As an anti-inflammatory agent, PEA reduces the activity of certain pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as COX, eNOS, and iNOS, while also reducing the activity of mast cells. PEA helps lower the sensitivity of peripheral and central nerves, putting the nervous system in a less reactive state and reducing the response of nerve fibres to stimulus. Although PEA is made by the body, it may be degraded by several enzymes, as well as reduced through chemical irritation.
Ingredients
Each vegetarian capsule contains:
Palmitoylethanolamide (safflower oil) (seed)......................... 400 mg
Dosage
Recommended adult dose: 3 capsules once daily or as directed by a health care practitioner.
For use beyond 4 months, consult a health care practitioner.
Cautions: Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep out of the reach of children.
Research
Chronic pain affects approximately 38% of the world’s population and many different disabilities are associated with symptoms of pain. Chronic pain is both a personal and economic burden that can significantly reduce overall health and quality of life.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is used for managing chronic pain and has been well studied for pain associated with nerve compression syndromes, pinched nerves, nerve damage, and degenerative disorders. Clinical trials have shown that a number of conditions responsible for chronic pain respond well to PEA when taken in divided doses of 400–1200 mg per day.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, over 600 sciatic pain patients were supplemented with either 300 mg or 600 mg of PEA per day, in addition to their usual therapies, for three weeks. Based on pain measurements using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the 600 mg and 300 mg doses helped reduce pain by an average of 71% and 45%, respectfully. In comparison, the placebo group experienced a 30% reduction.
Two 600 mg doses of PEA per day were supplemented as an add-on therapy to regular analgesics in the treatment of low back pain with a nervous system component. After six months, this pilot study demonstrated that adding PEA to regular therapy made a significant difference in reducing pain intensity and related disability in low back pain patients.
Osteoarthritic damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause pain, inflammation, and reduced jaw function. In a tripleblind clinical trial, patients with TMJ pain were supplemented with 900 mg of PEA per day (300 mg in the morning plus 600 mg in the evening) for one week, followed by two 600 mg doses of PEA per day for one week. After two weeks of supplementation, patients were found to have an 89% reduction in VAS pain scores and a significant 4.4 mm improvement in their maximum mouth opening.
In an observational study, researchers examined effects of PEA across a range of different health conditions with pain. Patients suffering from chronic pain associated with pinched nerves, osteoarthrosis, herpes zoster infection, diabetic neuropathy, failed back surgery syndrome, oncologic disease, and other conditions were supplemented with 600 mg of PEA twice per day for three weeks followed by one dose per day for four weeks, in addition to their regular therapies. All patients who completed the study experienced a significant reduction in their rating of pain intensity (61% reduction), regardless of their type of condition or their use of additional pain therapies.