hi all I’ve been on PEA for about 4/5 months it’s helped with a lot of digestive issues I suffered from, so I would like to carry on taking it but can’t find any info on how long is safe to continuously take. Also worried if I stop digestion issues will return
Any advice will be greatly appreciated
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Todd-pw
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This is from the Natural Medicines Professional DataBase. I have read the umPEA has better bioavailabilty. My HWP and spinal issues took 600mg am and 600pm it did not really help much for nerve pain, perhaps it lowered his overall inflammation. As you are using it for gastro issues I included the active mechanism for PEA, the second is the inflammation reduction, and the neuro
Gastrointestinal effects: PEA is of interest for inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis, which are associated with increased gut permeability and inflammation. In animal and in vitro research, PEA decreases intestinal permeability and inflammation. The mechanism of action appears to involve the TRPV1, CB2, GPR55, and PPAR-alpha receptors (101416,100879). Research in humans shows that PEA attenuates increased absorption of lactulose and mannitol, which was experimentally induced by aspirin intake.
Anti-inflammatory effects: Laboratory and animal research suggests that PEA has anti-inflammatory effects in various cell types and animal models. PEA is thought to have direct effects on various peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR). However, it also likely has other effects. These may involve endocannabinoid-mediated mechanisms of action, such as the activation of cannabinoid receptors or TRPV1 channels. This broad mechanism of action might explain the effects of PEA in cells such as mast cells, glial cells, astrocytes, and keratinocytes (92311,101404,101410). In general, PEA is thought to inhibit the release of inflammatory compounds from mast cells, activated at the site of nerve injury. This results in an inhibition of further mast cell recruitment, as well as an inhibition of microglial activation and neuropathic pain and edema. The mast cells and glial cells shift from a phase of immune activation to a resting phase. Both administration of PEA, and increasing its levels by blocking endogenous breakdown, result in these effects (93314,93320,93368,93371,101402,101404,101410). In animal and human research, PEA reduces levels of various inflammatory cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-17, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (93368,101401,101411). This is possibly related to inhibition of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthases
Neurologic effects: There is interest in using PEA for various neurological conditions, including Alzheimer disease and autism spectrum disorder. In an animal model of Alzheimer disease, PEA reduces certain pro-apoptotic pathways, including increased lipid peroxidation and protein nitration. In vitro, PEA protected the neurons and astrocytes that were cultured with amyloid. The PPAR receptors -alpha, -gamma, and -delta all appear to play a role in this neuroprotection (101405). In an animal model of autism, PEA improves behavior. Behavior improvements are associated with reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in the brain and improved neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity (101401
Overview
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a fatty acid amide. In the diet it is found in egg yolk and plant fats, such as soy lecithin and ground peanuts (93320,93322,93333,93371). PEA is also made naturally by the body in response to stress and pain. In Europe, PEA is available for use under medical supervision as a micronized or ultramicronized product and classified by the European Commission as 'Food for Special Medical Purposes' (93314).
Safety
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately, short-term. PEA has been used with apparent safety in doses of up to 1400 mg daily for up to 3 months (93314,93326,93327,93333,93335,93338,93339,93369,93373,101333)(101335,106269,106274). ...when used topically and appropriately, short-term. An emollient containing PEA 0.3% and N-acetylethanolamine 0.21% (Stiefel Laboratories Ltd) had been used with apparent safety twice daily for up to 28 days (106271).
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of PEA when applied topically or when used orally, long-term
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Nausea.
- Cardiovascular
Orally, PEA has been reported to cause palpitations in one patient (93322).
- Dermatologic
Topically, applying a lotion containing PEA twice daily worsened pruritus and caused stinging, scaling, or reddening in 13% of patients with dry skin. However, these adverse effects did not occur more frequently than in patients applying the vehicle alone (106272).
- Gastrointestinal
Orally, PEA has been rarely reported to cause mild and transient gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea (93325,93327,106266).
- Genitourinary
Orally, PEA has been rarely reported to cause spotting when used in combination with polydatin. However, it is unclear whether this adverse effect is due to PEA, polydatin, or the combination (93325).
- Neurologic/CNS
Orally, PEA has been reported to cause drowsiness or a sensation of floating in one patient each (93322,106266).
HiTodd,my husband has been on PEA for 4 months,initially high dose of 1.200 mg per day,now half that dose.We have noticed improvement on multiple fronts,and in correspondence with the company who manufacture it,there seems to be no problem in taking it indefinitely ifyou are not having side effects.However,like cleaning your teeth,it needs to be taken regularly or the symptoms will return.One of the first Italian studies initially had Parkinson’s patients on PEA for a year,and the positive effects were on going.
Hi there,My husband is the one with Parkinson’s,and he has been taking PEA for 3 1/2 months.I must tell you he has also for the last 2 months been using red light therapy,using a home made helmet made from instructions from a website called “ Redlights on the brain”.Over the last while his balance has improved,his posture has straightened,and his voice,which was a whisper,is much stronger,though we do voice exercises every day,and that must have helped too.He has also been taking 500mg of Citicoline,which I think are backing up thePEA effects
As every one’s symptoms are a bit different,you may experience other improvements.Be prepared to take the high dose( 1200mg) per day for 3months,then drop down to 500 mg per day.Dontfret if you don’t see an immediate change,it was into the 3 rd month before we began to noticeable improvements.
I really hope you will find it beneficial,the way it work can only do some good!
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