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Palmitoylethanolamide Carpal Tunnel
Studies on the use of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) for Carpal Tunnel
- This study suggests doses higher than 600mg per day are necessary. Use of palmitoylethanolamide in carpal tunnel syndrome: a prospective randomized study.
J Orthop Traumatol. 2017 Dec; 18(4): 451–455. Jordi Faig-Martí, Adriana Martínez-CatassúsPublished online 2017 Mar 15. doi: 10.1007/s10195-017-0453-zThe results of this study suggest that treatment of CTS with PEA at a dose of 600 mg/day is not associated with an improvement of any clinical and electrophysiological parameters. However, we observed an improvement in the FSS in the Boston Questionnaire after treatment with PEA. Together with the results of other studies, we conclude that further studies of PEA in CTS at higher doses are necessary. Full article
- “Palmitoylethanolamide, a neutraceutical, in nerve compression syndromes: efficacy and safety in sciatic pain and carpal tunnel syndrome” Authors Hesselink J, Kopsky DReceived 25 July 2015
Accepted for publication 17 September 2015
Conclusion:
“PEA has been tested in a variety of animal models for nerve compression and has been evaluated in eight different clinical trials in total, in 1,366 patients with nerve compression syndromes. Both the preclinical as well as the clinical results point in the same direction: PEA acts as a safe analgesic compound in nerve compression. Its safety and efficacy profile supports the clinical use of PEA in compression syndromes such as sciatic pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. PEA is easy to administer. The NNT of PEA for sciatic pain to reach 50% pain reduction is 1.5 and the number needed to harm is at least in the hundreds, but for the time being not calculable due to the absence of serious and troublesome side effects leading to dropouts in clinical trials. The risk–benefit balance of PEA therefore favors its inclusion in the therapeutic armamentarium of chronic pain. PEA can be administered both as a stand-alone analgesic as well as part of a multimodal therapy regime.” [NNT ratio: Number Needed to Treat: The ideal NNT is 1, where everyone improves with treatment and no one improves with control. A higher NNT indicates that treatment is less effective. NNT is similar to number needed to harm (NNH), where NNT usually refers to a therapeutic intervention and NNH to a detrimental effect or risk factor.]
Here is a good summary article about PEA that talks about chronic pain conditions and it’s use. https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/blog-post/pea-pain Summary:
- “Used for its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions, PEA belongs to a new class of analgesic products.
- PEA has been evaluated in a number of placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials and has been found effective in various neuropathic pain states and inflammation, as well as in chronic pain.
- PEA has an excellent safety profile and is devoid of addiction potential. Drug interactions have not been documented and it may be used together with other analgesics or as a stand-alone therapy.
DISCLAIMER:
The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional advice or care. Please seek the advice of a qualified health care professional in the event something you have read here raises questions or concerns regarding your health.
Palmitoylethanolamide for Asthma
Research Article in Frontiers in Pharmacology Shows That PEA Supplementation Reduces Airway Sensitivity Symptoms in Mice
You can create asthma symptoms in mice by a process called “allergen sensitization”. This is related to the role of mast cells in asthma.
PEA appears to be a “down-regulator” of mast cell activity in the airways. The first part of this study confirmed that PEA levels were LOWER in mice with created asthma symptoms (allergic symptoms in the lung tissue). This fits into the model where cells with a lowered local level of PEA are more likely to be more easily inflamed or sensitive. (Chronic pain and inflammation lead to REDUCED PEA levels in the cells.)
Simply put – this means that giving the mice asthma in this way, caused PEA levels in the cells to drop.
When the mice were supplemented with PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) at 10mg/kg 15 MINUTES before exposure to the allergen – this PREVENTED BRONCHIAL HYPERACTIVITY.
This supplementation also avoided pulmonary inflammation and allergen-induced cell recruitment (ie stopped the allergic cascade).
This has HUGE implications for allergy based sensitivity and corresponding asthma symptoms. The mice developed lower PEA levels when exposed to the allergen, and when supplemented with PEA DID NOT DEVELOP THE ALLERGY AND SENSITIZATION.
Palmitoylethanolamide Infection – Influenza and Common Cold
Palmitolyethanolamide (PEA) Shown To Be Effective In Reducing Influenza & Common Cold
It is not well known that over the past 25 years, PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) has been tested as a therapy for both influenza and the common cold. In fact, as early as 1939, food supplements (dried egg yolks fed to poor children in New York which containing high PEA) reduced rheumatic fever and streptococcal infections.
This progressed over several decades leading to research in 1974 (Masek et al) that showed a 52% reduction in influenza in a trial with 1344 subjects. People taking the palmitoylethanolamide had fewer episodes of fever, sore throat and headache than the placebo groups. The number of sickness days was reduced in the PEA group.
To confirm these results – it was decided to test it on the military.
Soldiers that housed together were selected, and over 2 years from 1973 to 1975, new trials were conducted.
The group taking the supplement had approximately one third the infection rate of the placebo group.
What else don’t you know about supplements?
Read more about palmitoylethanolamide at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3771453/
