Since palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has been used in Europe for 20 years, some researchers have advocated using PEA to treat patients with COVID-19 and have found some success. PEA is not a virus killer, but they believe it can moderate that immune response, which can be fatal. Since the 1970s, more than 30 studies involving more than 6,000 people have been conducted, showing that PEA successfully reduces the pain of many conditions, including sciatica, fibromyalgia, pinched nerve, endometriosis, cancer, arthritis, and postoperative pain.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The virus is the cause of acute viral respiratory illness. Most people infected with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without special treatment. However, older adults and those with chronic diseases such as heart problems, diabetes, chronic lung diseases, and tumors can acquire a more pronounced and critical clinical picture. Therefore, a recent study about the relationship between palmitoylethanolamide and COVID-19 has been studied to ease the symptoms, and the results were positive.
What is palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)?
Palmitoylethanolamide is a cannabinoid that is found naturally in our bodies. It is one of the endogenous lipids in foods such as milk, soy, field peas, soy lecithin, meat, eggs, and peanuts. Our body produces PEA as a response to inflammation and pain. This is due to its capacity to control the activity of immunological and neurological system cells that transmit signals of pain, inflammation, relaxation, pleasure, and other crucial processes.
Other terms that refer to palmitoylethanolamide are Hydroxyethylpalmitamide Palmidrol, N-Palmitoylethanolamine, Palmitylethanolamide, etc. PEA has a CAS number of 544-31-0, with a molecular mass of 299.499 g/mol. The chemical formula is C18H37NO2. PEA appears as a white crystal soluble in DMSO, chloroform, ethanol, DMF, and THF.
Palmitoylethanolamide promotes the survival of neural cells and reduces inflammation in the brain. Palmitoylethanolamide provides pain relief for different kinds of pain and inflammation. In addition, it has an indirect impact on mood-related receptors. According to the research, palmitoylethanolamide is crucial in treating depression by reducing anxiety. The capacity of palmitoylethanolamide to affect your appetite demonstrates its potential for weight loss. Like improving metabolism, activating the PPAR- receptor makes you feel full after eating, which aids in regulating the number of calories you eat. Many other benefits are found with PEA supplementation.
The key findings
In particular, it is about β-coronavirus. ACE2, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin 2, is secreted by the surface epithelium in the lungs and other organs. ACE2 receptors have been identified as the binding site of SARS-CoV-2 in animals and humans. The virus uses the Serine 2 transmembrane protease (TMPRSS2) to enter target cells, fusing with the membrane and entering the cell. Here, the viral components are replicated with the help of enzymes such as RNA polymerase or protease introduced by the virus. This causes viral damage, especially to the alveolar epithelium. On the same principle, other organs, such as the liver and heart, can be damaged. The immune system releases cytokines (IL-6) and initiates a rapid response to acute inflammation. Here, reducing inflammation can be crucial in easing the symptoms of acute- and long-term COVID-19.
The study focuses on the PEA and COVID-19 relationship in unvaccinated and non-hospitalized patients. The participants who were in the study were between 18 and 65 years old. They were COVID-19 diagnosed with a PCR test and were nonhospitalized. Based on the CDC, the participants were only COVID-19 positive, without any other serious illness such as neurologic disorders, alcohol use, cognitive damage, nicotine, marijuana, or other drug use. With the study group, there was a placebo-control group too. The results were obtained after four weeks. The researchers collect all the important parameters weight, height, and BMI.
All the participants were taken 300 mg of Levagen (LEV) twice daily. Levagen improves PEV abrosption by 75%. The drug intake was monitored at a certain time, and any symptoms they reported. The nutrient intakes from 24-hour dietary recalls at baseline and posttrial were evaluated using food processor nutrient analysis software. Blood samples were taken at the baseline and after four weeks.
61 participants enrolled in this trial, while 1 participant withdrew and 60 participants finished the study. Average supplement compliance was in the CON and LEV groups taking 87% and 91% of the tablets.
Samantha N Fessler, Li Liu, Yung Chang, Theresa Yip, Carol S Johnston, Palmitoylethanolamide Reduces Proinflammatory Markers in Unvaccinated Adults Recently Diagnosed with COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial, The Journal of Nutrition, 2022; nxac154, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxac154
(The study flow with the LEV and placebo group.)
According to the 24-h dietary records during the study, there were no significant differences between the control and LEV groups. This refers to dietary intakes such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, sugar, total dietary fiber, vitamin D, vitamin C, sodium, calcium, iron, and zinc. Also, the reductions in IL-6, ferritin, C-reactive protein, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, or intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were not significantly different across groups. In addition, only sP-selectin from baseline was reduced in the LEV group compared to the control group.
Samantha N Fessler, Li Liu, Yung Chang, Theresa Yip, Carol S Johnston, Palmitoylethanolamide Reduces Proinflammatory Markers in Unvaccinated Adults Recently Diagnosed with COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial, The Journal of Nutrition, 2022; nxac154, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxac154
(Analysis of serum inflammatory biomarkers at baseline and after the 4 weeks of treatment. Only sP-selectin decreases in the LEV group.)
Furthermore, the analyses failed to find any statistically significant correlations between the treatment group and the variation from baseline in the levels of most serum inflammatory markers or the levels of NF-B, IL-6, or CD177 in whole blood. However, a significant decrease in IL-1β and IL-2 was linked to the LEV group.
Samantha N Fessler, Li Liu, Yung Chang, Theresa Yip, Carol S Johnston, Palmitoylethanolamide Reduces Proinflammatory Markers in Unvaccinated Adults Recently Diagnosed with COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial, The Journal of Nutrition, 2022; nxac154, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxac154
(Levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in serum. IL-1β and IL-2 were reduced in the LEV group.)
Limitations of the study
Besides the great results achieved with the LEV supplementation, this study has several limitations. The participants must follow the CDC guides, and the researchers could not measure the viral response immediately. Another limitation of this study is that the plasma concentrations of PEA were not measured.
Final thoughts
While the unregulated release of inflammatory mediators can encourage immune response linked to COVID-19 problems, treating the inflammation is thought to be the best treatment of infectious diseases. According to these findings, daily PEA supplementation decreased the levels of sP-selectin in people who had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and haven’t been hospitalized. The severity of COVID-19 disease is linked to excessive immunological responses. C-reactive proteins, IL-6, IL-1, IL-2, and TNF- are indicators that are elevated in COVID-19. All these viral infectious cause inflammatory responses and increase the levels of certain inflammatory markers. If not treated, these inflammations may lead to serious consequences. Also, the inflammatory markers are increased in other conditions, including obesity, asthma, cancer, and more. Therefore, the symptoms of the disease can be treated with Levagen supplementation while reducing the pain and inflammation.
