In the complementary healthcare industry, it's not often that a new supplement generates genuine excitement. However, PEA is one that has certainly caught my attention.

PEA, or palmitoylethanolamide, is a naturally occurring fatty compound produced by the body and found in small amounts in foods such as egg yolks, peanuts, soybeans and meat.¹ Although PEA has been used throughout Europe for many years, it has only become more widely available in Australia in recent years.²

What makes PEA particularly interesting is that our bodies naturally produce it when responding to pain, inflammation, or tissue stress. Researchers believe PEA acts as part of the body's own protective system, helping to regulate inflammatory responses and support nerve health.¹˒³ However, some studies suggest that people living with chronic pain may have lower levels of PEA, which has led researchers to investigate whether supplementation may provide additional support.²˒⁴

Unlike many traditional pain medications, PEA does not work by simply masking symptoms. Instead, it appears to help regulate inflammatory processes and calm overactive immune cells involved in pain signalling.³˒⁵ This unique mechanism has made it the subject of increasing scientific interest.²

Research has explored the potential benefits of PEA in a range of conditions associated with chronic pain and inflammation, including:²˒⁵

• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Sciatica
• Lower back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Neuropathic pain
• Shingles-related nerve pain
• Chronic pelvic pain, including endometriosis
• Migraines
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
• Inflammatory bowel conditions

One of the appealing features of PEA is that it is generally well tolerated and has demonstrated a favourable safety profile in clinical studies.²˒⁵ Some research suggests it may be used alongside conventional pain medications and could potentially support overall pain management strategies.² However, anyone considering PEA should consult their healthcare professional, particularly if they have existing medical conditions or take prescription medications.

Interest in PEA increased significantly after the work of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini, whose research in the 1990s highlighted the compound's role in regulating inflammation and supporting nerve health.⁶ Since then, numerous studies, including randomised controlled trials, have investigated its potential therapeutic applications.²˒⁵

While more large-scale research is still needed, the growing body of evidence suggests PEA may offer a valuable option for people seeking additional support in managing chronic pain and inflammation.²˒⁵ As research continues, this naturally occurring compound could become an increasingly important part of integrative healthcare approaches.

For more information about PEA, drop into Go Vita, Your Health Shop at 5 North Street, Batemans Bay. You can also call us on (02) 4472 9737 or visit us online at www.govitabatemansbay.com.au. Don’t miss our weekly segment on 2EC radio, where Marianne and Go Vita's Nutritionist Sofia chat about health and wellness with Kimmi Saker every Wednesday after 12.30pm.

References

1. Petrosino S, Di Marzo V. The pharmacology of palmitoylethanolamide and first data on the therapeutic efficacy of some of its new formulations. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2017;174(11):1349–1365.
2. Gabrielsson L, Mattsson S, Fowler CJ. Palmitoylethanolamide for the treatment of pain: pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2016;82(4):932–942.
3. Skaper SD, Facci L, Fusco M, et al. Palmitoylethanolamide, a naturally occurring disease-modifying agent in neuropathic pain. Inflammopharmacology. 2014;22(2):79–94.
4. Paladini A, Fusco M, Cenacchi T, et al. Palmitoylethanolamide in the treatment of chronic pain: a pooled data meta-analysis. Pain Physician. 2016;19(2):11–24.
5. Keppel Hesselink JM, de Boer T, Witkamp RF. Palmitoylethanolamide: a natural body-own anti-inflammatory and analgesic compound. Journal of Pain Research. 2013;6:625–634.
6. Levi-Montalcini R, Skaper SD, Dal Toso R, Petrelli L, Leon A. Nerve growth factor: from neurotrophin to neurokine. Trends in Neurosciences. 1996;19(11):514–520.