Top 3 Health Benefits Of Supplementing With PEA
PEA and the family of fatty acid ethanolamines (FAE) are involved in cell protection. They are part of the human’s innate system of endogenous protection from cellular damage.
These lipid mediators are activated by tissue damage, inflammatory processes and nociceptive fibers.
The family of FAEs include:
- Anadamide
- N-oleoylethanolamine
- Palmitoylethanolamide
- N-stearoylethanolamine
HOW PEA REDUCES NEUROINFLAMMATION
Neuroinflammation is characterized by an increase in the amount and activity of the inflammasomes. These complexes mediate neuroinflammation along with cytokines and chemokines. Inflammasomes activate caspase-1 and this leads to production of Il-1B, IL-18, IL-33; these are pro-inflammatory molecules.
These cytokines play a large role in starting the terrible cascade of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
Cytokines are large proteins that are secreted from immune cells. These may be pro or anti inflammatory. They work to achieve homeostasis for the cell in terms of inflammation. The pro-inflammatory interleukins are IL-1B, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-alpha. The anti-inflammatory ones include IL-4 and IL-10.
Once induced and the cellular environment becomes highly inflammatory, an internal protection system should turn on and begin resolving the inflammation.
This neuroinflammation resolution process involves lipid mediators that are able to switch off the inflammation.
These lipid mediators can convert a chronically inflamed situation to a normal and balanced one. Some lipid mediators known in the inflammatory cascade are prostaglandins, leukotrienes and eicosanoids.
Once the cell is too inflamed, the resolvins, protectins and maresins should come into play. However, most people exist in a state of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress and this system is overwhelmed completely.
HOW PEA REDUCES OXIDATIVE STRESS
PEA is a ligand for peroxisome proliferator actuator receptor alpha (PPAR-alpha). PPARs are a group of receptors that act as transcription factors and regulate the expression of certain genes.
PEA can also bind to GPR55 a ubiquitous receptor on neural cell membranes. This receptor modulate neutrophil migration and may prevent oxidative damage.
PEA is made by mast cells and glial cells. Mast cells are immune cells and glial cells are neural support cells and function as neural immune cells as well. When mast and glial cells are overactivated with chronic inflammation, they cause damage.
PEA is part of the normal negative feedback loop designed to downregulate the activity of these cells. For example, Mast cell degranulation at peripheral nerves is known to cause chronic neuropathic pain; PEA can mitigate that result and resolve chronic neuropathic pain.
PEA is neuroprotective and antinociceptive. PEA can decrease NO production, decrease neutrophil influx and decrease the expression of proinflammatory proteins. IT also protects endothelial function from oxidative and inflammatory injuries.
PEA AND BRAIN HEALTH
PEA administration has been found to improve the function of brains after TBI; it enhances neurological, biochemical and emotional outcomes. It does so by reducing the second injury aspect of TBI by preventing the brain’s infiltration by and degranulation of mast cells.
The exogenous addition of PEA can accelerate the resolution of inflammation. PEA acts to restore cellular and mitochondrial balance.
PEA offers a safe and natural method to manage neuropathic pain; it is tolerated very well and there are no known side effects. This is a naturally occurring lipid mediator that is an inflammation resolver.
PEA has shown pro-neurogenic effects in the hippocampus and has also protected against alterations by inflammation of the dopamine active transporter in the substantia nigra, which is a part of the brain that plays a role in movement. It is being studied as a therapy to prevent dopamine neuronal cell destruction in Parkinson’s.
There are many clinical studies showing the effectiveness of PEA in reducing pain from nerves and also in reducing the need for other medications like NSAIDs. This protects against the side effects of the NSAIDs.
PEA acts mostly on the support cells, or non-neuronal cells, of the CNS and is an important natural method to prevent neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and pain.
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric responsible for its benefits in helping to relieve joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) is a compound naturally produced by your body in response to pain and inflammation. When taken as a supplement, PEA helps soothe + repair frayed and damaged nerve endings near joints inflicted with arthritis with its powerful anti-inflammatory benefits.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Meredith Warner is the creator of Well Theory and The Healing Sole. She is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Air Force Veteran.
She is on a mission to disrupt traditional medicine practices and promote betterment physically, spiritually and mentally to many more people. She advocates for wellness and functional health over big pharma so more people can age vibrantly with more function and less pain.
At Well Theory, Our surgeon-designed products are FDA Registered and formulated to help people:
- Manage the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain
- Recover vibrantly from orthopedic related surgeries
- Fill the gaps in our daily diets
- Manage pain associated with inflammation